Living Fearlessly Through the Resurrection of Christ

 

Summary

In the spirit of Easter, we are reminded of the profound message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is a call to live without fear. The first words spoken after the resurrection were "Don't be afraid," a command repeated throughout the Bible 365 times, symbolizing a daily reminder to live fearlessly. Fear is a universal and ancient problem, dating back to Adam's first words in the Garden of Eden. We often make decisions based on hidden fears, whether it's about fitting in or being accepted. Fear manifests in various forms, such as anxiety, worry, and even anger, which often stems from fear of not being heard or valued.

The resurrection of Jesus offers a way to live without fear. It introduces us to a "better life," a life beyond the "good life" that many of us are accustomed to. This better life is rooted in the resurrection, which assures us of several truths: Jesus tells us the truth, death is not the end, God loves us extravagantly, God has a good plan for our lives, and God will take care of all our needs. These truths are the foundation for living fearlessly.

Understanding God's love is crucial to overcoming fear. The antidote to fear is not faith but love. The more we feel God's love, the more secure and fearless we become. God's love is long, wide, deep, and high, encompassing every aspect of our lives. It is a love that never wears out, is present everywhere, can handle anything, and overlooks our faults. This love is demonstrated through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, showing us that God would rather die than live without us.

Living fearlessly means embracing God's love and trusting in His plan for our lives. It means knowing that Jesus is always truthful, that death is merely a transition, and that God will meet all our needs. As we open our hearts to God's love, our fears diminish, and we begin to live the better life that God intended for us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Fear Not, for God is with You: The command "Don't be afraid" is a daily reminder from God, repeated 365 times in the Bible. Fear is a universal issue, but the resurrection of Jesus offers a way to live without fear, rooted in the assurance of God's presence and love. [01:06]

2. The Resurrection Brings a Better Life: The resurrection of Jesus introduces us to a better life, one that transcends the good life. This life is based on the truths of the resurrection, which include Jesus' truthfulness, the reality of life after death, and God's extravagant love. [06:03]

3. God's Love is the Antidote to Fear: The antidote to fear is not faith but love. God's love is long, wide, deep, and high, encompassing every aspect of our lives. It is a love that never wears out and is present everywhere, offering us security and fearlessness. [22:00]

4. Trust in God's Good Plan: God has a good plan for our lives, and even the bad things can be used for good. This assurance allows us to live fearlessly, knowing that God is working for our good in all circumstances. [24:46]

5. God Will Meet All Your Needs: The resurrection assures us that God will take care of all our needs. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us, helping us handle life's challenges and meet our needs. [27:09]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - The First Words After Resurrection
- [01:06] - Fear Not: A Daily Reminder
- [02:03] - Hidden Fears in Daily Decisions
- [03:15] - Anger and Fear Connection
- [04:56] - Good News of Easter
- [06:03] - Living the Better Life
- [07:06] - Resurrection Life: A Fearless Life
- [08:41] - Jesus Tells Us the Truth
- [11:03] - Death is Not the End
- [13:38] - God's Extravagant Love
- [18:00] - Nothing Can Separate Us from God's Love
- [24:46] - God's Good Plan for Our Lives
- [27:09] - God Will Meet All Your Needs
- [32:58] - Jesus' Sermon on Worry

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:5-10 - The angel and Jesus both say, "Do not be afraid."
2. Romans 8:15 - "The resurrection life that you receive from God's Spirit is not a fearful life."
3. 1 John 4:18 - "Perfect love drives out all fear."

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#### Observation Questions
1. What were the first words spoken by the angel and Jesus after the resurrection, and why are they significant? [00:11]
2. How does the sermon describe the connection between fear and anger? [03:15]
3. According to the sermon, what are some of the hidden fears that influence our daily decisions? [02:03]
4. What does Romans 8:15 say about the nature of the life we receive from God's Spirit?

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the resurrection of Jesus provide a foundation for living without fear, according to the sermon? [05:13]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that understanding God's love can diminish fear in our lives? [22:00]
3. How does the sermon explain the concept of a "better life" that transcends the "good life"? [06:03]
4. What role does trust in God's plan play in living a fearless life, as discussed in the sermon? [24:46]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when fear influenced a decision you made. How might the assurance of God's presence and love have changed your response? [01:06]
2. The sermon mentions that fear often manifests as anxiety or worry. What is one practical step you can take this week to replace worry with trust in God's love? [22:00]
3. Consider the idea of a "better life" introduced in the sermon. What is one area of your life where you can seek to live beyond the "good life" and embrace the "better life"? [06:03]
4. How can you remind yourself daily of the truth that "death is not the end" and that God has a good plan for your life? [11:03]
5. Identify a specific need or challenge you are facing. How can you rely on the power of the resurrection to trust that God will meet this need? [27:09]
6. The sermon suggests that God's love is the antidote to fear. What is one way you can deepen your understanding and experience of God's love this week? [22:00]
7. How can you apply the message of "fear not" in your interactions with others, especially in situations where you might feel undervalued or unheard? [03:15]

Devotional

Day 1: Living Fearlessly in God's Presence
The command "Don't be afraid" is a powerful reminder of God's constant presence and love in our lives. Fear is a common human experience, often influencing our decisions and actions. However, the resurrection of Jesus Christ offers a transformative way to live without fear. This assurance is rooted in the understanding that God is always with us, providing strength and courage to face life's challenges. By embracing this truth, we can overcome the hidden fears that hold us back and live with confidence and peace. [01:06]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: What is one fear that has been holding you back recently? How can you remind yourself of God's presence and love to overcome this fear today?


Day 2: Embracing the Better Life Through Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus introduces us to a life that transcends the ordinary "good life" many strive for. This better life is grounded in the truths revealed through the resurrection: Jesus' truthfulness, the reality of life after death, and God's extravagant love. These truths invite us to live with a new perspective, one that is not limited by earthly concerns but is enriched by the hope and assurance of eternal life. By embracing this better life, we can experience a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment. [06:03]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from the "good life" to the "better life" that Jesus offers? What practical steps can you take to align your daily life with this new perspective?


Day 3: God's Love as the Antidote to Fear
The antidote to fear is not faith alone but the profound experience of God's love. This love is vast and all-encompassing, providing security and fearlessness in every aspect of our lives. It is a love that never fades, is present everywhere, and is capable of handling any situation. By deeply understanding and accepting God's love, we can find the courage to face our fears and live with confidence. This love was demonstrated through Jesus' sacrifice, showing us that God values us immensely. [22:00]

1 John 4:18 (ESV): "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."

Reflection: How have you experienced God's love in your life recently? What fears can you bring to God today, trusting in His perfect love to cast them out?


Day 4: Trusting in God's Good Plan
God has a good plan for each of our lives, and even the difficult moments can be used for our benefit. This assurance allows us to live fearlessly, knowing that God is working for our good in all circumstances. Trusting in God's plan means believing that He is in control and that His intentions for us are always good. By surrendering our worries and uncertainties to Him, we can find peace and confidence in His divine purpose for our lives. [24:46]

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's plan? How can you actively surrender this area to Him today, believing in His good intentions for your future?


Day 5: Relying on God's Provision
The resurrection assures us that God will meet all our needs, just as He raised Jesus from the dead. This same power is available to us, helping us navigate life's challenges and providing for our needs. By relying on God's provision, we can face each day with confidence, knowing that He is faithful and capable of sustaining us. This trust in God's provision allows us to live without fear, secure in the knowledge that He will take care of us in every situation. [27:09]

Philippians 4:19 (ESV): "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: What is one need or challenge you are currently facing? How can you trust in God's provision and power to meet this need today?

Quotes

"Don't be afraid it's said 365 times in the Bible, that's a fear not for every day of the year. God is saying to you, I don't want you to be afraid. Now fear is humanity's most common problem. It's universal, it's also by the way our oldest problem." [00:01:07]

"Fear is based on ignorance, fear is based on lies. That's why Jesus said when you know the truth, the truth will set you free. When you know the truth it sets you free from fears. Fears f-e-a-r, false evidence appearing real." [00:08:00]

"We know that Jesus tells us the truth. We know that Jesus tells us the truth. I don't have to spend a lot of time on this, but essentially here's the point, throughout history, a lot of people have claimed to be God, a lot of people have claimed to be the Messiah." [00:08:41]

"We know because of the resurrection that God loves us extravagantly. We know because of the resurrection that God loves us extravagantly, unconditionally, over the top, you can't even imagine it. Now the Bible has this to say Romans chapter 5, God demonstrated his great love for us." [00:13:38]

"May you be able God says I want you to be able to feel and really understand how long and wide and deep and how high God's love really is and may you experience this love for yourselves even though it is so great you'll never fully understand it." [00:15:05]

"The antidote to fear in your life is not faith, it is love. Because the more you feel God's love, the more safe you're going to feel, the more secure you're going to feel, the more good you're going to feel about yourself, the more you're going to be able to take risks." [00:22:00]

"We know that God has a good plan for our lives. We know that God has a good plan for our lives. Here's what the Bible says in the book of first Peter chapter one, I love this verse three and four, because Jesus was raised from the dead." [00:24:46]

"We know that God will take care of all of our needs. We know that God will take care of all of our needs. How do we know that? Because God solved your biggest need when he came and died for you on the cross. Your biggest need was salvation." [00:27:09]

"Jesus has been talking to God the Father about you. Why? Because of that outrageous love. Several times in scripture the Bible says Jesus is praying, is talking to God the Father about you. He said wait a minute I don't get this this is kind of weird." [00:28:58]

"Let us have no fear, be fearless. Let's have no fear in approaching God's throne of grace. That means come to God when you have a prayer request, when you have a need, approaching God's throne of grace to receive his mercy and find his grace to help us when we need it the most." [00:30:51]

"Don't worry about everyday life. Well then what is there left to worry about? Because almost everything you worry about is everyday life. He says don't worry about everyday life. He says can all your worries add a single moment to your life? No." [00:32:58]

"Now let's just review the reason I don't have to be afraid is I know Jesus tells me the truth, and so all of those promises that are in the Bible I can count on them, and all the things that he says about heaven and life and I can count on it." [00:35:39]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?