Easter Sunday 2026 | Do Not Be Afraid

Introduction

General: What are you afraid of? My fear of dogs story…

Personal: Fear is a major issue in our society.

According to the 2025 Chapman University Survey of Americans’ Fears…

69% fear corrupt government officials

59% fear a loved one becoming seriously ill // 55% fear a loved one dying

58% fear an economic or financial collapse

55% fear WWIII

36% are afraid or very afraid of being murdered

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 22% of adults and 42% of adolescents reported symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder in 2024.

Fear defines our identity… The Enneagram…

You fear being worthless, therefore you desire to feel valuable, and that makes you an Achiever (3).

You fear being unwanted, therefore you desire to feel loved, and that makes you a Helper (2).

You fear not being good enough, therefore you desire to be perfect, and that makes you a Reformer (1).

We are dominated by fear, motivated by fear, defined by fear, controlled by fear, manipulated by fear, exploited through fear… Our decisions are often made out of fear…

Biblical: God does not want us to live in fear!

1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear…”

2 Tim 1:7 (NET), “For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

In the resurrection story in Matt 28, twice we hear the command, “Do not be afraid.”

Subject: How do we live without fear?

Body (Matt 28:1-20, ESV)

Don’t be afraid to believe.

Exposition

Three Evidences

The tomb was empty—that’s why the chief priests bribed the guards to make up a story.

The first eyewitnesses of the resurrection were women… This is simply too embarrassing to invent.

Matt 28:19… Go and make disciples… The Apostles were killed for preaching the resurrection. No one would die for what they know is a lie.

Experience — The angel tells the women not to be afraid, Jesus is alive. But look at Matt 28:8… they’re still afraid… until they meet Jesus. “There is no fear in love…”

Illustration: Evidence or experience? We need both! // As a young adult, I got into a Bible study with some friends, and the truth of Scripture clicked with my experience of God, and my whole world changed.

Application

For seekers: You don’t have to check your brain at the door to follow Jesus.

For believers with doubts: It’s okay! Doubt isn’t the enemy of faith—fear is.

GotQuestions.org

A simple prayer: “God, if you’re real, show me.”

Don’t be afraid to commit.

Exposition

Matt 28:9… they “took hold of his feet and worshiped him.” They were clinging to Jesus. See Josh 22:5… It’s okay to be clingy with Jesus!

Evidence and experience will only take you so far. See Matt 28:16-17.

Evidence is good, but the Enemy will always spread lies to refute the evidence.

Experience is good, but the Enemy will always whisper lies to make you question your experience.

We need evidence and experience, but certainty only comes through commitment.

Illustration: Marriage, feelings come and go, commitment leads to certainty. The dark night of the soul… When you come through the wilderness, your faith has a quiet flex of certainty that only the wilderness could bring. Knowing the love of Christ that is unknowable (through evidence or experience alone).

Application: Commitment means surrendering control // obedience, not just agreement // following Jesus publicly, not just privately.

Reflection: Where am I holding back from Jesus?

A simple prayer: “God, I believe in you, and I give myself to you.”

Don’t be afraid to go.

Exposition (Matt 28:18-20)

Matt 28:18… “All authority…” Matt 28:20… “I am with you…” Present tense!!

Going alone vs. being sent — You don’t have to go through life on your own, in your own strength, on your own authority, by your own power, in your own wisdom, to figure it out on your own. You are going with Jesus, and all power, all wisdom, all knowledge, all strength, and all authority belongs to him. He is always with you.

Psalm 139:7-12…

Illustration: When God calls you to leave your life in Wisconsin and move to the Ozarks of southern Missouri to be the pastor of a church twice the size of the church you’re currently leading… the question isn’t, “Can I do this?” but “Is Jesus with me?”

Application

Whatever life brings: illness, uncertainty, conflict, failure, opportunity, success, loss… Because Jesus lives, you don’t have to live afraid.

A simple daily prayer: “Jesus, where are you sending me today?”

Conclusion

What do you need from Jesus today? Don’t be afraid to ask.

Don’t be afraid to believe.

Don’t be afraid to commit.

Don’t be afraid to go.

Because the tomb is empty, and Jesus is alive.