Oct. 31, 2021
Pastor Troy Brewer, OpenDoor Church, Burleson, TX
Let’s talk about crazy for a minute. It’s hard to describe crazy.
“CRAZY”
1. usually offensive: having or showing severe mental illness; a hospital for crazy people
2. unable to think in a clear or sensible way. “She’s crazy with jealousy.”
In the 1800s, “Madcap” was a common word. Also, the mad hatter because they made hats back in the day with liquid mercury and it made the makers crazy. You might also say “Looney.”
In the 1920s, you were “crackers” or “bugsey,” as in Bugs Bunny or American mobster, hit man and founder of Las Vegas Bugsey Malone.
In the 1930s, you were “Bats” or “Bananas.”
In the 50’s, it was “Off the wall”or “Pyscho.”
But in the 1940s, the term for crazy was one you will recognize. You were “NUTS.”
“December 22, 1944: To the U.S.A. Commander of the encircled town of Bastogne.The fortune of war is changing. This time the U.S.A. forces in and near Bastogne have been encircled by strong German armored units. More German armored units have crossed the river Ourthe near Ortheuville, have taken Marche and reached St. Hubert by passing through Hompre-Sibret-Tillet.
Libramont is in German hands.There is only one possibility to save the encircled U.S.A troops from total annihilation: that is the honorable surrender of the encircled town. In order to think it over, a term of two hours will be granted beginning with the presentation of this note. If this proposal should be rejected, one German
Artillery Corps and six heavy A. A. Battalions are ready
to annihilate the U.S.A. troops in and near Bastogne. The
order for firing will be given immediately after this two
hours’ term. All the serious civilian losses caused by this
artillery fire would not correspond with the well-known
American humanity. – The German Commander.”
The reply was typed up, centered on a full sheet of paper. It read:
“December 22, 1944: To the German Commander, N U T S ! – The American Commander”
In a day where death is celebrated. In a day where fear is demanding 100% compliance, it bewilders the enemy when we are not afraid.
The enemy will always demand that you give up hope and take the option of surrender.
It is very important to the enemy that you are demoralized.
You get demoralized, filled with fear and bow your knee to the enemy. Your surrender doesn’t help anything but the enemy.
SELF-AWARENESS AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
are given to victorious Christians who know when their compass is broken and they are under the influence of a lie.
King David spoke to himself when he said
Psalm 42:5 – Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance
Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Psalm 23:4 – Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 27:1 – The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 46:1-3 – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 118:6 – The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Isaiah 41:13 – For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Hebrews 13:6 – So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Deuteronomy 3:22 – Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.
Luke 12:32 – (Jesus says), “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”
Lamentations 3:57 – You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.”
Psalm 56:3-4 – When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
I want to talk to you about Crazy Faith, Crazy hope, and crazy love in the day we are living in.
People will think you are flat-out crazy—that you are nuts if you are stable in the midst of instability, full of courage when the masses are trembling and if you are full of hope when narrative of the world is depression.
PEOPLE WILL ASK YOU …”WHY?”
1 Peter 3:15 – But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
Put God first in your heart, sanctify Him. Be ready to make a big deal out the agenda of Jesus and his authority and have a predetermined response.
IT’S SUPERNATURALLY ATTRACTIVE FOR YOU TO BE FULL OF HOPE WHEN EVERYONE ELSE IS NOT.
We are Culture, atmosphere and environment
We have to set a tone.
We are thermostats and not thermometers.
Show no fear. We have a tremendous value for courage.
“So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
If you have a value for going to the next level—if you have a value progressing—if you have a value for advancing and seeing God’s will being done in your life and His Kingdom coming to push back hell, you cannot have a value for fear.
Fear is designed to stop momentum. Thats why it is so important to the enemy that you are full of fear.
A resolve and dedication to make yourself think about certain things.
Philippians 4:8 – 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
A commitment to live a life of contemplation.
The enemy wants you to believe that the way you work on your problems is that you work on your problems.
THE PRINCIPLE OF DISPLACEMENT
ISRAEL WAS SENT INTO THE PROMISED LAND TO DISPLACE THE ENEMY THERE AND TO OCCUPY THE PROMISE.
1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Perfect love casts out (displaces) all fear
The mission of Christ was to bring a demonstration and a revelation of God’s love.
A revelation of God’s love is our true source of power over any and all things.
Once you step into the spirit of adoption, you step into this lavish love of God that says, “I’m not an orphan. I’m a son or a daughter of God and I am loved.”
Romans 8:15 – The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.