Summary
This sermon explores how fear, like anger and anxiety, can be a gift that draws us closer to God when we allow it to point us back to Him. Using the story of Peter walking on water from Matthew 14, Pastor Chris demonstrates that faith and fear can coexist, and that Jesus doesn't condemn our fear but invites us to bring it to Him with honesty. The key is maintaining focus on Jesus rather than our circumstances, as what we focus on determines our direction. Through personal testimony about his wife's health scare, Pastor Chris shows that Jesus' invitation isn't to stop feeling fear, but to hold it before Him in authenticity.
The sermon emphasizes that feeling deep emotions doesn't mean we're distant from God - it means we're human. Jesus offers His presence as the answer to our fear, and His presence brings healing. Pastor Chris provides three self-examination questions for when fear arises: What am I feeling inside? Why am I afraid? What wound or lie might Jesus want to heal? The ultimate message is that Jesus is near to those who follow Him, and one moment in His presence changes everything.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You today acknowledging that we are human and that we experience emotions like fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. We thank You that You don't condemn us for these feelings but invite us to bring them to You. As we gather together in this small group, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to what You want to teach us today. Help us to be honest with ourselves and with each other about the fears we face. Holy Spirit, guide our discussion and reveal to us the healing that only You can bring. We trust You with our imperfect faith and ask You to grow our ability to focus on You rather than our circumstances. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What's one thing that used to scare you as a child that seems silly to you now?
Key Verses
Matthew 14:22-36
Joshua 1:9
Isaiah 41:10
Luke 2:10
1 John 4:18
Questions
Pastor Chris mentioned that 'Do not fear' is thought to be the most common command in Scripture. Why do you think God repeats this message so often throughout the Bible?
Pastor Chris reminded us that 'faith and fear can coexist.' How does this challenge or comfort your understanding of what it means to have faith?
Peter took his focus off Jesus and placed it on his circumstances, causing him to sink. Can you share about a time when focusing on your problems rather than on God affected your peace or decision-making?
What does it mean to you that 'Jesus doesn't condemn our fear' but instead 'immediately reached out' to help Peter? How does this change how you view bringing your fears to God?
Pastor Chris shared three self-examination questions for when we feel fear. Which of these questions (What am I feeling? Why am I afraid? What might Jesus want to heal?) is most challenging for you to honestly answer?
How can we practically 'stay focused on Jesus first' when we're going through difficult seasons of loss or uncertainty?
The message mentioned that 'feeling deep emotion does not mean we're distant from God - it means we're human.' How might this truth change the way you approach your relationship with God during difficult times?
Jesus offered His presence rather than immediately solving the disciples' problems. How have you experienced God's presence being enough even when circumstances didn't change right away?
Life Application
This week, when you feel fear rising within you, practice the three self-examination questions:
What am I feeling inside at the moment?
Why am I afraid - what's underneath my fear?
What wound or lie might Jesus want to heal?
Instead of trying to push down or ignore your fear, bring it honestly to Jesus in prayer, remembering that His presence is the answer to our fear and that He is near to those who follow Him.
Key Takeaways
Fear is a common human emotion that can be a gift when it points us back to God rather than something to be ashamed of
Faith and fear can coexist - acknowledging fear doesn't mean we lack faith, it means we're human
What we focus on determines our direction - we must keep our focus on Jesus rather than our circumstances
Jesus doesn't condemn our fear but invites us to bring it to Him with authenticity and honesty
Jesus' presence is the answer to our fear, and His presence brings healing to our souls
Ending Prayer
Father God, thank You for this time together and for the reminder that You don't condemn us for feeling afraid. Thank You that You invite us to bring our fears, our anxieties, and all our emotions to You with honesty. Help us this week to remember that faith and fear can coexist, and that what matters most is keeping our focus on You rather than our circumstances. When fear rises within us, give us the courage to ask the hard questions and to cry out to You for help, knowing that You will immediately reach out to us. We trust that Your presence changes everything and that You are working to heal the wounds and lies in our hearts. Help us to support one another as we navigate life's challenges, always pointing each other back to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
