Jesus' Passion for us frees us from fear
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Introduction: (Relate the story of me being scared while working in the education to us being scared in life.)
Fear in our life. Things that we are scared of. Some things that are knowable, something’s that are not.
While we can’t address every fear that we can face in life, we can face the biggest. Because once we face the biggest, then all other fears fail in comparison… Fear of Death. I know such a positive message today! Right?!?
(Joke to break the ice) The other day I called a house and a real nice lady answered the phone, she was really helpful and friendly, she was the type of lady that helps a telemarketer get through a long day. After some pleasantries I asked if Mr. Smith was in, “I’m sorry”, she answered “I’m afraid he doesn’t live here anymore.” Now that was a real disappointment being that she was a nice lady and all, but I took it all in a stride, “I’m sorry to hear that ma’am. Do you happen to have his new number.” “Sure thing!” The woman cheerfully replied, listing off his new number. I hung up the phone and quickly called the new number and was surprised to hear a recording. “Thank you for calling Green Acres Cemetery…” (http://www.greatcleanjokes.com/jokes/death-humor/)
Fear of Death
14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
“What explains the seemingly universal human fear of dying?… Beyond that, death is the supreme form of transiency, that everything passes, that everything fades away and disappears and a part of all human beings wants to immortalize beautiful moments, wants to immortalize the meaning in their lives. And if death is final, if death is final oblivion, then that meaning disappears completely. And that I think can only be frightening because it’s the slide from meaning to, in a sense, the disappearance or even the absence of meaning. So this question touches on one of the most fundamental issues that is addressed by anybody who thinks about mortality, the end of mortality.” (Two Reasons the Fear of Death is Universal by John Gray http://bigthink.com/in-their-own-words/two-reasons-the-fear-of-death-is-universal)
Should You Fear Death? : Because minds are brains, death should not be scary. Posted Jun 19, 2012 by Paul Thagard Ph.D. (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hot-thought/201206/should-you-fear-death)
Because minds are brains, death should not be scary.
More than two thousand years ago, the Greek philosopher Epicurus constructed an argument against fearing death that has since become even more plausible: “Death does not concern us, because as long as we exist, death is not here. And when it does come, we no longer exist.” Epicurus was one of the first atomists who believed that everything consists of material entities and that there are no souls that survive death. If your life ends at death, then you have nothing to fear, because there will be no YOU to experience pleasure or pain. It’s all over when it’s over.
Posted Jun 19, 2012
Of course, there are other aspects of dying that are worth fearing, such as disease, disability, and the distress of people who care about you. But from the philosophical perspective that there is no life after death, death itself is nothing to fear.
“Many people are interested in the possibility of the human mind or the human personality surviving death, not because they want to survive, but because they can’t endure the otherwise the final loss of loved ones. But the other side is that we’re afraid of dying because there may be an instinctual basis to it, something which evolution has given us.”
6 Positive Ways To Overcome Your Fear Of Death by Margaret Manning (https://www.huffingtonpost.com/margaret-manning/overcome-fear-of-death_b_6767446.html)
“Beyond that, death is the supreme form of transiency, that everything passes, that everything fades away and disappears and a part of all human beings wants to immortalize beautiful moments, wants to immortalize the meaning in their lives. And if death is final, if death is final oblivion, then that meaning disappears completely. And that I think can only be frightening because it’s the slide from meaning to, in a sense, the disappearance or even the absence of meaning. So this question touches on one of the most fundamental issues that is addressed by anybody who thinks about mortality, the end of mortality.” (Two Reasons the Fear of Death is Universal by John Gray http://bigthink.com/in-their-own-words/two-reasons-the-fear-of-death-is-universal)
Take Control of Your Life
Spend quality time with the people you enjoy being around. Try new things. Challenge yourself. Most of all, keep active and engaged with positive activities. If there is something that really rankles you — do something about it! If you have unfinished business — take care of it! If you have someone you need to speak with — make the call!
Don’t keep going to a job that is deeply dissatisfying, or stay in a relationship that makes you unhappy. You have many years to enjoy everything that life has to offer. Who you spend your time with matters!
The fear of death is often the fear of not living on your own terms. You deserve to see your dreams come true. The more you embrace life, the less frightened you will feel about giving it up when the time comes!
Learn to Accept that Death is Natural
It helps to recognize ourselves as part of a great cycle and find comfort in the fact that everyone else must go through the same thresholds: conception, birth and death.
Near-death researcher Norman Van Rooy once said, “Like the child being born, we have no choice but to yield ourselves to the unknown.” You can choose to view your body and your contribution to this world as an honor. We have had the privilege of living; so, let’s be grateful and accept death when it eventually comes.
Read the Available Literature and Self-Help Guides About Death
Many writers have shared their own ruminations and musings on the subject of death. Also, religious leaders, philosophers and mystics have built a magnificent library on the subject of the afterlife. Their works may not tell you, with certainty, what happens after you die. But, they may help you to tackle the equally important questions of why we are here and how we should prepare for the afterlife.
Adopt Rituals and Explore Spirituality
Whether you are religious or not, rituals are important for creating a sense of meaning in life. They also give continuity to our existence.
A ritual can be as simple as taking a walk every afternoon or lighting a candle each morning. You can recognize a seasonal change or something emotional or physical happening in your life. The choice is completely yours.
If you are curious about your family’s religious practices or want to explore new spiritual ideas, now is the time. Don’t be afraid to ask the “tough” questions about the afterlife. These are the only questions with the potential to guide you to a deeper understanding of your faith - or any aspect of your life, for that matter.
Focus on Living Well
There are so many simple things that you can do to live a healthier and more positive life. In fact, sometimes the smallest steps, applied consistently, lead to the biggest changes. Make a commitment to walk every day, rain or shine. Explore your passions. Write a “bucket list” with all of the amazing things that you want to do before you die. If you are busy living, you won’t have time to worry about dying.
Plan for Your Passing
Many of the questions that we have about dying are religious or philosophical in nature. But, what about the practical concerns? Many of us worry about dying because we wonder what will happen to our family after we are gone. Will our grandchildren be happy? Will our spouse be able to recover from our passing? If so, will they have enough money to continue to live the kind of life that they deserve?
These are all valid questions. The good news is that, while we can’t control when or how we leave this world, we can control much of what we leave behind. Many people feel a sense of relief when they get their affairs in order - even if they have many decades of healthy life ahead of them. They know that, should the unexpected happen, their wishes will be clear and their legacy secure.
At the end of the day, the advice from other people over 50 who have conquered their fear of death is simple: focus on living authentically, passionately and well. A fear of death cannot take root in the heart of a person who is truly satisfied with their life.
Are you afraid of death? Why or why not? What advice would you give to a friend who is struggling with a fear of death? Please join the conversation and “like” and share this article to keep the conversation going.
(Joke to break the ice) The other day I called a house and a real nice lady answered the phone, she was really helpful and friendly, she was the type of lady that helps a telemarketer get through a long day. After some pleasantries I asked if Mr. Smith was in, “I’m sorry”, she answered “I’m afraid he doesn’t live here anymore.” Now that was a real disappointment being that she was a nice lady and all, but I took it all in a stride, “I’m sorry to hear that ma’am. Do you happen to have his new number.” “Sure thing!” The woman cheerfully replied, listing off his new number. I hung up the phone and quickly called the new number and was surprised to hear a recording. “Thank you for calling Green Acres Cemetery…” (http://www.greatcleanjokes.com/jokes/death-humor/)
Read more at:
(Describe how the fear of death can hold us in bondage and take away our freedom.)
14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Jesus has experienced our fears.
Jesus has experienced our fears.
(Describe how Jesus lived among people who have experienced the same things that we even experience today.)
Jesus experienced life just as we have and are doing. He has done that. He has "walked in our shoes." Well, Jesus doesn't understand what it is to live my life? You are right! The names and places my be different but He has truly experienced "life." He has experienced all the good of life and all the temptations life has to offer. Yet, he remained holy.
33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.
34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.”
35 Jesus wept.
36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
Jesus was experiencing heart ache for the temporary loss of a friend and seeing the heartache of fellow friends.
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.”
37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
Matthew 26:
Jesus was experiencing the entire weight of humanity past present and future. Also, he knew he was facing death.
Jesus has experienced our fears.
Jesus has experienced our fears.
Jesus knows
Jesus has defeated the one who tries to keep us scared.
Jesus has defeated the one who tries to keep us scared.
14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
“Destroy” : καταργέω ③ to cause someth. to come to an end or to be no longer in existence, abolish, wipe out, set aside ( Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., Bauer, W., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed., p. 525). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.)
καταργέω
Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., Bauer, W., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed., p. 525). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
So this mean that Satan is wiped out, right? No. Satan is still causing issues for so many. Yet, what this means is the power or the ability of Satan to keep us in fear has been broken not by our efforts but instead by Christ’s.
③ to cause someth. to come to an end or to be no longer in existence, abolish, wipe out, set aside
10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
2 Timothy 1:10
(focus on the life and immortality)
“The blessedness of waiting is lost on those who cannot wait, and the fulfillment of promise is never theirs. They want quick answers to the deepest questions of life and miss the value of those times of anxious waiting, seeking with patient uncertainties until the answers come. They lose the moment when the answers are revealed in dazzling clarity.” —Dietrich Bonhoeffer
(https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/inspiring-quotes/20-influential-quotes-by-dietrich-bonhoeffer.html)
Jesus has defeated the one who tries to keep us scared.
Jesus has defeated the one who tries to keep us scared.
Through Jesus, we have promise of freedom from fear for forever.
Through Jesus, we have promise of freedom from fear for forever.
15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Nov. 1, 1999 Walter Payton died from cancer at the age of 45. Before his death a news reporter asked him during a press conference “if he was scared?” upon hearing that there was nothing more the doctors could do for him and he was going to die. Mr. Payton’s response was direct with a few choice words that he was.
I will not stand here and criticize him for his response because I have not been in his shoes. Yet, I can only imagine the amount of fear that he must have been feeling. The amount of fear that would keep someone captive to give up and not go on with any hope for another day.
On the flip side of those who have been diagnosed with some type of illness, there are those who are scared of
1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Through Jesus, we have promise of freedom from fear for forever.
Through Jesus, we have promise of freedom from fear for forever.
(Connect the dots with the wrong quote of Greek philosopher and scenarios of death yet the hope we have in Christ.)