Our Present Fears
David Wilkerson's sermon emphasizes the insignificance of present fears in light of the eternal hope found in Christ.
David Wilkerson addresses the fears that many Christians face in a world filled with violence and uncertainty, emphasizing that despite the chaos, believers can find peace in God's promises. He reassures that while present fears may seem overwhelming, they are fleeting compared to the eternal life that awaits us. Wilkerson encourages Christians to focus on the good news of salvation and the assurance of God's presence, reminding them that their trials are temporary and that they will soon realize their insignificance in light of eternity. He highlights the importance of faith and the hope of being in the presence of the Lord, urging believers to rejoice in their eternal reality.
Text
As the world becomes increasingly violent, decadent, and uncertain, some Christians struggle to keep fear out of their hearts. They sense intuitively that conditions in the world are disintegrating, and some kind of ominous disaster may be looming on the horizon. As they hear all the terrible reports of what's happening in America and around the globe, they struggle to rest in the promise of God's keeping power.
The fact is, no matter how righteous we may be, and no matter how strong our faith is, all these frightful uncertainties cannot help but affect our human emotions. It's all rather scary, for sure. But for the overcoming Christians whose sins are covered by the blood of Jesus, there is very good news. And if we keep our eyes focused on this good news, meditating on it night and day, no evil report will ever faze us. This news may seem a bit bizarre to you but God's Word declares very clearly, "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).
How could this possibly be good news? Well, I'm convinced that just one moment into eternity, we are all going to realize how unimportant and fleeting our present fears and trials have been. We'll also see just how present the Lord has been with us the entire time, watching over us with his saving and keeping power. As scripture testifies, our lives here on earth are like grass: one day we're here, growing and thriving, and the next day we're fading away with the season. "As for man, his days are like grass" (Psalm 103:15).
We're like the vapor of breath we see on a frosty day -- here one moment, gone the next. "You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away" (James 4:14).
Brother, sister, rejoice! This present life is not reality. Our reality is eternal life in the presence of our blessed Lord. So, keep the faith -- because things are winding down but we are going up!
Sermon Outline
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I
- The nature of present fears
- Impact of global conditions on Christians
- The struggle to maintain faith
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II
- The promise of God's keeping power
- Importance of focusing on good news
- Scriptural assurance of eternal life
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III
- Understanding the fleeting nature of life
- The significance of eternity
- God's constant presence and support
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IV
- The contrast between present trials and eternal joy
- Encouragement to rejoice in faith
- The hope of being with the Lord
Key Quotes
“It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” — David Wilkerson
“As for man, his days are like grass.” — David Wilkerson
“You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Focus on God's Word to combat fear and anxiety.
- Remember the temporary nature of life to gain perspective on current struggles.
- Rejoice in the promise of eternal life and God's constant presence.