Overcoming Fear

Pastor’s Pen…

We have a lot to be thankful for during these challenging times. Other than my grandson Chris, we have been spared the COVID 19 virus. ’m asking our Lord to continue providing health and safety for each of you who are a part of our First Christian Wylie family.  I know we are all looking forward to when we will all feel comfortable attending our ‘safety-oriented’ services. 

 

We continue to hold our Sunday services with all safety protocols and pre-service sanitizing in place. No Sunday school yet, and the nursery will not be available.  We will continue following the protocols as outlined by GA-18 guidance.  Face masks, social distancing, no physical contact. We are using bulletins printed untouched by human hands, with songs, etc. printed therein, and pre-packaged communion elements. Offering plates are located at the rear, or giving can be done online at www.fccwylie.org.

 

If you still feel uncomfortable attending, you can join the live-stream on Facebook (at 10:45 am) which includes communion and the worship hymns, or the message, posted on the website on Sunday afternoon.  We are blessed to have the technology available that allow us to still worship, and those in our church family who have the expertise to post the service online.

 

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In light of the coronavirus pandemic of the last few months, and the consequent financial and job issues, it seems we have had a pandemic of fear as well. Fear, and its cousin anxiety, are extremely toxic emotions, and can literally paralyze us. Fear was the first negative emotion in human history (Genesis 3:10), and the Hebrew word for fear occurs over 300 times in the Old Testament, describing a response to a real or perceived threat.  Certainly the times in which we live are filled with genuine threats to our health, our financial well-being, and much more. 

 

Writing from a prison in Rome near the end of his life, Paul sought to encourage young Timothy, whose life he had impacted for Christ. As Timothy faced growing opposition in his ministry, Paul recognized the hazard of succumbing to fear, and provided young Timothy with a strong antidote.

 

I.               The mandate: “Stir up” (v.6)

a.    Paul had been faithfully praying for Timothy

b.    He was eager to see Timothy again

c.     He reminded Timothy of the authenticity and origin of his Faith

 

II.             The problem: “a spirit of fear” (v. 7a)

a.    This is very common today

b.    It does not originate in God

c.     In fact, God’s perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18

d.    What are we afraid of? Admitting is the first step to resolving

 

III.            The antidote: “power, love, a sound mind”

a.    Power to handle every test, every temptation

b.    Love to enable us to deal with people, rejection

c.     A self-disciplined mind, empowered by the Spirit

Applications:

            Fear not! (Gen. 15:1; Joshua 8:1; Psalm 23:4; 27:1; Hebrews 13:6

            Be willing to share Christ: He is the ultimate solution (1:12)

            Be willing to endure hardship as a soldier of Christ (2:3)

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RADIO THIS EVENING: The COVID 19 crisis has hit the senior population harder than virtually any other group. This weekend on Encouragement Live Don Sapaugh, CEO of Restoration Senior Living and co-author of The Search for Peace, joins me to address the challenges and joys of caring for seniors.  

Encouragement Live can be heard at 7:05 PM central time on American Family Radio (www.afr.net) and on theworshipchannel.org. 

May His peace encourage you during these challenging times.

Don Hawkins, D. Min.                                                                                                                     Interim Pastor