HOW TO FACE YOUR FEARS WITH COURAGE
Living the Unstoppable Life
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Read this at home: EXODUS 14:1-31
I. FOUR WAYS FEAR AFFECTS US….
1. FEAR MAKES US SKEPTICAL.
“Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt?” (Exodus 14:11a)
2. FEAR MAKES US SELFISH.
“What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt?” (Exodus 14:11b)
3. FEAR MAKES US STUBBORN.
“Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians…” (Exodus 14:12a – NLT)
4. FEAR MAKES US SHORTSIGHTED.
“It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’” (Exodus 14:12b – NLT)
II. WHY WOULD GOD LEAD US TO GO THROUGH IMPOSSIBLE SITUATIONS
- TO REVEAL HIS POWER.
“… I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD…” Exodus 14:4 (NIV)
- TO BUILD OUR FAITH.
“And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the LORD… [they] put their trust in him.” Exodus 14:31 (NIV)
- TO BREAK OUR DEPENDENCE ON “EGYPT”
“… Why did you make us leave Egypt?” (Exodus14:11b)
- TO DEMONSTRATE HE FIGHTS FOR US
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
- TO SET UP A TESTIMONY FOR GENERATIONS
“Remember what the Lord did at the Red Sea.” Exodus 14
III. HOW TO TAKE COURAGEOUS RISKS IN FAITH
1) HEAR GOD’S INSTRUCTION CLEARLY.
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.’” Exodus 14:15
2) TAKE THE FIRST-STEP BEFORE THE MIRACLE HAPPEN.
“So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!” Exodus 14:22 (NLT)
3) TRUST GOD WITH THE OUTCOME.
“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today … The LORD will fight for you.” Exodus 14:13–14 (NIV)
4) REFUSE TO RETREAT TO SAFETY.
“It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’” (Exodus 14:12b)
5) REMEMBER GOD MAKES A WAY WHERE THERE IS NO WAY!
“This is what the LORD says—he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters…” Isaiah 43:16 (NIV)
REFLECT: What is the “Red Sea” you are facing today?