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DO YOU ALLOW A VISITOR FREQUENT VISITS? OLD COMPANION YES, BUT NOT YOUR FRIEND ! TIME TO PUNCH ITS LIGHTS OUT!

BAD NEWS: THE WORLD’S TROUBLE IS REAL

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

people betray us, loved ones die: WE’RE SURROUNDED BY perversion, violence & disasters

THE TROUBLE IS WE LET THIS TROUBLE GET INSIDE US

Deuteronomy 28:67 In the morning you will say, "If only it were evening!" and in the evening, "If only it were morning!"--because of the terror that will fill your hearts and the sights that your eyes will see.

A FRETTING CONDITION: NOTHING’S OK- NO PEACE, NO REST

THIS IS WHERE YOUR UNCONQUERED FEAR WILL ALWAYS TAKE YOU

FEAR TAKES OVER MORE AND MORE GROUND:

-A PUNK THAT VANDALIZES EVERY ROOM AND LANDSCAPE OF YOUR BEAUTIFUL MANSION -VICIOUS DOG: IN CORNER OF BACKYARD, ENTIRE YARD, GARAGE, KITCHEN, MORE

YOU HAVE BECOME A SLAVE BECAUSE FEAR IS SLAVERY

Hebrews 2:15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

SLAVE= FORCED TO OBEY AGAINST YOUR WILL LEARN TO UTTERLY HATE THIS CONTROLLING, WICKED DESTROYER

Psalms 97:10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

IN THESE LAST DAYS TERROR WILL GROW IN THE EARTH

Luke 21:25-26 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity [NO WAY OUT], the sea and the waves roaring; (26) men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

BUT LOOK AT A DIFFERENT RESPONSE FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEING THE SAME STUFF

Luke 21:27-28 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." REDEMPTION→ [FULL FREEDOM] ALL YOUR GREATEST DREAMS ABOUT TO COME TRUE

SOMETHING IS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT IN THE HEARTS OF THESE PEOPLE

BE INTENTIONAL AGAINST FEAR

Luke 21:34 "But take heed [BE CAUTIOUS TO PAY ATTENTION], lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation [HEADACHE FROM OVERINDULGENCE], drunkenness, and worries [CARES, DISTRACTIONS], of this life [EVEN IN CARING FOR OTHERS], and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

OR YOU WILL NOT SEE THE BEAUTIFUL THING COMING

3 WAYS TO CHANGE YOUR HEART

KNOW THAT THIS WORLD IS NOT OUR HOME QUESTION: WHERE IS YOUR HOME? Philippians 3:19-20 their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT HOME IS WHAT AFFECTS US

ARE YOU FRANTIC, PANICKED, WORRIED? A MONTH LONG STORM IS COMING:

WINDS +60mph. TEMPS -60. NO ELECT → ON MARS I GUESS YOU JUST DON’T CARE! WELL, I’M NOT PERSONALLY AFFECTED BECAUSE I DON’T LIVE THERE!

I DON’T LIVE WHERE THESE PEOPLE LIVE

Psalms 91:7-10 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. (8) You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. (9) If you make the Most High your dwelling-- even the LORD, who is my refuge-- (10) then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.

THIS IS WHERE WE LIVE ON GOD’S THRONE

Hebrews 4:16 (TPT) So now we come freely and boldly to where love is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness.

WE TRUST A PERSON NOT GOOD IDEAS: TRUST IS THE TURNING POINT IN A HABIT OF WORRY Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

A COMMON MISSING INGREDIENT: WE TRUST A PERSON! NOT AN IDEA!

John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

ILLUSTRATION: FALLING FROM THE SKY: THE POSITIVE MOTTO "DON'T BE AFRAID" NOT EFFECTIVE. BUT IF A SUPER HERO CAME AND CARRIED YOU- HIS PRESENCE REMOVES FEAR!

-A SCARED KID DOESN’T RECITE COMFORTING SAYINGS. HE RUNS TO HIS PARENTS.

Psalms 23:4 Even 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.

WHEN YOU ARE HELD BY A PERSON FEAR VANISHES HE HOLDS YOU BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU

TRANSFER OWNERSHIP

VIEWING GOD'S LOVE HAS A NATURAL RESPONSE I BELONG TO YOU

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.

LIVING SACRIFICE → TO TRANSFER COMPLETE OWNERSHIP OF YOUR LIFE TO GOD! 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 You are not your own. 20. You were bought at a price.

THE RESULT ALL FEAR ENDS

Romans 14:7-8 For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 8. If we live we live to the Lord and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

EVEN IN MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH YOUR CONCERN & FEAR OVER YOURSELF STOPS

BECAUSE WE DON'T WORRY ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE’S PROPERTY -ILLUS: RANDOM PHONEBOOK NAME: WORRY → CAR OVERDUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE?

IT IS NOT YOUR PROPERTY OR BUSINESS!

YOU CAN TELL WHO OWNS YOU BY YOUR LEVEL OF WORRY

-ILLUS: I SELL YOU MY CAR & SIGN IT OVER. 6 MONTHS LATER: GONE. I TOOK IT FOR OIL & WASH. WHAT WAS OK BEFORE IS NOW COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE EVEN ILLEGAL

SAME WITH: YOUR FUTURE, YOUR BILLS, YOUR HEALTH

TO TRANSFER RESPONSIBILITY WILL NEVER LEAD TO IRRESPONSIBILITY -BUT OBEDIENCE

LORD: ARE YOU MINE? yes. DO YOU BELONG TO ME? yes. DO I OWN YOU? Yes Lord, I’m yours! LORD: GO APPLY FOR THAT JOB: naah! IS THAT A LOGICAL PROGRESSION?

"I HEAR & OBEY. BECAUSE I BELONG TO YOU!'

[HANDOUT] TIME TO PUT A CAPABLE PERSON IN CHARGE (FULLY SEES & UNDERSTANDS)

IRRESPONSIBLE TO KEEP SOMEONE NOT CAPABLE IN CHARGE OF SOMETHING PRECIOUS!

CONCLUSION:

GOD SAYS TO STOP FEAR AND CHOOSE HOPE -THAT’S NOT JUST A NICE OPTION

HOPE IS ACTUALLY THE WAY LEADING INTO GOD’S BEAUTIFUL LIFE

Hebrews 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It [HOPE] enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

YOUR HOPE IS WHAT WILL TAKE YOU INTO THE SECRET PLACE