“Peace for Fearful Hearts” April 12, 2026, Concordia

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you, from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

This morning we continue our series which began last week on Easter Sunday: “Encounters with the Risen Christ.”

Mary at the Tomb (seen and called by name), Disciples behind locked doors, Thomas, disciples on the Road to Emmaus, Peter Restored.

Abstract – “Personal encounter with the living Jesus that shows how the risen Christ meets people

In Christianity, "encounter" refers to a life-changing, personal engagement - with our Triune God, our Risen Savior—that has a transformative effect on the individual’s life, faith, or mission.

Today we explore the encounter the disciples had when Jesus appeared to them behind locked doors.

John 20:19-23 (NIV)
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
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You are equipped…

*As verse 23 states in our text, the disciples (and us, today) are armed with the Forgiveness of Sins. We refer to this as the “Office of the Keys.” This is a special authority given to the church, to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, but to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant. When sin is absolved/forgiven, it’s the key that opens up heaven itself! The other key closes heaven to those who are impenitent.

God forgives sins through Jesus Christ and His work of redemption, and then Christ gives this authority to His church. But each repentant believer also receives and can give forgiveness.

*Equipped with the Holy Spirit*

Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." The Holy Spirit calls us, and brings us to faith through the Gospel. When Jesus says, “Follow Me,” His Word, by the Holy Spirit, has the power to turn us from our sin, and move us to trust Him and walk in His ways.

1 Corinthians 6:11 (NIV)
11 … But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 2:9-11 (ESV)
9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

Galatians 4:6 (NIV)
6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”

Romans 15:13 (NIV)
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
1 Peter 1:5 (NIV)
5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
and Sent…
1 Timothy 2:3-4 (ESV)
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

It has always been the heart of God to provide salvation for His people. And He did that by sending His one and only begotten Son into the world to redeem the world. And that has happened! And now Jesus says, “I am sending you!” to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel to ALL people.

Mark 16:15-16 (NIV)
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

All Christians have the fruits to display! And then each Believer has Spiritual Gifts to use in service to others in the Body of Christ.

In Jesus’ peace…
Peace - eiréné i-ray'-nay
eirḗnē (from eirō, "to join, tie together into a whole") – wholeness, when all essential parts are joined together; peace is God's gift of wholeness.
No Jesus – no peace; Know Jesus - Know peace. Know Wholeness.

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Most importantly, this peace of our Lord refers to reconciliation!

Colossians 1:20 (NIV)
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
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“Jesus’ Peace overcomes Fear”
What FEAR’s keep you in your locked room?
*What fears do we have in this life? Personal safety? An unknown future? Loss of loved ones? Relationships, peer pressure? Financial?
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Three Points of Peace:

Romans 5:1 (NIV)
5 1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ….

1. Jesus’ peace ispresent and available! It’s based on what Christ has already accomplished, not what we can establish/accomplish! Think of how Jesus may have appeared to the disciples in the locked room. He manifests Himself to His people! Does Fear blind us and keep us from seeing God working and giving us Peace? I’m not a big fan of the saying that “God showed up.” I think God is always there, and Fear may blind us from His Presence!

John 14:27 (NIV)
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

2. Abide in Christ; He will sustain you long-term with His peace
Not based on the world’s perspective of peace- long walks on the beach, reading poetry, playing golf, etc. And it’s not based on personal or even national strength – “Peace through strength” “Peace through deterrence” etc.
This is spoken prior to Jesus’ teaching the disciples “I Am the True Vine” and you are the branch, Abide in me! Abide in Jesus and He will nourish and sustain you for an eternal journey!
The world gives us false hope and maybe a temporary feeling of fleeting peace. Jesus’ Peace is sure, steadfast, and everlasting!
Christians are long-term promise-holders. Not short-term dreamers!
We tell our young people to “follow your dreams” or “follow your passions,” but that’s only true if it is in line with God’s Will for their lives, based upon encountering Christ’s peace and His redemption and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

3. Peace is realized in being grateful.
Count your blessings, not your fears…
The weather broadcaster I grew up with – even after a terrible forecast, he would say, “It’s going to be a great day!” When questioned, he said “I just focus on my blessings from God each day, and I know it’s going to be a great day.”

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV)
3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you…

4. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Set your mind on things above, not on FEAR of things below (on this earth, this life).

Equipped with the Holy Spirit, they moved out of the locked room and saw themselves as “SENT” in Jesus’ Peace and established the Early Church. The Book of ACTS, early church, SENT to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth!

And now – US! You! After encountering the Risen Christ, what does your faith journey look like? Remember, you are equipped and sent in Jesus’ peace!

Our Three Points of Peace:

1. Jesus’ peace is present and available!
2. Abide in Christ. He will sustain you long-term with His peace
3. Jesus’peace is realized in being grateful.

Closing Prayer

Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV)

Benediction and Final Greetings
20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

And as you leave this place, go and Shine like Stars in the universe as you hold up the Message of Life! Amen.