Do Not Be Afraid

Notes:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q-5pH8zQohETjXGZPBZJYJD0mx0Lmysg/view?usp=sharing

Do Not Be Afraid

 

Hope is the expectation of future blessings and the confidence that the best is yet to come.

 

 

Luke 1:26–30

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying,

and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor

with God.

 

 

Luke 1:31-34

31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

 

Luke 1:35-37

[35] And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy the Son of God. [36] And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.

[37] For nothing will be impossible with God.”

 

 

Luke 1:37 ‘For nothing will be impossible with God’.

 

Luke 1:38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to

me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

 

How We Overcome the Fear of Hopelessness

 

1. Understand the favor of God.

 

 “All the sad things come ‘untrue.’” J.R.R. Tolkien (screen)

Joel 2:25–26 “I will restore what the swarming locusts have eaten... the sons and daughters lost in this life will be brought again from afar; once again my people will eat and be satisfied and they will never again be put to shame.” (screen)

·     We have pain: He will reverse it.

·     We have disappointment: He will erase it.

·     We yearn for justice: He will restore it.

Hope is the expectation of future blessings and the confidence that the best is yet to come.

2. Doubt with faith.  

 

·     Ask questions, but be open to answers.

·     If you would MEDITATE on that phrase: “Nothing is impossible with God.” Your

life would change.

 

3. Surrender it all.

 

 

Luke 1:38 “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

 

·     You can only be in one of two positions to Jesus: full surrender or rebellion.

·     There’s only one deal that God will make: all of Jesus for full and complete control of your life.

 

Luke 2:19 “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” 

 

Mary’s Prayer:

“Behold, I am your servant; let it be to me according to your word.”

“I embrace your favor in Christ, and I know that nothing is impossible

with you.” (1:30, 37–38)