Do Not Fear

The sermon opens with a personal anecdote from Pastor Ricardo Rivera about his common name and how his mother taught him that one's name is the only thing others cannot take away. However, the pastor lost his name once when he failed in a specific situation. From there, he introduces three things God proclaimed to Israel when they were afraid before upcoming trials, particularly before Babylon's conquest. God used the prophet Isaiah to remind the people that they would have to pass through water, rivers, and fire, but He would redeem them.

The second section develops the first idea: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you." The pastor explains that the word "redeem" means "to buy back something that has been lost by paying a ransom" or "to pay the price necessary to release a condemned criminal." God paid the price for Israel's redemption by giving other nations to King Cyrus. Applying this to today, the pastor asks listeners whether they are enslaved to fear, sin, or uncertainty. God wants them to know that He redeemed them when they accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, and He continues to redeem them whenever they fall into the hands of any enemy. God paid the price for redemption even though they are unworthy.

The third section explains the second idea: "Do not fear, for I have given you a new name." The pastor describes how the Israelites named their children according to circumstances of birth, character, or historical events. God changed Jacob's name (the deceiver) to Israel (meaning "God conquers, rules, or heals"). People who accept Jesus Christ also receive new names: the redeemed, the beloved, the victorious, the bride of Christ, the saints. We are Christians, created in God's image to shine in a dark world. The pastor challenges listeners whether they live according to the new name God gave them or whether they have allowed the world and the enemy to convince them they will never achieve it.

The fourth section develops the third idea: "Do not fear, because you belong to Me." Israel did not choose God, but God chose Israel. The prophets remind the people that they are God's chosen people, called from the end of the earth. Similarly, believers today are also chosen and elected by God. We are the body of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and God's possession. Therefore, we should not fear anything, because God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, and He will also give us all things along with Him. The pastor calls believers to act like those who belong to God because the world is looking in them for reasons to hope.

The sermon concludes with a humorous story about an elderly woman who frightened a thief by shouting "Acts 2:38" (which the thief mistakenly understood as "an ax and two pistols"), followed by Martin Luther's observation about how God and the devil use opposite tactics regarding fear. The pastor summarizes the three main truths and encourages listeners to hear and believe God's word to receive encouragement as they leave the church.