Opening Doors Shut by Fear

John 20:19–23 KJV 1900

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker

God creates Adam and soon after notices Adam is lonely. God says, “Do not fear, for I will create a partner to accompany you from this time forth. She will be known as a woman. She will be obedient, loyal, passionate and nurturing.” Hesitantly Adam asks, “What is this gonna cost me?” God responds, “An arm and a leg.” Adam retorts, “What can I get for a rib?”

Pledge to the Bible

I Pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s holy word. I will make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path and will hide its words in my heart that I might not sin against God.

Introduction

Throughout 2022 we have been addressing a variety of themes including Prayer, Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry and Evangelism.

We began discussing Evangelism by looking at God’s Promise to those who would follow him. He promised to make us “Fishers of Men.” We continue our discussion today as we look at one of the problems in Evangelism. Di you know that as few as 5 to 10 percent of people in the average church have shared their faith in the past year? One study revealed that most followers of Christ rarely, if ever, witness to the lost because of their struggle with fear. The four major fears that keep people from sharing Jesus include

Fear of Rejection

Fear of not knowing enough

Fear of offending

Fear of ridicule or persecution

In our text today we learn that we are not alone in our fear. Jesus disciples were also afraid

John 20:19 KJV 1900

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

They were shut behind doors of fear. Jesus comes and says “Peace be unto you.”

Over 365 times in one way or another the Bible tells us to Fear Not. In 2 Timothy 1:7

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV 1900

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

But it is not enough for me to tell you today, that you don’t need to be afraid. Jesus does more than this. His words and actions provide concrete reasons for us to overcome our fears with faith. Let’s look at this passage today and find the reasons we do not have to be afraid to witness.

Body

I. We do not need to be afraid because of God’s Presence - vs. 19-20

In Isaiah 41:10

Isaiah 41:10 KJV 1900

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

God has promised he would be with us. In our text we see that Jesus is not prevented by locked doors from being with them. He is with you also.

Matthew 28:20 KJV 1900

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Look at Mark 16:20

Mark 16:20 KJV 1900

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Jesus did not just make this promise to his disciples and confirm it to them. He made that promise to you too.

Hebrews 13:5 KJV 1900

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

II. We do not need to be afraid because of God’s Purpose

John 20:21 KJV 1900

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

God has a purpose. Matthew 28:19

Matthew 28:19 KJV 1900

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Mark 16:15 KJV 1900

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Luke 19:10 KJV 1900

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Luke 24:46–48 KJV 1900

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.

We have been given this mission of being a witness:

III. We do not need to be afraid because of God’s Power - vs. 22-23

John 20:22–23 KJV 1900

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Matthew 28:18 KJV 1900

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Luke 24:49 KJV 1900

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

John 1:12 KJV 1900

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Conclusion

Most followers of Christ rarely, if ever, witness to the lost because of their struggle with fear. In our text today we learned that we are not alone in our fear. Jesus disciples were also afraid.

Jesus said, “Peace be Unto to You.” We don’t have to be afraid because of

God’s Presence

God’s Purpose

God’s Power

Today will you decide that you will overcome fear and be a witness for him. Here is my challenge to you.

Spend 5 minutes in prayer daily, asking God to lessen the fears that hold you back from sharing His love with those around you.

Pick 3 people that you will pray for the opportunity to share Jesus with using a verbal witness. (Sharing your testimony, inviting them to church, sharing a passage of Scripture with them.)

Find at least one creative way this week to show the love of Jesus with each of the three people you are praying for.

Let’s pray.