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Fear of the Unknown
Sermonette by Craig SablichGod wants us to live in day-tight compartments, trusting that He protects us from the fear of the unknown and all the things that go bump in the night.
Antidotes to Fear and Depression
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe events following September 11th have instilled a deep fear of the unknown in the American psyche. The nation now grapples with insecurity, no longer feeling safe within its borders, guarded by the Atlantic and Pacific, and neighboring countries. This fear stems from terrorist attacks and subsequent threats happening on home soil, shattering the illusion of isolation and invulnerability. Americans tremble at the risk that now pervades their lives, a stark contrast to the carefree ignorance of global realities they once held. This fear and uncertainty are shocking, disturbing, and for many, deeply depressing, forging a kinship with peoples like the Israelis, Kosovars, and Kurds who live under constant threat. Yet, there is a remedy for this fear of the unknown through a proper reverence for God. Understanding the vast difference between His greatness and our insignificance provides a perspective that leads to life and satisfaction. By acknowledging that God is in control, we find assurance that everything happens for our good, freeing us from the stresses and worries that plague the world. His promise to keep us from evil, as seen in Psalm 91, allows us to live without the burden of fear. God teaches us the way that benefits us most, leading us with love as our Redeemer. If we follow His commandments, He promises peace like a river, overwhelming any fears or anxieties. This peace, as taught by our Savior in the Sermon on the Mount, comes from prioritizing the Kingdom of God. By seeking His righteousness first, He takes care of our needs, ensuring that we face life's uncertainties with faith, not fear. His assurance in Romans 8:28, that all things work for the good of those who love Him, reinforces this trust. Through prayer, we can cast our fears upon God, leaving our burdens at His throne. His peace guards our hearts and minds, not only soothing current anxieties but also protecting against future stresses. This peace stems from knowing that He cares for us deeply, as a father cares for a child, and is always working for our ultimate good. Even amidst suffering, which He uses to perfect and strengthen us, we can face the unknown with the right perspective, confident that He will make everything better than all right in the end.
Faith Over Fear
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen it looks like things are out of control, God is busily at work behind the scenes. If we replace anxiety with faith, God will grant us divine peace.
The Great Unknown
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityMan's greatest fear is of the unknown. Since there is more unknown than known, it is little wonder that we thirst for knowledge because we fear not knowing.
Count Your Blessings
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughThe fact that God has handpicked us from the billions that live on the earth should give us a quiet confidence that God is providentially caring for us.
In Whom Do You Place Your Confidence?
Sermonette by Martin G. CollinsGod does not want us to have confidence in ourselves or other people, but only in Him. Consequently, it is a mistake to trust the media or the leaders of nations.
The Spirit of Bondage
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod did not give us a spirit of fear or bondage. Faith is the antidote to a spirit of slavish cowardice and timidity, the opposite of boldness from the Holy Spirit.
Attitudes of Returning to Egypt
Sermonette by Jared M. EllisDiscover the three slave-like attitudes the delivered Israelites retained that could cause us to return to the world after our deliverance.
Numbers: The Book of Judgment
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe live daily in uncharted territory, but the sobering account in Numbers provides a roadmap, establishing God's pattern of judging our pilgrimage conduct.
What Do The Mentally Strong Avoid?
Commentary by Martin G. CollinsAmy Morin, a psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker, compiled a list in Forbes, identifying the things mentally strong individuals don't do.
Called to Change
Sermon by Ryan McClureWe are admonished to change, becoming living sacrifices, renewing our minds from carnal to spiritual, becoming transformed into the image of our Savior.
What We Don't Know
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughGod promises to answer our requests with gifts that will unlock the shackles of ignorance, producing the confidence to live by faith while the world burns.