Should I Be Afraid Of The Dark?

Let’s stand as you are able as we read God’s word

“When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.” (Revelation 1:12–18, NLT)

Christ is risen!

Anyone afraid of the dark when you were a kid? You needed a nightlight or the closet light on before you could fall asleep? I can remember waiting until my parents were asleep and then sneaking into their bed. I’d put my arm on my dad. Knowing he was near let me fall asleep.

Anyone willing to own up to still being a little afraid of the dark? Darkness evokes some of our primal fears. Our monsters live in the dark. Our imaginations work overtime as soon as the lights go out.

Besides darkness, what are other universal fears?

Death - Painful death, Death by fire, Death by driving with your nearsighted grandma

Heights - specifically, falling from a great height, worse, falling from a great height while on fire

Water - my mom was terrified of water, never filled the tub. Sharks

Land critters - Spiders, Snakes, Mice

Being trapped somewhere - cave or collapsed building

The unknown

Your doctor using the “C” word

Your company downsizing

The Razorbacks having another losing season

Failure

Rejection

Public speaking - while falling from a great height - on fire!

Franklin Roosevelt famously said, “The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.” Maybe he’s on to something. Modern psychologists have discovered that all humans share in five basic fears out of which all our other fears are manufactured. Based on the work of Karl Albrecht, those fears are:

Extinction - not just death but ceasing to “be”

Mutilation - not only losing an essential body part but also having your body’s boundaries invaded - the fear of the unknown springs from this

Loss of autonomy - this includes fears of being immobilized, trapped, paralyzed, imprisoned, or any other loss of control

Separation - this goes beyond just the fear of abandonment or rejection, but the fear of becoming a non-person, unwanted and unvalued

Ego-death - fear of humiliation and shame or profound disapproval that brings our lovability and worthiness into question

As I said, all other fears spring in some way from these five basic ones. But where does this leave us when the lights go out?

We’ve been exploring the meaning of the resurrection of Jesus for our life right now. If the resurrection proves his victory over the grave, does it actually change how we handle the fearful things— people, 'what-ifs,' shadows—that keep us up at night? If Jesus truly walked out of the tomb, Should I Be Afraid Of The Dark? Is there anything we should be afraid of, or is Teddy R. right in saying the only thing to fear is fear?

More personally, what do you fear?

If there was a way to have all your fears removed in an instant, would you take it? The Bible claims that there is one thing you can do that has the power to take away all your fears, and the answer might be surprising.

Pray

Come, Holy Spirit!

Pray for the sick, those who are facing the end of life, those who love them and carry the burden.

Pray for those who are missing bc of illness, travel, spiritual attack, or personal drought.

Pray for those who we know who are far from God.

Show us where you are at work in our city and help us to join you there.

Lord Jesus, you are the way, the truth, and the life. Help us to know you and to follow in your steps. Amen.

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We’re not 100% sure who wrote Revelation. Some early church father’s claimed it was John the apostle. Other’s said it was an elder from Ephesus named John. That shouldn’t bother us. We have the inspired Bible God wanted us to have.

Whoever this John is, we’re told that he has been exiled to the isle of Patmos because his proclamation of Jesus as King is stirring up trouble. As he is worshipping on the Lord’s day he hears someone speaking to him, and when he turns he sees “one like the Son of Man”. His right hand holds the lampstands that represent the churches of Asia Minor, he’s wearing a royal robe, his hair is gleaming white, his eyes appear to be on fire, his feet are shining. But most staggering was the Voice - louder than violent ocean waves during a hurricane.

And so he does the only reasonable thing. He essentially faints. His reaction is not worship. It’s abject fear. Weak-kneed, pee-your-pants kind of fear. It’s the fear Isaiah experienced when he saw a revelation of God on his throne and cries ““Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”” (Isaiah 6:5, NIV) It’s always a terrifying thing to be in the presence of divinity.

When John sees this vision, he realizes that he is in the presence of someone who should be feared. That the one addressing him literally holds his life - and more, his eternity - in his hands.

Is there anything we should fear?

John is looking at him. Here is the one we should all fear.

But then this one does the most surprising thing. He say’s “Don’t be afraid!” In saying this he unwinds and disarms every fear known to humankind. He says,

Don’t be afraid of separation. This figure does something incredibly intimate. He reaches out and offers … a touch. And in that touch John is assured that he is accepted, wanted, and valued.

You might recall someone else we read and sing about who was known for his touch - of bleeding women, of the blind and lame, of lepers, of all those who society saw as value-less. This one’s touch raises you out of the dirt and says you matter. So don’t be afraid.

Don’t be afraid of the loss of autonomy. Not only does this Son of Man figure touch John, but notice which hand. His right hand. This is the hand that signified strength and power, the hand holds the church, the hand that literally holds the cosmos together.

When we feel powerless, trapped, and paralyzed. When we acutely feel the loss of control over our life and situation, this one reminds you that while it may be outside your control, nothing is outside his. So don’t be afraid.

Don’t be afraid of mutilation. Remember, this isn’t just about losing a body part. It’s fear of the unknown happening to you. But the one appearing to John assures him that “I am the First and the Last”. He stands over and outside time and holds it all together

The fear of the unknown can produce constant dread in our lives. The feeling of impending doom. It keeps you from enjoying anything good in your life bc you’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop. But this One speaking to John says that no part of history is outside him - including the future. He holds your unknown firmly. So don’t be afraid.

Don’t be afraid of the death of your ego. We fear being shamed by others. We fear their disapproval. The fear of man keeps us bound up on the inside, afraid to do the right thing bc of what others might say. At the same time, deep down, we know we have things we should be ashamed of. Things that we know were wrong. We carry a sense of being under judgment and deserving of punishment.

But now John, if he wasn’t sure before, starts to get a clearer picture of who is talking to him. He describes himself as “the Living One”. He is One who died - but who is now alive again. This figure is revealing himself as someone you may have heard of before who loved people so much that he chose to take the death punishment of wrongdoing on our behalf. All so that we could be forgiven and free, without any condemnation. That’s who is speaking now to John. So don’t be afraid.

Don’t be afraid of extinction. The author of Hebrews says that “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:14–15, NIV)

Death is the great enemy. It is the oldest fear held by humans. Everyone at some point fears death. But now here stands one who has gone into death - just like us. And it couldn’t contain him. In dying he gained the keys to unlock death and the afterlife. He alone has the power to release us from death and the place of the dead. When death comes calling, this one jangles the keys to the grave to remind it that its power is broken.So don’t be afraid.

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Spoiler alert. The one speaking to John is Jesus! And over against all the universal human fears that afflict us, the risen Jesus says they are not worthy of your fear. In fact, here is what Jesus says to fear: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28, NRSV)

But here’s the surprising good news - There is only one being in the universe that should be feared, and he said “don’t be afraid”.

I asked at the beginning that if there was a way to have all your fears removed in an instant, would you take it. Here is the solution: The proper fear of God removes the need to fear anything else. The proper fear of God puts all other fears into perspective. The proper fear of God breaks the grip that the fear of people’s disapproval, the fear of the unknown, the fear of death has over you.

Proverbs claims that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10, NIV) Fearing God to our ears implies cowering or expecting a blow. This is called servile fear - the fear of a slave in the face of a cruel master. It is the fear of punishment.

But the Bible paints the fear of Lord much differently. It’s closer to profound reverence mixed with a healthy done of reality. It’s like standing before the Grand Canyon. You’re not afraid that it is going to “get you”. But you are acutely aware of it’s power, it’s size, and your own smallness in comparison.

This is called filial fear. It’s the healthy respect given to someone who is ultimately powerful yet at the same time absolutely committed to your welfare at his own expense. Of someone who holds the whole universe in his hands, yet invites you to come and sit on his lap. And as you sit there you realize there is nothing to fear.

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The apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31, NLT) Or as the Psalmist proclaims, “The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” (Psalm 118:6, NLT)

If this is all true, then what are you afraid of? What fears is the enemy using to hold you back?

Is a sense of shame or unworthiness keeping you from fully turning toward God, afraid of what you might see? The one who holds the stars in his hand looks at you in love and welcomes you. Have you ever responded to his invitation?

Is there a vision you’re carrying in your heart that you believe is from God but afraid to go for it because of possible failure?

Is it fear over what people think of you if you don’t satisfy their demands and expectations?

Is there a sense of impending doom or dread over your life that is robbing you of joy?

Are you afraid to die?

We spend our lives bowing down to small, petty terrors that don't deserve our worship. Today, trade them in. Trade the fear of man for the fear of God. Trade the 'what-ifs' of the world for the 'I Am' of the Gospel.

Don’t be afraid of the dark. Christ is risen! The Light has come. There is only one who should be feared, and he said don’t be afraid. Amen.

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Communion

Invite people to stand.

Step down to the table

Invite Communion/ministry team forward.

Every Sunday we come to this table to take part in a meal Jesus gave us. Jesus said the elements of bread and wine are his body and blood, true food and true drink. They are a grace given to us for our spiritual nourishment.

This One who conquered death and the grave presides at this meal, banishing our fears of death and punishment. His body and blood provide all that is needed for your forgiveness. Have you ever accepted Jesus’ offer for a new life? Take the next step.

If you would like to participate in this memorial meal, after I pray step into the nearest aisle. Someone at the front will take a piece of bread dipped in wine and offer it to you as the body and blood of Jesus. If you prefer not to have wine, close your hands together and that will be the sign for them to give you a sealed container with grape juice and a wafer.

Ministry prayer...

Let us pray.

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

All: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, faithfulness, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

Invite the worship team to receive Communion first and then everyone else.