Deliverance from Fear (Part 2)

 Deliverance from Fear (Part 2)

Main Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:22-33

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

Matt 14:25-27

 Background

The disciples had set sail to cross over the sea and Jesus had remained behind praying. He then followed them in the early morning hours (between 3 and 6am) and the disciples saw him walking on water and thought they had seen a Ghost! They cried out for fear and Jesus said, ‘It is I, be not afraid!’

 

Here is a group of people that had been walking with Jesus closely. A group which Jesus could easily acknowledge as His own. This group was terrified when they saw Jesus walking on water… because they thought they had seen a ghost! I don’t want to be that kind of disciple that still gives room to seeing ghosts even when I have been with Jesus for so long! Hallelujah!

 

Why you should never entertain fear

‘It is a ghost’

Fear can create imagery that you can never think possible. The figure of Jesus walking on water was immediately transformed into a ghost in the disciples’ minds. How does a ghost look like? Can anyone describe a ghost with absolute clarity? Could Peter maybe describe to us the figure and behaviour of a ghost? Fear therefore gives you a perception on issues which is often wrong and misinformed. How you perceive things can show us whether you are fearful or not.

 

Fear created and magnified the negative that was not even there. None of the disciples thought that this could have been an angel or something else positive! Ghost was the only conclusion they could make of this unusual sight.

 

Fear gives you the wrong terminology.

Mistaking Jesus for a Ghost?

Disciples … Really ?

This is Jesus, the Messiah, the Saviour of the whole world!

How many times in your life have you mistaken God or His work for a ghost? Some have let opportunities pass by because the opportunities were not packaged in the way they expected them to be! Even in our dealings with other people, we wrote off some people because they were not packaged the way we could accept, they were not aligned to our expectations.

 

The Paradox here is that some people out there in the world are desiring to be close to Jesus… and yet those close to Him are mistaking Him for a ghost!

Sometimes what you fear is not even there!

A small wound that takes long to heal can be termed cancer in the face of fear.

 

Jesus walked on water,… this was a new thing to the disciples. Talk about A paradigm shift ! Somebody get over your fears and get ready for a paradigm shift ! God can do anything at anytime and although this sounds obvious… how many opportunities have we missed because they did not look just right?

Someone today embrace new borders, new ventures, new opportunities! Remember these are new and so they will not be your usual territory!

 

Of Phobias (ghosts)  in church

Let’s talk of phobias…

Several definitions of phobia define it as an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.

These phobias follow us to church sometimes!

I heard of someone’s sister (born again) who stepped on a snail and threw up for the next 3 days!!!

Clearly someone (if not all) disciples had nursed some phobia for ghosts!.

 

If we entertain phobias they can imprison us and affect how we relate with God. What does the word of God say?

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Rom 12:2

 

How to get delivered from fear…A lesson from the disciples

Let’s look at the disciples again.

They had Jesus before their faces almost everyday BUT they still thought of ghosts!

What an oxymoron!

We have many oxymoronic believers.

Renew your mind and be ye transformed!

We saw ghosts and ran away from them before we came to Jesus.  

Shall we continue even now?

In as much as many have given their lives to Jesus Christ, many have not attempted to renew their minds. We have Christians in church who are still afraid of ghosts… no matter what your ghosts are.. renew your mind!

These disciples clearly didn’t appreciate that all power belongs to God and that He can do anything which includes walking on the water which He created anyway!

 

Where have you left gaps in your faith ?

You are a believer to what extent?

Is it to the extent that your fears (and your unrenewed mind) allow?

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb 4:16

 

When the Bible says come boldly, it is implied that there are situations where you need His mercy but may feel unworthy to receive OR the circumstances may make you feel unworthy.

Peter takes a bold step of faith and then He starts looking at the waves and starts sinking…

To what extent do you consider the surroundings or circumstances when coming to Him?

A certain preacher once said many believers say I am fine under the circumstances but what are you doing under the circumstances?, you should be above them!

Remember you are seated with Christ high above all principalities and powers! (Eph 2:6)

A knowledge of who you are in Christ will give you boldness as you come to the throne of mercy. Hallelujah!

 

Some come to the throne with fears…will this prayer be answered?

Am I acceptable to Him ?

I kicked the cat in the morning, am I acceptable to Him? As I approach Him right now, is He not thinking of the cat that I kicked?

Every sin was forgiven on the Cross of Calvary!

Therefore, Come boldly!

Come with boldness, definitely not with fear!

 

 

Conclusion

As a Christian, by no means entertain fear. Let fear be far away from you. Fear can and will limit you in your walk with God. Make a decision today to walk on this journey of faith without fear, in Jesus Name. Hallelujah!