Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

When I Am Afraid – Part 5

After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.  Acts 18:1-11

A. Common Causes of Fear

1. Life’s Difficult Circumstances: Acts 18:9, 2 Cor. 11:24-27

2. Financial Uncertainties: Acts 18:1-2, 1 Thess. 2:9, Acts 18:5

3. Being Alone: Acts 18:5, Acts 18:2, Rom. 16:3-5, Acts 18:9-10

4. Spiritual Opposition: 2 Timothy 4:7, Acts 18:9

B. God’s Way of Overcoming Fear

1. Embrace life is difficult: John 16:33, Acts 14:21-22, Phil. 1:29

2. Rely upon God’s promises during financial uncertainties: Psalm 37:25, Prov. 10:3, Matt. 6:11, 1 Tim. 6:6

3. Seek Spiritual Companionship to avoid the danger of aloneness

a. Fellowshipping with other believers: Ecc. 4:9-12, Psalm 119:63

b. Fellowshipping with the Lord: John 17:1-3, 1 John 1:1-4

4. Live in a spiritual warfare posture: Phil. 1:27-28, 1 Thess. 3:1-4

5. Be obedient to God’s calling resting in His protection and assurance of success: Matt. 28:18-20, Psalm 18:1-2, 1 Cor. 15:58