Fear

The speaker discusses various fears he experienced throughout his life, ranging from global threats like nuclear war to personal anxieties such as family separation and failure. His central message is that these fears are unfounded because his trust and hope must be placed solely in God the Father, who is in control of everything. He encourages listeners to reject fear by focusing on what is good and remembering that Christ has defeated all evil.

The message encourages the congregation to cast aside anxieties and fears by remembering that God is a refuge and strength, and that His love endures forever. It emphasizes that believers are worthy to approach the throne of grace to sing praises, and it concludes with a reminder to hold fast to what they have been given as the Lord returns.

The speaker continues studying Jesus' teachings, focusing on the wrong attitude of anxiety from Matthew 6:25-34. He argues that anxiety is not merely a weakness but a sin, equating it in seriousness to sins like murder or adultery because Jesus commanded believers to 'not be anxious.' The core message is that believers should trust in their Heavenly Father, who cares for them as much as He cares for the birds, and should not worry about basic needs like food or clothing.

The sermon emphasizes that the cure for worry and anxiety is to seek God's kingdom and righteousness first, which is defined as having righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, when praying, believers must take all concerns to the Lord, making specific requests (supplication) and crucially ending the prayer with thanksgiving. This practice brings the peace of God, which acts as a protective garrison around the heart.

The central message is to live without fear because Jesus is present in every situation, comparing life's challenges to a boat in a storm. The speaker emphasizes relying on promises like John 6:37, which assures that Jesus will never cast believers away. He encourages trusting God's timing, even when situations seem hopeless, and focusing on the core need to lead others to know Christ.

The central message is that true freedom from anxiety comes from deeply knowing God as a Father, rather than feeling like an insecure, adopted child. The speaker uses analogies—like an adopted child's fear or the provision for Adam—to illustrate that believers are genuinely and securely adopted by God. Furthermore, he emphasizes that God's provision (home, job, wife) is always planned before the work begins, and that believers are called to rest in God's grace rather than laboring under obligation.

Jesus repeatedly warned against worrying about material needs, directing instead that believers should seek God's kingdom and righteousness first. The cure for anxiety is to bring every concern to God in prayer, specifically making requests and concluding with thanksgiving. This practice allows the peace of God to guard the heart, as exemplified by the one Samaritan leper who returned to thank Jesus.

The speaker emphasizes that the first promise of the New Covenant is salvation, which is more than just forgiveness; it is the freedom from sin. He urges the congregation to take seriously both the promises and commands of the New Covenant, noting that failure to claim a promise or obey a command means missing out on a divine opportunity. Specifically, he focuses on the command, "Do not fear," arguing that Christians must treat this command with the same seriousness as other moral obligations, lest they become paralyzed by fear and anxiety.

The central message emphasizes that perfect love casts out fear, leading to confidence in the day of judgment. True confidence comes from understanding that believers are the body of Christ, called to fulfill the Father's will together. The speaker warns that fear arises from doubting God's perfect love, contrasting this with the unwavering faith that comes from knowing God's commitment to us.

The sermon continues the study of what Jesus taught, focusing on the wrong attitude of anxiety from Matthew 6:25-34. The speaker emphasizes that anxiety is not a mere weakness but a sin, comparable to other sins Jesus warned against. He argues that since God is our Heavenly Father, we should trust His provision, comparing our care for our lives and needs to the provision given to the birds of the air, who do not sow or reap.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of teaching the next generation to praise God, give thanks in all things, and place their confidence in God, drawing from Psalm 78. Beyond mere knowledge, the message stresses teaching children to repent of sin and to receive the power of the Holy Spirit, as these are necessary for a life of true praise and connection with God.

The speaker encourages the congregation to draw strength from scripture, particularly Isaiah 41:10, emphasizing that God's strength in upholding us is more important than our own performance. He stresses that we should not fear, remembering that God's presence is our ultimate security through trials. The message concludes by encouraging complete trust in the Lord and viewing current trials as a refining process that purifies faith for eternal glory.

The sermon uses the account of Jesus calming the storm to illustrate that true discipleship requires overcoming the fear of death, which is described as a form of slavery. Jesus died not only to forgive sins but also to render Satan powerless and deliver humanity from the fear of death. Believers are encouraged to approach life's crises not with panic, but with faith, trusting in Christ's power to calm every storm.

The sermon focuses on trusting God's provision and strength when facing life's anxieties and uncertainties. It emphasizes that believers should not worry because God is in control, remembering that His mercies are new every morning. The core message is to cast all burdens upon the Lord, knowing that He sustains us and gives strength to the weary.

The speaker addresses questions regarding forgiveness, emphasizing that true forgiveness stems from recognizing the immense forgiveness received from God, citing the parable of the unforgiving servant. He also advises that when facing anxiety about job security due to AI, one should focus on seeking God's kingdom first, trusting that God will provide for needs, much like He cares for birds and lilies. Finally, regarding a child feeling unwelcome at church, he advises patience and focusing on the spiritual health of the church rather than the immediate social acceptance of the child.

The speaker encourages listeners facing any kind of loss—physical, emotional, or memory-related—by pointing them to the comfort of the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that God does not judge us by what we are currently experiencing, and that we should seek the Spirit's comfort. Furthermore, he stresses that while sin is always dishonoring to God, true repentance involves a godly sorrow, which is distinct from the devil's condemnation.

The central message emphasizes that remaining in God's love is the means by which fear is cast out of our hearts. Drawing from 1 John 4:17-18, the speaker explains that love, when it fills the heart completely, leads to confidence, especially regarding the day of judgment. The overall theme is preparation for the future by dwelling in God's love.

The speaker emphasizes that the true fear of the Lord is not a fear of punishment, but a liberating realization that leads to hating sin and departing from evil. He encourages the congregation, especially the children, to learn this foundational truth, comparing it to learning the ABCs before reading. Furthermore, he urges believers to remember and imitate the faith of those who have led them in the word, as exemplified by historical figures and mentors.

The message emphasizes that the name of the Lord, particularly Jesus, is a strong tower and a safe refuge from fear, anxiety, and worry. Believers are encouraged to run into this name, knowing that salvation is found through faith in Jesus's cleansing blood and repentance. The speaker concludes with a prayer for the Holy Spirit to fill the hearts of the listeners, desiring that God's glory be magnified in their lives rather than earthly achievements.

The central message is that believers should not live in fear because their understanding of God is too small compared to His greatness. True security comes not from human strength or zeal, but from relying on the Holy Spirit, which expands our view of God's vastness. The speaker emphasizes that while we must fear God and honor all authority, we should not fear people or circumstances, as God's love and provision are greater than any trial.

The speaker addresses questions regarding spiritual readiness for Christ's return, emphasizing that honesty—both in one's outer and inner life—is key, regardless of past sins. He explains that 'living in one's will' means actively choosing to obey God's commands, such as forgiving others and trusting Him with anxieties, rather than succumbing to natural worry or bitterness.

A worship service centered on praising God's greatness, love, and grace, emphasizing that fearing God brings freedom from all other fears. The service features congregational singing and worship, with the central theme reflecting on God's sovereignty, mercy, and the sufficiency of His love and protection for believers.

Jeremy Utley teaches that anxiety and worry are sins—not mental health conditions—based on Jesus's repeated commands in Matthew 6 and Paul's instruction in Philippians 4 to not worry or be anxious. He challenges the church to reject the world's normalization of anxiety as a condition, adopt a zero-compromise stance toward worry, and recognize that spiritual victory over anxiety comes only when we treat it as disobedience to God's clear commands rather than an excusable mental health issue.

The central message is that anxiety stems from unbelief, and true freedom from anxiety comes through faith, which is written in the heart by the Holy Spirit. The speaker encourages the congregation to prioritize dwelling in the presence of the Lord, recognizing that the delight found in God far surpasses the temporary allure of worldly pursuits like money or career advancement.