To have you turn back your Bibles to Isaiah chapter 43. Isaiah 43. While you turn there, Brethren in Danville send their greetings. We had an opportunity to go worship with them last night. ask that the congregation continue to pray for them as they seek a pastor. So let's continually keep them in our prayers. Isaiah 43. Now we read back in Luke 12. We read of a thing to fear and of a thing not to fear. We read We're not to fear that one that can kill the body and nothing else, but rather fear him that can kill and send your soul to hell. One thing to fear, one thing to fear. Him that can kill the body and hath power to cast your soul into hell. Scripture says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. But don't be afraid. Don't be afraid of that one that can merely kill the body. That's all they can do. Sickness, disease, old age, whatever it might be. Here in Isaiah 43, we read these two words. Two words. I wish I could remember these, and I wish I could keep them in my head and in my heart as soon as I walk out that door. Fear not. Fear not. And this isn't anyone speaking here. It says, Thus saith the Lord. Fear not. God's speaking. He who speaks the truth. He who is truth. 2 Corinthians 1.20 says, All the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen. That the glory of God, His promises are us. What are they? They're sure and they're certain. Numbers 23, we read this, God's not a man that he should lie. Neither the son of man that he should repent, hath he said, and shall he not do it?" What God said, is he not going to do that? Absolutely. He that has spoken, shall he not make it good? Now that's not the case with man, but it is with God. Thus saith the Lord. Fear not. Fear not. Don't fear the things of this world. Sin, death, judgment, I want us to see this this evening. I want us to see this this evening. Reasons, just a few reasons not to fear. The first is this. Consider who he's speaking to. Here in our text, there are those who have reason, great reason to fear. but not Jacob, not Israel. He speaks here to the church. Jacob, does this not speak of fallen man? Does this not speak of our corrupt nature? Jacob, that one whose name is Supplanter, thief. But listen, you know what Scripture says about Jacob? A lot of bad things said, right? We don't have to read too much about this, but listen. God loved Jacob. God chose Jacob. God gave him the birthright. God gave him a new name. He just didn't leave him with that old name, did he? Israel. Prince with God. True Israel. Who's he speaking here? Of God's elect. His church. His sheep. And what's he saying? Fear not. Fear not. Don't be afraid. Here's another reason. Second, he said, I have redeemed thee. I have redeemed thee. He purchased us. He brought us back being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. He redeemed us. Brother Walter Groove, you all probably remember this, he used to tell that story about that little boy down in the Yucatan. Remember that? He had made a kite and on a windy day he took that kite out. And he tied a string on it and the wind picked it up and it flew higher and higher and higher and the string broke. And that kite flew away. That boy lost his kite. And later, maybe later that day or a couple days later in the village, he walked by that store and there in the window, there was his kite. There's my kite. Can't you just picture that? And he ran into the store so excited because he had found his kite, and he told that man, that's my kite. I want it. And the fellow said, buddy, that's, young man, that's not your kite. That's my kite. And if you want it, you're going to have to buy it. You're going to have to pay for it. And he went to his dad and his dad gave him a little bit of money and he went in there and he bought that kite. His kite. Can you imagine how he just clutched that thing in his arms? And he overheard his dad. His dad heard him say, when he got that kite, you're mine twice. I made you and I bought you. You're mine. You reckon he ever, I just picture a little kid like, you reckon he ever turned loose of that kite? I feel like he just probably clutched that the rest of his life when he got it back. I bought you. We read here in Scripture, fear not, fear not, you're mine, I bought you. Something tells, again, in Revelation, our Lord said, Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof, thou was slain and redeemed us. Bought us, purchased us, redeemed us to God by thy own blood. Out of every kindred, tongue, people and nation, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Well, that boy, as much as he wanted that kite back, it wasn't going to be his until he paid for it, was it? Until he paid the purchase price. And when our Lord, when He was pleased to redeem His people, He paid the price, didn't He? He paid the purchase price with His own precious blood. Redeemed. Redeemed how I love to proclaim it. Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Redeemed through His infinite mercy. His child and forever I am. Oh, fear not. Psalm 130 verse 7 says, let Israel hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there's mercy. With the Lord is plenteous redemption. Fear not, I have redeemed thee. Third, fear not, I have called thee by thy name. Scriptures declare that whom he predestinated, them he also called. Called to Christ by the Spirit of Almighty God, called out of tradition, called out of ceremony, called out of self-righteousness, called out of sin. into the light of the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He chose his people in Christ from before the foundation of the world, called them, calls us by his grace. Paul, writing to the Galatians, he said, when it pleased God, who, when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me by His grace to reveal His Son in me." Called by His grace, not according to works. He didn't leave us. Aren't we thankful He didn't leave us to ourselves? He didn't leave us in our sin. in our shame, in our despair, in our guilt, but he called us, called us to himself. Over in Matthew chapter 9, there was a publican there named Levi. We know him as Matthew. And he was sitting at the receipt of custom. He was sitting there collecting taxes. a publican, a sinful publican. Those that were, they were, listen, they were so awful they were despised by their own people. And we read this, as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the receipt of custom and he said to him, two words, Follow me. Follow me. And he arose. Matthew got up from that table, he arose, and he followed the Lord. How is that the Lord called Matthew? Matthew who was a publican, Matthew who was a sinner, and we read this, he saw him. The Lord Jesus Christ saw him. He foreknew him. God's speaking to Jeremiah. He said this, Before I formed thee in the belly. Think about that. Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee. I knew thee. Before you came forth from the womb, before you were even born into this world, I sanctified thee. I set you apart." He saw a man named Matthew. That's a particular person, isn't it? I suspect they were, Matthew wasn't the only one sitting there that day. He's collecting taxes from people. There were other people around, but yet we read about a man named Matthew that the Lord was pleased to show mercy to. A man named Matthew. He knew his name. You know what that name means? Matthew, gift of God. You know there's no indication that Matthew had ever heard of this man, the Lord Jesus Christ. not aware of any good works that he had done that would commend him to God. He was just sitting there doing what he did every day. And yet the Lord was pleased and mercy to pass by. Doesn't that give us reason not to fear? The Lord's going to show mercy. He's going to be merciful to his people. His occupation. Did that commend him to God? He was a publican. He was a sinner. But you know his sin did not prevent the Lord from calling him. And he called him in power. Follow me. He didn't ask him. Did he? Matthew, would you have any interest in following me? He didn't say, Matthew, if you just, tell you what, if you just walk a few steps toward me, I'll save you. No. He said, follow me. And you know when the Lord speaks, His word goes forth in power. What a powerful call was that. Follow me. That's a life-giving call. Follow me. That's an irresistible call. Follow me. And Matthew arose and he followed him. The Lord does the same for every one of his people. He calls them by name. I have called thee by thy name, Matthew. Lazarus, come forth. Zacchaeus, come down. Scripture says, he calleth his own sheep by name. We're told to walk worthy of the calling. Walk worthy of that calling. We're to walk in a manner of life that is worthy of His holy calling. We're in this world, but you know we're not of this world. We're of Him. Fear not. Fear not. His people, His church have no reason to fear. Fear not. I've redeemed you. Fear not, I've called you by name. Fear not, thou art mine." We're His. We're His. John 17, 9 says this. Our Lord said, I pray for them. I pray not for the world. but for them which thou hast given me." For they're thine. They're thine. Those that the Father gave him. Those for whom he died. Those who are kept by the power of God. Scripture says we're his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, unto good works that God hath before ordained that we should walk in Him. He did a work for us, and He did a work in us. We're His people. The sheep of His pasture. Psalm 103 says, Know ye not the Lord, He is God? It is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves, His people, His people, the sheep of His pasture. His people by creation, His people by redemption, and as His, we're kept, kept by Him, kept by the power of God. safe, safe and secure in his hand. Our Lord speaking in John 10, he said, my sheep, hear my voice. I know them and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish. Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." And if that wasn't enough, he goes on, he said, my father is greater than all. No man, no man is able to pluck them out of my father's hand. Could the believer be any more secure? Does that give you comfort? Can we, just for a little bit, just for a few minutes, can we rest? That's good reason not to fear, isn't it? If we're held in His hands. I can remember as a kid, we walked to church. It wasn't too far from our house. And it was a real wooded area. And I tell you, when I was run a little bit late, I didn't walk. I ran, especially at dark. I was scared to death of every little sound made in the woods. But I tell you what. When my dad was walking with me and holding my hand or had his arm on my shoulder, it could have been a bear running through the woods and it wouldn't have bothered me. How much greater is our Heavenly Father? Safe and secure in His hands. Back in Daniel 3, we looked at this not too long ago, but Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, remember that they refused to bow down to that golden image. And the king told them, he said, I tell you what, I'm gonna give you all, I'm gonna give you a second chance. You've had some time to think about this. And when the music starts playing, you bow down and it'll be well for you, it'll be good for you. If not, he said, I'll cast you into that burning, fiery furnace. And he asked this question. He said, who is that God? What a foolish king. Who is that God that'll deliver you out of my hands? And Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they said, we're not careful, king. We're not careful to answer you in this matter. If it be so, our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning, fiery furnace. And he will. He will deliver us out of thy hand, oh king. We're not. We're not in man's hands. I don't care how powerful men may seem to be, whether that's the president, or the governor, or the mayor, or just go on down the list. The heart of the king, where is it? It's in the hands of the Lord. And he turneth it with us, however he will. The Lord told Pharaoh, remember that back there in the Old Testament? He said, for this reason, for this reason did I raise you up to display my power. Well, we're his clay. We're in his hands to do with us whatsoever he will. He said, thou art mine. Well, back in Isaiah 43, verse 2, he said, when you pass through the waters, I'll be with thee. And you'll notice he doesn't say, if you pass through the waters, when. When you pass through the waters. The religion of this world talks about health and wealth and happiness. In time, God's going to wean us from this world and from the things of this world. He's going to kick that arm of flesh out from underneath us and cause us to rest in him and him alone. and whatever, whatever the case may be, whatever the trouble may be, trouble, sickness, sorrow, the list just goes on and on. He says this, I am with thee. I'll never leave thee, nor forsake thee. How about when we walk through the fire? Temptation, persecution, trials. He said, you'll not be burned. You'll not be consumed by the fire. Remember that there in Exodus when that fire burned? There was flame, but the bush didn't burn. Moses said, let me go up here and see what this is. This bush that's not consumed. In the same manner, the flame will not kindle on God's people. How is that? How is it that we can walk through a fire and not be burned? Christ. Christ in us. Christ in us. When you walk through the fire, no flame will kindle upon you. You know, back there in Daniel, remember that King Nebuchadnezzar, he'd cast those men, he'd cast them into the fire. The flame did not hurt him, did it? He just didn't know what to think. He looked down there and he said, I put three men in, I see four. One like, the fourth like to the Son of God. Christ is with His people. And when they came out, listen, they were loosed, they went inbound, they came out loosed. And there wasn't even a smell of smoke upon them. Well, let's read on here, Isaiah 43 verse 3. Here's another reason not to fear. am the Lord thy God." In verse two we read, thou art mine, I'm his, and in verse three, I am the Lord God, he is mine. Two points, two points here. I couldn't help but think of that hymn, I am his, and he is mine. He is. He is forever, only He is. Who the Lord and me shall part, and with what a rest of bliss Christ can fill the loving heart. Heaven and earth may fade and flee. Firstborn light and bloom decline. But while God and I shall be, I'm His and He is mine. Well, let's read on in our text. I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior. I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee, since thou wast precious in my sight. Thou hast been honorable, I've loved thee." He said, Lord loved his people. He's loved us with an everlasting love. Therefore, he said, well, I give men for thee and people for thy life. Oh, he gave, didn't he? Gave his only begotten son for his people. He that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all. How shall he not with him freely give us all things? Well, and then the sixth reason here, not to fear. Look at Isaiah 43, verse five. Fear not, for I am with thee. He said, I'll never leave you. I'll never forsake you. Turn with me to one more passage of Scripture. Turn to Exodus chapter 14. Exodus 14. Look at verse 13 of Exodus 14. The Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt, out of bondage, and Pharaoh had pursued after them. And when the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, imagine that sight, they saw the Egyptians marching after them. Look at back verse 10. Verse 10, and when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. And they were so afraid, they were scared to death. Do you have times like that? Am I the only one in the room that has times like that? Times of fear, times of trouble, times of sorrow. They were sore afraid. They were exceeding afraid, greatly afraid. What were they afraid of? Afraid of the enemy, right? Fear of what surrounded them. Fear of their inability to do anything about it. Look at verse 13. And Moses said to the people, fear not, stand still, see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you today for the Egyptians whom you've seen today, that enemy, no matter how great it is, you shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you and ye shall hold your peace. Fear not, fear not. See the salvation of the Lord, which he, he will show you. What happened? What happened? Almighty God delivered His people, didn't He? And not only did He deliver them, He destroyed every enemy. The enemy conquered. His people delivered. Is that not what He did for His people on the cross? When He died for His people, when He suffered for His people? He conquered the enemy. And he delivered his people. And then he cried this out, just in case there was, that there'd be no confusion about it. It is finished. Why would we fear? We will, but why would we fear, knowing that he is with us, that God is with us? He told His disciples, He said, Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. I pray He'd enable us not to be fearful, but to rest in Him, to rest in Him, to rest in His grace and mercy, to rest in the finished work of His Son. And knowing this, whatever the case may be, he doeth all things well. All right. Isaac, you come lead us in the closing here.