Unyime Akpan - January 21st, 2024 - Live by Every Word of God (Lessons from the “Fear Not” Statements in Luke Gospel)
Matthew 9:4
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Isaiah 26:3-4
Isaiah 40:27-31
Proverbs 3:5-6
2 Corinthians 9:8
Galatians 2:20
What are some potential causes of fear in 2024?
Climate Change
Financial Deficit/Lack
Number of “Fear Nots” / “Do not be Afraid” in Luke’s Gospel?
“7” or ?
A title for Jesus that is used only in Luke’s Gospel?
MASTER
The First “Fear Not” or “Do not be Afraid” in Luke Gospel.
John. Luke 1:12-13
Angel Gabriel to Zachariah
God still answers prayers
Believers have access to God; have an ever-living intercessor -Romans 8:34
Believers should pray, ask, seek and knock -Ephesians 6:18
Expect and count on God answers to your prayers
Luke 1:5-20 (ESV)
The Second “Fear Not” or “Do not be Afraid” in Luke’s Gospel.
Luke 1:28-30
Literal Interpretation: Grace to you who is highly graced! You have found grace with God
Angel Gabriel to Mary
God Grants Grace
Believers have God’s glorious grace - Ephesians 1:6
More grace is always available -2 Corinthians 9:8
Expect and count on God’s glorious grace and more
Luke 1:26-38 (ESV)
Ephesians 1:3-6
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 ESV
Generous believers can count on God’s abundant all grace for good work
Make your life a gift in 2024 –Time, Talent, Temple, Tent etc
The Third “Fear Not” or “Do not be Afraid” in Luke’s Gospel
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people Luke 2:9-10
darkest night; God sent a messenger with good news
Angel to the Shepherds
God’s Word (Bible) is Good News
Not just a collection of stories, laws, rules
God’s Promises: nothing can separate you from God’s love; God is for you Romans 8:39
Read/Listen to/Study/Meditate and Appropriate –Believers live on God’s Promises and not Explanations
Expect and Count on God’s Good News in the Bible
Luke 2:8-20 (ESV)
The Fourth “Fear Not” or “Do not be Afraid” in Luke’s Gospel
He {Jesus} said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.
8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” Luke 5:4-5, 8, 10-11
Fruitless all night; Jesus stepped in the next morning and everything changed for Simon forever
God is greater than our sins
We are unworthy of God’s blessings, yet God gave us his very best, his Son -Romans 8:32; Galatians 2:20
Keep looking to Jesus; let’s not look at ourselves -Hebrews 12:1-2
More to come on Peter, Jesus and the Sea of Galilee?
Luke 5:1-11 (ESV)
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV
Galatians 2:20
The Fifth “Fear Not” or “Do not be Afraid” in Luke’s Gospel
49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler's house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.” 50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” Luke 8:49-50
A very dark day in Jairus’ life; only daughter died because Jesus “delayed”
Luke 8:40-56 (ESV)
Luke 12:1-12 (ESV)
The Seventh “Fear Not” or “Do not be Afraid” in Luke’s Gospel
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be ad
