FEARLESS-Why Are We Afraid? IF you are studying on line, we are studying Max Lucado’s book, Fearless

If you are studying with us on line, we are studying Max Lucado’s book, Fearless.

My comments will be in Burgundy-Rhonda

Read Matthew 8:20 & 23 -27 (Amplified Bible)

 Jesus was human upon the earth, His body and mind was exhausted; yet He was God draped in flesh, we find words here telling how tired he was. So His physical condition was foretold to the disciples.

 23 And after He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.

 After we accept Jesus we get in the boat with Him. When Jesus got into the boat it was a known fact that they were going to a destiny and would arrive there. It was not Jesus’ time to die. He had just done great miracles and they were glad to follow Him.

 24And suddenly, behold, there arose a violent storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered up by the waves; but He was sleeping.

Jesus chose to sleep, even though he knew there was a great storm coming. To the His followers (us) there was  a sudden  storm, unknowing to them (but remember not to Jesus). And not only was it a storm but a violent one. Some on board were seasoned sailors (Christians) but it catches even them off guard. The storm was not part of the deal. It was suppose to be journey to another miracle service, wasn’t it? They forgot all they have previous learned by seeing and being in the present of God.   Instead they were gripped by FEAR…Fear of What? ______________________________________________________________________________________________

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 They are more concerned with the storm than the one who controls the storm. Fear has gripped their souls,  it stirred up their Mind, Will and ___________________.

Fear will always come from our souls.

*NOTE: Fear and concern are not the same. We should be concerned about dangerous situations, but not let it lead to FEAR.

 25And they went and awakened Him, saying, Lord, rescue and preserve us! We are perishing!

Mark 4:38 (Amplified Bible) 38But He [Himself] was in the stern [of the boat], asleep on the [leather] cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing?

Finally, they go to the one who control the storm. But it is very important to notice Jesus is not just dozing, but is hard fast asleep because when He goes to sleep He knows He is in control. The disciples call Jesus…Lord, but it is not meant as should. It’s more like: You are supposed to take care of us, and don’t you care? We are about to die!!”

26And He said to them, Why are you timid and afraid, O you of little faith? Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great and wonderful calm (a perfect peacefulness).

Jesus was still not concerned with the storm. Why?  Why did Jesus called them of little faith? _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________

 Instead He got up and addressed the cause of their fear. The storm responded to Jesus because to the storm knew He was truly ____________.

And the when Jesus is invited into the storm He brings us ___________________.

 27And the men were stunned with bewildered wonder and marveled, saying, What kind of Man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!

Why were they stunned and were shocked? They had seen Jesus just before this passage do many miracles? How could they not know He could take care of their greatest fears? Even to say what kind of man is this! ______________________________________________________________________________________

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Let’s also ask what two Truths can we learn from this passage of scripture when we, as believers are in a hard trial (storm)?

1. _____________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________

Fear makes us lose confidence in our Lord Jesus Christ.

They didn’t ask with earnest concern:

 “Will You still the waters for us, Lord?”

“Can we stay here with you until the storm is over?”

 “We know you have experience in doing the supernatural, are you going to calm this storm or are we going to ride it out with you?”

Rather Fear  raised their doubt and erased their confidence that they were in the presence if God.  They doubted His very character and said with words, “DO YOU EVEN CARE?”

Let’s bring this down to 2009. Some of us are in the storm of our lives!  It seems impossible to do it ourselves, it looks like complete destruction. And FEAR sets in and we have the audacity to say to God Almighty. “After all, I got saved so I wouldn’t have to go through this kind of stuff. That should count for something. Why don’t you care that I am hurting! Get me out of this mess!”

What is your storm?  Debt, Adultery, Cancer, Wayward Teen, you name it here:

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All of a sudden the controlling woman may ask: “Do something about this trial, fix it or else! Or else I will have to come up with something on my own!”  Fear will cause the controlling woman to feel out of control if her fears have not been dealt with and broken.

 Biblical example: Sarah, Rebecca

The fear of abandonment will cause a woman to attack and threaten the trial and she will say, “If I can’t trust God then who can I trust? He too has abandoned me, so I will have to protect myself.”

 Biblical example: Naomi,

 REMEMBER feelings of insecurity (fear of rejection, abandonment or loss of control) will cause us to appear mean and insensitive, when we truly should be trusting that God does have everything in control and He is in all our tomorrows…yesterday.

If we believe the TRUTH, God’s Word (Jesus) who even in His silence knows He can handle all this for us, then we will have peace. Otherwise, we will go from one Fear to another.

Romans 8:28 (Amplified Bible) 28We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him… “(1 Peter 5:7 AMP).

If you are an on-line student you can purchase Max Lucado’s book, “Fearless” in your local book store or order it on line. But you don’t have to purchase it if you prefer to just do the class work with us.    For homeword we do the coordinating group discussion questions in the back of the book.  Rhonda Brooks