by Richard Marks
Happy New Year, or Happy Fear Year?
Primary Text: Ps. 27:1 Key Supporting Text: Jn. 14:9
I. Introduction: Stepping into a new year should be exciting, but for many this adventure is overshadowed by fear. It doesn’t have to be this way.
II. Discussion: There are four basic fears in life, and God has a solution for each one.
(a) The Fear of Want. God provides for our needs, Mt. 6: 30-32. See also Ps. 37:25.
(b) The Fear of Suffering. God uses suffering to help us know His presence and upholding power, 2 Cor. 12:9. See also Rom. 8:28.
(c) The Fear of Failure. God wants us to rely on Him, not ourselves, while seeking to advance His objectives, Josh. 1:5.
(d) The Fear of Death. God was victorious over death at the Cross, Jn. 14:19; Heb. 2:14-15; Ps. 34:4, and died for your sins, Jn. 3:16; 14:6; Eph. 2:8-19.
III. Conclusion: We live in a fear-filled world. But God can (and desires to) deliver you from this year’s fears. Fear or faith? You have a choice. You can accept God and place your trust in Him, or not. Which will it be in 2018?
