SEVEN RULES FOR SPIRITUAL SUCCESS

Joshua 1:7-9

RULE # 6 DO NOT BE AFRAID

• Josh 1:7-9 Only be strong and very courageous,, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

• 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

• 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Rule #1- Be Strong

• Love God

• Love your brother

• Be prepared to fight Satan

• Teach your children God’s word

• Understand the power and purpose of the church

Rule # 2 Be Very Courageous

•Don’t Be Uncertain

•Don’t Be Ashamed

•Don’t Fear

Rule # 3 Observe To Do All

According To The Law

God’s law produces Positive results when observed,

BUT Negative Results when Ignored.

ALL THE LAW MEANS “ALL”!

We live under the Law of Jesus today.

• If we turn aside we make God a liar and He will not hear our prayers.

• Reward follows obedience and Punishment follows disobedience.

• We can turn by additions or subtractions

Rule # 4 - DO NOT TURN FROM IT TO THE RIGHT

HAND OR THE LEFT

RULE 5Meditate In It Day And Night

DUCATE OTHERS DUCATE OTHERS

MED ITATE

EMORIZE GOD’S WORDEMORIZE GOD’S WORDAT ITAT ITWELL ON GOD’S WORDWELL ON GOD’S WORDNVESTIGATE DIFFICULTIESNVESTIGATE DIFFICULTIESHINK ON THESE THINGSHINK ON THESE THINGSCCEPT GOD ON HIS TERMS CCEPT GOD ON HIS TERMS RUST HIM AND HIS WORDRUST HIM AND HIS WORD

DEFINITION of “AFRAID”

• `arats (aw‑rats'); to awe or to dread; shake terribly.

• We say “Scared Out of Your Pants.”

Fear Is Normal – We All Have Fears

• Phobias - Arakna to Xenia (Spiders to Strangers)

even Fear of Fear.

• We Look to Others for Comfort parents-spouse-family-friends

preacher-others

Fear Oppresses

• It causes Distress. It is One of The Strongest of Emotions

• Mothers Afraid Child Will Leave Home

• AND Fathers Fear They Won’t

• Children - Afraid of Bad Dreams or - Bully at School, Test at School, School

• Elderly - Poor Health or Loss of Independence

EXAMPLE

THE DISCIPLES ON THE SEA OF GALILEE Matt 14:22‑31

(Let’s read together)

• Notice the Progression • But the boat was now in the middle of the sea,

tossed by the waves, (Concern) • for the wind was contrary. (Dread)• they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" (Fright)• And they cried out for fear. (Terror) • he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out,

saying, "Lord, save me!" (Panic)

• 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Here Is the Key to Fear We Fear Because of Doubt!

FEAR DOES HAVE A PROPER PLACE IN OUR LIVES

• Fear God Not Man. Matt 10:24‑28 ... "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

• Isa 2:17‑21 The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day... when He arises to shake the earth mightily.

• But some do not fear God. Rom 3:9‑18 … "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

We Should Fear When We Worship God

(Give proper respect)

• Ps 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him.

• Pay attention -• Think about the Lord’s Supper -

• Plan your contribution, don’t just reach for loose change -

• Concentrate with the prayers - • Be part of the song service -

• Listen to the message, even if the speaker is not an Apollos -

• Don’t encourage the children to misbehave by playing with them -

• Don’t play with the songbooks - • Don’t disturb others by getting up and going out of the

assembly unless absolutely necessary.

FEAR KEEPS A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM DOING WHAT THEY

KNOW NEEDS TO BE DONE!

DON’T BE AFRAID OF EVERYTHING.

2 Tim 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love

and of a sound mind.

SOME THINGS WE SHOULD NOT FEAR

A Crisis In Our Lives - Deut 1:28‑31 …Our brethren have discouraged our hearts, ..'Do not be terrified, or be afraid of them. LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, …

• Ps 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?

• Ps 56:3 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

• Prov 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

We Should Not Fear Men

• Ps 56:11 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

• Isa 51:12‑13 "I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die…

Your Boss or Your job

• Can’t assemble to worship God.

• I have to work or I’ll get fired! (not occasionally but commonplace)

• GET ANOTHER JOB!

The government

• Rom 13:3‑5 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same

• Even If They Are Wrong and Persecute Christians - 1 Pet 3:12‑17 … But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."

A mean neighbor or a bully at school

Heb 13:6 So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

A mean church member

(Like Diotrephes)

• Ezek 2:6 "And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house.

We Should Not Fear Failure

The One talent man did.

• Matt 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.'

We Should Not Fear the Truth

As Felix

• Acts 24:25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self‑control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you."

The future. Psalms 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths

of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the

shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they

comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence

of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

Death

• Ps 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.

PRAYER IS STRONGER THAN FEAR

• Luke 18:1‑8 …men always ought to pray and

not lose heart,

APPLICATION

• Fear does have a proper place in our lives -

• Fear God!

• Fear prevents action on our part- • Get rid of Fear!

• Fear flees with Prayer- • Control you Fear !

TRADE YOUR FEAR FOR LOVE

• I Jn 4:17‑21… There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love…

• Rev 21:8 "But the cowardly, (fearful) unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

Get rid of your fear and obey

Him Now !