2006 » October - New Life Community Church of Carlisle, PA

FEAR OF COMMITMENT
Scared Stiff- Part 3
October 15, 2006

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

Commitment is being involved, pledged or engaged to someone or something. Commitment means I pledge myself to a position no matter what the price tag, to pledge myself to a stance no matter what the cost. It is an act of decision followed by a process.

The Importance of Commitments.

My commitments reveal my VALUES.

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24 (NLT)

My commitments shape my CHARACTER.

Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. Proverbs 4:23 (TEV)

My commitments affect my FUTURE.

And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? 37 Is anything worth more than your soul? Mark 8:36-37 (NLT)

Why am I Afraid to Make Commitments?

1. I don’t want to make THE WRONG CHOICE.
2. PAST HURTS.
3. The COST is too high.

How to Overcome My Fear of Commitment.

a. Ask God for HELP.

b. Step back and EVALUATE.

c. Make any necessary CHANGES.

d. TRUST GOD to help me keep my commitments.

Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalms 37:5 (NLT)

Father God… Today I want to offer You a blank page with my name already signed at the bottom. You fill in the blanks. I’m going to say “YES” even before I know what you want me to do, and where you will have me go. I want to be wholly committed to You and I want my heart to be undivided. Use me in this world any time, any place, any way. I ask You for wisdom to make the right commitments and I’m trusting You to give me the power to keep my commitments. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

^{“FEAR OF THE FUTURE”

Scared Stiff?- Week 2}^{Fear is not just a FEELING; it is a spirit. It is not just a thought; it is a SPIRITUAL FORCE.}

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

Dealing With “FUTURE FEAR”

Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. Proverbs 3:25-26 (NIV)

1. Settle the ETERNITY issue.

If a person lives to be very old, let him rejoice in every day of life, but let him also remember that eternity is far longer and that everything down here is futile in comparison. Ecclesiastes 11:8 (TLB)

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men… Ecclesiastes 3:11a (NIV)

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” John 3:36 (NIV)

2. Don’t play the “WHAT IF” game.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

”So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time. Matthew 6:34 (TLB)

3. Look BACK, but leave the BAGAGE behind.

But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. Deuteronomy 7:18 (NIV)

4. Let go of your need to CONTROL the future.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR FUTURE:

Truth #1: God KNOWS everything that is going to happen.

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)

Truth #2: God has a PLAN for my future.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Truth #3: God will be WITH ME every step of the way.

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

“FEAR NOT!” Intro- Scared Stiff?

⁵Fear and trembling overwhelm me. I can’t stop shaking. Psalms 55:5 (NLT)

What are you afraid of?

Two Kinds of Fear:
UNHEALTHY & HEALTY FearUNHEALTHY FEAR:

SITS US DOWN
SHUTS US UP
SUCKS THE LIFE OUT OF US

HEALTHY FEAR:

PROTECTS US
STIMULATES US
MOTIVATES US

God’s Response to UNHEALTHY FEAR: DON’T BE AFRAID!

¹⁰Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (TLB)
⁹I command you—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NLT)
Getting Your Fear In Gear…

1. TRUTH.

³²And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (NLT)

2. LOVE.

¹⁸There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 (NIV)

3. FAITH.

³But when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalms 56:3 (NLT)

“God I don’t want to live my life paralyzed by fear. I don’t want my decisions, my actions to be motivated by unhealthy fear. Over the next 40 days I want to learn to trust you more, to allow your love to drive out fear and the truth of your Word to set me free. I commit my life to You this morning. May I bring you glory and honor as I live each day. Thank you for your faithfulness and your presence. In Jesus name, Amen.”