What are you afraid of? There’s good fear and bad fear, and Jesus came to remove the “bad fear.” On this first Sunday after Easter, Pastor Jim preached on this topic. His text was from John 20:19-23, where Jesus suddenly appears in the midst of the disciples who were hiding behind locked doors.
To find out more, click the following “Play” button to start the sermon (from the 9:30 service) and then scroll down to follow along….
Click the following drop down box to see the scripture…
John 20:19-23
20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” NKJV
What are YOU afraid of? There are a lot of things in this life that arouse our natural defense mechanisms, and there are things that lock us into inaction. Here are a few phobias that paralyze many people…
We’ve all experienced fear at one time or another. Someone wrote that “Fear is the oldest and strongest emotion of mankind.” Columnist Dave Barry wrote,
“All of us are born with a set of instinctive fears- of falling, of the dark, of lobsters, of falling on lobsters in the dark.. and of the words “Assembly Required!”
A lady sitting next to him at a dinner noticed that the aged bishop was agitated and muttering to himself, “It’s come at last; I can’t feel a thing. It’s finally happened; I’m paralyzed!”
Kindly, the woman asked the muttering old man what was wrong. “I’ve been pinching my leg for the last five minutes and I can’t feel a thing,” he replied. “I must be paralyzed.”
The woman answered with a bashful smile on her face, “It’s all right, your grace. It’s my leg that you’ve been pinching.”
Fear!!!
We can laugh about some of our fears. Some fears are legitimate. Certainly if you fear stepping out in front of a bus, that’s a good fear. But many fears are not based on true risks. Phobias and fears like those mentioned above can paralyze us. They can rob us of all peace and of any attention on the things that God has called us to be and to do.
Just like the Israeli army when one man… named Goliath… held the whole nation paralyzed.
In our own time, what about the fear of money (or the lack thereof)? It can paralyze us.
The Disciples Had Reason to Fear…
The disciples on the evening of that first Easter were afraid (John 20:19). And not without reason. They were confused. They had witnessed the cruel death of Jesus on the cross. John and Peter saw the open tomb, but they didn’t really understand what was going on (John 20:9). In fact, Peter later took off and went back to his former job of fishing.
And it wasn’t so far fetched to think that they were in danger, so the disciples locked themselves behind closed doors. The religious authorities had been out to get Jesus for months, repeatedly seeking ways to get rid of this troublemaker; trying to trap Him into making statements that they could use against Him. And they got what they wanted: they hung Jesus on a cross. Could the disciples be next? Locking the doors wasn’t such a bad idea afterall.
But.. who else was in that room? Judas had betrayed Jesus. Could the disciples even trust each other? Which of those other 11 disciples (or others in that room) might be the next to give into the religious leaders? Could it be John? Maybe Thomas’ doubts caused him to turn sides. What about Phillip- could he be next???
The Disciples Had Reason to Hope…
The disciples were behind locked doors “for fear of the Jews.” The Archbishop of Dublin was pinching himself in fear, but the disciples were really in a paralyzed state behind their locked doors.
But the keys to the locked doors and the ability to get up and walk through them were available to them.
- Jesus had warned them what was going to happen (John 14:1). But He also assured them that they didn’t have to get upset and worry. They could trust God.
- Locked doors and fear can’t keep Jesus away! In John 20:19 Jesus suddenly appears. And the first thing Jesus addressed was their fear: “Jesus came and stood among them. Peace be with you“, He said. Then He repeated… “Peace be with you!” (John 20:21)
- Jesus’ presence is Promised! In Matthew 18:20 Jesus said “For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them.” Jesus came in through the locked doorS. Nothing could or will keep Him out.
- Jesus’ Presence is Proved! In John 20:20 the disciples’ vision is made clear when Jesus shows them the deep wounds in His hands and the gash in His side. And Jesus’ message- in spite of all the stuff that is threatening them- is simply, “Be at peace. Relax. Don’t be afraid! I am with you.”
- God’s Presence is Perfect! Years ago, God said the same thing to the Israelites: “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10). God’s strong right hand upholds us (see Pastor Jim’s 9/7/14 sermon, “ET Meets Michelangelo“).
The Resurrection Turns the Key and Drives out Fear!
The resurrection changes everything! Where there was despair and fear, there is now hope and comfort. 1 John 4:18 tells us the God’s “Perfect love drives out fear.” We don’t have to be paralyzed with fear. We don’t have to keep pinching ourselves because we’re afraid we’ll get stuck!
The familiar words of Psalm 23 tells us to fear no evil….
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
NKJV
The risen Christ brings us peace when we fear the day of our death, or when we stand at the open grave of a loved one. It is natural and normal for us to have this kind of fear, but ever riding this fear is the sure knowledge that when we pass through the dark valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4) we will enter a glorious new life in eternity. Because of the resurrection, even death can’t keep us paralyzed behind locked doors!
Times of crisis, doubt, and confusion will come. But because of the resurrection, they won’t paralyze us. A lot of things will threaten us: threats to personal safety, threats to career paths, threats to the happiness of our families, threats to our financial security, threats to our health. We may be frightened by sickness or by aging.
But- because of the resurrection- in every moment, in every case, Our Savior appears to us as one who offers us His peace. He is the One who comes through locked doors and lovingly assures the terrified, “Peace be with you!!!” (John 20:19, John 20:21).
In John 14:27 Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.”
Over and over, God has told us to not be afraid. Over and over He assures us that He brings peace…
We can escape the locked doors of our fear. We can leave the security and comfort of our church and go wherever Jesus is leading us. The resurrection changes everything!
Something I found our recently is that sunflowers continue tracking the sun’s direction even after the sun sets. Through 360 degrees, they ensure that they are always oriented in the direction of the sun.
Their unity is totally dependent on one thing: Their relationship to the sun.
The wordplay is obvious but true: Are we driven by our relationship to the Son???
Are you paralyzed by fear? Are you trapped in your comfort zone? Turn your eyes upon Jesus, and the things (and fears) of this earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glorious face.”
Christ is Risen!!!
Quiz Time!
As you reflect on what you’ve just heard/read, give this quiz a try. If you don’t understand an answer (or if you disagree with the “correct” answer, post a comment)…
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