Stop Being Afraid

Introduction

Fear story...

Fear is a common human experience. Often times, it’s understandable.

It’s also often short-lived.

However, what happens when fear grips us in such a way that it becomes debilitating to living our lives, and more importantly, fulfilling God’s call for our life?

Body: Matthew 28:1-10

Building the Context: Matthew 28:1-5

Interesting Greek Note: When the angel says “Do not be afraid” it’s in the present tense. So, in essence, what the angel is saying is: Stop being afraid.

What did they have to be afraid of?

There was an earthquake;

They are seeing an angel;

The Roman soldiers assigned to the tomb were paralyzed with fear;

The male disciples were hiding out, hoping they didn’t get arrested as well;

Their rabbi was dead;

Their hope that Jesus was the Messiah had apparently been dashed.

What didn’t they have to be afraid of!

Key Question: Why are the women encouraged to stop being afraid?

Verse 6 - They could stop being afraid because Jesus is alive, just as He promised.

The angel makes it clear that Jesus isn’t simply missing or gone, but that He actually was raised from the dead, as He promised He would.

But that’s kind of hard to believe!

Matthew and the other Gospel writers knew people would reject the Resurrection. That’s why they show evidences for the Resurrection in their Gospels. ((cell)) In Matthew:

The empty tomb…

The testimony of the women…

The testimony of the guards…

In verse 9 they actually touch Jesus…

Jesus bodily resurrection is the most important teaching of the Christian faith!

1 Corinthians 15:12–20 “Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

Without his bodily resurrection Jesus would still be in a tomb somewhere and all he said about rising from the dead would be false.

Without the bodily resurrection believers would not be justified before God.

Why not? Because Christ death paid the price for sins and his resurrection showed that God had accepted the payment in full. Thus, God’s approval of Christ results is the approval of all who are united with Christ; all those who trust Christ as Lord.

Without the bodily resurrection the sin debt would not be paid in full, and you and I would still be guilty before God.

The Gospel isn’t complete without the Risen Savior!

And since the Savior is Risen, they had no need to fear!

Verse 7 - They could stop being afraid because they would see Jesus again.

This wasn’t some spiritual resurrection where they would simply feel his presence in a stronger way.

They would actually see him, and as we will see in a second, touch him and worship him.

Illustration: When someone dies the greatest desire loved ones have is that they will see them again…

But in this case they wouldn’t have to wait, it would happen soon!

They were being called to have faith, which they were weak at…

But, soon their faith would turn to sight!

Verse 8 - They could stop being afraid because they had reason for great joy.

What is an adjective?

Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns, describing a particular quality of the word.

For example: add the adjective “perfect” to the word “score” and you get “perfect score.”

Notice which word gets the adjective in this verse: joy!

We have an example of great fear; it’s in verse 4…

The women have fear, but they have great joy!

This word ‘great’ in the Greek is μέγας. It’s where we get the English word ‘mega.’

We usually reserve ‘mega’ for really huge things…

So we could say these women fear, but have mega joy!

Verses 9-10 - They could stop being afraid because Jesus had a mission for them.

Twice the women are told to go and give a message to the disciples. Three things to take notice:

The women worship Jesus…

The message was for the ‘brothers.’

Not the backstabbers, the wimps, the losers who deserted me.

In this we see forgiveness and renewed fellowship; not because of them, but because of Jesus love.

The message was to go.

They weren’t to hide out, like they were doing now. They were to go to Galilee where they would receive their marching orders that would forever change their lives.

So What?

What are you afraid of?

Family concerns;

Financial struggles;

Personal struggles;

Health issues;

Financial meltdown;

Political nonsense;

Terrorism & warfare;

Dominance of a post-Christian mindset;

Evil;

Etc…

Why shouldn’t we be afraid?

Because we also have many reasons to have mega joy:

Jesus is the Risen Lord who is alive.

Jesus is Risen…

We say that with a smile on Resurrection Sunday, but how often do we live like we believe that?

Too often we live like Jesus is our favorite philosopher, our favorite teacher, our favorite superhero, but not like our Risen Lord, who is alive today and actively involved our lives!

How would that change the places we go, the things we look at, the way we face challenges, the way we raise our family, the way we love others, the way we use our time, the way we use our money, or the way we participate with his bride, the church?

Those who believe will see Him some day.

We will one day see Him.

At death, or at His return…

Every knee will bow… (Phil. 2:10)

Philippians 2:10 “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,”

However, only His followers will be with Him in Heaven…

Until that time, He has a mission for us.

To bring the Gospel to this community and abroad.

To live as people who have been changed by the Gospel.