Fear Not 

The Unbearable Weight of Fear

December 15, 2024    Sam Goins 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.  

2 Timothy 1:7 NLT 

GOD’S PURPOSE IS OFTEN VERY DIFFERENT FROM OUR PLANS. 

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 

Luke 1:26-29 NLT 

WHAT WE CALL GOD’S DISTURBING INTERRUPTIONS ARE OFTEN GOD’S DIVINE INVITATIONS.  

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.   Luke 1:29 NLT 

YOU DON’T HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE PLAN TO TRUST THAT GOD HAS A PURPOSE.  

“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!” 

Luke 1:30 NLT 

FAVOR IS THE UNDESERVED BLESSINGS GOD LAVISHLY POURS OUT ON HIS CHILDREN.  

“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.  And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”   Luke 1:31-33 NLT 

SOMETIMES GOD’S FAVOR DOESN’T SEEM FAVORABLE … AT FIRST. 

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”         Luke 1:34 NLT 

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. … For nothing will be impossible with God.”       Luke 1:35, 37 ESV 

OUTCOME IS GOD’S RESPONSIBILITY; OBEDIENCE IS OURS.  

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” ... Luke 1:38 NLT