Down Memory Lane 2024 | 31st December 2024 | “Fear Not, For I Have Redeemed You”

Down Memory Lane 31 December 2024
Text: Isaiah 43
Title: “Fear Not, For I Have Redeemed You” Isaiah 43:1-5
INTRODUCTION
1. What the New Year holds for us
a. Many things remain uncertain
b. Many conflicts between countries are unresolved!
i. Violent extremism
ii. War
iii. Nuclear threat
2. The Encouragement we need to begin the New Year
a. Encouragements from God
b. Exercising of faith in God!
FIRST WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO NOT FEAR
3 Strengthen the weak hands,
And make firm the feeble knees.
4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted,
“Be strong, do not fear!
Behold, your God will come with vengeance,
With the recompense of God;
He will come and save you.”
Isaiah 35:3 - 4
1. Encouraging the fearful-hearted!
a. Many have become fearful-hearted in life!
b. They are crippled by fear!
i. Weak hands
ii. Feeble knees
2. Encouragement to exercise faith in God
a. Be strong
b. Do not fear
c. Your God will come
d. He will come and save you!
SECOND WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO NOT FEAR
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
11 “Behold, all those who were incensed against you
Shall be ashamed and disgraced;
They shall be as nothing,
And those who strive with you shall perish.
12 You shall seek them and not find them-
[e]Those who contended with you.
Those who war against you
Shall be as nothing,
As a nonexistent thing.
13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand,
Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’
14 “Fear not, you worm Jacob,
You men of Israel!
I will help you,” says the Lord
And your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 41:10 - 14
1. Words of assurance from God
a. I am with you
b. I am Your God
c. I will strengthen you
d. I will help you
e. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand
2. Reaffirming words of assurance
a. For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand
b. Saying to you, “Fear not, I will help you”
c. Fear not
d. I will help you
THIRD WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO NOT FEAR
1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I gave Egypt for your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
4 Since you were precious in My sight,
You have been honored,
And I have loved you;
Therefore I will give men for you,
And people for your life.
5 Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your descendants from the east,
And gather you from the west;
Isaiah 43:1 - 5
1. How God sees all who belong to Him
a. Created you
b. Formed you 造成你的
c. Redeemed you 救赎了你
d. Called you by name 提你的名召你
e. You are Mine 你是属我的
2. How God will protect His people
a. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you
b. Through the rivers, they shall not overflow you
c. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned
3. How God loves His people
a. Precious in His sight
b. Honoured
c. Loved deeply
d. Provision made
e. Gathering of His people together
GREAT CHALLENGES
1. To believe in God and His word to us
2. To hide His word in our hearts
3. To draw strength from God to overcome fear!