Lakepointe Church with Josh Howerton

Episode: The One Fact That Will Change Everything About Your Fear | Glad Tidings We Bring

Date: December 7, 2025
Host/Speaker: Josh Howerton (Senior Pastor, Lakepointe Church)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the theme of fear, exploring how the message of Christmas and the arrival of Jesus Christ addresses fearful living. Pastor Josh Howerton unpacks the biblical narrative from Luke 2, the theological concept of atonement, and scriptural evidence for God’s presence, sovereignty, and personal care. He encourages listeners to trade a life driven by fear for one anchored in the reality that “Our Father Eternal Almighty Reigns.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Celebrating What God Has Done (00:00–05:05)

• Josh opens by celebrating recent Lakepointe milestones: record-breaking attendance and nearly 700 first-time faith decisions.
• Honors the unseen service of thousands of volunteers.
• Quote: “What you celebrate, you cultivate. What you fail to celebrate will eventually leave your life.” — Josh Howerton [02:13]

2. Understanding the Core of Christmas: The Four Angelic Announcements (05:05–06:30)

• The Christmas angel’s message delivered four core aspects: Fear Not, Good News, Great Joy, All People.
• These, Josh emphasizes, “are the purpose of Christmas” and form the structure for this series.

3. Fear: Its Prevalence and Nature (06:30–13:25)

• Josh acknowledges how fear — rivaled perhaps only by love — is a driving force in life, especially visible around Christmas.
• Differentiates between being “scared” (a normal, protective feeling) and “fear” (a spiritual force).
• Quote: “Scared is what keeps you from believing the Cowboys are gonna make the playoffs. That’s a joke.” [06:55]
• Explains the spiritual battle: the Holy Spirit speaks peace and promise; the “unholy spirit” (Satan) fosters fear through lies.
• Most of our fears never happen; they are “False Events Appearing Real.”
• Critiques how media, especially cable and online news, weaponizes fear for clicks. Eight years ago, Americans’ top fears were “speaking in public, heights, and spiders”; today, they're much darker and societal.
• Memorable Line: “If it’s quote-unquote free, you’re not the customer — you’re the product. And what they know is that fear drives clicks.” [10:21]

4. Luke 2: The Announcement to Shepherds (13:25–14:50)

• Sets up the biblical narrative: Angels appear to shepherds at night, announcing, “Do not be afraid...I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people.” (Luke 2:10)

Three Reasons Jesus Separates Us from Fear

1. We Do Not Fear Because God Is For Us (14:50–32:32)

• Explains the meaning of “Jesus” (Yeshua) — “Rescuer”— and the theological concept of “atonement.”
• Challenges the idea that theology should be “dumbed down.”
• Quote: “If you can learn the language to order a Starbucks, I can use theological language in church.” [12:45]
• Takes listeners on a “Bible nerd-out” journey through:
  • Genesis 3: The first fear emerges after Adam and Eve sin; God covers them using the skin of an innocent animal (likely a lamb).
  • Abraham & Isaac: Parallels between Isaac carrying wood up the hill and Jesus’ crucifixion. A ram replaces Isaac — again, an innocent substitute.
  • Exodus/Passover: Blood of a spotless lamb on doorposts causes the angel of death to pass over Israelite homes (early image of the cross).
  • Tabernacle/Day of Atonement: High priest enters God’s presence only through an animal’s sacrifice; a thick veil separates people from God.
  • Jesus as the Final Lamb: John the Baptist identifies Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”
  • Crucifixion timings: Jesus dies at 3pm, the moment the Passover lamb is typically slain.
  • Veil torn in two: Jesus’ death removes the separation between humanity and God.
• Memorable Teaching: “Pain didn’t bother Jesus. But one second separated from the presence of the Father causes him to cry out in pain: ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” [25:30]
• Key Insight: The angel announces Jesus to shepherds because they tended temple sacrifices — now rendered obsolete by Christ.

2. We Do Not Fear Because God Is With Us (32:32–39:27)

• The incarnation: “Emmanuel” means “God with us.”
• Quote: “If you ever wondered, I wonder what God’s personality is like? Look at Jesus.” [33:55]
• The presence of God is the chief antidote to fear.
• Josh shares his parenting philosophy: not to deny the reality of darkness/evil, but to raise children of courage who can “vanquish dark things.”
• Personal stories used powerfully:
  • His wife’s cancer diagnosis and healing ([34:42])
  • Infertility, adoption, and naming their daughter Eliana (“God has answered”)
  • Personal insecurities when starting at Lakepointe (“He’s just not Steve”) and seeing God’s sufficiency
  • The certainty of God’s presence, even in death
• Quote: “It’s way easier to see how God was with you when you’re looking backwards through the rear-view mirror than when you’re looking forward through the windshield.” [33:42]

3. We Do Not Fear Because God Is Over All Things (39:27–43:36)

• Jesus is not only “Savior,” but “Christ the Lord” — sovereign over every inch of creation.
• God orchestrated world events (the Roman census) to fulfill prophecy.
• Quote: “There is not one square inch of the universe over which Jesus does not stand and cry, ‘Mine. Mine.’” [39:25]
• Even in circumstances we don’t understand, God is in control.
• Story from “The Hiding Place”: Corrie ten Boom’s sister Betsy gives thanks for fleas in a concentration camp — later learning that the fleas kept guards away and allowed Bible studies.
  • Quote: “The thing that they most wanted God to take away was the thing that God used to lead the entire cell block to Christ.” [43:23]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “What you celebrate, you cultivate. What you fail to celebrate will eventually leave your life.” — Josh Howerton [02:13]

• “Scared is what keeps you from believing the Cowboys are gonna make the playoffs. That’s a joke.” [06:55]

• “Fear is a spirit...Paul tells Timothy: ‘For God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind.’” [07:13]

• “If it’s quote-unquote free, you’re not the customer — you’re the product. And what they know is that fear drives clicks.” [10:21]

• “If you can learn the language to order a Starbucks, I can use theological language in church.” [12:45]

• “Pain didn’t bother Jesus. But one second separated from the presence of the Father causes him to cry out in pain: ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” [25:30]

• “There is not one square inch of the universe over which Jesus does not stand and cry, ‘Mine. Mine.’” [39:25]

• “It’s way easier to see how God was with you when you’re looking backwards through the rear-view mirror than when you’re looking forward through the windshield.” [33:42]

• “The thing that they most wanted God to take away was the thing that God used to lead the entire cell block to Christ.” [43:23]

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Event/Theme | | ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------- | | 00:00–05:05 | Celebration of recent church milestones, serve teams | | 05:05–06:30 | Fourfold angelic Christmas message | | 06:30–13:25 | The prevalence of fear, societal anxiety, theology | | 13:25–14:50 | Luke 2 — Announcement to shepherds | | 14:50–32:32 | How Jesus removes fear: atonement, biblical narrative | | 32:32–39:27 | Emmanuel, God with us, personal anecdotes | | 39:27–43:36 | God’s sovereignty, Corrie ten Boom’s “fleas” story | | 43:36–End | Practical encouragement, “FEAR” acronym, closing prayer |

Concluding Encouragements

• Trade the old definition of FEAR (“False Events Appearing Real”) for a new one:
  “Our Father Eternal Almighty Reigns.” [43:36]
• Remember, God is FOR you, God is WITH you, and God is OVER all things in your life.

Final Prayer (43:36–End)

Josh closes by praying peace for all listening, especially those paralyzed by fear or yet to trust in Christ. He urges listeners to trust “the Lamb that was slain” for removal of sin and reconnection with God.

Takeaways for Listeners

• You are not meant to live in fear if you belong to Christ.
• The Christmas message — and the broader gospel — is that the coming of Jesus addresses our deepest fears: by removing the separation from God, securing His presence with us, and ruling sovereignly over every circumstance.
• Look for God’s presence and sovereignty, even in circumstances you do not understand.
• Let the new acronym of FEAR — “Our Father Eternal Almighty Reigns” — renew your mind when anxious moments arise.

Episode retains Josh Howerton’s passionate, down-to-earth, sometimes humorous tone, making profound theology accessible and personally applicable. Suitable for both newcomers to faith and seasoned believers.