Frozen In Fear

In January 2012, the luxury cruise ship the Costa Concordia ran aground and sank off the coast of Italy. According to CNN, the ship's captain, Francesco Schettino was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his part in the accident which killed 32 people. The court charged Captian Schettino not only with running the ship into the rocks, but they also charged him with abandoning ship.

You don't even have to be a ship's captain to know that the maritime rule that the "captain always goes down with the ship."

However, Captain Schettino left the ship with over 100 people still on board. The coast guard contacted him by radio and told him to return to the ship. When he refused, the coast guard began yelling at him to go back to the ship.

In January 2012, the luxury cruise ship the Costa Concordia ran aground and sank off the coast of Italy. According to CNN, the ship's captain, Francesco Schettino was sentenced to 16 years in prison for his part in the accident which killed 32 people. The court charged Captian Schettino not only with running the ship into the rocks, but they also charged him with abandoning ship.

However, Captain Schettino left the ship with over 100 people still on board. The coast guard contacted him by radio and told him to return to the ship. When he refused, the coast guard began yelling at him to go back to the ship.

The prosecution charged that Schettino was acting in a cowardly manner. The captain's lawyer claimed that the captain accidentally fell into a lifeboat, and believed that he could better direct the rescue efforts on land.

Lord Winston, a British professor of science and society at Imperial College, London offered a third explanation. Because every captain knows that he is required to remain on board the ship until evacuation is complete, Winston proposed that the captain of the Costa Concordia froze in the ensuing panic.

The prosecution charged that Schettino was acting in a cowardly manner. The captain's lawyer claimed that the captain accidentally fell into a lifeboat, and believed that he could better direct the rescue efforts on land.

You don't even have to be a ship's captain to know that the maritime rule that the "captain always goes down with the ship."

The response to "freeze" in an emergency is biologic, according to Winston, much like the proverbial deer in the headlight. Often predatory animals see and react to motion, so sometimes one response to danger might be to remain still. For example, when attacked by a bear, instead of running, you should play dead. So according to this psychologist, the captain was essentially "frozen in fear" and could not aid in the rescue of his passengers because the situation was too mentally overwhelming.

Lord Winston, a British professor of science and society at Imperial College, London offered a third explanation. Because every captain knows that he is required to remain on board the ship until evacuation is complete, Winston proposed that the captain of the Costa Concordia froze in the ensuing panic.

Winston also pointed out that the captain was still in the wrong. He was just offering a scientific explanation for what happened. It is not just a ship's captain, but many people need to react and not freeze in an emergency. It is essential that people in positions of responsibility, like an airline pilot or a doctor or soldier, need to be able to act calmly and carefully in the middle of an emergency to save lives. They must train specifically for emergencies so that they can overcome this potential to freeze because lives depend on their ability to act swiftly and with authority in an emergency.

However, Captain Schettino left the ship with over 100 people still on board. The coast guard contacted him by radio and told him to return to the ship. When he refused, the coast guard began yelling at him to go back to the ship.

The response to "freeze" in an emergency is biologic, according to Winston, much like the proverbial deer in the headlight. Often predatory animals see and react to motion, so sometimes one response to danger might be to remain still. For example, when attacked by a bear, instead of running, you should play dead. So according to this psychologist, the captain was essentially "frozen in fear" and could not aid in the rescue of his passengers because the situation was too mentally overwhelming.

In this morning's Scripture text, Jesus shows the apostles that they have a responsibility that surpasses life and death. The responsibility entrusted to the disciples is placing people's eternity in their hands, and they do not have an option to paralyzed by fear.

Let me pray, before we go to God's word this morning.

Winston also pointed out that the captain was still in the wrong. He was just offering a scientific explanation for what happened. It is not just a ship's captain, but many people need to react and not freeze in an emergency. It is essential that people in positions of responsibility, like an airline pilot or a doctor or soldier, need to be able to act calmly and carefully in the middle of an emergency to save lives. They must train specifically for emergencies so that they can overcome this potential to freeze because lives depend on their ability to act swiftly and with authority in an emergency.

The prosecution charged that Schettino was acting in a cowardly manner. The captain's lawyer claimed that the captain accidentally fell into a lifeboat, and believed that he could better direct the rescue efforts on land.

The prosecution charged that Schettino was acting in a cowardly manner. The captain's lawyer, claimed that the captain accidentally fell into a lifeboat, and believed that he could better direct the rescue efforts on land.

Heavenly Father we come to in the name of Jesus. Father, we come to you as people who desire to know more about you. Father make us willing to learn and be changed. Father teach us by your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

In this morning's Scripture text, Jesus shows the apostles that they have a responsibility that surpasses life and death. The responsibility entrusted to the disciples is placing people's eternity in their hands, and they do not have an option to paralyzed by fear.

Turn with me to John chapter 20, beginning at verse 19.

Lord Winston, a British professor of science and society at Imperial College, London offered a third explanation. Winston knew that every captain knows that he is supposed to remain on board until the ship is evacuated. This is one of the first things you learn as a captain of even a small passanger vessel. Winston proposed that the captain of the Costa Concordia simply froze in the heat of the moment.

Lord Winston, a British professor of science and society at Imperial College, London offered a third explanation. Because every captain knows that he is required to remain on board the ship until evacuation is complete, Winston proposed that the captain of the Costa Concordia froze in the ensuing panic.

Let me pray, before we go to God's word this morning.

John 20:19 NIV

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

.

Heavenly Father we come to in the name of Jesus. Father, we come to you as people who desire to know more about you. Father make us willing to learn and be changed. Father teach us by your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

It is Easter Sunday night, and the disciples are together. John does not record exactly which disciples were there, but we do know that Thomas was not there, from verse 24, and Judas was not there. Most likely there were at least 10, but it could be more, in any case, other than the fact that Thomas is missing it does not appear to be significant other than a group of Jesus's followers were gathered behind locked doors.

The reponse to freeze in emergency is biologic, according to Winston, like the deer in the headlight. Often predatory animals see and react to motion. For example, when attacked by a bear, instead of running, play dead. So accoding to this psycologist, the captain was essentialy "frozen in fear" and could not aide in the rescue of his passengers becasue the situation was too mentally overwhelming.

The response to "freeze" in an emergency is biologic, according to Winston, much like the proverbial deer in the headlight. Often predatory animals see and react to motion, so sometimes one response to danger might be to remain still. For example, when attacked by a bear, instead of running, you should play dead. So according to this psychologist, the captain was essentially "frozen in fear" and could not aid in the rescue of his passengers because the situation was too mentally overwhelming.

Turn with me to John chapter 20, beginning at verse 19.

The group locked themselves in the room. They were frightened and for a good reason. They had just witnessed their leader brutally tortured and killed just a few short days ago. Fear is powerful, and they are experiencing some very intense real fear.

I know I have said this before, but things were going fairly good for the Jesus movement not too long ago. Even if they were able to tell that things were getting bad, it is doubtful that they would have been prepared for how quickly and brutally things changed.

The Enviroment.

Winston also pointed out that the captain was still in the wrong. He was merely offering a scientific explanation for what happened. Winston showed that a ship's captain, an airline pilot, a doctor, a soldier, all need to be able to act calmly and carefully in the middle of a panic situation, in order to save lives. They must train specifically for emergencies to be able to overcome this potential to freeze, becasue a great many lives depend on thier ability to act swiftly and decidedly in an emergency situation.

Winston also pointed out that the captain was still in the wrong. He was just offering a scientific explanation for what happened. It is not just a ship's captain, but many people need to react and not freeze in an emergency. It is essential that people in positions of responsibility, like an airline pilot or a doctor or soldier, need to be able to act calmly and carefully in the middle of an emergency to save lives. They must train specifically for emergencies so that they can overcome this potential to freeze because lives depend on their ability to act swiftly and with authority in an emergency.

Peter declared he would never deny Jesus denied him three times because of the fear of getting dragged into this. Not only did they watch the Messiah hung on the cross, but now his body was missing. This was intense!

.

They were probably telling stories about Jesus's resurrection. Jesus sent Mary to tell them what she saw, and John saw and believed, but the fact is that resurrection or not, if the tomb was open and the body was gone, Jesus's killers were coming after them next.

In this mornings Scripture text, Jesus shows the apostles that they have a reponsibility that surpasses life and death. The reponsibility entrusted to the disciples is placing people's eternty in thier hands, and they do not have an option to paralyzed by fear.

In this morning's Scripture text, Jesus shows the apostles that they have a responsibility that surpasses life and death. The responsibility entrusted to the disciples is placing people's eternity in their hands, and they do not have an option to paralyzed by fear.

It is Easter Sunday night, and the disciples are together. John does not record exactly which disciples were there, but we do know that Thomas was not there, from verse 24, and Judas was not there. Most likely there were at least 10, but it could be more, in any case, other than the fact that Thomas is missing it does not appear to be significant other than a group of Jesus's followers were gathered behind locked doors.

Imagine the fear! You know all this talk about following Jesus and doing as he did, it is even possible that the disciples might have been wondering if they indeed were next. They probably reasonably expected that at any minute, soldiers were going to smash through the doors and grab them. Grab them and beat them and crucify them.

So they were paralyzed, frozen, unable to move, huddled together behind lock doors. Like a scared rabbit trying desperately to not even twitch a single muscle while the fierce lion prowls around. Not even breathing, when Jesus came and stood among them. The risen Christ, right there, right in the room. No matter how he got in, John doesn't tell us, it isn't that important. The important thing is that THERE HE IS. The Great I AM standing in the room of frightened disciples. Frightened by the things of this world, frightened because their minds are focused not on things above, but on the earthly danger, and Jesus Christ the risen Lord comes to them.

The group locked themselves in the room. They were frightened and for a good reason. They had just witnessed their leader brutally tortured and killed just a few short days ago. Fear is powerful, and they are experiencing some very intense real fear.

Let me pray, before we go to God's word this morning.

"Peace be with you," Jesus says. Normally, on any other Sunday afternoon in the marketplace, this would be a regular expression. Jews still use that greeting today, but not now! Now in the middle of all that has just happened this greeting is electric. Peace be with You, Jesus says. Peace has been established between God and man. Peace, the animosity between God and man is gone. Peace a way has been made.

I know I have said this before, but things were going fairly good for the Jesus movement not too long ago. Even if they were able to tell that things were getting bad, it is doubtful that they would have been prepared for how quickly and brutally things changed.

John 20:20 NIV

After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

Heavenly Father we come to in the name of Jesus. father we come to as a people who desire to know about you, with willing hearts. Father teach us by your Holy Spirit more about you. In Jesus' name we pray.

Heavenly Father we come to in the name of Jesus. Father, we come to you as people who desire to know more about you. Father make us willing to learn and be changed. Father teach us by your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

Peter declared he would never deny Jesus denied him three times because of the fear of getting dragged into this. Not only did they watch the Messiah hung on the cross, but now his body was missing. This was intense!

And then Jesus showed them the wounds of his sacrifice. He showed them His hands and His side. He showed them so that they would know it was Him. And He showed them so that they would know that the debt had been paid. Jesus paid the debt to bring them peace with God. And when Jesus shows them his wounds, when he provides that assurance, something remarkable happens.

They were probably telling stories about Jesus's resurrection. Jesus sent Mary to tell them what she saw, and John saw and believed, but the fact is that resurrection or not, if the tomb was open and the body was gone, Jesus's killers were coming after them next.

When Jesus reveals to the disciples the evidence of his work, and the results of his sacrifice, He transforms their fear into joy.

Turn with me to John chapter 20, beginning at verse 19.

Imagine the fear! You know all this talk about following Jesus and doing as he did, it is even possible that the disciples might have been wondering if they indeed were next. They probably reasonably expected that at any minute, soldiers were going to smash through the doors and grab them. Grab them and beat them and crucify them.

Imagine, one minute you are paralyzed in fear, barely breathing, unable to move, then Jesus, God incarnate, comes to you, and tells you, peace. I'm alive; the ransom is paid, you are free to go now. You no longer are captive to sin, and you are no longer captive to fear, but you are free. Free to experience joy.

John 20:21 NIV

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

So they were paralyzed, frozen, unable to move, huddled together behind lock doors. Like a scared rabbit trying desperately to not even twitch a single muscle while the fierce lion prowls around. Not even breathing, when Jesus came and stood among them. The risen Christ, right there, right in the room. No matter how he got in, John doesn't tell us, it isn't that important. The important thing is that THERE HE IS. The Great I AM standing in the room of frightened disciples. Frightened by the things of this world, frightened because their minds are focused not on things above, but on the earthly danger, and Jesus Christ the risen Lord comes to them.

John 20:19 NIV

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

.

Jesus says, "Peace be with you again." He says it again because it is that important. Now, after Jesus assures the disciples after He transforms their fear to joy, they can experience peace, a blessing of the Holy One, a deep rich tranquility of spirit. Peace where your passions or fears no longer govern you. A peace that simply passes all understanding, because this peace comes to you from God.

"Peace be with you," Jesus says. Normally, on any other Sunday afternoon in the marketplace, this would be a regular expression. Jews still use that greeting today, but not now! Now in the middle of all that has just happened this greeting is electric. Peace be with You, Jesus says. Peace has been established between God and man. Peace, the animosity between God and man is gone. Peace a way has been made.

Now go.

It is Easter Sunday night, and the disciples are together. John does not record exactly which disciples were there, but we do know that Thomas was not there, from verse 24, and Judas was not there. Most likely there were at least 10, but it could be more, in any case, other than the fact that Thomas is missing it does not appear to be significant other than a group of Jesus's followers were gathered behind locked doors.

The Transformation

Go, I'm sending you. I have removed your fear; now I am sending you, Go.

John 20:22 NIV

And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

The group locked themselves in the room. They were frightened and for a good reason. They had just witnessed their leader brutally tortured and killed just a few short days ago. Fear is powerful, and they are experiencing some very intense real fear.

And then Jesus showed them the wounds of his sacrifice. He showed them His hands and His side. He showed them so that they would know it was Him. And He showed them so that they would know that the debt had been paid. Jesus paid the debt to bring them peace with God. And when Jesus shows them his wounds, when he provides that assurance, something remarkable happens.

Jesus breathed on them. He expelled breath into or onto something. It reminds us of , "Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."

I know I have said this before, but things were going fairly good for the Jesus movement not too long ago. Even if they were able to tell that things were getting bad, it is doubtful that they would have been prepared for how quickly and brutally things changed.

The man became a living being. Jesus was breathing life into the Apostles, a new life. The were once dead, dead in their trespasses and sins, but now Jesus, by His resurrection is breathing new life into them, life by the Holy Spirit. Epehphisians 2:4-5 says,

When Jesus reveals to the disciples the evidence of his work, and the results of his sacrifice, He transforms their fear into joy.

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."

Imagine, one minute you are paralyzed in fear, barely breathing, unable to move, then Jesus, God incarnate, comes to you, and tells you, peace. I'm alive; the ransom is paid, you are free to go now. You no longer are captive to sin, and you are no longer captive to fear, but you are free. Free to experience joy.

The Risen Lord Jesus breathes this new life into them, by the Holy Spirit. They are born into a new life, not governed by fear of death, but of joy, and equipped by the Spirit. This little group, these few disciples who are the seeds of the early church have been given the Holy Spirit, to equip them.

Peter declared he would never deny Jesus denied him three times because of the fear of getting dragged into this. Not only did they watch the Messiah hung on the cross, but now his body was missing. This was intense!

You might now be thinking to yourself, wait for a second! Doesn't the Holy Spirit come at Pentecost, with tounges of fire, and a mighty wind? Doesn't Jesus tell his disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they receive the Holy Spirit? How do we take these events recorded in , and line them up with the coming of the Holy Spirit some 50 days later at Pentecost?

I do want to mention that there are several viewpoints on this. I don't want to take too much time looking into them, but some rather noted scholars do have some different opinions. However, it appears to me that Leon Morris, a noted scholar of John seems to represent that majority of evangelicals, and seems to have a view that is most consistent with the text.

Jesus says, "Peace be with you again." He says it again because it is that important. Now, after Jesus assures the disciples after He transforms their fear to joy, they can experience peace, a blessing of the Holy One, a deep rich tranquility of spirit. Peace where your passions or fears no longer govern you. A peace that simply passes all understanding, because this peace comes to you from God.

They were probably telling stories about Jesus's resurrection. Jesus sent Mary to tell them what she saw, and John saw and believed, but the fact is that resurrection or not, if the tomb was open and the body was gone, Jesus's killers were coming after them next.

Let me attempt to explain this event in light of with an illustration.This is my illustration, and in it, I am trying to be consistent with Leon Moris's position. Please keep in mind illustrations are just that illustrations and they are not exact.

Now go.

God is in the process of starting this brand new church, Christianity and it has a long way to go. Imagine you are out in the woods and you are trying to start a fire for survival. You need to start with just a few tiny pieces of kindling and a little spark. You need to nurture it and blow on it gently. If a big wind comes, at this point, it might blow it out. But, if you blow gently and gather tiny pieces of kindling and add it gradually, it begins to grow. Then as it grows, you can add bigger logs. Then when the wind comes, it doesn't blow the fire out. Instead, it seems to fuel the fire, growing it into a blaze.

Imagine the fear! You know all this talk about following Jesus and doing as he did, it is even possible that the disciples might have been wondering if they indeed were next. They probably reasonably expected that at any minute, soldiers were going to smash through the doors and grab them. Grab them and beat them and crucify them.

Go, I'm sending you. I have removed your obstacles; now I am sending you, Go.

So, we look at this little group of disciples, huddled in a locked room due to fear, and Jesus blows on them the breath of life. Just enough to send them. Just what they need for now. They are a work in progress; God is giving what they need to get by now.

Later, when the time is right, the mighty wind of God will blow, and they will receive the Holy Spirit with power, and the church will be born.

Now the Equipping

So they were paralyzed, frozen, unable to move, huddled together behind lock doors. Like a scared rabbit trying desperately to even twitch a single muscle while the fierce lion prowls around. Not even breathing.

Jesus comes and equips the disciples for the work they need to do right now.

John 20:23 NIV

If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

When Jesus came and stood among them. The risen Christ, right there, right in the room. No matter how he got in, John doesn't tell us, it isn't that important. The important thing is that THERE HE IS. The Great I AM standing in the room of frightened disciples. Frightened by the things of this world, frightened because their minds are focused not on things above, but on the earthly danger, and Jesus Christ the risen Lord comes to them.

Jesus breathed on them. He expelled breath into or onto something. It reminds us of , "Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."

And in , we reach perhaps another challenging passage. However, the dividing line is quite clear. The "you" in that verse, is not meant for the individual. It is a collective you. It is referring the group that is there. Only God has the power to forgive people's sins. We can forgive one another, for the damage that they have caused us, but the sin is not only against us, but it is also against God as well. We do not have the authority to forgive anyone's sins against God. Nor does that you refer to specifically to apostles, granting them special powers of forgiveness of sins that they can pass down for generations. The Roman Catholic Church believes this. They believe that a priest can absolve a person from their sins on behalf of Christ.

We do not believe that. The Protestant position is very consistent. We believe that the disciples were the beginning of the Church. The collective you here is referring to the church. The idea that forgiveness of sins belonging to God alone was certainly a result of the Protestant Reformation. What the reformers argued so vehemently for was that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. That is why the wounds of Christ are so important; it is by his work that we are saved, He is the one forgives us. This power does not rest in man.

The man became a living being. Jesus was breathing life into the Apostles, a new life. The were once dead, dead in their trespasses and sins, but now Jesus, by His resurrection is breathing new life into them, life by the Holy Spirit. Epehphisians 2:4-5 says,

But what is Christ saying here? Christ is telling the Apostles, that through the Holy Spirit, the church can be the method of bringing people to the forgiveness of Jesus Christ, by the gospel, or they can be a hinderance to people receiving the gospel.

"Peace be with you" Jesus says. Normally, on any other Sunday afternoon in the marketplace, this would be a regular expression. Jews still use that greeting today, but not now! Now in the middle of all that has just happened this greeting is electric. Peace be with You, Jesus says. Peace has been established between God and man. Peace, the animosity between God and man is gone. Peace a way has been made.

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."

Jesus here is speaking to an unknown number of disciples in the room, could be 10, or it could be more we are not told, but with reasonable certainty we know it is not a large number. This birth of the early church, the forgiveness of the world, essentially depends on this small group to go to action. If they do nothing and remain locked in a room in fear, the world will not be forgiven, if they go forward with the power of the Holy Spirit, sins will be forgiven.

Having the gospel is an awesome responsibility. It is a responsibility conferred upon the church by Jesus Christ from its infancy. It is the reason the church exists. As members of Christ's Church today we bear that same responsibility. Jesus's call to action to the early Church is the same call to action to us today.

The Risen Lord Jesus breathes this new life into them, by the Holy Spirit. They are born into a new life, not governed by fear of death, but of joy, and equipped by the Spirit. This little group, these few disciples who are the seeds of the early church have been given the Holy Spirit, to equip them.

John 20:20 NIV

After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

Fear is a demon of many shapes and sizes. Fear is obvious and apparent when you come face to face with a bear. However, fear can be subtle, and it can mask itself in some different ways. For instance, a person may enable an unhealthy relationship under the disguise of responsibility, when the real underlying reason may be fear, fear of what might happen.

You might now be thinking to yourself, wait for a second! Doesn't the Holy Spirit come at Pentecost, with tounges of fire, and a mighty wind? Doesn't Jesus tell his disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they receive the Holy Spirit? How do we take these events recorded in , and line them up with the coming of the Holy Spirit some 50 days later at Pentecost?

The bottom line in the story of the Captain of the Costa Concordia was that he should have been onboard to direct the rescue effort of the people on that ship. He was motivated to leave that ship by fear. He tried to mask his fear, through responsibility, by saying he could better direct the rescue efforts from land. The truth was, he acted driven by fear.

And then Jesus showed them the wounds of his sacrifice. He showed them His hands and His side. He showed them so that they would know it was Him. And He showed them so that they would know that the debt had been paid. Jesus paid the debt to bring them peace with God. And when Jesus shows them his wounds, when he provides that assurance, something remarkable happens.

I do want to mention that there are several viewpoints on this. I don't want to take too much time looking into them, but some rather noted scholars do have some different opinions. However, it appears to me that Leon Morris, a noted scholar of John seems to represent that majority of evangelicals, and seems to have view that is most consistent with the text.

We all have fears, every one of us here. They are different for you, and they are different for me. They center around us losing something like our life, our comfort, our health, or our future. Fear can be helpful. It can keep us alive. Unfortunately, it can alos prevent us from saving others.

In this country, at this time, we can share the gospel without fear for our life, we may lose other things, but not our life. As a church we also have fears. Our fears as a church body result from our individual fears complimenting one another. We cannot be frozen in fear. We have a responsibility to bring people to the forgiveness of Jesus Christ by the power of the gospel, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Let me attempt to explain this event in light of with an illustration.This is my illustration, and in it, I am trying to be consistent with Leon Moris's position. Please keep in mind illustrations are just that illustrations and they are not exact.

When Jesus reveals to the disciples the evidence of his work, and the results of his sacrifice, He transforms their fear into joy.

How do we do this? How do we overcome our fear, and move forward to bring people to Jesus? You would think right here the answer is simple, and I would say we pray, and we call a prayer meeting. And yes we should, we need to be in prayer. But there is more, and let me walk you through it.

God is in the process of starting this brand new church, Christianity and it has a long way to go. Imagine you are out in the woods and you are trying to start a fire for survival. You need to start with just a few tiny pieces of kindling and a little spark. You need to nurture it and blow on it gently. If a big wind comes, at this point, it might blow it out. But, if you blow gently and gather tiny pieces of kindling and add it gradually, it begins to grow. Then as it grows, you can add bigger logs. Then when the wind comes it doesn't blow the fire out. Instead it seems to fuel the fire, growing it into a blaze.

First of all, I want to point something out. Jesus did not remove the thing that was causing fear in the disciples; he removed the fear. The persecution by the Jewish leaders was still there, in fact it would heat up, and people like Saul of Tarsus would come on the scene. Instead, Jesus removed the fear. He transformed their fear. He took their fear and made it the joy. He made it joy by seeing his wounds.

Imagine, one minute you are paralyzed in fear, barely breathing, unable to move, then Jesus, God incarnate, comes to you, and tells you, peace. I'm alive; the ransom is paid, you are free to go now. You no longer are captive to sin, and you are no longer captive to fear, but you are free. Free to experience joy.

So, we look at this little group of disciples, huddled in a locked room due to fear, and Jesus blows on them the breath of life. Just enough to send them. Just what they need for now. They are a work in progress; God is giving what they need to get by now.

When we are looking at what Jesus has done for us, we are transformed from a life of fear to a life of joy. Let me put it this way, rather bluntly. The biggest threat to any person on this planet is not their earthly life; it is eternal life. The biggest and most present danger is not dying, it is dying not knowing Jesus and spending eternity in hell. When we are looking at Jesus; when we look at his wounds. When we understand that they were caused by us so that he could pull us to safety, we are overjoyed that we are forgiven.

Jesus has transformed our biggest fear, into our greatest joy. Jesus may not remove the obstacles that we have as a church, but he will transform our fear.

John 20:21 NIV

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

Later, when the time is right, the mighty wind of God will blow and they will receive the Holy Spirit with power, and the church will be born.

Without fear, we now want to forgive others. We now want to offer the power of the gospel to the world. Just like our fears can complement one another so can our joy.

Jesus comes, and equips the disciples for the work they need to do right now.

As we individually, look to Jesus, we will as a Church body look to Jesus. As each of us looks on Jesus, and his forgiveness, we as a church will look on Jesus and our greatest desire will be to offer this forgiveness. And we will be pulling others to safety, in spite of the danger.

And we are not alone in doing this we have the Holy Spirit to help us. The Church operates in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Church has been given the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us to direct us and to help us to know how to do this.

Jesus says, "Peace be with you again." He says it again because it is that important. Now, after Jesus assures the disciples after He transforms their fear to joy, they can experience peace. A blessing of the Holy One, a deep rich tranquility of spirit. Peace where you are no longer governed by your passions or fears. A peace that simply passes all understanding, because this peace comes to you from God.

We must look to Jesus, we must be diligent to seek the Holy Spirit in prayer, and we must trust that God has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit, for us to live up to the responsibility of the calling we have received.

And in , we reach perhaps another challenging passage. However, the dividing line is quite clear. The "you" in that verse, is not meant for the individual. It is a collective you. It is referring the group that is there. Only God has the power to forgive people's sins. We can forgive one another, for the damage that they have caused us, but the sin is not only against us, but it is also against God as well. We do not have the authority to forgive anyone's sins against God. Nor does that you refer to specifically to apostles, granting them special powers of forgiveness of sins that they can pass down for generations. The Roman Catholic Church believes this. They believe that a priest can absolve a person from their sins on behalf of Christ.

In Jesus name.

Now go.

We do not believe that. The Protestant position is very consistent. We believe that the disciples were the beginning of the Church. The collective you here is referring to the church. The idea that forgiveness of sins belonging to God alone was certainly a result of the Protestant Reformation. What the reformers argued so vehemently for was that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. That is why the wounds of Christ are so important; it is by his work that we are saved, He is the one forgives us. This power does not rest in man.

But what is Christ saying here? Christ is saying that the church, by the power of the Holy Spirit can be the method of bringing people to the forgiveness of Jesus Christ or keeping people from the forgiveness of Jesus Christ, through the gospel.

Go, I'm sending you. I have removed your obstacles, now I am sending you, Go.

agent of the forgiveness of sins in that they

John 20:22 NIV

And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

Now, the equipping. If Jesus had just revealed Himself to them and left, the fear might have returned. They may have moved temporarily, while still reveling in the experience of seeing the resurrected Jesus, but the world was still out there. The threats were still there, the Roman army, and the jewish leaders had not gone anywhere. Chances are

Frozen In Fear

Introduction

The Environment

The Transformation

The Equipping

The Call to Action

Our Call to Action