Sunday is for Celebration Mg 2

Sunday is for Celebration

Sunday Changed Everything.

Matthew 28:1-10

The Driving Force of Fear

Fear is a liar – Zach Williams

When he told you you're not good enough

When he told you you're not right

When he told you you're not strong enough

To put up a good fight

When he told you you're not worthy

When he told you you're not loved

When he told you you're not beautiful

You'll never be enough

Chorus says this

Fear, he is a liar

He will take your breath

Stop you in your steps

Fear, he is a liar

He will rob your rest

Steal your happiness

Cast your fear in the fire

'Cause fear, he is a liar

Rick Warren tells us we can be driven by fear.

This can have negative consequences in our lives

That fear often controls our lives.

We fear the future (retirement)

We fear losing control (“If I can’t control it, I can’t survive it.”)

We become control freaks

We fear because of a past experience

Betrayal – failure – hurt

What if I fail? What will people think?

We fear because we believe a lie.

The Resurrection of Jesus.

The two Mary’s  

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to visit the tomb.

They most likely came to witness and issues. (grave robbers) Matthew 28:11-15

They even have guards posted

What they find is shocking.

Matthew 28:2 (NIV) — 2There 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.

Matthew 28:2 NIV

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.

Matthew 28:3 (NIV) — 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.

Matthew 28:3 NIV

His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.

The guards were so stunned they fainted.

Matthew 28:4 (NIV) — 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

Matthew 28:4 NIV

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

It truly is an amazing set of events.

That Sunday Changed Everything.

Friday looked like the end.

Saturday felt like silence.

But Sunday… rewrote the story.

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Because of Sunday we can survive Friday!

Because of Sunday we can endure Saturday.

But you need Sunday – Why? – Because Sunday changes everything.

Sunday Turns Fear into Faith

God is a supernatural specialist.

What you expect to be dead is not always dead when God is involved.

Imagine the scene –

Matthew 28:2 (NIV) — 2There 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.

Matthew 28:2 NIV

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.

A violent earthquake

An angel of Lord descends from heaven

The angel walks over to the tomb and rolls the stone back.

Then sit on the stone.

It was too much for the guards – They shook with fear and fell “dead”.

Mary and Mary stood there trembling, the guards fainted

But God is already at work.

What can we learn?

“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid”

“Fear is the doorway to faith”

There certainly is a fear of the circumstances surrounding them.

But also, a deeper fear.

A fear of the future? The authorities?

They had put their hopes and dreams in following Jesus.

But he was dead.

The angel gave them hope!

Matthew 28:6 NIV

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

Fear makes us loosen our grip.

You can’t fix it – you can’t stop it – you can’t figure it out.

As long as you think you’re in control, you will not call out for God.

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But fear strips that illusion away.

Fear humbles you enough to look up.

Fear creates a hunger that feeds our faith.

Fear quiets the noise removes the distractions.

Fear is the crossroads – not about me but something greater.

Fear is like grief. You can’t over, under, around, but through it.

And like grief you don’t have to go alone.

Psalm 23:4 NIV

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

The Lord walks through that valley with you!!!

Faith isn’t proven in comfort—it’s proven in fear.

Step pass your fears and walk in faith.

Sunday Changed Everything

Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid”. Verse 10

We have a risen Savior who overcome the cross and the grave.

Romans 8:31 NLT

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

Philippians 4:13 NLT

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

What is the scheme the devil is working in your life to get your eyes off a risen savior?

James 4:7 NLT

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Fear he is a liar!