The Lutheran Hour
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"FEAR and FAITH"
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Text: Hebrews 11:1
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When you die, will your epitaph speak a message of fear or faith? That may sound like a strange way to begin a sermon, but your answer is important. Before World War II, many people tried to sum up their hope with a few words carved on their tombstone. In New England there’s a stone which reads, “If there is another world I live in bliss. If not another, I’ve made the most of this.” However, there is no doubt on the stone of a man from Ohio. He knew his final destination. His stone reads: “He who wrote this did it well. The devil waits for me in hell.”
When you die, will your epitaph be one of fear or faith? More importantly, is your life one of fear or faith? Please understand, proper fear is a gift of God that keeps us safe. Not all fear is bad. A small child needs fear of automobiles. Otherwise he can easily be crippled by playing in the street. Adults who plunge rashly into fearful situations rarely come to a happy ending. Proper fear stops us from saying things we shouldn’t say and doing deeds that are downright dangerous. But fear loses that Godly purpose when it cripples us, when it dominates our lives, and rules us with an iron hand. Did you ever pick up a robin or sparrow that had fallen out of its nest? As you held it in your hand, you remember the rapid, terrified beating of its heart. You were trying to help, but the bird’s fear wouldn’t let him trust you. That kind of fear is sad when it comes to a sparrow, but it’s horrible when it keeps a human from God’s help.
So, when I ask if your life is one of fear or faith, it’s a question you understand. I know you understand because fear has been part of every person’s life since the fall into sin. When Adam and Eve took a bite from the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, fear was served up for dessert. In fear, our first ancestors hid themselves from a justly angered God. In the New Testament we see people surrounding the Savior filled with fear. Before Jesus was born, the angel, Gabriel, appeared to Mary, that blessed woman God had selected to be the earthly mother of His Son. The angel began his world-saving, life-changing announcement with a compassionate, “Fear not.” After Christ’s capture and crucifixion, on the glorious day of resurrection, when God devastated death, demolished the devil, and squelched sin’s horror, the angel sitting at the empty tomb announced to the confused mourners, “Do not be afraid, He is risen.”
Now, if these heroes of faith who lived in close fellowship with the Lord are not immune from fear, why should we think we can escape the ravages of worry? People all around us are living their lives in fear. Advice from columnists report the single common denominator in the letters they receive is fear. Physicians say it is often fear that brings people to their offices. Even children are not immune. A nation-wide survey says two-thirds of our children are scared that “someone bad” is stalking their neighborhoods, waiting to break into their homes.
It’s quite possible you are living a life hideously twisted by fear. Trapped by terrors, you find yourself traumatized by unrealized dreams, dashed hopes, difficulties of body, mind and soul, tensions at work, insecurities, past sins, indiscretions and the possibility of future failure. There seems to be no escape.
Money and success offer no immunity to fear. Alfred Krupp, the Prussian manufacturer of munitions, was a successful man. Yet, he was afraid. People weren’t allowed to talk about death in front of him. When a relative passed away in his house, he ran out the door. When his wife spoke to him about death, he left her. Is it possible power can keep you from fear? The Russian ruler, Josef Stalin, was the most powerful of men. Yet, he lived in constant fear of assassination. Each night, he had eight different bedrooms prepared for his night’s rest, selecting one at the last minute, so no one would know where to find him. Power left Stalin wracked with worry.
Is your life one of fear or faith? I can’t read your mind and heart. I don’t know the fear that robs you of sleep or puts a hollow spot in your stomach; the fear that makes your palms sweat. I don’t know what fear you keep buried deep down inside, so horrible you don’t want to look at it. I don’t know your fear, but I do know whatever your terror, trauma, trouble, trial and tribulation, Jesus is coming to you today, as He has come to so many in the past saying, “Do not be afraid.”
Skeptics listening to those words might say, “Why should I put my life into the hands of Someone I can’t see, Someone I’ve never met? I know some Christians. They seem to be just as afraid as I am.” Well, Christians do worry, and they do have fears. Being a Christian doesn’t give you an immediate, instantaneous immunity to every fear of life. But this is our failure, not God’s. The more a Christian believes and trusts in God, the greater peace he has.
In the early church, Christians struggled with fear. Daily they were challenged by persecutions, pains, and personal problems. To calm these concerns and cares, the writer to the Hebrews, by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, told them, and us, how to successfully deal with fear. He said: “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” In other words, have faith in God. Even if you don’t see Him, He’s there.
The kind of faith we are talking about here is more than raw knowledge. The devil has knowledge about religion. But knowledge is not enough. It’s not enough to know Jesus as a great teacher, a wise philosopher, a brilliant leader, a person with great insight and love. If that’s all you know about Him, your life will be lived in fear. Real Christian faith, the faith that puts fears to rest, is one that trusts Jesus as Savior.
Let me explain. In the early part of the 16th century, two men, both sharing the name Martin, came to faith and were saved by the grace of God that comes to those who believe in Jesus as their Savior. Both of these men had the opportunity to make that message of mercy known to the world. The first Martin, fearing public disfavor and persecution, wrote on a piece of parchment: “Oh, most merciful Christ, I know I am saved only by the merit of Your blood. Holy Jesus, I love You.” Then, he hid that parchment behind a stone in the wall of his bedroom. It was only by accident several hundred years after his death, that his hidden testimony to Christ was discovered. Martin of Basel never had a faith which could conquer his fear.
How different was the faith of the other Martin. This Martin was given a faith that made him certain of his Savior. That faith gave him courage to be the Lord’s champion in changing the world’s history. Sure that the Savior was by His side, this Martin did not waver. Sure that the Lord would never leave him, he used every means and method, pulpit and printing press, school and church service; hymn and hall, to share the Gospel of salvation. A cursory study of history shows Martin Luther as a man who was sure of what he hoped for and certain of what he did not see. His was a life of faith, not fear.
This kind of faith is more than intellectual information. It is believing in the power and love of God as shown in Jesus Christ. Faith is knowing God loves us, helps us, saves us in this world and the next. This kind of faith the world does not have; the devil cannot have. It is this kind of faith that has brought a billion souls to a life without fear. By faith, Abraham believed in a Savior that would not be born for over a thousand years. By faith, Peter was transformed from being a fisherman to faithful friend and follower of the Lord. By faith, Paul was transformed from murderer to martyr.
Do you want a life of fear or faith? If you opt for faith, hold onto Jesus tightly.
You know what I’m saying. Too many of us have placed our hope in other things only to find them false. Faithful friends have proven themselves to be faithless. Job security proves to be insecure. Retirement nest eggs are hollow. That’s why I boldly share with you, Jesus is the only One who can give us a life of faith not fear. To give us a fearless life is why He came into this world. That’s why He was born among us. That’s why He fulfilled law and prophecy. That’s why He allowed Himself to be cursed, captured, and crucified. He rose from the dead and offers forgiveness to all who acknowledge Him as Savior. But He also wanted to give all that believe in Him a bonus, a life of faith, not fear.
I’ve known people who have, by the Spirit’s power, learned to trust Jesus. They are very special. Let me tell you about one of them — a lady who had seen her share of heartache and worry. She lost her husband and buried two children. She wasn’t wealthy or beautiful. She had crippling arthritis and was seldom healthy. When her time came to leave this world, she held onto Jesus. Holding onto Him, she decided it was time to go to the hospital.
Dying took her about one week. During that week, she slept and dreamed of her Savior and the reunion He promised with friends and family who were waiting for her in heaven. She was always disappointed when she woke. She couldn’t understand why God was keeping her around. After all, she said she wasn’t helping anybody. Let me tell you, during those days when she thought she wasn’t helping anybody, three shifts of nurses, countless doctors and other staff saw the peace a Christian has when they hold onto Jesus in faith. She introduced them to a God who conquers fear.
She smiled. She prayed. At the end of that week, she got to go to heaven. I have never seen so many hospital staff at a funeral before or since. Why did they come? Because they saw Jesus destroy fear for those who trust Him. They had seen His power in a dying Christian lady, and they wanted the same comfort and hope for themselves. They wanted a life of faith, not fear.
I could tell you many more such stories — stories of people who have never seen Jesus face to face — but who still trusted Him. None of these people had ever walked with Him, broken bread with Him, or sat at His feet to hear a sermon. None of them had ever been visited by a heaven-sent angel. But what makes these souls stand out is this: washed in the blood of the Savior, their faith became a powerful thing. Moved by Jesus’ marvelous message of forgiveness, they trusted Him and shared how others might trust Him as well. They lived and died in faith, not fear.
So, we come back to the question: “Will your life be one of faith or fear?” If you are the adult child of an abusive parent who is afraid you will not be able to break that cycle with your own little ones, Jesus says, “Do not be afraid, I am here.” Trust Him. If you are a fearful youth on the street who has left home to escape an intolerable situation there, Jesus is saying, “Do not be afraid, I am here.” Rely on Him. If you are a senior afraid of being alone, unwanted, unneeded, Jesus says, “Do not be afraid, I am here.” Let Him be your friend and companion. If you are afraid that you and those around you are trapped in a welfare problem, Jesus says, “Do not be afraid, I will give you courage.” If you’re married and afraid your vows of faithfulness and support are melting away like the mist, lean on Jesus. His words, “Do not be afraid” can allow you to forgive, rebuild and rediscover hope. If you are an unmarried mother afraid for your child who is growing up without a father, come to Jesus with your little one. Hear Him say, “Do not be afraid, I will give you guidance.” If you are afraid of death and dying, and for you, it is a dark unknown, know Jesus is with you. He wants to bring light into that darkness. Listen to Him. Trust Him when He says, “Do not be afraid.” I cannot, in this brief message name every fear. But I can say, in every fear, Jesus is the answer. He is our hope.
Today is the day the Holy Spirit is calling you; when the Spirit wishes to introduce you to the Savior. If you don’t know Him, call on Him. Strengthen that faith if you do know Him. Jesus wishes to rescue you from hell, most certainly, but He also wants you to have a life free from fear. If you wish to know more about the Savior, call us at “The Lutheran Hour.” We can connect you to a church which knows and believes in this Lord I’ve been talking about. We can introduce you to a group of people that trust the Savior who gives a life of faith and not fear.
In the last century, when steamships plied the waters of Lake Superior, a number of passengers became nervous. The boat’s deck was encircled by a heavy fog, yet the captain was steaming full speed ahead. Finally, the passengers went to the first mate, and complained. The mate replied, “Don’t be afraid! The fog lies low, and the captain is high above it. He can see where we are going.”
In World War II, during the blitz against London, a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms. He called to his frightened son, “Jump! I’ll catch you.” Looking down, all the boy could see was flames, smoke, and blackness. He hesitated. Time was running out. His father kept yelling: “Jump! I will catch you.” But the boy protested, “Daddy, I can’t see you.” The father replied, “Son, I can see you. That’s what matters.”
How these stories ended is unimportant. The end of your story is extremely important. Yours is a story being written right now. Hear the Savior’s words, “Do not be afraid.” And, having heard those words, you will know your epitaph will be one of faith not fear, and your life will be the same. For this is the will of God. Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX for August 26, 2001 “Fear and Faith” 68-51
ANNOUNCER: I’m Mark Eischer. Joining me is Pastor Rudy Schaser. Rudy, you’re here to tell us about a program called “By Kids for Kids.” For our listeners who haven’t heard about this program, it’s been going on for some years now. Give us a brief description of what it is and how it works.
SCHASER: “By Kids for Kids” is a splendid way in which young people from the United States and Canada can put fingerprints on their faith. They can engage in hands-on ministry. They gather simple basic school supplies, include a postcard from their home area, write a personal note, include a personal photo and the children on the receiving end, so to speak, open up the box and go to the photo and read the note. They delight in the gifts but they look at the photo and the note.
ANNOUNCER: The logistics of getting these boxes of supplies from one place to another is part of it. That’s handled by an organization called “The Orphan Grain Train.” Sending things like scissors and pencils and paper, things we take for granted, are for people in other countries who don’t have the blessings of those sorts of things. Latvia is the next country to be touched by this program, “By Kids for Kids.” Long time listeners to our program will recall back in 1992, Dr. Wallace Schulz delivered a series of sermons from Riga, Latvia. You’ve visited some orphanages in Latvia. Tell us about that, Rudy.
SCHASER: Well, the contrast couldn’t be stronger. In 1992 when Dr. Schulz was still in Jurmala in Riga, we visited orphanages. Children were bundled in their winter coats because there was no coal to provide heat. We saw no crayons, no art supplies. This past Feb. 2001, we visited orphanages again and saw children wearing regular shirts and trousers, tattered, but still clean. We saw children in classrooms served by smiling, qualified teachers. We thought to ourselves — these children aren’t destitute. We noticed they didn’t have any supplies of their own. Their teachers and the teaching aides cared for them, but we noticed the children had no new things happening in their lives. So, we’re hopeful North American and Latvian children will have a chance to form friendships. We’re hoping they will be able to share their views on what the world is about and what God is about, and what their families and life is all about. Also, in the process children here and there will grow.
ANNOUNCER: Now for someone listening to us, it’s still possible for their school to take part in this, right?
SCHASER: Oh, you bet. In fact, starting this school year people can enter the program through October. Schools, Sunday schools, or other groups or agencies are encouraged to take part in “By Kids for Kids-Latvia.” Just call us at 1-800-944-3450. We’ll be happy to enroll you as long as supplies last.
ANNOUNCER: For those schools taking part, I understand you’re offering a return gesture from the kids in Latvia. Tell us about that.
SCHASER: The children of Latvia have produced some exquisite artwork. I’m looking at wild boars done in watercolor, watercolor boats and ships. I have Latvian angels and clowns and Latvian children playing with older people. We’re going to incorporate the children’s art from Latvia into a poster calendar for the year 2002. Those who take part in the project or anybody who would be interested, please let us know. We’ll be happy to send you a calendar.
ANNOUNCER: Very good, Rudy. We wish you God’s blessings on this undertaking. Once again, if you’d like more information about “By Kids for Kids-Latvia,” call us a 1-800-944-3450. Next week look for “The Lutheran Hour” message titled, “God Wants to Remove Your Fears.”