Easter Conclusion: FEAR NOT

The early American Indians had a unique practice of training young braves.

On the night of a boy’s thirteenth birthday, after learning hunting, scouting, and fishing skills, he was put to one final test.

He was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone.

Until then, he had never been away from the security of the family and tribe.

But on this night, he was blindfolded and taken several miles away.

When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of a thick woods, and he was terrified.

Every time a twig snapped, he visualized a wild animal ready to pounce.

After what seemed like an eternity, dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest.

Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of a path.

Then to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with bow and arrow.

It was his father.

He had been there all night long.

We too live in a terrifying time. Never before in our lifetime has the who world been put on pause due to a virus. Never before have we as Americans just shrugged while surrendering right after right in the name of public safety. Fears cloud the Horizon, fear of sickness, fear for our loved ones, fear of an inept or opportunistic despotic government, fear of misappropriation of life saving materials, fear of nosy neighbors reporting each other to the distance police, fear of losing one’s job,ear of complete social and economic collapse.

It is no mistake that the virus is projected to peak today, on the day we celebrate the Resurrection. God is still in charge! God is still with us! The same Holy Spirit that raised our Lord out of the Grave is the same one that lives in the Heart of the believers. As we reflect on the absolute fact of the Bodily, physical resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, let us visit the Gospel passage once again.

Matthew 28:1–6 KJV

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

The Easter Angel summarized the whole gospel message in two words that first Resurrection morning… FEAR NOT. God knows that we need this message today more than ever in our lives. Let us take a few minutes and trace this message as it echoes through out the Gospels.... FEAR NOT!

FEAR NOT, God Heard Your Prayer.

Luke 1:11–13 KJV

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

This is the prediction of the Birth of the Messiah’s forerunner, John the Baptist.

These were also troubled and uncertain times especially for Jews...

The message starts to echo… FEAR NOT

God hears your prayers too… FEAR NOT

FEAR NOT you have found favor with God.

Luke 1:28–31 KJV

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

God uses sinful weak folks like us.

Grace covers our sins

Luke 1:46–47 KJV

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

No matter what storms blow, if you come to Jesus in faith, you have peace with God, you have found favor with Him… FEAR NOT.

Romans 5:1 KJV

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Romans 8:1 KJV

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:31–33 KJV

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

FEAR NOT There is Good News of Joy For Everyone!

Luke 2:8–11 KJV

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

In spite of the fact that we deserve death.

There is a Savior who paid the price we deserved to pay.

No works rites or rituals will do it, but Jesus’ death paid the price for our sins.

1 Peter 1:19–21 KJV

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

FEAR NOT Jesus Gives New Life and Purpose to a Hopeless Sinner.

Luke 5:7–11 KJV

And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

1 Timothy 1:15 KJV

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

FEAR NOT Jesus has Power Over Sickness and Death.

Luke 8:49–55 KJV

While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.

What if I get sick?

What if my family gets sick?

FEAR NOT! Jesus has power over sickness and death. The same message of hope given in the empty tomb by the Easter Angels is the same message for you. If Jesus conquered death… COVID is nothing… FEAR NOT!

FEAR NOT You Are of Great Value to God

Luke 12:6–7 KJV

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

The government may reduce you down to an inflated number, but God does not.

You may not know the real truth but God knows everything about your and still holds you to be of great value.

FEAR NOT God will Provide!

Luke 12:29–32 KJV

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Some have lost your lively hood in the past few days.

Some have become unemployed .

Our economy may be in a free fall.... but none if this is greater than the One that Rose victorious… He will provide… FEAR NOT

FEAR NOT Jesus Is Alive!

Matthew 28:5 KJV

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

Matthew 28:6 KJV

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

A story is told of a child who had to walk each evening past a dark, spooky house. Some adults sought to give him courage. One handed him a good luck charm to ward off the ghosts. Another had a light put on the dreaded corner. Still another said earnestly, "It is sinful to be afraid. Trust God and be brave!" The advice was good, but he offered nothing more.

Then someone said with compassion, "I know what it is to be afraid. I will walk with you past the house." He did nothing to remove the fear--except to lift it from the child's shoulders and place it on his own.