Eyes on God; Lesson 5

Overview

God Replaces Fear with Faith

To understand how faith displaces fear, we must first reckon with two truths: who we are, and what God has done. Scripture sounds a steady drumbeat about our condition. "Surely there is no one on earth so righteous as to do good without ever sinning" Ecclesiastes 7:20. "No human being will be justified in his sight by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin" Romans 3:20. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves" 1 John 1:8. The fall opened a great gulf between a holy God and unholy humanity, and the law's first work is diagnostic—it Shows Our Sin. We cannot redeem ourselves.

But the law is not God's final word. "God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him… and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins" 1 John 4:9–10. Atonement means "at-one-ment"—the gulf bridged. "While we still were sinners Christ died for us" Romans 5:6–8. In baptism we are united with His death and resurrection Romans 6:3–5, and so "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" Romans 8:1. If the law shows our sin, the gospel Shows Our Savior. John Newton, the slave trader transformed by grace, captured it well: "changed to stand as a monument of his almighty power forever."

Throughout Scripture God drives things out—locusts from Egypt, demons from the afflicted, money-changers from the temple. He also drives out fear and replaces it with faith. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment" 1 John 4:15–18. Because Christ has already borne the punishment, no punishment remains for the believer to dread. Clothed in His righteousness, we can stand with boldness on the day of judgment—"as he is, so are we in this world." God Himself declares this forgiveness, "erasing the record that stood against us… nailing it to the cross" Colossians 2:13–14.

How does this faith come and grow? Through the Word. "Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope" Romans 15:4. When we bring our anxieties to God in prayer, "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6–7. As we trust His Word—His promises of forgiveness, presence, comfort, sovereignty, and power—the things that frighten us lose their threat. This is also our ministry to one another: when a brother or sister is troubled by sin, wonders where God is, or doubts His power, we open Scripture and speak the consoling promises God has placed in our hands. He uses that Word to push out fear and leave faith in its place. May we walk, each day, with our eyes on God.

Transcript

Good morning and welcome. Let us pray. 2s

Gracious Heavenly Father, what a joy it is to open up the pages of Scripture, 6s

for we know that the voice that we hear is your voice. 11s

So Father, as we study your Word this morning, bless us. 16s

Bless us and guide us, strengthen us through your Word, 21s

for indeed your Word is truth. In Jesus' name we pray. 25s

Amen. Well, we come to the fifth and the last session in this class that I've entitled Eyes on God, 32s

and just to review where we were last week, we talked about the subject of God, the one who responds. 40s

We talked about, as we look at the people that followed the Lord Jesus Christ, 49s

recorded in Holy Scripture, we saw how incredibly human they were. 54s

We saw in which times they didn't understand, times in which they were filled with fear, 60s

times in which they were troubled or filled with despair, how absolutely human they were. 67s

But we also saw how God responded, how God responded with His Word, 75s

how God responded with His Word to calm the fears, to deal with their troubled spirits, 83s

to deal with the situations that they were going through. 91s

He did it then, and He certainly does it now. 95s

Well, in this last session today, I'd like to take a look with you at the topic, 100s

God, the one who replaces fear with faith. 105s

God, the one who replaces fear with faith. 110s

In order to understand how faith replaces fear, we have to understand who we are and what God has done. 116s

So let's start this morning in Ecclesiastes, the seventh chapter. 135s

Ecclesiastes is in the Old Testament. 140s

Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and then Ecclesiastes. 144s

Ecclesiastes, the seventh chapter, and we'll pick up in verse 20. 149s

Ecclesiastes, the seventh chapter, and we'll pick up in verse 20. 155s

Ecclesiastes, chapter 7, verse 20. 155s

We read, Surely there is no one on earth so righteous as to do good without ever sinning. 160s

Surely there's no one on earth so righteous as to do good without ever sinning. 172s

Let's go to Romans, the third chapter. 181s

Romans in the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, and then Romans. 184s

Romans chapter 3, verse 20. 191s

In the Apostle Paul, writing out the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes this, 196s

For no human being will be justified in his sight by deeds prescribed by the law. 202s

For through the law comes the knowledge of sin. 211s

Remember that we're justified as to be made just as if you never sinned. 215s

No human being will be made just as if they never sinned in his sight by deeds prescribed by the law. 220s

There's no amount of good things that we can ever do that makes ourselves righteous before God. 227s

No human being will be justified in his sight by deeds prescribed by the law for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. 236s

Let's go to 1 John, chapter 1. 246s

A good way to find 1 John is to go to the last book of Holy Scripture, the book of Revelation, and then turn left. 249s

And you'll very quickly run into it. 256s

1 John, chapter 1, verse 8. 260s

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. 266s

And the truth is not in us. 272s

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 275s

Jeremiah, chapter 31, verse 30 says this, 284s

But all shall die for their own sins. 289s

As equal, chapter 18 says this, 293s

It is only the person who sins that shall die. 298s

You see this continual drumbeat in Holy Scripture. 304s

This continual revelation of the fact that all of us are sinners. 308s

It's the confession of the Lutheran Church as we confess our sins. 313s

We are in bondage to sin and we can't free ourselves. 318s

We've sinned against you in thought and word and deed by what we've done and by what we've left undone. 322s

The encompassing nature of that. 328s

Scripture continually reminds us and points out to us. 331s

The height and the depth and the breadth of our sin, of our rebellion against God. 336s

Before the fall into sin, our first parents, Adam and Eve, they lived in this perfect fellowship with God and with one another. 344s

But when they fell into sin, 353s

when they fell into sin that opened up this great gulf between the perfect holy righteous God and humankind that was now the sinner, between the holy and the unholy. 357s

The law reveals our sinfulness. 378s

In fact, a good way to understand what the law of God does is its SOS. 383s

It shows our sin. 390s

It shows our sin. 394s

The Bible continually puts on display and reveals our sinfulness so that we know that we are unable to redeem ourselves. 397s

We are unable to save ourselves. 410s

But the word of the law is not the final word for we hear of God's perfect love toward us sinners. 415s

Let's go back, please. 430s

To 1 John chapter 4 verse 9. 432s

So back to the book of Revelation. 437s

Then turn left. 439s

You bump into 1 John chapter 4. 442s

We'll pick up this time in verse 9. 446s

We read this. 449s

God's love was revealed among us in this way. 452s

God sent his only son into the world so that we might live through him. 457s

In this is love. 466s

Not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 468s

That word atonement, atoning, means to be made at one men. 481s

Remember that gulf that had come about because of the reality of sin. 487s

That separation between God and us, between the holy and the unholy. 491s

And when Jesus Christ went to the cross, He took all of our sin upon him. 496s

The punishment that should have fallen upon us fell on Jesus, the spotless lamb of God. 501s

And that relationship severed by sin was then reconciled. 508s

The atonement, the atone meant. 514s

That grace and that love of God, that perfect love. 519s

Let's go to Romans, the fifth chapter. 526s

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, and then Romans. 529s

Romans chapter 6. 534s

For while we were still weak at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. 539s

Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though perhaps for a good person, 546s

someone might actually dare to die. 554s

But God proves His love for us in that while we still were sinners, Christ died for us. 558s

The perfect love of God. 572s

I think of the gospel of John, the third chapter. 577s

We read there for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, 581s

so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish, but may have eternal life. 587s

Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, 595s

but in order that the world might be saved through Him. 601s

Romans, the eighth chapter, there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 608s

Let me read that again. 620s

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 622s

I think of the beautiful Him, amazing grace written by John Newton. 633s

Newton was a semen, and he tells us that as he lived his life, 642s

quote, he said of himself, he was exceedingly vile indeed. 650s

He goes on to write in his autobiography, he said, 658s

I not only sinned with a high hand myself, but made it my study to tempt and seduce others upon every occasion. 661s

And yet this slave trader had his heart changed by the grace of God, 675s

God using the word and transforming his heart into one who repents of his sin 682s

and trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ. 690s

And Newton writes this, 694s

Let me not fail to praise that grace which could pardon that blood which could expiate such sins as mine. 697s

I who was the willing slave of every evil possessed with a legion of unclean spirits 709s

have been spared and saved and changed to stand as a monument of his almighty power forever. 717s

I just love how he ends that, changed to stand as a monument of his almighty power forever. 730s

And this one who by his own admission had lived and embraced this life of sin, 742s

knew that his heart had been changed. 750s

He was a new person through the forgiveness of the Lord Jesus Christ, 753s

and he writes that great hymn, amazing grace, 758s

how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. 762s

That's the perfect love and grace of God. 770s

Let's go, please, to Romans 6, chapter 6, verse 3. 777s

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 789s

Therefore, we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that. 798s

Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, 806s

so we too might walk in newness of life. 811s

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, 816s

we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 821s

In our baptism, we are united with what has been accomplished to the cross and the empty tomb. 827s

We are washed in the promises of God Almighty. 835s

That's the gospel. 841s

What God has done for us through the cross and the empty tomb, 843s

that Jesus died for us, that He rose for us, 848s

that we are claimed in the waters of baptism, 852s

that we are forgiven and given life eternal. 855s

That is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. 859s

And if you want to summarize the gospel, you can use SOS again. 864s

The law shows our sin. 870s

The gospel shows our Savior. 874s

The law shows our sin. 879s

The gospel shows our Savior. 881s

In order to understand how faith replaces fear, 886s

we have to understand who we are and what God has done. 895s

We see in Holy Scripture, God driving out things. 906s

Driving out things, for example. 913s

Let's go to the Old Testament to the book of Exodus, the 10th chapter, please. 917s

Genesis and then Exodus. 922s

Exodus chapter 10 verse 19. 925s

Exodus 10 verse 19. 929s

We read this. 935s

The Lord changed the wind into a very strong west wind, 937s

which lifted the locusts and drove them into the Red Sea. 942s

Not a single locust was left in all the country of Egypt. 947s

So here, God drives away the locusts. 954s

Let's take a look at Matthew, the 8th chapter. 960s

New Testament, very first book, Matthew chapter 8 verse 16. 964s

Matthew chapter 8 verse 16. 971s

The Scripture says, 977s

that evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons, 980s

and he cast out the spirits with a word and cured all who were sick. 984s

He drove them out. 993s

He cast out the evil spirits. 993s

Or let's go to Matthew chapter 21 verse 12. 998s

Matthew chapter 21 verse 12. 1003s

Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple. 1011s

And he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold dives. 1018s

We see examples in Holy Scripture of God driving out things. 1027s

God also drives out fear, and he replaces it with faith. 1035s

Even as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, fear can give me a continual struggle, right? 1046s

We know we've been claimed by the Lord Jesus Christ. 1054s

We know that he holds us in the preciousness of his hand. 1058s

He's opened up for us an all of eternity, and he is sovereign over all of our days. 1063s

We are a people of faith, and yet at the same time we also can struggle with fear. 1071s

But God comes to drive out that fear and replace it with that trust in him and who he is. 1079s

Let's go back, please, to 1 John the 4th chapter. 1095s

1 John chapter 4 will pick up in verse 15. 1101s

1 John chapter 4 will pick up in verse 15. 1107s

The Scripture says, God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God and they abide in God. 1117s

So we have known and believed the love that God has for us. 1127s

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 1135s

Love has been perfected among us in this, that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, 1146s

because as he is, so are we in this world. 1154s

Who's that little phrase here? 1160s

As he is, so are we. 1162s

Remember, Scripture tells us that the Father was pleased with the Son, and the Father is also pleased with us. 1166s

Why? Because of something we've done? 1175s

Because of our good works? Absolutely not. 1180s

He is pleased with us because, claimed in the waters of baptism, we are wrapped in the perfect righteous garment of the Lord Jesus Christ, 1185s

so that when God looks at us, He sees the perfect, perfect garment of the Lord Jesus Christ, 1195s

and that gives us confidence to stand on judgment day. 1204s

Verse 18, there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. 1211s

For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 1220s

There is no fear in love. There is no fear because of the love of Christ for us. 1229s

The death of the Lord Jesus Christ took the punishment for sin. 1239s

There is no more punishment that's left for us to take. 1243s

No, the Lord Jesus Christ paid it all. He paid our sin debt. 1248s

The punishment fell upon Him, and so the fear of punishment for the believer, it has been driven away. 1253s

It's been driven away. Faith replaces fear. 1264s

God comes declaring forgiveness to us. 1276s

Look with me please, that Colossians 2, Matthew Mark, Luke John, Acts and Romans, 1282s

1st and 2nd Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and then Colossians. 1290s

Colossians chapter 2, verse 13, Colossians chapter 2, verse 13. 1298s

And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with Him when He forgave us all our trespasses, 1308s

erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. 1322s

He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. 1327s

God comes declaring forgiveness to us. 1333s

He comes speaking to us His Word. 1339s

Let's go to Romans chapter 15. 1344s

Matthew Mark, Luke John, Acts, Romans, Romans chapter 15, verse 4. 1346s

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. 1356s

When we turn to the Word of God, the voice we hear is God's voice. 1372s

We want to hear the voice of God, we hear it right here. 1378s

And God continually comes with that glorious Word of forgiveness to us as He speaks to us through His Word. 1383s

God reminds us that He's absolutely in control. 1393s

Philippians, the fourth chapter says this, do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 1399s

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 1414s

You see, as we trust by the grace of God in His Word, all those things that scare us, they lose their threat. 1425s

As we trust in God as He comes to us through His Word, all those things that scare us, they lose their threat. 1438s

His love, it pushes out the fear. 1449s

He pushes out that fear with His Word. 1454s

He pushes it out with His Word of forgiveness, with the Word of His presence, with the Word of His comfort, with the Word of His omnipotence, with the Word of His sovereignty, with the Word of His omniscience. 1458s

On and on, it goes. 1470s

He comes with that incredible love pushing out the fear and by His grace, replacing it with faith. 1473s

All of us, all of us, we need to hear that Word. 1486s

What a wonderful ministry it is when one person shares with another person the very promises of God. 1495s

When one says, let me turn to Scripture, let me share with you what God has to say to you. 1506s

We talked about that last week in the sermon. 1516s

Then indeed, we have been consoled with the promises of God so that we can be a people that can soul others. 1519s

And so when one is troubled by their sin, when one wonders if God could ever love them, we come with that amazing, consoling Word of the forgiveness of sins. 1527s

When one wonders, where is God? 1537s

We come with that wonderful, consoling Word that God has always with us. 1541s

When one wonders if God has the power to deal with a situation or a problem, we come with that wonderful, consoling Word, then indeed God is all powerful. 1548s

It is an amazing privilege that God has given to us to be a people that share the very Word that He has placed in our hands. 1559s

And as we do that, God takes His Word and He pushes out the fear. 1571s

Where what remains is His promise, what remains is faith, born of God. 1583s

Well, in our first week together, we talked about the subject, God the Lord. 1595s

We saw He never changes, He's faithful to His promises, He freely gives mercy to all. 1601s

In the second session, we talked about God amidst the storm. 1609s

We dealt with a question of why. 1614s

And when it comes to some things, we don't have the answer, why. 1617s

But we know the who, the one who is in charge, and we know what God can bring out of even the worst of situations. 1624s

We studied about in those times, those bad things that happen in life, and we don't have that answer of why, from God's Word, 1636s

that we're dealing with the hidden God, as Luther said, and what Luther said, when you're dealing with the hidden God, run to the revealed God, run to His promises of what He has revealed in Holy Scripture. 1645s

In the third week, we took a look at God, the one who hears our cries. 1662s

We talked about how fear can come from without and within and all around. 1668s

But God does not turn a deaf ear to our cry. 1673s

God hears every single cry. 1677s

Last week, we talked about God, the one who responds to our fear, to our being troubled, to our despair. 1680s

He comes with the words of reassurance. 1690s

And today, we have studied God the one who replaces fear with faith. 1695s

I pray that this class has been a blessing to you, and that by His grace, each and every day, we may walk with our eyes on God. 1706s

The Lord be with you. 1721s