(Read Matthew 10:28-31)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. We have been studying the life of the Apostle Peter. Our study has brought us to Matthew 10. Today we will look at verses 28-31.
When Jesus sent His disciples out to perform ministry, He knew they were going to come up against opposition. Opposition should be expected and not feared. Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid of people. They can kill the body, but they cannot kill the soul. The only one you should fear is God, the one who can send the body and the soul to be destroyed in hell. When birds are sold, two small birds cost only a penny. But not even one of those little birds can die without your Father knowing it. God even knows how many hairs are on your head. So don’t be afraid. You are worth more than a whole flock of birds.”
So what does this mean to you today? Let’s get into it.
- Hundreds of times the Bible teaches us not to fear. Fear is an incapacitating force that will strip you of all confidence and therefore nullify your faith. Faith is all about confidence in God.
- Jesus sent His disciples out to become carriers and conduits of God’s glory. But He knew they would not allow the glory of God to flow through them if fear filled their hearts. The same is true today. You are a God-carrier. If you are Born-Again, God has taken up residence in you and He wants to flow through you. But you stifle you His flow when you operate in fear.
- Both faith and fear are rooted in confidence. Faith is based on confidence in God and what He will do. Fear is based on confidence in satan and what he will do. Your decision to either operate in faith or in fear is contingent upon whom you have more confidence in: God or satan.
- In this season of Great Grace, God’s best is available to you. It is available by grace (unmerited and unearned) and God simply requires you to use your faith to access it. However, if you allow the threats of men or satan to move you out of faith and into fear, you may miss out on God’s best for your life.
- Fear is an emotion. Emotions are supposed to be a blessing and not a curse. God gave us emotions to enable us, not to cripple us. Emotions become a problem with they are uncontrolled. God expects you to rule over your emotions and not allow your emotions to rule over you.
- Jesus made it clear to His disciples that God is the ultimate judge and He has the ultimate power. Instead of fearing men, fear God, and you will overcome the fear of men.
- No man can stop God, but men can certainly stop you. The key to flowing in God’s grace is knowing His will and exercising your faith to accomplish it in the earth. When you know you are doing the will of God, living by faith, walking in His grace, no man can stop you, because stopping you would mean stopping God and God cannot be stopped. Living this way enables you to live free from the fear men.
- When your confidence is in God, His strength and His power, you will never be afraid of men. The psalmist said it this way, “The Lord is on my side. I shall not fear. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalm 118:6).
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. You made plans for me before the world began. I did nothing to earn or deserve the great plans You have for me. Your blessing is freely made available to me by grace. Grace is Your part. Faith is my part. You require me to operate in faith in order to access Your grace. Faith is how I live ‘heaven on earth’. Faith is based on my confidence in You and Your Word. However, fear works the same way. Fear is how people live ‘hell on earth’. Fear is based on confidence in satan and his words. I have the ability to operate in both faith and fear. However, Your grace is on me to resist fear and I embrace Your grace. There are some who operate in fear, and who because of it, will miss out on Your best. I am NOT one of them. I am a believer and not a doubter. I operate in faith and not fear. Perfect love casts out all fear. Fear has no power over me. Your grace is on me to resist fear and I shall. I stand in faith, without a doubt, and I refuse to waiver. I am like Mount Zion, I shall not be moved. Like the psalmist I say, “The Lord is on my side. I shall not fear. What can mere mortals do to me?” I succeed in life by grace, walking in fearless confidence every day. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
