Sunday Sermon
Freedom from FEAR is your RIGHT!
Speaker: Ptr. Gerry Gregoire
Reference Text: Luke 1:68-75

AS WE CELEBRATE THIS HOLIDAY WE CALL THE FOURTH OF JULY, WHEN AMERICA WON THEIR FREEDOM FROM ENGLAND, WE WANT TO REMEMBER THAT THEY FOUGHT FOR THIS FREEDOM BECAUSE THEY FELT THAT THEY WERE BEING TREATED UNJUSTLY BY THE ENGLISH CROWN.

EVIDENCE WAS THAT THEY WERE BEING MISTREATED, THEY WERE BEING TAXED WITHOUT HAVING ANY REPRESENTATION AND SEVERAL OTHER MIS-TREATMENTS THAT I WILL NOT GET INTO TODAY. BUT THE FACT WAS THAT THEY KNEW THEY WERE NOT FREE FROM THIS UNFAIRNESS AND DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

AS CHRISTIANS WE MAY BE GROSSLY MISTREATED BY OUR ENEMY SATAN AND MAY NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING. WE REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH GOD HAS LIBERATED US FROM AND THAT WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER BONDAGE OF THESE DEMONIC ENTITIES. LETS LOOK AT OUR OPENING SCRIPTURE IN LUKE 1:68-75 ----
Luke 1:68-75 (Amplified Bible)

68Blessed (praised and extolled and thanked) be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come and brought deliverance and redemption to His people!
69And He has raised up a Horn of salvation [a mighty and valiant Helper, the Author of salvation] for us in the house of David His servant--
70This is as He promised by the mouth of His holy prophets from the most ancient times [in the memory of man]--
71That we should have deliverance and be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who detest and pursue us with hatred;
72To make true and show the mercy and compassion and kindness [promised] to our forefathers and to remember and carry out His holy covenant [to bless, which is [a]all the more sacred because it is made by God Himself],

73That covenant He sealed by oath to our forefather Abraham:
74To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our foes, might serve Him fearlessly
1. 75In holiness (divine consecration) and righteousness [in accordance with the everlasting principles of right] within His presence all the days of our lives.

VERSE 68 SAYS THAT THE LORD HAS COME AND BROUGHT US DELIVERANCE AND REDEMPTION.
VERSE 69 & 70 SAYS THAT HE PROMISED TO DO THIS AND HELD TRUE TO HIS WORD WHEN JESUS CAME.
VERSE 71 STATES THAT OUR ENEMIES CANNOT HAVE VICTORY OVER US BECAUSE OF WHAT HE WAS GOING TO PROVIDE.
VERSE 72 STATES THAT THESE PROMISES WERE MADE BY GOD HIMSELF.

NOW VERSES 73-75 WE NEED TO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO BECAUSE IN THESE VERSES, THIS DELIVERANCE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO SERVE GOD WITHOUT FEAR OF WHAT THE ENEMY WOULD TRY TO DO. AND THAT THIS TYPE OF PROTECTION WOULD BE FOR ALL THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES AS WE SERVE HIM IN HOLINESS AND IN RIGHT STANDING, THAT IS TO SAY WE MEET HIS STANDARDS WITH THE HELP THAT HE HIMSELF PROVIDES.
ARE YOU GETTING THIS? SERVE FEARLESSLY, YET FEAR GRIPS ALMOST EVERYONE DURING THE COURSE OF OUR SERVICE TO HIM.
IS THEY'RE ANYBODY HERE THAT CAN SAY THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SERVING HIM WITHOUT FEAR?
MOST PEOPLE COULD NOT SAY YES, THAT'S ME, I SERVE FEARLESSLY.
I HAVE NOT ARRIVED AND PAUL HIMSELF TOOK SOME TIME TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE SERVICE WAS DONE WITHOUT FEAR.

LOOK AT 1 JOHN 4:18
1 John 4:18 (Amplified Bible)

18There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love [a]turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear [b]brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection].
DO YOU KNOW THAT SCRIPTURE IS TALKING ABOUT GOD'S LOVE FOR YOU? WHEN WE HAVE RECEIVED HIS LOVE IN ITS FULLNESS, WE CAN HAVE THIS FEARLESSNESS. AND THE DEVIL KNOWS THAT, SO HIS MAIN STRATEGY IS TO KEEP YOU FROM RECEIVING THAT LOVE AND KEEPING YOU IN FEAR!

LAST WEEK WE TALKED ABOUT PEACE AND THAT THINKING YOU WERE NOT WORTHY WOULD KEEP YOU FROM EXPERIENCING THAT PEACE AND THE WAY TO GET THAT PEACE WAS TO WANT MORE AND MORE OF JESUS IN YOU. AMEN!

THIS WEEK WE ARE LOOKING AT WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU AS YOU YEARN FOR MORE OF JESUS. THE DEVIL'S BIGGEST AND MOST EFFECTIVE TOOL IS FEAR. IF HE CAN GET YOU IN THE CYCLE OF FEAR, ANY TYPE OF FEAR, HE KNOWS HE CAN HINDER YOUR EFFECTIVENESS FOR CHRIST.

WHAT DOES HE USE? FEAR OF SICKNESS, FEARS OF NOT ENOUGH FINANCES, FEAR OF YOUR WEAKNESS, FEAR OF YOUR ABILITY TO EXPRESS YOURSELF AND THESE ARE JUST A FEW. THERE ARE SO MANY AREAS HE CAN WORK IN YOUR LIFE AND THAT IS WHY IT'S HIS MOST EFFECTIVE TOOL. DO YOU KNOW WHY? BECAUSE IT IS THE OPPOSITE OF FAITH AND FAITH IS WHAT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS ALL ABOUT. IF HE CAN GET YOU FEARING ANYTHING, YOUR FAITH WILL NOT BE EFFECTIVE. FEAR CAUSES US TO RUN AWAY FROM THINGS THAT WE SHOULD DO OR PLACES WE SHOULD GO.

SO WHAT SHOULD WE DO TO OVERCOME THIS FEAR THAT STEALS OUR PEACE AND RENDERS US INEFFECTIVE? LETS LOOK AT 2 JOHN 1:8-9

2 John 1:8-9 (Amplified Bible)

8Look to yourselves (take care) that you may not lose (throw away or destroy) all that we and you have labored for, but that you may [persevere until you] win and receive back a perfect reward [in full].
9Anyone who runs on ahead [of God] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ [who is not content with what He taught] does not have God; but he who continues to live in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ [does have God], he has both the Father and the Son.

CONTINUE TO REHEARSE WHAT HAS BEEN TAUGHT IN OUR BIBLE STUDIES AND SUNDAY SERVICES. GOD IS BUILDING HIS HOUSE HERE IN OUR CHURCH. WHAT MANY DO IS HEAR THE MESSAGE AND SAY AMEN, BUT NEVER TRY APPLYING IT TO THEIR LIVES. THEY THINK IT GOOD FOR SOMEONE ELSE AND NOT THEM, CONSEQUENTLY FEAR CONTINUES TO HOLD THEM HOSTAGE. YOU, BY YOUR INABILITY TO APPLY WHAT HAS BEEN TAUGHT,YOU ARE NOT FREE FROM YOUR ENEMY. YOU STAY IN BONDAGE. GOD IS SPEAKING TO US CHURCH AND TELLING US WHAT WILL BRING TRUE FREEDOM. LOOK AT WHAT MOSES TOLD ISRAEL AND HOW THEY REACTED. LETS GO TO EXODUS 3:7-9?

Exodus 3:7-8 (Amplified Bible)

7And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters and oppressors; for I know their sorrows and sufferings and trials.
8And I have come down to deliver them out of the hand and power of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a land good and large, a land flowing with milk and honey [a land of plenty]--to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
AND LOOK HOW THEY RESPONDED WHEN MOSES TOLD THEM WHAT GOD SAID:
EXODUS 6:9
Exodus 6:9 (Amplified Bible)

9Moses told this to the Israelites, but they refused to listen to Moses because of their impatience and anguish of spirit and because of their cruel bondage.
THEY WERE SO TAKEN UP WITH THEIR SITUATION THAT THEY MISSED GOD'S ATTEMPT TO BRING VICTORY.

THAT'S WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE CHURCH TODAY, THEY WANT TO GROW, THEY WANT DELIVERANCE FROM FEAR AND THEY WANT PEACE, BUT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO DO WHAT GOD IS ASKING THEM TO DO. THEY WANT TO STAY BABIES, PLEASE GIVE ME MY BOTTLE !!!

IT'S TIME TO GROW UP! FEAR OF DOING HIS WILL KEEPS THEM FROM ENTERING GOD'S REST. LOOK AT HEBREWS 4:9
Hebrews 4:9 (Amplified Bible)

9So then, there is still awaiting a full and complete Sabbath-rest reserved for the [true] people of God;
YET, SAINTS CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE WITH FEAR AND LACK OF PEACE.

LOOK AT 2 COR 5:18 '
2 Corinthians 5:18 (Amplified Bible)

18But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him].

THE MAIN PURPOSE WE EXIST AS A CHURCH IS TO BRING OTHERS INTO HARMONY WITH GOD, BUT WE OURSELVES ARE NOT IN HARMONY.
OH! WE LIKE TO HEAR WHAT GOD WANTS TO DO , BUT WE START FEARING WHEN WE REALIZE HE WANTS TO USE US. I CANNOT DO THAT, THAT'S TOO HARD, I DON'T HAVE THAT ABILITY OR TALENT. THAT THE DEVIL'S PLOY TO KEEP YOU INACTIVE. THAT'S NOT MY MINISTRY !!!

1 CHRONICLES 16:27 '
1 Chronicles 16:27 (Amplified Bible)

27Honor and majesty are [found] in His presence; strength and joy are [found] in His sanctuary.
WE NEED TO SPEND MORE TIME IN HIS PRESENCE WHERE WE CAN RECEIVE THE STRENGTH AND JOY THAT COMES TO HELP US DO HIS BIDDING.

ISA 35:10 TELLS US WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE REALIZE THAT WE HAVE BEEN RANSOMED FROM BONDAGE;
Isaiah 35:10 (Amplified Bible)

10And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
DAVID TELLS US HOW LIVING IN GOD WILL CRUSH FEAR:
PSALM 27:1-3
Psalm 27
1. [A Psalm] of David.
1THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation--whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?
2When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

3Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, [even then] in this will I be confident.

ARE YOU HEARING WHAT GOD IS SAYING, FEAR DOES NOT BELONG TO YOU?

Luke 1:73-75 (Amplified Bible)

73That covenant He sealed by oath to our forefather Abraham:
74To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our foes, might serve Him fearlessly
75In holiness (divine consecration) and righteousness [in accordance with the everlasting principles of right] within His presence all the days of our lives.

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW CAN HURT US. WHAT GOD HAS SAID IS THAT HE WANTS TO GIVE HIS PEACE TO US AND WE SAY WE'RE NOT WORTHY OR TODAY WE SAID FEAR CREEPS IN TO KEEP YOU FROM RECEIVING IT. YET, FEAR IS NOT FROM GOD. HIS WORD TELLS US THAT WE HAVE BEEN DELIVERED FROM OUR ENEMIES AND IT GOES OVER OUR HEADS AND WE MISS IT AND WALK WOUNDED.
LETS CLOSE WITH A FEW SCRIPTURES TO HELP YOU REALIZE WHAT GOD'S TRUE WILL IS FOR YOU:Romans 8:15 (Amplified Bible)

15For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father!

2 Kay Timoteo 1:7 (Ang Salita ng Diyos)
1. Ang Salita ng Diyos (SND)
Copyright ' 1998 by Bibles International
7Ito ay sapagkat hindi tayo binigyan ng Diyos ng espiritu ng pagkatakot, sa halip, binigyan niya tayo ng espiritu ng kapangyarihan at ng pag-ibig at ng maayos na pag-iisip.
OR IN ENGLISH

2 Timothy 1:7 (King James Version)
1. King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain

7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

RIGHT NOW, THE WORLD IS DROWNING IN FEAR. HUMANKIND TREMBLES OVER GLOBAL WARMING-(BUT NOT THE HEAT OF HELL),FEAR OF TERRORIST ATTACKS-(BUT PAY NO ATTENTION TO DEMONIC ATTACKS), NUCLEAR WARFARE, A SHAKY ECONOMY, THE AIDS PLAGUE, MASS MURDERS, THE RISE OF ISLAM, POLITICAL CHAOS, WIDESPREAD ADDICTION TO DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND PORN.

RIGHT NOW I ASK YOU: HOW CAN WE MAKE AN IMPACT FOR CHRIST IF WE ARE BESET WITH THE SAME SPIRIT OF FEAR THAT THE WORLD HAS? WHAT KIND OF HOPE CAN WE OFFER---- INDEED, WHAT KIND OF GOSPEL DO WE PREACH---- IF IT DOESN'T CHANGE US OR DELIVER US FROM FEAR?

GOD BROUGHT THE NEW COVENANT TO ASSURE HIS CHURCH OF HIS LOVE AND FULL PARDON OF SIN... TO BRING US INTO THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS DELIGHT AND GLADNESS OVER US.... ALL THAT WE MIGHT KNOW HIS HEART OF LOVE FOR US AND LIVE ALL OUR DAYS WITHOUT FEAR.

IT WILL NOT BE EASY, BUT WE NEED TO START DOING WHAT GOD HAS BEEN TELLING US EVERY WEEK, INSTEAD OF SAYING THAT WAS NICE BUT NOT FOR ME. IT IS FOR US, AND GOD IS SAYING WAKE UP CHURCH.

ITS LONG PAST TIME FOR GOD'S PEOPLE TO GIVE EVERYTHING INTO HIS HANDS. I URGE YOU TO STOP TRYING TO THINK YOUR WAY OUT OF TROUBLE. INSTEAD, REST IN THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD. LET THE LORD PUT GLADNESS AND JOY IN YOU RIGHT NOW, TODAY. YOUR GLAD AND JOYFUL HEART WILL SHOCK AND AWE THOSE WHO ARE FEARFUL AROUND YOU.

REMEMBER WHAT WE LEFT YOU WITH LAST WEEK AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN, BECAUSE WE NEED TO GET A HOLD ON THIS AND LET IT SETTLE OUR SPIRITS.

WE CLOSE WITH ACTS 9:31'
Acts 9:31 (Amplified Bible)

31So the church throughout the whole of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was edified [growing in wisdom, virtue, and piety] and walking in the respect and reverential fear of the Lord and in the consolation and exhortation of the Holy Spirit, continued to increase and was multiplied.
WE WILL GROW WHEN WE LET GOD'S WORD SET INTO OUR SPIRITS AND IT BECOMES A PART OF US AS NATURAL AS THE BLOOD FLOWING THROUGH OUR VEINS. WHEN FEAR IS GONE AND WE HAVE GOD'S TRUE PEACE HE WILL MULTIPLY HIS CHURCH. ARE YOU READY AND WANTING THIS TODAY?