Church notes 24th December 2018

24 December
Do Not Be Afraid
Luke 1:20 - 38

'Fear not': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrhXln-zHso

Matthew 1:18 - 29
Joseph had to trust God
Do you trust Him?

'Oceans': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GGFb6LcX3U

Luke 2:8 - 29

'His name is wonderful': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCYidpA7-4A

Fear
All kinds of fear
Mary
Joseph
Zechariah
Shepherds

Lack of understanding - that is life!

God doesn't want you to be afraid
Mary - fear of inadaquacy
- A baby, Joseph's disbelief
Joseph - fear of disapproval
- He knew he wasn't the father.
Who's disapproval are you afraid of?
Who's approval are you living for?
Shepherds - Faced the fear of sudden change
Herod - Fear of losing control

Matthew 2:1 - 4
Herod was afraid of losing control
What are you afraid of losing control of?
When you try to play God it causes much stress and fear in your life.

Answers to those fears.
1. Surrender your life to God completely each day.
Mary - surrendered herself to God.
How adequate is God?
2. Stop listening to those negative voices
We can always see the negative side.
We cannot live in fear and faith at the same time.
Fear is highly contagious. (Sells news...)

3. Fill your mind with music that praises God.
Luke 1:46 - 55
Mary praised God.

4. Base your hope in the promises of God.
We need to claim these promises.

John 3:16

A promise - victory over death.

'Joy to the World': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC3SwhJsLqU