Victory Over Fear
The sermon emphasizes the importance of developing childlike confidence in God, which is a mark of spiritual maturity, and the need to overcome fear through prayer and faith.
Joshua Daniel preaches on the importance of having childlike confidence in God, using the example of Peter sleeping soundly before his execution as a demonstration of true peace and trust in God's care. Fear is not of God, and developing faith is crucial to overcoming fear and growing in spiritual maturity. The sermon emphasizes the need to intensify prayer, grow in faith, and trust in the Lord wholeheartedly, as seen in Peter's unwavering trust in God even in the face of imminent danger.
Text
Acts 12:6
Peter was sleeping between two soldiers when sure death was awaiting him on the morrow. This is the mark of God's children. They can sleep with danger hanging over them. They are not troubled. The peace of God is in their heart and they rest in the full confidence in God's loving care. Today we are taught to fear many things from our childhood. There are lurking reptiles and many other things. Satan makes use of this fear. The vital Christian life which develops in us childlike confidence in God is a great blessing. It is a mark of spiritual maturity. Jesus was once surprised at the fear-complex in His disciples. But now Peter was sleeping soundly on the eve of his execution as a child sleeps in the arms of its mother. When we have a heart free from sin and hold fast the attitude of keeping from sin either accidentally or deliberately, we will grow into this confidence. Fear is not of God. Revelation 21:8, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." There is something wrong in the fearful. It shows a sense of guilt. If you do not develop faith, you can offer no excuse to God. You cannot say that fear is instinctive. Many instincts will be brought under the control of the Spirit. You will reach a stage when you cannot keep hatred and anger in your heart. Your heart and mind and body will be sanctified. Whoremongers and the fearful people seem to be classified together by God. This is a tormenting fear that is not of faith. You must venture out to do God's will. The value of you life will be increasing with your growing confidence in God.
Your prayer must become more and more intense. You must not be satisfied with the small faith you now have. You must grow into full confidence in the Lord. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding." This is the stage Peter reached. If you neglect your opportunities for prayer, you cannot suddenly find this trust in God. Unless you make use of your opportunities to grow, you cannot have faith in times of trouble. The devil wants to shake us and expose our fear to all people. He wants to make our shallowness visible to all. Prayer works in you a great thing. It unifies your personality and unites you with the Trinity.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Mark of God's Children
- A. They can sleep with danger hanging over them
- B. They are not troubled
- C. They rest in the full confidence in God's loving care
- II. The Problem of Fear
- A. Fear is taught from childhood
- B. Satan uses fear to hinder spiritual growth
- III. The Blessing of Childlike Confidence
- A. It is a mark of spiritual maturity
- B. It develops in us a heart free from sin
- IV. The Consequences of Fear
- A. Fear shows a sense of guilt
- B. It is classified with whoremongers by God
- V. The Importance of Prayer
- A. Prayer must become more intense
- B. We must grow into full confidence in the Lord
Key Quotes
“When we have a heart free from sin and hold fast the attitude of keeping from sin either accidentally or deliberately, we will grow into this confidence.” — Joshua Daniel
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.” — Joshua Daniel
“Prayer works in you a great thing. It unifies your personality and unites you with the Trinity.” — Joshua Daniel
Application Points
- We must grow into full confidence in the Lord through prayer and faith.
- Prayer unifies our personality and unites us with the Trinity.
- We must not be satisfied with small faith, but must strive for full confidence in God.