3) “TO UPROOT YOUR FEAR” - 10.18.09

1. Arachnophobia: The fear of spiders.

2. Ophidiophobia: The fear of snakes.
3. Acrophobia: The fear of heights.
4. Agoraphobia: The fear of tight places.

5. Cynophobia: The fear of dogs.
6. Astraphobia: The fear of storms.
7. Trypanophobia: The fear of injections.
8. Social Phobias: The fear of crowds.
9. Pteromerhanophobia: The fear of flying.
10. Mysophobia: The fear of germs & dirt.2

I. THE CONSEQUENCES OF FEAR

Fear places a terrible toil on the human personality – mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

Ø  A) FEAR CAN CAUSE PHYSICAL AILMENTS.

§  Some physicians claim that 2/3 of physical illness is caused by emotional stress.

§  1 doctor believes anxiety places more stress on the heart than any other stimulus.

Ø  B) FEAR CAN CAUSE US TO HIDE OUR TALENTS.

§  In the parable of the talents, the slothful servant offered his excuse to the Master: “And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth.” (Matthew 25:25)

§  How many people have refused to sing, play and instrument, write a poem, visit a
 shut-in, or give their testimony – because of fear?

Ø  C) FEAR CAUSES US TO LIVE IN SPIRITUAL DEFEAT.

§ "Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith empowers; fear disheartens, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear makes useless, faith makes us useful and, fear makes us feel hopeless, while faith rejoices in its God."

II. FAITH IN THE GENERATION OF THE EXODUS (23-31)

Ø  A) THE FAITH OF MOSES' PARENTS... (23)

§  They hid Moses for three months - Exo 2:1-3; Ac 7:20

§  It was their faith that gave them courage to withstand the king's edict

§  With such a small beginning, by faith they "overcame the world" of Egypt

Ø  B) THE FAITH OF MOSES... (24-28)

§  He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter - He 11:24-26

§  He chose to suffer with God's people rather than enjoy sin's temporary pleasures

§  By faith, Moses "overcame the world" of Egyptian bondage!

Ø  C) THE FAITH OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL... (29-30)

§  The Israelites passed through the Red Sea and the Egyptians perished in the sea

§  The Israelites encircled the city of Jericho thirteen times, showing their faith in
 God rather than in their own military might - He 11:30

III. A SUMMARY LIST OF WHAT FAITH ACCOMPLISHED... (33-37)

Ø  "SUBDUED KINGDOMS"

§  Joshua, in conquering Palestine - Josh 12:7-24

§  David, in conquering neighboring nations - 2Sa 5:4-25; 8:1-14

Ø  "WORKED RIGHTEOUSNESS" (administered justice)

§  Samuel, as judge - 1Sa 12:4 lDavid, as king - 2Sa 8:15 lSolomon, as king - 1Ki 3:28

Ø  "OBTAINED PROMISES"

§  The nation of Israel, receiving the promised land – Josh 21:43-45; 23:14

Ø  "STOPPED THE MOUTHS OF LIONS"

§  Samson - Judg 14:6 l David, protecting sheep - 1Sa 17:34-37 l Daniel, in the lions' den - Dan 6:21-22

Ø  "QUENCHED THE VIOLENCE OF FIRE"

§  Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego, in the fiery furnace – Dan 3:23-25

Ø  "ESCAPED THE EDGE OF THE SWORD"

§  David, fleeing King Saul - 1Sa 23:19-29

§  Elijah, fleeing Jezebel - 1Ki 19:8-10

§  Elisha, whom the King of Israel wanted murdered - 2 Kin 6:31-32

Ø  "OUT OF WEAKNESS WERE MADE STRONG"

§  Samson, after his hair was cut - Judg 16:29-30

§  Hezekiah, who was given fifteen years of life - Isa 38:1-8

Ø  "BECAME VALIANT IN BATTLE"

§  David, in defeating Goliath – 1 Sa 17:50

§  Jehoshaphat, in defeating Edom – 2 Ch 20:1-30

§  Hezekiah, whose faith led to the slaughter of 185,000 Assyrian soldiers - 2Ki 19:1-36

IV.  STEPS TO OVERCOMING FEAR

§  Fear is universal troublesome. It afflicts people from all walks of life, the rich and the poor, the young and the old, and even the saint and the sinner.

§  “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I
 unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”   (John 14:27)

Ø  A) START BY GETTING RIGHT WITH GOD.

§  We will never know true peace until we make peace with the Prince of Peace.

§  The farther we stray from God’s Word, the more power fear has over his life.

Ø  B) PRAY ABOUT YOUR FEARS.

§  The Psalmist said, “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from
  all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)

Ø  C) FACE UP TO YOUR FEARS.

§  Quote: “Do the thing that you fear the most, and death of that fear is certain.”

§  When you meet your fears head-on, they usually shrivel and usually disappear.

Ø  D) FILL YOUR MIND WITH THE PROMISES OF GOD.

§  Instead of dwelling on the terrible things, meditate on the promises of God.

§  “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
 whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are 
 lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there
 be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)