TRUTHS ABOUT SETBACKS TO REMEMBER
1. THERE ARE NO COMEBACKS WITHOUT SETBACKS
2. EVERY SETBACK IS A SETUP FOR A COMEBACK.
3. A SETBACK IS INTENDED NOT TO PUNISH ME, BUT TO PREPARE ME FOR MY NEXT STAGE OF RESPONSIBILITY.
4. SETBACKS ARE THE STEPPING STONES TO MY FUTURE.
Action Plan: Which of these truths is the hardest for you to remember or accept? Talk to God about it this week, asking him to help you understand and accept that truth.
COMMON FEARS AT THE BIRTH OF JESUS
- Mary FACED THE FEAR OF INADEQUENCY
"Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. So, the angel said, 'Do NOT BE AFRAID, Mary. for God has decided to bless and use you! You will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus . . . and he will be the Son of God, and his Kingdom will never end!' Then Mary asked, 'But how can this be?' Luke 1:29-34
- JOSEPH FACED THE FEAR OF DISAPPROVAL
"Now this is how Jesus Christ was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé, being a good and righteous man, decided to break off the engagement quietly, so it would not disgrace Mary publicly. But after he had considered doing this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because the child in her is from God's Holy Spirit." Matthew 1:18-20
- SHEPHERDS FACED THE FEAR OF UNEXPECTED CHANGE
"That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory flashed and surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, so the angel said to them 'Do NOT be afraid!'" Luke 2:8-10
- KING HEROD FACED THE FEAR OF LOSING CONTROL
"Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the time that Herod was the king of the Jews . . . Then some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and started asking: 'Where is the child born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him!' When King Herod heard this news, he was deeply frightened and disturbed, and so was everyone else in Jerusalem!" Matthew 2:1-3
- ZECHARIAH FACED THE FEAR OF BEING DISAPPOINTED
"(While serving in the Temple) an angel appeared to Zechariah. When he saw the angel, he was confused and overwhelmed with fear. But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraiD! Your prayer has been heard!" Luke 1:11-13
HOW CAN I REPLACE MY FEARS WITH FAITH?
1. SURRENDER MY LIFE COMPLETELY TO GOD EVERYDAY
"Mary responded, 'I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever God wants for my life!'" Luke 1:38
"Surrender your heart to God, turn to him in prayer, and give up your sins. Then you won't be ashamed; you will be confident and fearless. Your troubles will go away like water beneath a bridge, and your darkest night will be brighter than noon. Then you'll rest safe and secure, filled with hope and emptied of worry!" Job 11:13-18 (CEV)
Action Plan: Find someway to get yourself to kneel every morning (ex. place your keys or shoes under your bed). When you go to grab them each day, take 2 to 3 minutes to pray and surrender your day to God.
2. STOP LISTENING TO THE VOICES OF FEAR
"Whatsoever is not based on faith is sin." Romans 14:23
3. FILL MY MIND WITH MUSIC THAT PRAISES GOD
"Then Mary sang, 'With all my heart I praise the Lord! I rejoice in God my Savior, for he notices and cares for me, a simple servant girl! . . . He has blessed me, and He is the Mighty One who is holy . . . He is All-Powerful . . . He can do anything . . . He meets all our needs . . . and He keeps his promises!" Luke 1:46-56
Mary sang! Luke 1:46-56
Elizabeth sang! Luke 1: 42-45
The Angels sang! Luke 2:13-14
The Shepherds sang! Luke 2:20
Zechariah sang! Luke 1:67-79
You lose your fear with you feel God is near!
Action Plan: Check out the Saddleback Worship YouTube channel or the "Saddleback Church – Songs We Sing on the Weekend" Spotify playlist.
4. BASE MY HOPE ON THE PROMISES OF GOD
Elizabeth said to Mary, "You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what he said." Luke 1:45
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in God. And when I trust in God I am not afraid! I praise him for what he has promised." Psalm 56:3-4
Doable Discipleship: This week's episode of Doable Discipleship features an interview with Mark Carver on lessons from Saddleback's history. New episodes release every Tuesday. To watch or listen,click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over,click here.
