Scripture Reading: Acts 27:21–25

Introduction

A. In his 1933 inaugural speech, Franklin Roosevelt affirmed that the embattled nation had nothing to fear but fear itself.

B. When Paul entered Corinth on his second journey, he was afraid, but God was able to quiet his fears and grant success (Acts 18).

Discussion

I. Paul was not a man without fear.

A. He was a man with all the same emotions that each of us experience (cf. James 5:17).

B. He was often concerned about the wellbeing of the churches he had worked to plant (1 Thessalonians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 11:28) and about the welfare of his companions (Philippians 2:27; Acts 20:34).

C. On his third journey he experienced despair (2 Corinthians 1:8–9) and fear (7:5).

D. In Corinth, it seems that Paul had plenty of reason to be afraid.

II. God can calm our fears like no one else.

A. God calmed Paul’s fears with companionship (Acts 18:2, 5), financial aid (v 5; Philippians 4:16–17), and a promise (vv 9–10).

B. Jesus can still calm our fears that would otherwise be paralyzing (Matthew 8:26; John 14:27; Luke 12:4–7).

C. He can calm fears about money (Matthew 6:30), death (Mark 5:36), and persecution (Matthew 5:11–12).

Conclusion

A. God can calm the fears that would otherwise cripple us and keep us from ever daring to do the difficult things that He demands.

B. But if He is to help us with our fears, we must be willing to fear Him and also to trust Him.