Faith Over Fear

In life, we are often caught between two worlds—faith and fear. Pastor Travis Johnson of Pathway Church invites us to confront this duality head-on. His message, "Faith Over Fear," serves as a resounding call to move closer to Jesus amidst our fears and uncertainties.

Embracing Faith Over Fear

"Say it with me," Pastor Johnson encourages, "Faith over fear." It's a simple yet profound reminder that faith and fear are not mutually exclusive. Even Peter, who walked closely with Jesus, faced moments of deep fear and shame. Pastor Johnson recalls Peter's journey—from denying Jesus to discovering the empty tomb—and how Jesus' resurrection offered Peter and us an incredible moment of relief and redemption.

The Road from Shame to Redemption

Upon learning from the women that Jesus had risen, Peter must have felt immense relief, yet he still grappled with shame. This human struggle is something Pastor Johnson believes we can all identify with. "Have you ever found yourself embarrassed of Jesus?" he asks. Perhaps we haven't explicitly denied Him, but our actions might have betrayed our words.

Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea cared for Jesus' body, and Peter, informed of the resurrection, hurried to the tomb. Despite his betrayal, Peter was the first to witness the empty tomb. This poignant moment underscores that Jesus understands and shares our human emotions, having experienced them firsthand.

Jesus Understands Our Human Emotions

Pastor Johnson emphasizes that Jesus is not an aloof deity but one who stepped into our world, lived our lives, and felt our pain. "He ate our food, spoke our language, and was strung up between heaven and earth," he reminds us. Jesus' understanding of Peter’s turmoil highlights His empathy towards us.

The Miracle of Peter’s Redemption

The resurrection marked the beginning of Peter's road to redemption. Pastor Johnson touches on Peter's eventual role in preaching one of the greatest messages in history. It is remarkable how Peter transformed from a man drowning in guilt to a pivotal figure in early Christianity.

Faith and Fear Coexist

Faith and fear overlap, Pastor Johnson explains, but faith and faithlessness do not. Fear is a part of our humanity, not a sign of faithlessness. He illustrates this with an analogy: "Fear is like a molehill next to Mount Everest when compared to Jesus."

Feed Your Faith, Starve Your Fear

To grow in faith and diminish fear, we must feed our faith and starve our fear. Pastor Johnson recounts various personal anecdotes of God’s faithfulness—his wife’s healing, his grandmother's miraculous recovery from terminal cancer, and his healing from allergic reactions. These stories bolster his point that when we focus on our blessings and draw closer to Jesus, our fears diminish.

Bringing Our Fears to Jesus

Through the story of a father seeking healing for his son in Mark 9, we learn that even those wrestling with doubt can be targets for God's miracles. "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief," the father cries. This dual existence of faith and doubt showcases that miracles happen in the presence of faith, not the absence of fear.

Faith Isn’t the Absence of Fear

Pastor Johnson reiterates that our fears are natural, but our faith is supernatural. "The goal is to be empowered by the Holy Spirit having faith in God," he says. He reminds us that perfect love casts out all fear and encourages us to stick close to Jesus during our valleys of fear.

Trusting God in Our Journey

In closing, Pastor Johnson urges us to draw near to God, promising that He will draw near to us. Even in our between moments of embarrassment and empowerment, God is faithful. He calls us to declare our wholeness and victory in Christ, leading us from fear to faith.

As you navigate your own road from embarrassment to empowerment, remember Jesus is with you, understanding your struggles and fears. Trust in Him and allow your faith to guide you on your journey.

May you find strength and encouragement in your faith as you walk closely with Jesus. Amen.