Dread Cast Away by Perfect Love (Part 2) by Dr. Rod Mattoon

About this sermon

1 John 4:18-There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. As we grow in our love for God, we learn to cease fretting, worrying, and being fearful for what He has planned for our lives. As the love of God in us thrives, grows, and matures, it helps us to conquer our fears. *Psalm 27:1- The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? * Psalm 118:6- The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The peace that God gives in a terrifying circumstance is seen in the life of Martin Neimoller. He was the preacher that took a stand against Adolf Hitler. In June, 1937, Neimoller was seized by the Gestapo and held in solitary confinement until his trial the following February. His situation was perilous, for the indictments against him comprised fourteen typewritten pages. On the morning of his trial, he was led from his cell by a green-uniformed official. The two of them walked through eerie, dreary, underground passageways from the prison to the Nazi court. A sense of terror overwhelmed Neimoller, as well as a dread for himself, his family, and his church. He feared the German death camps. The halls of the tunnels were dark and silent but for the echoes of their footsteps. As the two men ascended their last flight of stairs, Neimoller seemed to hear a voice, hushed and whispered, repeating some words. He strained to listen, and they came again more clearly. The voice whispered, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe." It was the prison guard, speaking to him, under his breath. Neimoller gave no sign of hearing the words, but from that moment his fear was totally gone, replaced by an indescribable peace and assurance that never left him, even during the next seven years of suffering and through his darkest days at Dachau Prison. God can give you this peace, too. A deep, abiding love for God casts away fear. Fearful times will come, but that fear is expelled when we truly focus on Jesus’ care and flee to Him as a haven of rest or seek refuge in Him as our high tower. * Psalm 18:2-The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Fear crumbles in the presence of faith that overcomes it. You and I do not have to live in fear, or be gripped and shackled by fear. God provides for us principles we can implement into our lives to live with boldness, courage, and confidence in Him. In this message we examine Bible principles that will help the Christian to conquer fear. This message was preached on Sunday night, April 10, 2022, at Lincoln Land Baptist Church.

Topics

• Love & Compassion