Fear to Faith

Fear to Faith: The Message of the Risen Christ

Bible Passage: Mark 16:1–8

Summary: In this passage, the women encounter the empty tomb and the angel’s message, shifting from their deep sorrow to a moment of fear and ultimately to a mission of proclaiming the resurrection. This transition highlights the profound impact of the resurrection on their lives and how it compels believers to respond in faith and action.

Application: This sermon serves to encourage believers who may be wrestling with fear or doubt in their faith. By reflecting on the women's experience, Christians are invited to confront their own fears and embrace the call to share the good news of Jesus' resurrection, transforming their uncertainties into testimonies of hope.

Teaching: The teaching emphasizes that fear often precedes faith. The resurrection invites believers not only to overcome their fears but also to step into their roles as messengers of hope, demonstrating that faith is an active response to God’s promises rather than a passive acceptance.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the broader biblical context, the resurrection serves as a definitive declaration of Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. It fulfills Old Testament prophecy and reinforces God’s faithfulness to His promises, revealing Christ as the cornerstone of our faith and the reason for our hope.

Big Idea: The resurrection transforms fear into faith, empowering believers to boldly share the hope found in Christ's victory over death and igniting a mission to proclaim His message to the world.

Recommended Study: As you prepare, consider utilizing your Logos library to investigate the historical context of women's roles in the early church and their significance as the first witnesses of the resurrection. Look into commentaries that assess the implications of the angel's proclamation and how it relates to the broader theme of fear and faith in the Gospels. Exploring the cultural backdrop can also provide insights into the transformative power of the resurrection on both personal and communal faith journeys.

New International Version (2011) Chapter 16

16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

6 “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. 7 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.’ ”

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

Knee weak. palms are sweat, what he spoke we keep on forgetting, Doubt grow so loud, is over now, did lose ourself...

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1. Surprising Stone Shifted

Mark 16:1-3

But barrier was just the beginning,

The Men in a room afraid,

They were afraid if they were found out they would have been killed

They were cowering in the corner of the upper room

And it might have been because these women where not seen as threats

It Might have been in this time the heat had died

It Might have been because God has a habit to use the weak to confound the wise

Because God would have not used women as proof

Just Like the women at the well after she told people of the village the messiah had come they didn’t believe her and they had find out for themselves..

Because then women are not to be believed

God is the Business of using the least

David vs. Goliath: A young shepherd defeats a giant warrior—not by strength, but by faith.

Jesus’ Disciples: Mostly uneducated men who became pillars of the early church.

The Cross: Seen as foolishness by the world, yet it is the power of God for salvation (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Like David when he came up with that Rock against the Giant

Like Gideon’s Army 32000, 10000, to 300 to God his victory

Like Taylor Avenue against the dark that is present in the City Of Racine

When we look at the stone as the first Challenge

See they were worried about the Stone that is an Earthly barrier

So Many Times we end up the same way worrying our Earthly situation when God has it all

When it can to the earthly barriers

Of the Doors,

When it come to the earthly barriers know that God was made a way

When This curtain separated the Holy of Holies—the most sacred part of the temple—from the rest of the sanctuary. Only the high priest could enter, and only once a year.

Significance: Its tearing at the moment of Jesus’ death symbolizes that access to God is now open to all, not just the religious elite.

Divine act: The curtain was massive and thick, and it tore “from top to bottom,” indicating that it was God who tore it—not man.

Fulfillment: This event fulfills the purpose of Jesus’ sacrifice—to remove the barrier between humanity and God and establish a new covenant.

We should know that the stone stood as no Challenge for the Rock that the builders rejected which has become our corner stand of our faith

We look at this rock and unlike Moses we no longer strike this rock but we ask this Rock to give us water and he does

Is a Metaphor for the God that the came close and took on flesh

But barrier was just the beginning

2. Astonishing Angel Appearance

Mark 16:4-5

They looked at the issue and it was gone

They walked in to do what they wanted to do

and they Become afraid

Before now these women were bold

Before now these women were fearless

They had no shame or fear for taking care of this Jesus

But God

See it might have started off being afraid of the Angel just showing up out no where

But as they were leaving with the message the reality sat in

He was who he said he was

I touched God,

I walked with God

I had been in the presents of God

And went with Trembling and bewilderment

Perhaps focus on the astonishment of seeing the empty tomb and encountering the angel. God's messengers often bring news that confronts our fears and preconceived notions. Highlight how the presence of the divine at times of fear reveals God's closeness and care, suggesting to believers that when we feel most afraid, God is already present with peace and reassurance. Encourage the congregation to recognize divine intervention in their moments of fear, seeing God's presence as a source of courage.

3. Compelling Commissioning Call

Mark 16:6-7

Maybe examine the angel's message, the command to share the news of the resurrection. Draw parallels to how the resurrection is not only a historical event but a personal one that reshapes identity and purpose. Emphasize that receiving the news of the resurrection propels believers from fear to faith, as it did for the women. Encourage the audience that sharing their stories of faith conquered, as the women did, becomes part of their transformation and mission.

4. Fearful Yet Forward Moving

Mark 16:8

You could conclude by discussing the women's initial fear and hesitation, acknowledging that fear is a natural response to divine encounters and unknown futures. However, faith compels action despite fear. Encourage believers to find strength in faith to move from fear to action. Their initial fear underscores that moving from fear to faith is a journey, and the resurrection is the catalyst for stepping into the mission of proclaiming Jesus' victory over death.