February 15, 2004

Standing TALL Against Fear

Matthew 6:25-34

The year was 1938. The number one show on American radio was the Charlie McCarthy Show, starring ventriloquist Edgar Bergen. On Sunday October 30, a young 23 year old actor/director/producer by the name of Orson Wells went on CBS radio opposite the popular comedy show. His production was an adaptation to H.G. Wells’s book called War of the Worlds. It described a supposed invasion of the earth by Martians. The response was electrifying. Newspapers called it "a tidal wave of terror that swept the nation." Listeners prayed. Families took flight. Everyone tried to protect themselves. Do I have to say it? Fear is a powerful force. Did you know that four times during that broadcast the Mercury Theatre of the Air broadcasted to the public that this was just a radio play? No body heard that. Instead, everyone heard the terror. Sociologists tell us fear is a powerful force in America today.

As I go through my week I am always amazed at the number of people who are consumed by fear. That is why I added this sermon to this sermon series called Standing Tall. I guess there is something about my face. People open right up and tell me their fears. People tell me they are afraid to eat certain food because it may lead to cancer. People tell me they are afraid to fly on commercial airliners because they may crash. People tell me they will never leave the good old USA because of terrorism. People tells me they are afraid of their own indebtedness and they are afraid of the national debt the future generations of Americans will handle. People are afraid of Global warming and a shrinking rain forest. People are afraid of weapons of mass destructions. The clerk at the Post Office told me many will spend $30 to overnight a package to downtown Youngstown because they are afraid to journey into our fair city. Sociologists tell us fear is one of the most powerful forces in our society today. Do you know what? I believe them!

Perhaps it is for that reason that the Gospel lessons sounds so strange. We are consumed by our fears and worries but Jesus tells us not to be afraid. You do not need a seminary degree to understand these words. These words are straight forward and honest. Jesus says that we need to reprioritize our lives. If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ then your main concern in life should not be yourself. If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ then your main concern in your life should be Jesus. Let me say this gently. Where you find your worries is where you will find your heart. How much time do you spend worrying about your own issues? How much time to you spend worrying about God’s issues? If you are true disciple then you are worrying about God’s issues.

If you look at this passage this morning, you will find three reminders from Jesus. Each one relates to our fears and worries. Each one will draw you closer to Jesus. Let us look at them one at a time.

Do you know I think we should do as a church and as individuals? I think we should draw a line in the sand and try to stop worrying. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. We should start worrying about our worrying. Worry is a form of disobedience.

Just south of Conneaut, Ohio there is a grave. The headstone of that grave reads: Leon Adams. He was my great-grandfather. He never left the farm but he was not isolated from trouble. Most of his problems stemmed from one night. His wife, my great grandmother, and his son, my grandfather, were hit by a train while they were in a horse drawn buggy. His wife died and his son was crippled. He had ever reason to be bitter. But my aunt remembers Grandpa Adams as a fun man, who was full of life. Why is it that tragedy doesn’t always turn hearts hard? I believe the reason is God. I believe God took him by the hand and led him through those dark days.

Jesus tells us that we need to look at God’s track record. With all of our fears and all of our worrying we are still here today. Why? God! The same God who cared for my great-grandfather cares for me in my time of need and he will care for you. God has not let us down in the past and he will not let us down in the future. And all of God’s people said, Amen!"

You will be able to answer that question if you examine your own fears and worries. Have you ever worried about your personal finances? Have you ever worried about the condition of your home or the noise in the engine of your care? Have you every worried about your sump pump in the spring? Have you ever worried about terrorism? Have you ever stayed up at night worrying about the homeless? Have you every stayed up at night worrying about incarcerated? Have you ever stayed up at night and worrying about those babies being aborted? Have you ever stayed up at night and worried about those dieing from AIDES? Have you ever stayed up at night and worried about those people going to hell because they still don’t know Jesus as their Lord and Savior? Where are your priorities? Are you just worried about yourself and your world? Or are you worried about kingdom issues? What is your priority? Jesus says it is time to reprioritize your life!

Janez Rus hid in fear for thirty two years at his sister’s farm near Zalna, Germany. He hid in fear because he was a Nazi supporter during World War II. He was afraid he would be arrested and put on trial, so he hid and missed everything for thirty two years! He missed getting married. He missed having children? He missed family reunions and birthday parties. He missed making friends and a changing world. He missed everything because he was afraid. How much control does fear and worry have on your life? Fear is one of the most powerful in the world today.

As disciples of Jesus Christ we can stand tall against fear and worry. We need to remember this scripture. Jesus reminded us that we don’t have to live in fear. Jesus reminded us that God has always cared for his people and he always will. Jesus reminded us what is really important in life. And all of God’s people said, "Amen!"