Jesus included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own. 2 Corinthians 5:15 (MES)
This resurrection life you receive from God's Spirit is not a fearful life. You're no longer a slave of fear anymore. Instead, God's Spirit makes you his child and you now relate to God as your loving Father! Romans 8:15 (MES/NLT)
ACTION PLAN:Make some time to reflect on the different "flavors" of fear that were mentioned in the sermon. That list included being worried, troubled, sleepless, anxious, concerned, cautious, careful, nervous, uneasy, apprehensive, stressed, distressed, fretful, disturbed, tense, upset and angry. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any hidden fears you have and give them to God in prayer. Thank him that he is your loving Father.
WHY CAN WE NOW LIVE FEARLESSLY?
BECAUSE OF WHAT WE KNOW BECAUSE OF THE RESURRECTION
- We know that Jesus tells us the truth!
Jesus Christ was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead. Romans 1:4 (NLT) - We know that death is not the end!
Jesus died and resurrected in order to break Satan's power of death, and to free all who've lived enslaved to the fear of dying. Hebrews 2:14b-15
We know that the same God who raised Jesus from death, will also raise us with Jesus! . . . This is why we never give up! Even though our physical bodies are becoming older and weaker, our spirit inside us is made new every single day! And the present troubles we're going through right now are quite small and won't last very long. But they are producing in us an eternal glory that is going to last forever! 2 Corinthians 4:14, 16-17 (NCV/NLT) - We know that God loves us extravagantly!
God demonstrated his great love for us by sending Jesus to die for us even while we were sinning against him. Romans 5:8
May you be able to feel and really understand, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high God's love really is. May you experience this love for yourself, though it's so great you'll never fully understand it. Ephesians 3:18-19b (LB)
ACTION PLAN:The Bible has been described as a love letter from God to you. In the verse above from Ephesians, the apostle Paul prayed that we would be able to experience God's love for ourselves. Consider how open you are to experiencing God's love and returning that love to him on an emotional level. Use your journal one day this week to write a response back to him.
Nothing will ever separate us from God's love! Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away! Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that comes through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)
Wherever God's love is, there is no fear, because God's perfect love drives out all fear. 1 John 4:18a (NCV)
Since fear is crippling, a fearful life is a life not yet fully formed in God's love. 1 John 4:18b (MES)
- We know that God has a good plan for our lives.
Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven — and the future starts now!
1 Peter 1:3b-4 (MES)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, and have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV) - We know God will take care of our needs.
I pray you'll begin to understand the incredibly great power available to us who trust God. It's the same mighty power God used to raise Jesus from death . . . Ephesians 1:19-20 (NLT)
Jesus, the Son of God, has gone onto heaven where he is now our High Priest who helps us. So let us hold on to our faith in him and never stop trusting him. He sympathizes with our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same tests we do, without sinning. So then, let us have no fear in approaching God's throne of grace to receive his mercy and find his grace that will help us when we need it most! Hebrews 4:16 (NJB/NLT)
Weekly Action Steps
We recommit our lives to Jesus Christ. Text NEWSTART (1 word) to 83000 or email newstart@saddleback.com
We express our gratitude to God for his goodness by giving back to him. Because of your faithful generosity, we have been able to provide food and supplies to over 600,000 people in Southern California during this COVID crisis. Give at saddleback.com/give.
We meet in small groups online to discuss what we have heard. To join a group, text SMALLGROUP to 83000 or email smallgroup@saddleback.com.
To be baptized, email mYBAPTISM@saddleback.com.
Listen to our "Doable Discipleship" and "The Well" podcasts from our Saddleback Growth team at Saddleback.com/learn
