Matt Beaney

Aug 5, 20214 min read

#409 - WHEN I AM AFRAID - (5/8/21)

During this LEARNING TO HEAR series I’m taking a different approach to these devotionals. I want to us work harder at searching the scriptures for ourselves. We will use the ‘Come to Jesus Daily’ method below to help us with this. It’s well worth the hard work involved!

TODAY’S TEXT

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalms 56:3-4

I’ve included my reflections on today’s text below. However, I encourage you to pray and spend time reflecting (writing can be helpful) using the 5 questions below before reading my thoughts.

i. †GOSPEL - 'Gaze on the cross'- What does this text reveal about salvation through Jesus?

ii. UP – What does this text say about God – His worth, character, attributes, will, promises…?

iii. IN – What does this say about me, the church and how we are to relate? Is there a promise to believe, command to do, attitude to have, something to avoid, is there forgiveness to seek or give?

iv. OUT – What does this say about my community and mission?

v. DO - This has two components. Firstly, list as many possible ways that you can think of that one might apply the text (actions or attitudes). Secondly, hear - Pray about how the Holy Spirit is leading you, specifically, to respond.

MY REFLECTIONS

1. †GOSPEL

In all fear-inducing circumstances, we can look at the cross and be reassured of God’s perfect covenantal love toward us. Paul wrote,

‘No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 8:37-39)

Salvation begins with trust - trust that Jesus’ offering for sin is sufficient.

“I thank you for what the gospel says to me. Nothing can separate me from your love. Compared to you, nothing can be against me. Your perfect love drives out fear.”

2. UP

God is worthy of trust because He is loving and almighty. It’s God’s will that we trust Him.

God’s word is trustworthy. God’s word is ‘the sword of the Spirit’ which enables us to fight in ‘days of evil’.

God is great and is sovereign over ‘mere mortals’. Human antipathy can be very damaging, but God is over all human activity.

3. IN

The Father wants us to be prepared for difficult seasons. Firstly, we prepare by understanding that we will face battles of varying ferocity and we will be fearful at points throughout our lives. Secondly, we prepare by allowing the word of God to dwell richly among us.

It’s God’s will that we ‘praise’ His word. This is about valuing it and searching it so as to use it in the battles that we are experiencing.

4. OUT

All of our friends also go through seasons of fear. Sharing our experience of finding peace in God is a part of our witness to them.

Oftentimes, we fail to be bold in sharing our faith because we overly worry about what ‘mortals’ will do to us. Faith in God’s greater power will help us to fear God rather than people.

5. DO? - Here are a few examples of application that I’ve come up with:

An application could be to list the various things that are causing you anxiety at the moment. Use this text, and others, to pray for these things.

It would be very useful to memorise some texts that you can use when people attack you or when you are suffering from fear.

HEAR - Pray about how the Holy Spirit might want you to respond.

COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY

During this LEARNING TO HEAR series we are going to take a different approach to learning from the Bible together. We will use the ‘Come to Jesus Daily Method’ together (Gospel, Up, In, Out, Do) - you will have to do all the work!

1. Icebreaker - How has God spoken to you from the Bible this week? (During this LEARNING TO HEAR series, we are seeking to develop a culture of listening to God out of His word)

2. Select a text of scripture. (You could use the text from Sunday’s message or something of your choice.)

3. Read and recall. (Read the text and ask each person in the group to put it into their own words.)

4. Please go through these questions together:

i. †GOSPEL - 'Gaze on the cross'- What does this text reveal about salvation through Jesus?

ii. UP – What does this text say about God – His worth, character, attributes, will, promises…?

iii. IN – What does this say about me, the church and how we are to relate? Is there a promise to believe, command to do, attitude to have, something to avoid, is there forgiveness to seek or give?

iv. OUT – What does this say about my community and mission?

v. DO - This has two components. Firstly, list as many possible ways that you can think of that one might apply the text (actions or attitudes). Secondly, hear - Pray and share (if it’s appropriate) about how the Holy Spirit is leading you, specifically, to respond.

5. SIV - Finally, it would be helpful to talk and pray about how we are doing in regard to Serve, Invest and Invite. Do you have any encouraging stories or any plans in this regard? How do you want to pray in regard to our mission?

#409 - WHEN I AM AFRAID - (5/8/21)

During this LEARNING TO HEAR series I’m taking a different approach to these devotionals. I want to us work harder at searching the scriptures for ourselves. We will use the ‘Come to Jesus Daily’ method below to help us with this. It’s well worth the hard work involved!

TODAY’S TEXT

I’ve included my reflections on today’s text below. However, I encourage you to pray and spend time reflecting (writing can be helpful) using the 5 questions below before reading my thoughts.

i. †GOSPEL - 'Gaze on the cross'- What does this text reveal about salvation through Jesus?

ii. UP – What does this text say about God – His worth, character, attributes, will, promises…?

iii. IN – What does this say about me, the church and how we are to relate? Is there a promise to believe, command to do, attitude to have, something to avoid, is there forgiveness to seek or give?

iv. OUT – What does this say about my community and mission?

v. DO - This has two components. Firstly, list as many possible ways that you can think of that one might apply the text (actions or attitudes). Secondly, hear - Pray about how the Holy Spirit is leading you, specifically, to respond.

MY REFLECTIONS

1. †GOSPEL

In all fear-inducing circumstances, we can look at the cross and be reassured of God’s perfect covenantal love toward us. Paul wrote,

Salvation begins with trust - trust that Jesus’ offering for sin is sufficient.

2. UP

God is worthy of trust because He is loving and almighty. It’s God’s will that we trust Him.

God’s word is trustworthy. God’s word is ‘the sword of the Spirit’ which enables us to fight in ‘days of evil’.

God is great and is sovereign over ‘mere mortals’. Human antipathy can be very damaging, but God is over all human activity.

3. IN

The Father wants us to be prepared for difficult seasons. Firstly, we prepare by understanding that we will face battles of varying ferocity and we will be fearful at points throughout our lives. Secondly, we prepare by allowing the word of God to dwell richly among us.

It’s God’s will that we ‘praise’ His word. This is about valuing it and searching it so as to use it in the battles that we are experiencing.

4. OUT

All of our friends also go through seasons of fear. Sharing our experience of finding peace in God is a part of our witness to them.

Oftentimes, we fail to be bold in sharing our faith because we overly worry about what ‘mortals’ will do to us. Faith in God’s greater power will help us to fear God rather than people.

5. DO? - Here are a few examples of application that I’ve come up with:

An application could be to list the various things that are causing you anxiety at the moment. Use this text, and others, to pray for these things.

It would be very useful to memorise some texts that you can use when people attack you or when you are suffering from fear.

HEAR - Pray about how the Holy Spirit might want you to respond.

COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY

During this LEARNING TO HEAR series we are going to take a different approach to learning from the Bible together. We will use the ‘Come to Jesus Daily Method’ together (Gospel, Up, In, Out, Do) - you will have to do all the work!

1. Icebreaker - How has God spoken to you from the Bible this week? (During this LEARNING TO HEAR series, we are seeking to develop a culture of listening to God out of His word)

2. Select a text of scripture. (You could use the text from Sunday’s message or something of your choice.)

3. Read and recall. (Read the text and ask each person in the group to put it into their own words.)

4. Please go through these questions together:

i. †GOSPEL - 'Gaze on the cross'- What does this text reveal about salvation through Jesus?

ii. UP – What does this text say about God – His worth, character, attributes, will, promises…?

iii. IN – What does this say about me, the church and how we are to relate? Is there a promise to believe, command to do, attitude to have, something to avoid, is there forgiveness to seek or give?

iv. OUT – What does this say about my community and mission?

v. DO - This has two components. Firstly, list as many possible ways that you can think of that one might apply the text (actions or attitudes). Secondly, hear - Pray and share (if it’s appropriate) about how the Holy Spirit is leading you, specifically, to respond.

5. SIV - Finally, it would be helpful to talk and pray about how we are doing in regard to Serve, Invest and Invite. Do you have any encouraging stories or any plans in this regard? How do you want to pray in regard to our mission?

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