The Death of Fear

Announcements

 

Palm Sunday, John 18, 19 – PNSJ 9&10:30 a.m. – March 20, 2016

Intro: Top 10 Fears: flying, public speaking, hights, dark, intimacy, death, failure, rejection, spiders, commitment

Big Idea: The only enduring antidote to fear is God’s Love

X2: The Love of Jesus conquers fear once and for all

Story/Context: Different Gospels -> Different audiences/angles

• Matthew: Jewish audience, Luke: Gentile Doctor, John – Greek wisdom
• John: Greeks searching/grasping for wisdom/Truth/Philosophy.
• What’s “Center of Gravity” for us here?
• Theme emerging: Fear: does not discriminate: ageless, timeless, constant, grows, etc.

Anyone here have a fear?

Peter: denies Jesus -> faced with possibility of suffering/death (Difficulty in life)

Pilate: “Now when Pilate heard this he was more afraid than ever.” John 19:8

• Represented Caesar -> “keep the peace” ->fear for life
• Wanted power/control ->afraid to lose it

Joseph of Arimathea: Secret follower/disciple “for fear of the Jews”

• Person of Wealth/Position -> fear of losing it.

3 Root Fears: suffering/death, power/control, wealth/status/position

Note: Mary (Mother of Jesus).. NO MENTION OF FEAR -> Watching her son betrayed, tortured, crucif’d

Back to Christmas: Breaking-in of God with these words:

• Zechariah: “Do not be afraid Zechariah, your prayer has been heard, your wife will bear you a son.”
• Mary: “Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God, you will give birth to a son…”
• Joseph: “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife – what is conceived is from the Holy Spirit…”
• Shepherds: “Do not be afraid, for I bring you good news of great joy for all people. For unto you to is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you…”

The last prophesy before Jesus arrives is “Do not be afraid…”

Only the beginning of Holy Week: One thing we know was crucified on the cross with Jesus was fear.

“Perfect love drives out fear.” 1 John 4:18

You may not have heard it but… First thing Jesus ever said to you was “Do not be afraid.”

Big Idea: The only enduring antidote to fear is God’s Love

X2: The Love of Jesus conquers fear once and for all

Take a minute and think of your biggest fears…

Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid. Perfect Love drives out fear. My cross has crucified fear and made freedom possible. Walk in my freedom.”