The Nature of Fear
A Sermon on 2 Timothy 1:12
Originally preached June 7, 1964
Scripture
12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Sermon Description
What is the real cause of all failure and unhappiness in life? How can a person live in this world when the world, the flesh, and the devil are against them? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers clearly: “when one is defeated in life, it is always ultimately due from the fact that he has the spirit of fear.” In this sermon on fear, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explores what the causes, consequences, and cure of this fear are? Is it actually possible to walk without fear, confident that all is truly well with one’s soul? Dr. Lloyd-Jones boldly answers, “Yes!” In this faith-building sermon from 2 Timothy 1, he explains that it is the gift of the Holy Spirit – what He does to the Christian, in the Christian, and what He enables the Christian to do---that makes it possible. God has given to every Christian the Spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind, empowering them to no longer fear. God’s children can walk confidently, knowing whom they have believed until that final day. The one who is not afraid of the final day never needs to be afraid of the things that can happen in this world.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon examines 2 Timothy 1:7 which states "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
- The sermon first examines the causes of fear which include:
- Man's finitude and smallness in the vast universe
- The meaninglessness and purposelessness of life without God
- The insecurity and uncertainty of the future
- Man's separation from God and desire to be independent
- The consequences of fear are then examined which include:
- Weakness and paralysis
- Selfishness
- Unhappiness and misery
- Irrationality and irresponsibility
- Escapism through pleasure, drugs, hysteria, etc.
- Ultimately despair and even suicide
- The antidote to fear is the Holy Spirit which God has given to believers
- The Holy Spirit gives power - God's power working in and through us
- The Holy Spirit gives love - enabling us to love our enemies and have compassion
- The Holy Spirit gives a sound mind - discipline, self-control, understanding
- To receive the Holy Spirit, we must believe in Jesus Christ, confess our sins, and commit our lives to Him
- With the Holy Spirit, we can face life without fear like Paul who said "Nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."
Other Sermons
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.