[Sermon notes / 설교노트 ]
“Lord, Grant Us Fear so We May Not Fear” (Revelation 21:8)
“두려워하지 않도록 두려움을 주소서 (요한계시록 21:8)
1.Biblical scripture / 성경본문"But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile... their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur."
그러나 비겁한 자들과 믿지 않는 자들과 가증한 자들과... 그들이 차지할 몫은 불과 유황이 타오르는 바다뿐입니다. (Revelation 21:8 / 요한계시록 21:8)"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
하나님이 우리에게 주신 것은 두려워하는 마음이 아니요 오직 능력과 사랑과 절제하는 마음이니 (2 Timothy 1:7 / 디모데후서 1:7)"But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 'Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.'"
그러나 의를 위하여 고난을 받으면 복 있는 자니 그들이 두려워하는 것을 두려워하지 말며 소동하지 말고 (1 Peter 3:14 / 베드로전서 3:14)
2. Live Notes / 설교 노트
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🏛️ [English Sermon Script] Lord, Grant Us Fear so We May Not Fear
Text: Revelation 21:8
"But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile... their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur."
(Revelation 21:8)"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
(2 Timothy 1:7)"But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 'Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.'"
(1 Peter 3:14)1. Introduction: The Shocking First Line (The Mirror of Cowardice)
Today, we stand before a very disturbing and shocking list in Revelation 21:8. Usually, when we think of sins that lead to judgment, we imagine heinous crimes like murder, sexual immorality, or idolatry. However, the Bible places 'the cowardly' at the very top of that list.
Why does God deal with cowardice so severely? Because cowardice is not just a personality trait; it is the fuel for all other sins. When our 'desire for self-preservation' becomes greater than our trust in God, we become ready to betray our integrity and faith at any moment.
I remember the trembling I felt when a police car once pulled up behind me with sirens blaring. In that short moment, my heart raced and a thousand thoughts flashed by. Brothers and sisters, trembling itself is not shameful. As C.S. Lewis noted, that trembling breaks our pride and invites us to stand as the lowliest before God. The question is: where do you go with that trembling?
2. Review: From His Warm 'Hand' to His Majestic 'Face'
In early February, we practiced 'Noisy Time,' learning how to talk to the Lord who is right beside us. We learned that because we are God's 'masterpiece,' He never gives up on us.
But we must not stop there. If last week was about holding His warm 'hand,' this week is about beholding His majestic 'face.' Unless our intimacy with God leads to 'holy reverence,' we might end up like 'Wormtail' from Harry Potter—pretending to be a friend but quickly turning into a traitor when faced with the world’s threats or powers.
3. Body C-1: The Priority of Fear (The Reality of Cowardice)
Fear is a spiritual indicator that reveals what you truly regard as your 'Master.' Look at the ten spies at Kadesh Barnea. They saw the giants of Anak as greater than God. When God appears as small as a mist in our eyes, the problems of the world loom large like monsters.
Cowardice is a 'practical obstacle' that trips up every other virtue in our lives. Lewis insightfully said that cowardice is so painful that humans often choose 'hatred' to offset that shame. Honor killings or duels are extreme expressions of hatred used to mask fear.
Cowardice is not far from us. Look at Abraham, who lied about his wife to save his own life, or Peter, who denied the Lord out of fear of a servant girl’s gaze. They weren't bad people; they are mirrors of ourselves, seeing the world’s power and people's eyes as greater than God in that moment. When 'self-preservation' becomes an idol, we betray even those we love most.
4. Body C-2: Holy Reverence - The Spiritual Vaccine
Here, we must remember the '1 > 10,000 Rule.' A [ single fear ] of God drives out [ ten thousand fears ] of the world. This is the [ spiritual vaccine ] that protects our souls.
The world constantly injects us with viruses of anxiety, worry about the future, and the pressure of others' opinions. But when we acknowledge that God is not a 'safe' or 'tame' being like Aslan in Lewis’s chronicles, but is the Sovereign King, this vaccine begins to work.
How could Esther say, "If I perish, I perish" in the face of the King’s wrath? It was because a powerful spiritual vaccine—reverence for God—had already been formed within her. Those who truly fear God will not fear the world.
5. Body C-3: Humble Obedience - Spiritual Gravity
Courage is not the absence of trembling. Look at Jesus in Gethsemane. He also trembled and prayed with loud cries and tears. Courage is not the absence of that shaking; it is [ humble obedience ] that maintains [ spiritual gravity ] to fulfill its mission even amidst the shaking.
A ship does not capsize in a storm because of the heavy 'ballast' at its bottom. While Jesus’s exterior was shaking, His inner core was anchored by the spiritual gravity of 'God's will.'
This is what Paul exhorted the naturally timid Timothy: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Do not reject your trembling. Instead, prostrate yourself before God with it. Then, a heavy gravity will form within you to overcome the world.
6. Application C-4 & C-5: A 'Scent of Heaven'
Courageous kindness shown in moments when it's 'easy to be cowardly' becomes a powerful 'Heavenly Impact' to our VIPs. It makes them wonder, "How can that person be so confident and kind in such a situation?"
The community is not a place to pretend to be holy. It is a place to honestly confess our cowardice and trembling, co-writing a 'consistent narrative' of God’s work 'here and now.' The sight of a parent kneeling before God in reverence is the greatest 'transfer of courage' to the next generation.
7. Conclusion: Rearranging Life
Connect today's message to your life. Starting tomorrow, we will pour our fears into the vessel of the Psalms (2/8). We will reject the DNA of sin called complaining (2/10) and move forward with the simplicity of believing the Word at face value (2/11).
[Prayer] Lord, have mercy on us who lack the inherent strength to change. Grant us a heart that fears You alone. Let us walk this path—loving while trembling, and obeying while trembling. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
3. Week Notes / 주중 노트
WEEK Notes is a devotional journal for reflecting on God's word throughout the week.
WEEK Notes는 말씀을 한 주 동안 붙잡고 살아내기 위한 짧은 묵상 노트입니다.