We spend so much of our time in fear, fear of snakes, spiders, of failing and success, fear of marrying, fear of not having children and then not being able to raise them. Fear of being able to get a job then fear of keeping one.
Fear:
is an emotion induced by a perceived threat which causes a change in brain and organ function and ultimately a change in behavior such as running away/hiding/freezing from traumatic events. Fear may occur in response to a specific stimulus happening in the present or to a future situation which is perceived to be a risk of health, life status, power security, or in the case of human wealth or anything held valuable. The fear response arise from a perception of danger leading to confrontation with or escape from the threat, which in extreme cases of fear can cause horror and terror and a freeze response or paralysis.
The only real deal is the deal that Jesus came and brought when he came into this world. To bring life to death, to bring hope to despair, to bring joy to sadness.
God sent his son into a world that was dying. A world that was living in darkness and despair so they might have light and life so that they might know what joy is all about. He sent his son into the world to die and rise again and to show us that the grave is nothing more than a gateway.
The Resurrection Renders Fear A Needless Reaction
If death is behind every fear, then the resurrection say what?
You no longer need to fear. Because if Jesus could die and raise himself from the dead how much easier would it be for him to raise the dead unto himself...
The truth from the resurrection is this... We have nothing to fear
Matthew 28
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week,
that is why we celebrate Sunday it was considered the first day of the week. And it was just at that time.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.
The angel did not roll back the stone so Jesus could get out he was already out. They rolled back the stone so his followers could get in and see the reality of the resurrection.
3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The world might of shook for a moment but these guys were shaken for a lifetime. It was their job to make sure the stone did not move. they were shaking because of what was happening.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.
We were told that the soldiers were the ones shaken to the point of being paralyzed and yet who do the angels bring comfort to? To the women. Why? "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus" There is not much comfort you can offer to people who are not looking for Jesus. There is not much comfort you can offer to people who only care about the material world and about their lives and what they have, the only comfort you can bring is to those who are looking for Jesus in their lives because when they are looking to him you can find the reality that all is well your soul, all is well with your life. Fear has risen in our country over the last 30 to 40 years. Fear has risen as faith has declined in our country. Do you think that is a mistake? Not at all. To have a faith that helps you overcome fear, that is powerful/significant. People without it there is nothing left to do but shake and become paralyzed because your life hangs in the balance.
The angels did not say to the soldiers 'do not be afraid' because their minds were earth bound, they had no trust or belief in God so they had plenty to be afraid of.
Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.
Jesus ministry began in Galilee. Galilee was not an overly important region. He is the same today as he was yesterday and will be forever. That is why we don't live in fear, because there is only one constant in this world and he is the one that holds it.
There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy,
In their flesh yes they were shaking. They have never seen this before
When you live with Faith
you live with Trust, Assurance, Power and Hope
When you live with Fear
you live with Suspicion, Insecurity, Helplessness, and Despair
and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”
The soldiers ran to the chief priests because they were afraid of loosing their lives, jobs, reputations. They had just experienced the power of the resurrection and yet they had so trained their minds so that the things of this world and man mattered more than God. Man runs to man when they live in fear and the only thing that man can do is devise corrupt ways of dealing with fear.
15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
From that very day to this day people has circulated all kinds of stories to kill the resurrection. You can go to all kinds of countries and hear people circulation trying to kill faith and reinstall fear.
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
What is Jesus saying? I don't want you living in anxiety, I want you to live in activity, living in the power of the resurrection not in the fear of regression. Take what you have seen not make it an object of fascination but an object of proclamation, go out and tell others that they might not live in fear, guilt, condemnation. Live in assurance that I'm am with you to the very end of age.
The Power of the resurrection:
We need to focus
I. Endings As Beginnings
What we see as the end of our lives is truly the beginning of our lives. What we see as the passing of one thing is the beginning of another. Death is just a doorway.
II. Obstacles As Miracles
Look at the tomb talk about an obstacle you would need about a dozen or so men to move the stone. Then you would have to get past guards and even with all of that how would you raise the dead? Miracles are when the vertical invades the horizontal. When God does what we can't do. What we see as impossible, God makes possible and passable
III. Loss As Longing
You lose people you care about and you can live with that sense of loss and yet the truth is that sense of loss is really a sense of longing not to lose again. A longing that one day God will replace that sense of instability with stability. When we grieve the loss of a loved one it's really a great longing for the one who loves us a the most. Because their love is just a glimpse of the greater love that God has for us.
IV. Promises As Power
Jesus came into this world to bring an end to fear and a beginning to a life of assurance and hope.
As you live your life this year...
every time you feel fearful think of the resurrection... every time you're never gonna find a job again I want you to think about how Christ rose from the dead his promise to raise you, how he has promised to be with you right now and to the very end.
Whatever you fear this year see it as a needless reaction because of the resurrection.
Notes taken by: lorelllawrence@comcast.net
Any errors or miscommunication please refer to me not the pastor, the intent is for you to have the notes for review in the series, also to reflect on during the week.
God Bless,