you don't have to be

WELCOME TO THE JACKSON STREET CHURCH OF

CHRIST

PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES

Isaiah 41:8-10 "But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen,

The descendants of Abraham My friend. (9) You whom I have taken from the

ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: (10) Fear not,

for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My

righteous right hand.'

TO BE OR NOT TO BE?

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE…A. To be or not to be? Hamlet contemplating suicide.

B. Life is filled with choices.

C. Our choices in life determine our happiness or lack thereof.

D. This is a powerful verse given to Isaiah during a time of trouble for the nation of Israel.

E. The same promises are ours today to through our New Covenant.

F. There are five things that “you don’t have to be” that we see in this verse and let’s anchor these things in our New Covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE…

I. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE AFRAID

A. Why? Because you are not alone.

B. Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

C. Over 80+ times in the Bible, the Lord tells us not to be afraid.

D. Fear is one of the chief weapons of the enemy and causes us torment.

E. FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real

F. Faith in God’s presence with us is the antidote to the fear the enemy releases against us.

I. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE AFRAID

G. 1 John 4:17-18 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. (18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

H. Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (6) So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

II. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE DISMAYED

A. Why? Because THE God is YOUR GodB. Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be

not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

C. Here is what the Free Online Dictionary gives as the definition of dismay. This will help us more fully understand what it looks like when it shows up:

D. Dismay - To destroy the courage or resolution of by exciting dread or apprehension.

II. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE DISMAYED

E. Dismay is always a companion of fear.1. Your courage is targeted, so there is great

discouragement that comes.2. Your inspiration and excitement for life is

drained.3. You find yourself living life in alarm mode, so

your peace is targeted and upset.F. Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these

things? If God is for us, who can be against us?G. 1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and

have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

III. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE WEAK

A. Why? Because YOUR all powerful God said He would strengthen you.


C. Remember the strength you have in Christ when you are overcome with tiredness and depletion.

D. You have a source of unending strength in your position in Christ.

E. Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

F. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

IV. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE HELPLESS

A. Why? Because YOUR all powerful and ever present God said He would help you.


C. God has promised to help us in time of need.D. Christians should never feel helpless.E. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the

throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

F. Hebrews 13:5-6 (5) Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (6) So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

V. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE DOWN

A. Why? Because YOUR all powerful and ever present God said He would hold you up with His righteous right hand.


C. The right hand is the hand of power and authority.

D. There is the old television commercial of the dear lady who has fallen and she is saying, “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”

V. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE DOWN

E. The child of God never has to say that. You may stumble momentarily and began to fall down but your Father is there to uphold you by His right hand.

F. Jude 1:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

G.James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

CONCLUSION A. The next time you are feeling afraid.B. The next time you are feeling dismayed or

discouraged,C. The next time you are feeling weak or helplessD. The next time you are feeling low and downtrodden,E. Remember this verse: Isa 41:10 Fear not, for I am

with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

F. And remember that we even have better promises resting on a better covenant. - Hebrews 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

WE SHOULD NOT BE…

A. Afraid But Fearless

B. Dismayed But Courageous

C. Weak But Strong

D. Down But Confident

E. The Choice Is Ours

F. Our Happiness Is Determined By Our Choices.

HAVE A COURAGEOUS WEEK

you don't have to be

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