030 Fear Plays With Your Mind 1 of 2

Darkness and confusion, miserable wailing and fear, marked the valley into which Christian now stared. Some were even running away from the Valley of the Shadow of Death in terror because of what they had seen there. Christian however, knew that the Celestial City lay beyond the vast expanse of this daunting valley. He had no option but to proceed. He didn't like the thought of the unpleasant experiences he would meet with, but he was looking ahead to glory. He understood that physical life, for a Christian, is expendable and that true spiritual worship sometimes demanded hard decisions. Stepping forward into the valley revealed a frightening world of danger and fear. Before long, the fear began to play with his mind. He struggled to avoid the two deadly traps on either side of him, and pressed forward into the darkness.

This sermon is the first in a two-part series on the Valley of the Shadow of Death through Bunyan's eyes. It is calculated to ENCOURAGE true believers in the same way that Paul ENCOURAGED true believers by preparing them for hardships they would encounter on their way to the kingdom of God. Believers WILL encounter hard times, but ALL true believers WILL go successfully through. It is the actual EXPERIENCE that is what is under discussion here.

May the Lord encourage you by these two messages.