02.21.2021 | FEARLESS
FEARLESS
Let the Holy Spirit shift your affections.
1 John 4:18a – “There is no fear in love. But, perfect love drives out fear.”
Acts 4:32-33 (NLT) – “All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.”
Acts 4:34-35 – “There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.”
Acts 4:36-37 – “For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means ‘Son of Encouragement’). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.”
The Key Christian Affections (by Dr. Steve Land):
Gratitude
Compassion
Courage
1. Beware the Fear of Man
Acts 5:1-2 – “But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.”
Acts 5:3-4 – “Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!’”
Acts 5:5-6 – “As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.”
Acts 5:7-9 – “About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, ‘Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?’ ‘Yes,’ she replied, ‘that was the price.’ And Peter said, ‘How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.’”
Acts 5:10-11 – “Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.”
Proverbs 29:25 – “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”
Matthew 16:23 (NLT) – “Jesus turned to Peter and said, ‘Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.’”
Ephesians 4:26a; 4:27 – “And ‘don’t sin by letting anger control you’…for anger gives a foothold to the devil.”
Matthew 5:3a – “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
Matthew 5:5a (NLT) – “God blesses those who are humble.”
2. Focus on The Fear of the Lord
Acts 5:12-14 – “The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them. Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women.”
Acts 5:15-16 – “As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.”
Acts 5:17-20 – “The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, ‘Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!’”
Acts 5:26 – “Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.”
Acts 5:28a – “’We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this Man’s Name!’ he said.”
Acts 5:29 – “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’”
Acts 5:40b-42 – “They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the Name of Jesus, and they let them go. The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the Name of Jesus. And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: ‘Jesus is the Messiah.’”
Discussion Questions:
1. What stands out to you about these passages of Scripture?
2. Can you identify gratitude, compassion, or courage as guiding aspects of your life? Where/how?
3. What are some other Christian affections?
4. In light of these passages, can you describe the fear of man?
5. Can you share of a time when you had a fear motivate or guide your life?
6. What are your thoughts on the differences between the fear of man and the fear of the Lord?