God’s Story in a Fear-Based Culture

God’s Story in a Fear-Based Culture LISTEN ON MIXLR @ https://gbcsl.mixlr.com WATCH US ON YOUTUBE LIVE @ http://www.youtube.com/gracechurch-slus/live 1 John 4 18 Shows Us that the Gospel Addresses Our Fear [And] so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There 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. We love because he first loved us. I John 4:16-19 I. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, 1 Love is incompatible with fear. 2 Love is invincible against fear II Jesus has power over nature Mark 4:35-41. That day when evening came, he [referring to Jesus] said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him 1 Jesus is right there with them in the Storm 2 Christ Helps Us Weather Storms 3 Faith is not confidence that bad things won’t happen. 4 Faith is not confidence that the storm will end tomorrow. 5 Faith is confident that, no matter how heavy the storm is, God is right there in the middle of that storm with you III Jesus has power over demons. Mark 5:1-20 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he often had been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted to the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you will not torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you evil spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go in to them.” He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and the countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man that had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon possessed man – and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave the region 1 Even Before he Cast them out the demons bowed before him. 2 Even Before he Cast them out the demons bowed before him. 3 The Demons couldn’t do anything until Jesus Gave them permission 4 Jesus has all authority over Satan and the demons 5 We are completely safe in Christ III Jesus ha