Sunday April 19, 2026

Sermon Title: When Jesus Stands Among The Fearful

Scripture: (John 20:19-23)

Series Big Idea: Meeting the risen Jesus transforms doubt, fear, and failure into victory

Sermon Big Idea: Christ's presence turns fear to joy and sends us out

Introduction:

After the resurrection, the disciples were gripped by fear, feeling lost and uncertain behind locked doors. Yet in their darkest moment, Jesus Himself came to them, transforming everything by His presence.

Fear Gives Way to Joy Through Christ’s Presence (vv. 19-20)

The disciples hid in fear behind locked doors, shaken by all that had happened and unsure about the future. Jesus appeared among them, offering His peace and showing His wounds, and their fear was instantly replaced by joy in seeing the risen Lord.

Empowered For Mission Through Christ’s Sending (vv. 21-23)

Jesus did not leave the disciples in comfort alone but breathed on them, imparting the Holy Spirit and commissioning them to be agents of His forgiveness. The risen Christ empowered His followers, sending them out to bring His message and peace to a fearful world.

Conclusion:

Just as Jesus transformed the disciples’ fear with His presence and sent them in the power of the Spirit, He meets us in our anxieties and gives us a purpose beyond our own needs. Our encounter with the risen Lord moves us from frightened followers to bold ambassadors of His peace and forgiveness.

John 20:19-23 Bibliography

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. Electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991.

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

Dockery, David S., ed. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

Water, Mark. Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible. AMG Publishers, 2003.

Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Handbook. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006.

Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999.

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Brooks, Keith. Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale Reference Library. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.

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