Resurrection: When Fear Locks Us In 03/15/2020

Pastor Pete Hartwig

Sermon Notes

SLIDE: Resurrection: When fear locks us in

 

Verses about – be strong and courageous

God has not given us a spirit of fear…

Fear not… most given command!

 

SLIDE: The Easter story and fear

 

Matthew 28   Jesus has risen

The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 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.”

 

SLIDE: Matthew 28:8  So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

 

Conflicted –

 

Mark 16: “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

 

THE REST OF MARK is added later…

 

Luke 24: Jesus Appears to the Disciples

36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

 

SLIDE: John 20:19-20  Jesus Appears to His Disciples

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

 

Doors locked out of wisdom  

different than locked out of fear.

 

the Jews conspired with the Romans to kill Jesus.

THEY WOULD BE NEXT!

 

SLIDE: Locked the doors for fear of ____________.

 

Fear – when the unexpected and unplanned happens.

 

Unprepared:  BUY vans loads of toilet paper

 

UVA closing?

 

 

When you cannot see what is happening

Or – where this is going…

 

HEADLIGHTS –  Drill – kit… amazing change.

I saved lives! 

 

The conversation in the locked room…

No one is immune to this!

 

Jesus now has a body that is the same but different

He had walks through walls

Jesus can be in places where no one else can go because he can do things no else can do.

He can reach us when everyone else is locked in as well

COVID-19 gathering

Jesus showed them his hands and his side

“peace” –

“The wounds of his apparent defeat are now the proof of Christ’s victory.”

The things that killed him …

 

they are overjoyed –

Emotional response to Jesus… NOT true faith in Him

 

SLIDE: John 20:26-27 Doubting Thomas   

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

THE REST OF THE STORY…

A few months later…

SLIDE: Acts 2:42-47 The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

 

SLIDE: FEET TO YOUR FAITH

  1. Acknowledge your fear and admit it locks you in
  2. Commit to seeing Jesus clearly

SLIDE: Journeying with Jesus 

  1. Love your

SLIDE: Pastoral Helpline 434-260-1053

  1. Be prayerfully open to the Holy Spirit

 

 

Spiritual, Prayer, health, financial, physical,

Our your neighbors have a need.

 

We are committed to handling each need and meeting them as God supplies.

 

  1. Commit to seeing Jesus clearly

 

SLIDE: Journeying with Jesus pic  – YouVersion Daily Devotional

 

 

Get outside of your fears, trust the resurrected Jesus and show love to our neighbors