Do Not Be Afraid; Just Believe

DO NOT BE AFRAID; JUST BELIEVE (Outline)

MARK 5:21-24; 35-43 - June 26, 2005 - PENTECOST 6

INTRO: One of mankind’s great fears is the fear of the unknown. Very often many people get them-selves overly excited about the uncertainty of the future. Many worry about the things that might happen or might not happen. There are worries about the weather, the harvest, and the economy. All of these things are often unknown and can easily become a source of concern. Did you also know that some could worry about that which is known? Someone once said: The only two things certain in this life are death and taxes. The reality is that no one really likes to face either one. "Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come? No man has power over the wind to contain it; so no one has power over the day of his death"(ECCLESIASTES 8:7,8). Mere mortals cannot control the wind or the day of their death. In today’s text we have the very comforting words of Jesus: Do not be afraid; just believe. As be-lievers, by grace, we are able to do that very thing – not fear the unknown or the known because of faith.

DO NOT BE AFRAID; JUST BELIEVE

I. There is a certain fear concerning death

II. There is a greater certainty of eternal life through Christ.

I. THERE IS A CERTAIN FEAR CONCERNING DEATH

A. We heard last week how Jesus crossed over the lake with his disciples (Mark 4:35ff).

1. Jesus returns. Verse 21. The crowds still gathered around him. Jesus was still popular.

2. Last week Jesus stilled the storm for his disciples. Then Jesus drove out demons.

B. The crowd is anxious for Jesus to help them. Verse 22. Even a synagogue ruler comes for help.

1. Verse 23 provides us with the prayerful request of Jairus. His daughter is at the end of life.

2. There is little time left and little hope for Jairus’ daughter. Jesus goes to help in verse 24.

C. There is still a great crush of people following Jesus. Along the way another miracle is performed.

1. Then comes the news that Jairus’ feared. Verse 35. Jairus is told not to bother the teacher.

2. Jairus’ daughter is dead. Now Jesus responds in verse 36. Do not be afraid; just believe.

3. Jesus had heard the fear in Jairus’ request and seen the fear of death in his eyes.

D. At times death can be a fearful thing. You and I have our sinful nature. Our sinful nature is a selfish beast. It does not want to give up our friends or loved ones to death. There is no escape. Our society is fearful of death. Just look at all the ways to stay healthy and live longer. Anything to avoid death. We ought not fear death but respect death as a part of life. It is true that every soul that sins is the soul that will die. Indeed, there is no escape from physical death. All of us will face physical death because of the infection of sin that has contaminated every one of us. "Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death"(JAMES 1:15).

E. Adam and Eve were created by the Lord God Almighty and placed into the Garden of Eden, a perfect place. They could do whatever they wanted with one exception. Adam and Eve were not to eat from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil or they will surely die. They did eat. Sin entered the world. We have inherited this corruption from our first parents. We are born sinful. Sin makes certain that we will not live forever on earth. "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned"(ROMANS 5:12).

F. As believers we know that the power of death has been destroyed. Still, death is very often a sad time in our lives. Why is that? Sin has corrupted our perfect and complete knowledge of knowing and doing God’s will. Sin clouds our minds with deception, doubt and despair. Our sinful nature can cause us to have a certain fear concerning death. "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear"(ISAIAH 59:2). On this side of heaven we truly never completely understand God’s will for our lives because of sin. Do not be afraid; just believe.

TRANS: DO NOT BE AFRAID; JUST BELIEVE. There can and might be a certain fear concerning death; BUT, II. There is a greater certainty of eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.