Mt 1:18ff; LK 1:26ff; LK 2:8ff
Based on the texts mentioned above; we’re going to meditate on the theme ‘DO NOT BE AFRAID’ which is one of the central messages of ‘the birth of Jesus’ brought to different people by God through his angels to prepare the way for Jesus.
For we are looking forward the coming of Christmas and its celebration, both here in our college as well as in y/our own places, the theme chosen for this morning, as I believe, will help us attain our spiritual desire to celebrate Christmas more meaningfully and to worship God in spirit.
If we look at the Bible, the bible mentions two specific types of fear.
The first one is ‘fear of the Lord’ which is to be encouraged and beneficial for human who fears God. In Ps 9:10; 111:10 the psalmist says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge… understanding”
But the second type of fear on the other hand is not beneficial at all. It is a detriment and is to be overcome. This type of fear is mentioned as ‘spirit of fear’ in 2 Tim 1:7. The text says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. And this type of spirit of fearfulness and timidity does not come from God. It is, indeed, an obstacle, that can impede or restrict the work of the Holy Spirit.
However, when we talk about FEAR; there are several terms which have the same sense and meaning of fear and at the same time can be used as synonyms, like; terror, doubt, panic, dismay, worry, dreadful, loose heart, nervous, horrify, chill out, scepticism, anxiety, etc. Therefore, whenever I spell out the term ‘fear’ in between of my sermon, let us try to recollect all these terms, so that this recollection will help us receive the sermon meaningfully.
As already mentioned, when the birth of Jesus is being foretold by God through his angels; the message to overcome fear is always at the central of God’s message.
Now, to begin with our theme ‘DO NOT BE AFRAID,’ let us take a look at some biblical accounts;
1. Mt 1:18ff:
- Mary had engaged to Joseph
- She was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit
- Then Joseph being a righteous man, planned to dismiss her quietly
- In V22: But just when he had resolved to dismiss her,
- An angel of the Lord appear to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit”
- In v24: When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angle of the Lord commanded him. So he took her as his wife.
2. LK 1:26ff
- When the angle of the Lord, Gabriel appeared to Mary and said, “Greeting, favoured one, the Lord is with you”
- Mary was perplexed by the words of Gabriel and pondered what short of greeting it would be.
- Then the angle said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God…”
- In v 38: Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.
3. The same message was given when the angle appeared to the shepherds in LK 2:8ff
- When the angle of the Lord stood before them and when the glory of the Lord was shown around them, they were terrified
- Then the angle said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people…”
- After saying this – Suddenly there was with the angle a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying – Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours.
- In V 16: So, they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.
- Then in V20: The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Now, for our points of interest what I would like to mention from these accounts are;
1. Whenever God has a plan, in the process of his programme, fear must have no room.
Overcoming fear for humanity is one of the integral parts of his mission.
2. Therefore, to be born or to let Jesus born, overcoming or removing fear in human is something that God has taken very seriously.
3. This must also be the reason why, as I assume, God has intended to remove fear in human to prepare the way for Jesus.
And apart from this, in relation to the same concern, one presumption/question that has come to my mind is – if fear remains in the minds of Joseph, if fear continues to exist or dwells Mary and the shepherds, what would happen?
- The birth of Jesus may not be happened.
- They (Joseph, Mary, shepherds) would not become a useful instrument for the birth of Jesus
- They would not see or experience the revelation, the glory of God manifested to them.
We can say this, because fear can become an obstacle that can block the working process of God or God’s plan; therefore fear must have no room in the working process of God’s plan.
Illustration:
In 2017, when I attended an Assembly meeting of my church, which is the highest general body meeting of BCM; during congregational singing, I saw many people singing wholeheartedly and praising God. This experience may be new for some, but for us, it is an integral part of our worship services where and through which we could experience/witness charismatic movement within the community of God’s people during worship services.
So, as per our tradition, we Mizo practice spiritual dance during the time of congregational singing. If you happen to see or attend in a Mizo church, in every church building, you will see a huge or unoccupied space in between the pulpit and the place where long chairs are placed for the congregation. That place is reserved for people who have a desire to openly or publicly prise God. They would come out of their seats to the dancing place and would walk around making two or three circles. That is how we worship and praise God in the church. But only depending on the work of the Holy Spirit on individual level and within the community of God’s people, one could attain this kind of spiritual experience.
So, during congregational singing, lots of people have gathered together making 3 or 4 circles there in praising God. The entire movement of people in a dancing place, the sound of drums, music and congregational singing all together were so impressive and so motivating. Therefore, I also have a very strong desire to be with them in parsing God. And the level of motivational force within me at that moment was so strong because I have missed this kind of spiritual congregational singing and dancing for almost about 10 years.
But what was happened to me, what was the result? I was unable to join the people there, only because I have some reservation in my mind. I was not strong enough to wrestle with and to defeat myself. I was afraid that, if I join them, people would laugh at me, because people who came from theological institution who supposed to have an academic mind-set are not expected to give their interest on such thing. Therefore, this kind of feeling/belief holds me back not to participate. So the consequence result, I can tell you is – I was unable to receive the same blessing of the Spirit enjoyed by people at that moment.
It’s a simple illustration in which some may not find any meaning at all or fully comprehend even the sequence. But it is a good example to tell you that, if you do not overcome the fear in you, you will not be able to experience the work of the Holy Spirit as to what the Holy Spirit has a desire to work in you.
You don’t have to be afraid. Again and again in the Bible, God told His children not to be afraid.
- Through a vision, God said to Abraham in Gen. 15:1 - Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.
- When Hagar and her son Ishmael were banished from Abraham’s land, an angel appeared to Hagar and told her; do not be afraid; For God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. – Gen. 21:17
- When Isaac was expelled from his land by the Philistines and forced to move from place to place, God appeared to him and reminded him: Do not be afraid, for I am with you. – Gen. 26:24
- When Jacob was fearful of traveling in his old age, God told him; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation. – Gen. 46:3
- Numerous times Moses reminded the Israelites not to be afraid because God was with them and would fight for them. And after Moses’ death, God made the same commitment to Joshua as he encouraged him to be strong and courageous: Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. – Jos. 1:9
- From David to Elijah, from Isaiah to Jeremiah, God continuously reminded his people not to fear.
In every instance, people faced legitimate fears. But each time God’s message remained consistent. It seems God understood that we would wrestle with fear.
I John 4:18 says, “Whoever fears has not reached perfection in love…” that means with the feeling of fear no one can move forward. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Therefore, as the birth of Jesus brings the message to overcome fear, let the same message be made known to us and to people who are in the state of fear, distress and who are in trouble, dismay, sadness, disappointment or sorrow, etc.
Friends, as the time has come/about to come for your Christmas vocation; each of you will be going back to your own places, and I want you to go back to your place with this message – DO NOT BE AFRAID. I wish, you would go home with the message to overcome fear which remains in you and to overcome fear for others.
This message is for you and for others whom you would offer spiritual help; who is in need of encouragement, spiritual restoration and help; in order that the promised Messiah would be born in their hearts. And as a result, people who are in the darkness can also pay homage to the new born baby.
DO NOT BE AFRAID. May God bless us.
Based on the texts mentioned above; we’re going to meditate on the theme ‘DO NOT BE AFRAID’ which is one of the central messages of ‘the birth of Jesus’ brought to different people by God through his angels to prepare the way for Jesus.
For we are looking forward the coming of Christmas and its celebration, both here in our college as well as in y/our own places, the theme chosen for this morning, as I believe, will help us attain our spiritual desire to celebrate Christmas more meaningfully and to worship God in spirit.
If we look at the Bible, the bible mentions two specific types of fear.
The first one is ‘fear of the Lord’ which is to be encouraged and beneficial for human who fears God. In Ps 9:10; 111:10 the psalmist says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge… understanding”
But the second type of fear on the other hand is not beneficial at all. It is a detriment and is to be overcome. This type of fear is mentioned as ‘spirit of fear’ in 2 Tim 1:7. The text says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. And this type of spirit of fearfulness and timidity does not come from God. It is, indeed, an obstacle, that can impede or restrict the work of the Holy Spirit.
However, when we talk about FEAR; there are several terms which have the same sense and meaning of fear and at the same time can be used as synonyms, like; terror, doubt, panic, dismay, worry, dreadful, loose heart, nervous, horrify, chill out, scepticism, anxiety, etc. Therefore, whenever I spell out the term ‘fear’ in between of my sermon, let us try to recollect all these terms, so that this recollection will help us receive the sermon meaningfully.
As already mentioned, when the birth of Jesus is being foretold by God through his angels; the message to overcome fear is always at the central of God’s message.
Now, to begin with our theme ‘DO NOT BE AFRAID,’ let us take a look at some biblical accounts;
1. Mt 1:18ff:
- Mary had engaged to Joseph
- She was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit
- Then Joseph being a righteous man, planned to dismiss her quietly
- In V22: But just when he had resolved to dismiss her,
- An angel of the Lord appear to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit”
- In v24: When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angle of the Lord commanded him. So he took her as his wife.
2. LK 1:26ff
- When the angle of the Lord, Gabriel appeared to Mary and said, “Greeting, favoured one, the Lord is with you”
- Mary was perplexed by the words of Gabriel and pondered what short of greeting it would be.
- Then the angle said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God…”
- In v 38: Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.
3. The same message was given when the angle appeared to the shepherds in LK 2:8ff
- When the angle of the Lord stood before them and when the glory of the Lord was shown around them, they were terrified
- Then the angle said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people…”
- After saying this – Suddenly there was with the angle a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying – Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours.
- In V 16: So, they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.
- Then in V20: The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Now, for our points of interest what I would like to mention from these accounts are;
1. Whenever God has a plan, in the process of his programme, fear must have no room.
Overcoming fear for humanity is one of the integral parts of his mission.
2. Therefore, to be born or to let Jesus born, overcoming or removing fear in human is something that God has taken very seriously.
3. This must also be the reason why, as I assume, God has intended to remove fear in human to prepare the way for Jesus.
And apart from this, in relation to the same concern, one presumption/question that has come to my mind is – if fear remains in the minds of Joseph, if fear continues to exist or dwells Mary and the shepherds, what would happen?
- The birth of Jesus may not be happened.
- They (Joseph, Mary, shepherds) would not become a useful instrument for the birth of Jesus
- They would not see or experience the revelation, the glory of God manifested to them.
We can say this, because fear can become an obstacle that can block the working process of God or God’s plan; therefore fear must have no room in the working process of God’s plan.
Illustration:
In 2017, when I attended an Assembly meeting of my church, which is the highest general body meeting of BCM; during congregational singing, I saw many people singing wholeheartedly and praising God. This experience may be new for some, but for us, it is an integral part of our worship services where and through which we could experience/witness charismatic movement within the community of God’s people during worship services.
So, as per our tradition, we Mizo practice spiritual dance during the time of congregational singing. If you happen to see or attend in a Mizo church, in every church building, you will see a huge or unoccupied space in between the pulpit and the place where long chairs are placed for the congregation. That place is reserved for people who have a desire to openly or publicly prise God. They would come out of their seats to the dancing place and would walk around making two or three circles. That is how we worship and praise God in the church. But only depending on the work of the Holy Spirit on individual level and within the community of God’s people, one could attain this kind of spiritual experience.
So, during congregational singing, lots of people have gathered together making 3 or 4 circles there in praising God. The entire movement of people in a dancing place, the sound of drums, music and congregational singing all together were so impressive and so motivating. Therefore, I also have a very strong desire to be with them in parsing God. And the level of motivational force within me at that moment was so strong because I have missed this kind of spiritual congregational singing and dancing for almost about 10 years.
But what was happened to me, what was the result? I was unable to join the people there, only because I have some reservation in my mind. I was not strong enough to wrestle with and to defeat myself. I was afraid that, if I join them, people would laugh at me, because people who came from theological institution who supposed to have an academic mind-set are not expected to give their interest on such thing. Therefore, this kind of feeling/belief holds me back not to participate. So the consequence result, I can tell you is – I was unable to receive the same blessing of the Spirit enjoyed by people at that moment.
It’s a simple illustration in which some may not find any meaning at all or fully comprehend even the sequence. But it is a good example to tell you that, if you do not overcome the fear in you, you will not be able to experience the work of the Holy Spirit as to what the Holy Spirit has a desire to work in you.
You don’t have to be afraid. Again and again in the Bible, God told His children not to be afraid.
- Through a vision, God said to Abraham in Gen. 15:1 - Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.
- When Hagar and her son Ishmael were banished from Abraham’s land, an angel appeared to Hagar and told her; do not be afraid; For God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. – Gen. 21:17
- When Isaac was expelled from his land by the Philistines and forced to move from place to place, God appeared to him and reminded him: Do not be afraid, for I am with you. – Gen. 26:24
- When Jacob was fearful of traveling in his old age, God told him; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation. – Gen. 46:3
- Numerous times Moses reminded the Israelites not to be afraid because God was with them and would fight for them. And after Moses’ death, God made the same commitment to Joshua as he encouraged him to be strong and courageous: Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. – Jos. 1:9
- From David to Elijah, from Isaiah to Jeremiah, God continuously reminded his people not to fear.
In every instance, people faced legitimate fears. But each time God’s message remained consistent. It seems God understood that we would wrestle with fear.
I John 4:18 says, “Whoever fears has not reached perfection in love…” that means with the feeling of fear no one can move forward. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Therefore, as the birth of Jesus brings the message to overcome fear, let the same message be made known to us and to people who are in the state of fear, distress and who are in trouble, dismay, sadness, disappointment or sorrow, etc.
Friends, as the time has come/about to come for your Christmas vocation; each of you will be going back to your own places, and I want you to go back to your place with this message – DO NOT BE AFRAID. I wish, you would go home with the message to overcome fear which remains in you and to overcome fear for others.
This message is for you and for others whom you would offer spiritual help; who is in need of encouragement, spiritual restoration and help; in order that the promised Messiah would be born in their hearts. And as a result, people who are in the darkness can also pay homage to the new born baby.
DO NOT BE AFRAID. May God bless us.
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