I Will Not Fear (Psalm 23)
In a world full of anxiety and uncertainty, this sermon explores how to embrace a life free from fear. It draws on scriptural wisdom, particularly the image of God as our protective shepherd, to encourage steadfast faith.
This sermon encourages believers to confront fear with faith, highlighting God's constant protection and power in uncertain times. It emphasizes trusting in the Lord as a shepherd and quieting one's soul amidst external turmoil.
Overview
The sermon opens by acknowledging the numerous opportunities for anxiety and fear in the world today, from global conflicts to personal challenges. It uses David's declaration in Psalm 23, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil," as a foundational statement of faith. The message differentiates between feeling fear, which is a human emotion, and allowing a spirit of fear to take control, hindering one's destiny.
Listeners are reminded that God has not given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind, equipping them for present challenges. The preacher emphasizes that God places a hedge of protection around individuals, ensuring that nothing happens without His permission. This divine guarding hand has prevented unseen dangers and provides the strength to navigate through difficulties, not merely avoid them.
The sermon encourages actively walking through life's valleys rather than getting stuck in fear or anxiety. It calls for casting down negative imaginations and intentionally 'changing the channel' from worry to faith in one's mind. This proactive stance is essential to move forward and not shrink back from God's intended purpose.
A central analogy is that of sheep relying on their shepherd for protection, underscoring that believers, like sheep, can live peacefully by trusting in the Lord as their Shepherd. The message concludes by urging listeners to quiet their souls and abide in God's "secret place" of peace, assuring them that after every shadow, "surely goodness and mercy" will follow, leading to new levels of favor and blessing.
Key points
- Fear is a human emotion, but believers are called not to let a 'spirit of fear' control their lives or hinder their destiny.
- God provides a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind to combat fear and navigate challenging times.
- There is a divine 'hedge of protection' around believers and their families, and nothing happens without God's permission.
- We are encouraged to keep walking through life's 'dark valleys,' actively choosing faith over fear and not allowing negative thoughts to dominate.
- The analogy of sheep and their shepherd illustrates our complete reliance on God's protection, allowing us to live without worry.
- Quieting the soul and dwelling in God's 'secret place' of peace helps us to know Him and experience His strength amidst turmoil.
- God's favor surrounds believers like a shield, ensuring that no weapon formed against them will ultimately prosper.
In Joel Osteen's words
“When fear knocks, you have to answer with faith. I will not fear.”
“The reason God used sheep was because sheep rely on their shepherd for protection.”
“God works where there's faith. The enemy works where there's fear.”
Outline
- I. Opportunities to Live Anxious and Afraid
- A. Acknowledging Current Challenges
- B. David's Statement of Faith: "I Will Fear No Evil" (Psalm 23)
- C. Not Letting the Spirit of Fear Take Over
- D. God's Gift: Power, Love, and a Sound Mind (2 Timothy 1:7)
- II. God's Protection and Purpose in Our Time
- A. We Are Armed with Strength for This Battle
- B. The Hedge of Protection: Nothing Happens Without God's Permission (Job)
- C. God's Unseen Hand of Favor and Protection
- D. David's Confidence: "Whom Shall I Fear?" (Psalm 27)
- III. Walking Through the Valley, Not Stopping In It
- A. God's Promise of Beauty for Ashes and Double for Unfair Things
- B. Casting Down Wrong Imaginations and Changing the Channel
- IV. The Lord, Our Shepherd
- A. The Helplessness of Sheep and Their Reliance on a Shepherd (Matthew 10:16)
- B. David's Foundation: "The Lord is my shepherd" (Psalm 23)
- C. The Shepherd Steps in When We Are Overcome
- V. Dwelling in the Secret Place and Quieting the Soul
- A. Abiding Under the Shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91)
- B. Stilling and Quieting Our Soul Amidst Noise (Psalm 131)
- C. Being Still to Know God
- VI. God as Our Guardian and Future Goodness
- A. God Never Sleeps, Always at Our Side (Psalm 121)
- B. Hidden in a Safe Place: No Weapon Formed Will Prosper (Isaiah)
- C. Expecting "Surely Goodness and Mercy" After the Shadow (Psalm 23)
Scripture references
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
1 Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
Insights
Peace comes from knowing who watches over you.
Staying in faith means deciding not to yield to fear.
We are armed with strength for every battle.
Questions & answers
What is the sermon's core message about fear?
The sermon teaches that while fear is a human emotion, we should not allow a 'spirit of fear' to take over our lives. Instead, we are to boldly declare that we will not fear, trusting in God's power and protection.
How does the sermon describe God's protection?
God has a hedge of protection around believers that the enemy cannot cross. Nothing happens without God's permission, and He constantly watches over us, even preventing dangers we never knew about.
What does the sermon mean by 'walking through the valley'?
It means enduring difficult times without getting stuck in fear or anxiety. The sermon encourages actively moving forward, believing that God will bring us to new levels of blessing after the challenging period.
What is the significance of the 'sheep and shepherd' analogy?
The analogy highlights that like helpless sheep relying on their shepherd, believers can live peacefully because the Lord is their Shepherd, providing constant watch and protection, so they don't have to worry.
How can one deal with negative thoughts or worries, according to the sermon?
The sermon advises 'changing the channel' in our minds when wrong pictures or negative memories play, just like with a television remote. It also encourages quieting and stilling one's soul to regain peace.
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