Dear Friends,
The Bible tells us that “perfect love casts out fear.”
But what exactly does that mean?
We have an epidemic of fear and anxiety in our world today. It’s not hard to see why. In a world where clicks have become the coin of the realm, merchants have learned that fear drives clicks. The monetization of fear is one of the cultural trends that has fueled the growing decline in mental health in our nation.
We are awash in news that makes us feel unsafe and insecure. We are unshielded from acts of violence. Whether it’s a young man on a rooftop coming within inches of killing the President, to another young man on a busy New York street stepping out of the shadows to kill a company CEO, to the graphic image we saw of Charlie Kirk being murdered last fall, to the more recent examples of unrest in Minnesota that lead to the shooting deaths of two protesters, we are flooded with graphic images of violence that leave all of us shaken and afraid.
It's not just acts of violence that leave us feeling afraid. Being bombarded with dire news leaves us both stressed and weary. And when we are emotionally and physically weak and on edge simultaneously, we’re not in a good place. That’s a formula for rage. And we see plenty of rage in our world today. Anger can be a defense mechanism that is engaged when we feel threatened. We lash out at others in attempt to protect ourselves.
All of this brings us back to the Bible’s claim that perfect love is the antidote for fear.
Of course, there’s a context for that claim. The specific fear that is being addressed in the passage is fear of judgment. Of all the things that might make us fearful in life, the Bible says the fear of coming judgment should be our greatest concern. “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” Jesus said. “Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)
In the passage where the Bible tells us that perfect love casts out fear, John the Apostle says that both he and his readers have come “to know and to believe the love that God has for us.” Knowing God’s love first hand, and believing that His love is real and everlasting is the soil in which both confidence and courage grow.
John goes on to talk about who knowing and believing in God’s love has a purifying effect on our lives. “Whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment...”
The more we know and believe that God loves us, the better equipped we become to face not only the vagaries of life in a broken world, but also the greater fear that we will one day stand before a righteous and holy God who would be perfectly justified in destroying both our body and soul in hell.
“There is no fear in love,” the Bible says. As we grow in our understanding of God’s steadfast and abiding love for His own, the more fear flees. That’s what the Bible means when it says “perfect love casts out fear.” Fear, the passage goes onto say, has to do with punishment. And if you continue to fear that final day when you will stand before God, that is evidence that you have not been perfected in love.
Most people do not live with a sense of dread about the coming day of judgment. That’s because most people have convinced themselves that the day will never come, or that if it does come, they will certainly be given a passing score. Their conscience may bear witness to their guilt and shame, but most people have become adept at drowning out their conscience.
But when we know and believe in God’s love for us, our conscience is soothed and our fear of facing God is replaced by a longing to be with Him. His perfect love does indeed cast out our fear.
And the Bible tells us that when we have confidence about our eternal destiny, that confidence carries over into how we live our lives now. If God is for us, who can be against us? Nothing can separate us from His love. That means that in all things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Fear of impending judgment and being eternally separated from God’s love – that’s the ultimate fear we face in life. When that fear has been cast out, what replaces it is new a boldness.
The Apostle Paul’s young protégé Timothy was apparently a timid person. Who knows what might have given rise to his fearfulness. But his mentor Paul, knowing he was prone to anxiety and fear reminded him to “fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
The next time you see a headline that robs you of courage – that dis-courages you – take a minute to remember God’s steadfast love for you. It’s because of His love that your eternal destiny is secure. And as a result, you have nothing to fear.
As Martin Luther said “the body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever.”
DEBT REDUCTION UPDATE
As you know if you were able to join us on Sunday (either in person or online) we spent the morning looking at what the Bible says about being people who generously give to advance the work of the Kingdom.
And as we’ve been telling you for a few weeks now, we took a special offering on Sunday to pay down the debt we owe on our building.
I have to show you one of the gifts that was given. Two of our children pooled their resources to put this in the offering.
As I saw this gift, I was reminded of the widow Jesus commended for her small but sacrificial gift. And given the level of sacrifice represented in this gift, I had to wonder if these two children might not have given more than any of the rest of us.
But the rest of us gave as well. Generously. And while we’re still assessing the value of some of the items that were given, and we’re still receiving cash gifts that have come into the church this week, I can tell you that over the past month and a half, we’ve received more than $500,000 toward the repayment of our debt.
Thank you. So much.
If, because of the weather, you were not able to be at church last Sunday to give a gift, here’s what we’re going to do.
First, I’d encourage you to watch or listen to the message from last Sunday if you haven’t heard it already. Here’s a link to the video and the audio (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=90af347f68&e=fbb0a4052b).
Second, we’re going to leave the baskets out one more week for any gifts you’d like to bring this Sunday. If you haven’t given a gift yet, please consider doing so this week.
Next week, I’ll let you know how much we were able to raise and what that will mean for us as a church going forward.
SUPER BOWL WEEKEND AT RCCWe have a super weekend ahead. Lots of activities.
First up, the Men’s Breakfast that was scheduled two weeks ago will happen this Saturday morning at 8:30. Guys, come enjoy a meal and the fellowship with the men from Redeemer.
Then, on Saturday afternoon, get ready for some friendly competition – Super Bowling!
Join the fun! But let us know you’re planning to come. Register here (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=58e47e251e&e=fbb0a4052b) tonight or tomorrow.
Next, it’s our Soup – er Bowl Lunch following our service on Sunday. Have you decided what kind of soup you’re going to bring? Or maybe chili? Whatever. Bring your crockpot with you when you come to church, and then play to stay after for lunch together.
And along with the Soup-er Bowl lunch, our Roots Students have your dessert covered. It’s the annual fund-raising Bake Sale to help fund the Street Reach outreach in Memphis this summer.
D-NOW WEEKEND - NEW DATEThe Roots D-Now Weekend, planned for last weekend, will now happen in three weeks – February 27-March 1. Parents or students, let Pastor Cole know if you have any questions.
SPRING MEN'S RETREATOur Spring Men’s Retreat is now four weeks away. And guys, space is limited this year. We’ve invited the men at Gracepoint Church in Searcy to join us for our retreat this year. Their pastor, Doug Grimes will join me in providing the teaching for the retreat.
Lock in your spot . Register now (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=3cef5798b3&e=fbb0a4052b). Enjoy a great weekend of fun, games, fellowship, great food and time together in God’s word.
A VERY SPECIAL DATE NIGHT
I want you to put this on your calendar now. Like today.
We have a very special Date Night event for couples happening on Saturday night, March 14. Jim and Carol Shores, who perform as Acts of Renewal, will be with us to perform and share about God’s design for our marriages.
This is the perfect event for you to invite friends to join you. Maybe go out to dinner together first. Then head to church for dessert and the program.
The cost for us is $25 per couple. But any couple you bring from outside the church can come for just $10 (have them use the promo code friend when they register to get the discount).
Here’s the registration link (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=0d95c3f19e&e=fbb0a4052b). I promise, this will be a night that you will enjoy. And a night that will make a difference for your marriage.
READY FOR SUNDAYHere’s a preview (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=a7f8cb32aa&e=fbb0a4052b) of the songs we’ll be singing together this weekend.
AND Don’t forget – our Gospel Way Catechism class is happening every Sunday at 8:30 am. Everyone is welcome as we preview he upcoming catechism questions and answers.
And with Valentine’s Day a week away, before we get back into our study in Ephesians, we’re going to take a couple of weeks to look at how the gospel is on display in our marriages. This Sunday, we’ll see how a marriage that glorifies God begins with a total makeover and a new wardrobe!
See you in church!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Bob
Resource Info
