He Is Risen: Fear, Joy, and New Life

The congregation revisits the climax of holy week: Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, the cross, burial, and the empty tomb. Matthew 28 unfolds with an earthquake, an angel rolling back the stone, guards struck down, and Mary Magdalene and the other Mary finding the tomb empty. The angel announces, “He is risen,” and the women leave with fear mixed with great joy; Jesus then meets them and repeats, “Do not be afraid.” This scene highlights that the presence of God can inspire trembling without removing every uncertainty.

The narrative stresses that resurrection ushers both comfort and challenge. Powerful encounters with God awaken awe and fear because divine power interrupts ordinary expectations. Yet the same encounter brings joy that endures amid unresolved questions and daily struggles. Presence matters more than problem-free living; God promises companionship through worry, health fears, relationship strain, and the unknown future.

Transformation appears as a central work of God. The gospel shows how hardened hearts soften—the Roman centurion confesses Jesus as the Son of God after witnessing the crucifixion, and scripture’s promise of a new heart and spirit finds fulfillment in changed lives. Resurrection becomes the engine of ongoing renewal: God removes hardness, heals wounds, and exchanges pride and pain for a heart attuned to the Spirit.

The response of faith remains simple and decisive. Turning to Jesus involves acknowledging dependence, renouncing former ways, and receiving Christ as Lord and Savior. Testimonies and baptisms illustrate that this decision produces practical, lasting change in relationships, character, and purpose. The assembly extends an open invitation to make that decision now or to recommit, offering prayer, laying on of hands, and practical support for those taking renewed steps.

The closing assurance points to the Spirit’s indwelling presence, the reality of restoration after failure, and the lifelong nature of discipleship. Renewal does not erase struggle but promises faithful care, progressive change, and a deepening capacity for joy. The risen Christ continues to call, rescue, and remake individuals and communities into signs of God’s redemptive work.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Resurrection brings fear and joy The resurrection scene shows that encountering God produces awe that looks like fear alongside overwhelming joy. This mixture acknowledges human vulnerability before divine power while refusing despair; joy becomes a faithful response even when life’s questions remain. Such duality invites patience: spiritual growth often unfolds amid trembling hope rather than instant resolution. [65:18]
• 2. God's presence does not erase problems The presence of God promises companionship, not automatic removal of every difficulty. Instead of eliminating trouble, God's nearness supplies sustaining joy and resources to endure, reframe, and work through pain. This truth reshapes prayer and perseverance: faith trusts God’s presence as the primary remedy for fear. [68:09]
• 3. God reshapes hardened hearts Scripture and narrative demonstrate God’s power to turn a “heart of stone” into a “heart of flesh.” Transformation often follows exposure to Christ’s suffering and resurrection, producing new insight, repentance, and compassion. This change proves both immediate in conversion and gradual in sanctification, inviting ongoing cooperation with the Spirit. [70:29]
• 4. Decision to follow changes everything Choosing to follow Jesus requires surrender and yields measurable life change—identity, relationships, and purpose realign around Christ. That decision initiates a discipleship pathway of reading scripture, community, prayer, and incremental growth rather than instant perfection. The invitation to commit or recommit remains open because spiritual formation continues throughout life. [71:53]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [60:46] - Opening and Thanksgiving
• [61:18] - Holy Week Recap
• [63:34] - The Empty Tomb (Matthew 28)
• [65:18] - Fear and Joy Together
• [68:58] - God’s Transforming Work
• [71:08] - Call to Follow Jesus
• [87:47] - Invitation to Respond
• [94:07] - Prayer and Laying on Hands
• [105:35] - Announcements and Blessing

Bible reading: Matthew 28:1-10 (ESV)
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Observation questions

1. What details does the angel give the women about what has happened and what they should do next?
2. What two emotions did the women experience as they left the tomb?
3. How did Jesus greet the women when he met them, and what was their immediate reaction?
4. What did the pastor say was a common theme in this passage, and how many times was it mentioned? [01:05:18]

Interpretation questions

1. Why do you think the women’s fear and joy could exist together in that moment, even after seeing the angel and hearing the good news?
2. The pastor mentioned that God’s presence brings joy but doesn’t automatically erase all our problems [01:08:09]. How does this scene with the women illustrate that truth?
3. The Roman centurion at the cross had a dramatic change of heart [01:09:14]. What does this tell us about how God’s power can interrupt our ordinary expectations and transform us?
4. What does the promise of God giving us a “heart of flesh” to replace a “heart of stone” [01:10:29] mean for someone who feels hardened by life’s disappointments?

Application questions

1. The resurrection brings both fear and awe of God’s power alongside a joy that endures even with unresolved questions. When have you experienced a “fear and great joy” moment in your own walk with God?
2. God’s presence promises companionship, not the automatic removal of every difficulty [01:08:09]. What is one current worry or fear you are facing where you need to focus more on God’s nearness than on a quick solution?
3. God is in the business of reshaping hardened hearts [01:10:29]. Is there an area of your life—a relationship, a past hurt, or a personal habit—where you feel a sense of hardness or resistance? What would it look like to ask God to begin softening that area this week?
4. Choosing to follow Jesus is a decision that changes everything—identity, relationships, and purpose realign around Christ [01:11:53]. Whether you made this decision long ago or are considering it now, what is one practical, next-step change you feel prompted to make in your daily life to follow him more closely?
5. The pastor shared that renewal is a lifelong process and that God is faithful to restore us when we fail [01:36:05]. Where have you experienced God’s restoration after a mistake or season of being “off track”? How does that give you hope for the future?