"The Conquest of Fear"

Rev. 1:17-18

Let's make a golden calf.

"And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

Introduction

Ill. 76

Yes, Jesus came, and lived on this earth. He shared in our earthly joys and sorrows, temptations and hardships. He also went through death, and knows well our fears concerning life, death, and eternity.

Three matters which concern mankind--life, death, and eternity. Jesus gives us an all-comprehensive statement concerning these three vast matters that we should fear them not.

1A Jesus bids us to be unafraid of life

1B People are afraid because they are dependent

1C Upon God-heartbeat/breath

2C Upon one another-rugged individualism

3C We are not in total control (Dad told me to look out for the OTHER guy)

4C Prov. 3:5-6

2B People are afraid because they are in the presence of mysteries

1C Sin-Sept. 11; holocaust

2C Purpose-just be faithful

3C God-guilt (U.S. Guilt Fund)

4C One's own personality

5C Trying providences-Mt. 10:28

3B People are afraid because of the responsibilities of life

1C "Will I make good in the battle of life?"

2C "Will I disappoint the expectations of friends?"

3C Moses was afraid (Ex. 3)

4C Solomon trembled

5C Money/relationships/Ph'p. 4:6 (1SG)

2A Jesus bids us to be unafraid of death

1B People have a fascination into the secrets of death

1C It leads people into strange quests-talk to the dead

2C It leads people into strange claims-checkouts: Elvis

2B Jesus told us all we need to know about death (2LOT)

1C He knows all about the grave

2C He is now alive

3C He is with His people when they come to die

-John Wesley said, "Our people die well"

3A Jesus bids us to be unafraid of eternity

1B "I have the keys . . ."

1C The keys give guidance-a guide that is syst. consist; science books cannot (empir.); Koran/Book of Mormon/etc.

2C The keys give authority-"All authority is given me..."

-I liked to walk around with keys at the Shell station

3C The keys give control-in control/out of control/under control

2B The grave does not end all (a comma, not a period)

3B The nature of man demands immortality

1C The wings of birds mean that they are to fly

2C The fins of fish means that they are to swim

3C Man is made in the image of an infinite God (what sets us apart from all life)

4B The experience of Jesus--He proved it (first man through; "You go first")

Conclusion

Your personal relations to Christ will determine your relation to the three vast matters--life, death, and eternity. Let Him put away all your fears concerning these.