1. Arachnophobia: The fear of spiders.
2. Ophidiophobia: The fear of snakes.
3. Acrophobia: The fear of heights.
4. Agoraphobia: The fear of tight places.
5. Cynophobia: The fear of dogs.
6. Astraphobia: The fear of storms.
7. Trypanophobia: The fear of injections.
8. Social Phobias: The fear of crowds.
9. Pteromerhanophobia: The fear of flying.
10. Mysophobia: The fear of germs & dirt.

1) THE CONSEQUENCES OF FEAR

Fear places a terrible toil on the human personality – mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

• A) FEAR CAN CAUSE PHYSICAL AILMENTS.
  • Some physicians claim that 2/3 of physical illness is caused by emotional stress.
  • 1 doctor believes anxiety places more stress on the heart than any other stimulus.
• B) FEAR CAN CAUSE US TO HIDE OUR TALENTS.
  • In the parable of the talents, the slothful servant offered his excuse to the Master: “And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth.” (Matthew 25:25)
  • How many people have refused to sing, play and instrument, write a poem, visit a
    shut-in, or give their testimony – because of fear?
• C) FEAR CAUSES US TO LIVE IN SPIRITUAL DEFEAT.
  • “Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith empowers; fear disheartens, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear makes useless, faith makes us useful and, fear makes us feel hopeless, while faith rejoices in its God.”

2) FAITH IN THE GENERATION OF THE EXODUS (23-31)

• A) THE FAITH OF MOSES’ PARENTS… (23)
  • They hid Moses for three months – Exo 2:1-3; Ac 7:20
  • It was their faith that gave them courage to withstand the king’s edict
  • With such a small beginning, by faith they “overcame the world” of Egypt
• B) THE FAITH OF MOSES… (24-28)
  • He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter – He 11:24-26
  • He chose to suffer with God’s people rather than enjoy sin’s temporary pleasures
  • By faith, Moses “overcame the world” of Egyptian bondage!
• C) THE FAITH OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL… (29-30)
  • The Israelites passed through the Red Sea and the Egyptians perished in the sea
  • The Israelites encircled the city of Jericho thirteen times, showing their faith in
    God rather than in their own military might – He 11:30

3) A SUMMARY LIST OF WHAT FAITH ACCOMPLISHED… (33-37)

• “SUBDUED KINGDOMS”
  • Joshua, in conquering Palestine – Josh 12:7-24
  • David, in conquering neighboring nations – 2 Sa 5:4-25; 8:1-14
• “WORKED RIGHTEOUSNESS” (administered justice)
  • Samuel, as judge – 1 Sa 12:4 
  • David, as king – 2 Sa 8:15 
  • Solomon, as king – 1 Ki 3:28
• “OBTAINED PROMISES”
  • The nation of Israel, receiving the promised land – Josh 21:43-45; 23:14
• “STOPPED THE MOUTHS OF LIONS”
  • Samson – Judg 14:6 
  • David, protecting sheep – 1Sa 17:34-37 
  • Daniel, in the lions’ den – Dan 6:21-22
• “QUENCHED THE VIOLENCE OF FIRE”
  • Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego, in the fiery furnace – Dan 3:23-25
• “ESCAPED THE EDGE OF THE SWORD”
  • David, fleeing King Saul – 1Sa 23:19-29
  • Elijah, fleeing Jezebel – 1Ki 19:8-10
  • Elisha, whom the King of Israel wanted murdered – 2 Kin 6:31-32
• “OUT OF WEAKNESS WERE MADE STRONG”
  • Samson, after his hair was cut – Judg 16:29-30
  • Hezekiah, who was given fifteen years of life – Isa 38:1-8
• “BECAME VALIANT IN BATTLE”
  • David, in defeating Goliath – 1 Sa 17:50
  • Jehoshaphat, in defeating Edom – 2 Ch 20:1-30
  • Hezekiah, whose faith led to the slaughter of 185,000 Assyrian soldiers – 2 Ki 19:1-36

4) STEPS TO OVERCOMING FEAR

Fear is universal troublesome. It afflicts people from all walks of life, the rich and the poor, the young and the old, and even the saint and the sinner.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I
unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

• A) START BY GETTING RIGHT WITH GOD
  • We will never know true peace until we make peace with the Prince of Peace.
  • The farther we stray from God’s Word, the more power fear has over his life.
• B) PRAY ABOUT YOUR FEARS
  • The Psalmist said, “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from
    all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)
• C) FACE UP TO YOUR FEARS
  • Quote: “Do the thing that you fear the most, and death of that fear is certain.”
  • When you meet your fears head-on, they usually shrivel and usually disappear.
• D) FILL YOUR MIND WITH THE PROMISES OF GOD
  • Instead of dwelling on the terrible things, meditate on the promises of God.
  • “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
    whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
    lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there
    be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)