Why do we fear?

Fear is a primary roadblock to peacemaking. Until our faith in God helps us hurdle the fear of being different from our communities, suffering for our viewpoints, or appearing irrelevant, we will be stymied in our Christian peacemaking.

Bible Verses: Isaiah 43: 1-5 (main)
Psalm 91; Isaiah 43:1-7; Lamentations 3:22-25; Luke 12:3-9; 15:11-22; I John 3:18; 4:16,19; Romans 8:30,39; Ephesians 3:20; James 2:18

Main Points for Sermon:

• I. We are not alone in our fears:
  • Moses (Ex 3 & 4);
  • Jeremiah (Jer. 1);
  • Peter (Matt 14:22-33);
  • Jesus (Luke 22:43)
  • (as pastor, it is important to admit to fear and struggling; add a personal example!)
• II. Why do we fear?
  • We are afraid God is not who God claims to be (identify faith promises)
• III. To overcome fears:
  • Believe the promises of faith (by acting on them)
  • Know who we are and to whom we belong
  • Pray: prayer is the movement from fear to love
  • Risk something to become stronger
• IV. To help others overcome their fears, love them
  • Maslow found people cannot move on to the Being Needs, where the capacity for truth, justice, peace, harmony, and universal love is realized until the Basic Needs are reasonably met, which include the need to feel safe, to be loved, and have a sense of belonging. If you want people to work for justice, remember they need to be loved.

Developed for Peace Sunday by Susan Mark Landis,, then Partner at Large for Intergenerational Peace Education, Mennonite Board of Congregational Ministries