TITLE: How to overcome the fear of death and suffering. TEXT: Hebrews 2:10-18 THEME: The believer should not fear death or suffering.

There is something about having someone who has been through your suffering that gives us encouragement.

Setting: 1. Paul is still arguing the case for Christ's superiority over angels.

Setting: 1. Paul is still arguing the case for Christ's superiority over angels. 2. Christ's sufferings as a man are consistent with his superiority over angels.

Setting: 1. Paul is still arguing the case for Christ's superiority over angels. 2. Christ's sufferings as a man are consistent with his superiority over angels. 3. Last week we saw the dignity of man and that Jesus dignifies man by becoming a man

Setting: 1. Paul is still arguing the case for Christ's superiority over angels. 2. Christ's sufferings as a man are consistent with his superiority over angels. 3. Last week we saw the dignity of man and that Jesus dignifies man by becoming a man. 4. No attempt is made to minimize his sufferings.

Setting: 1. Paul is still arguing the case for Christ's superiority over angels. 2. Christ's sufferings as a man are consistent with his superiority over angels. 3. Last week we saw the dignity of man and that Jesus dignifies man by becoming a man. 4. No attempt is made to minimize his sufferings. 5. This morning we will see that Jesus will dignify us even further by making us more like him.

Athanasius ( ) wrote: “He became what we are that he might make us what he is.”

How does the suffering of Jesus remove fear of death and suffering?

I. It places us into a new position (10-11)

Hebrew 2: In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.

I. It places us into a new position (10-11) A. We are made holy (10)

I. It places us into a new position (10-11) A. We are made holy (10) 1. By Christ's suffering and death we are made sons (10)

I. It places us into a new position (10-11) A. We are made holy (10) 1. By Christ's suffering and death we are made sons (10) 2. By Christ's suffering and death God's sovereignty is revealed (10)

I. It places us into a new position (10-11) A. We are made holy (10) 1. By Christ's suffering and death we are made sons (10) 2. By Christ's suffering and death God's sovereignty is revealed (10 3. By Christ's suffering and death Christ is made perfect.

a) In no other way could Christ have been qualified to lead and be our redeemer.

3. By Christ's suffering and death Christ is made perfect. a) In no other way could Christ have been qualified to lead and be our redeemer. b). Suffering educates sympathy; it enables Him to identify with our suffering.

I. It places us into a new position (10-11) A. We are made holy (10) 1. By Christ's suffering and death we are made sons (10) 2. By Christ's suffering and death God's sovereignty is revealed (10 3. By Christ's suffering and death Christ is made perfect. 4. Because he is holy.

I. It places us into a new position (10-11) A. We are made holy (10) 1. By Christ's suffering and death we are made sons (10) 2. By Christ's suffering and death God's sovereignty is revealed (10 3. By Christ's suffering and death Christ is made perfect. 4. Because he is holy. 5. Because he made us holy. “Sanctification” identifies this process of being made holy.

Three kinds of sanctification 1. Positional sanctification: Every believer is now positionally sanctified as being "in Christ".

Three kinds of sanctification 1. Positional sanctification: Every believer is now positionally sanctified as being "in Christ". 2. Progressive sanctification: Deals with our daily progress to become more like Christ.

Three kinds of sanctification 1. Positional sanctification: Every believer is now positionally sanctified as being "in Christ". 2. Progressive sanctification: Deals with our daily progress to become more like Christ. a) Our daily obedience to God.

Three kinds of sanctification 1. Positional sanctification: Every believer is now positionally sanctified as being "in Christ". 2. Progressive sanctification: Deals with our daily progress to become more like Christ. a) Our daily obedience to God. b. Our separation from sin.

I Thes.5: reject every kind of evil.23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Three kinds of sanctification 1. Positional sanctification: Every believer is now positionally sanctified as being "in Christ". 2. Progressive sanctification: Deals with our daily progress to become more like Christ. a) Our daily obedience to God. b. Our separation from sin. c) Our Christian growth.

2 Peter 3:18 “18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Three kinds of sanctification 1. Positional sanctification: Every believer is now positionally sanctified as being "in Christ". 2. Progressive sanctification: Deals with our daily progress to become more like Christ. 3. Ultimate sanctification

I. It places us into a new position (10-11) A. We are made holy (10) B. We are made brothers and sisters (11).

1 Timothy 2:5-7 “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men”.

John 1:11-12 “He came unto his own but his own did not receive Him. But, as many as did receive Him them he gave the legal authority to become children of God.”

How does the suffering of Jesus remove fear of death and suffering?

II. The Old Testament supports our new position (12-13)

Psalm 22:22 He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.” (note also verses 21-24)

Isaiah 8:13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.”

Isaiah 8:18 And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me

How does the suffering of Jesus remove fear of death and suffering?

III.It removes the causes for fear and anxiety (14-18)

Hebrews 2: Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—

Hebrews 2: and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 2: Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

III.It removes the causes for fear and anxiety (14-18) A. The power of Satan has been broken. (14)

III.It removes the causes for fear and anxiety (14-18) A.The power of Satan has been broken. (14) B. The fear of the author of death removed.

The fear of the author of death removed. a. To remove the fear of death, Christ had to become man (only man can die).

The fear of the author of death removed. a. To remove the fear of death, Christ had to become man (only man can die). b. To remove the fear of death, Christ had to die.

The fear of the author of death removed. a. To remove the fear of death, Christ had to become man (only man can die). b. To remove the fear of death, Christ had to die. c. To remove the fear of death, Christ had to defeat death until we die With Him we cannot defeat it.

The fear of the author of death removed. a. To remove the fear of death, Christ had to become man (only man can die). b. To remove the fear of death, Christ had to die c. To remove the fear of death, Christ had to defeat death until we die With Him we cannot defeat it. d. To remove the fear of death, Christ had to destroy the author of death.

III.It removes the causes for fear and anxiety (14-18) A. The power of Satan has been broken. (14) B. The fear of death has been removed. (15) C. His suffering helps Him empathize with ours. (16-17)

Jesus teaches us how to die and he is the perfect teacher because he first faced death

APPLICATION When we find ourselves anxious and fearful what must we do? 1. Identify the fear.

APPLICATION When we find ourselves anxious and fearful what must we do? 1. Identify the fear. 2. Ask yourself- Is this something beyond God's ability to handle? The answer is “no!”

APPLICATION When we find ourselves anxious and fearful what must we do? 1. Identify the fear. 2. Ask yourself- Is this something beyond God's ability to handle? The answer is “no!” 3. Look at your position in Christ as one who has been made holy.

APPLICATION When we find ourselves anxious and fearful what must we do? 1. Identify the fear. 2. Ask yourself- Is this something beyond God's ability to handle? The answer is “no!” 3. Look at your position in Christ as one who has been made holy. 4. Remember that Christ has removed the uncertainty and pain of death by His death and resurrection.

Because the moment you trust Christ you know you will be in the presence of God forever.