Delivered from the Fear of Death

Main Text: Hebrews 2:14–15 - “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

Central Truth

Jesus entered into our humanity, went to the cross, died our death, and through His death broke the power of the devil so that we no longer need to live as slaves to fear.

 

1. CHRIST SHARED OUR HUMANITY

Hebrews 2:14 says:

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things.”

Jesus did not save us from a distance.

He came into our condition.

He took flesh and blood.

He became truly human.

John 1:14 says:

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

Why did He become like us?

Because what He did not assume, He could not redeem.

Christ came into the very realm where humanity had fallen under sin, death, condemnation and Satan's oppression.

But there is an important distinction:

Jesus became like us in humanity, but He did not become sinful in nature.

He was without sin.

Hebrews 4:15 says:

“Yet without sin.”

Therefore, Jesus could stand in our place as the spotless Lamb of God.

 

 

 

 

2. JESUS CAME TO DESTROY THE ONE WHO HAD THE POWER OF DEATH

Hebrews 2:14 says:

“That through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.”

Notice something very important.

Jesus destroyed Satan through death.

This appears to be a paradox.

Satan thought the cross was his victory.

But the cross became Satan's defeat.

The devil used death as a weapon against humanity.

But Jesus entered death voluntarily and came out victorious.

Colossians 2:15 says:

“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

The cross was not God's defeat.

The cross was God's victory.

 

 

 

3. THE CROSS WAS NOT SIMPLY AN EXAMPLE—IT WAS A DIVINE EXCHANGE

This is where the teaching of Watchman Nee becomes particularly helpful.

Nee repeatedly emphasized the believer's identification with Christ.

The Christian life begins with what God has accomplished in Christ.

Romans 6:6 says:

“We know that our old self was crucified with him.”

Notice the language:

“with Him.”

Not merely He died.

But:

We died with Him.

Romans 6:4:

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death.”

Romans 6:5:

“We have been united with him in a death like his.”

And Romans 6:11:

“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

This is the heart of identification.

Jesus died for us, but there is also a deeper reality:

We died with Him.

He was raised, and therefore we have newness of life in Him.

 

4. WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR OLD MASTER?

Before Christ, humanity was under the dominion of sin and death.

Romans 5:12 says:

“Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin.”

Sin brought death.

Death brought fear.

Fear brought bondage.

And Hebrews 2:15 describes the result:

“And deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

Look at the progression:

Sin → Death → Fear → Slavery

The devil exploited this condition.

But Jesus entered the very place of our bondage.

He went into death.

He conquered death.

He rose from the grave.

And therefore the chain has been broken.

 

 

5. THE DEVIL'S POWER WAS BROKEN THROUGH CHRIST'S DEATH

We need to understand Hebrews 2:14 carefully.

It does not mean that Satan became nonexistent.

Nor does it mean that Satan has no activity in the world.

Rather, his decisive authority and claim associated with death have been defeated through Christ's victory.

Jesus said:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
—Matthew 28:18

Colossians 1:13 says:

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.”

That is deliverance.

We have changed kingdoms.

We have changed masters.

We have changed spiritual position.

We are no longer under Satan's dominion.

 

6. THE REAL PROBLEM IS NOT ONLY FEAR—IT IS THE BONDAGE PRODUCED BY FEAR

Hebrews says:

“Through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

Fear can become a master.

Fear says:

• “What if something happens?”
• “What if I lose everything?”
• “What if I become sick?”
• “What if I die?”
• “What will happen to my family?”
• “What will happen tomorrow?”

The devil can use fear to keep people in bondage.

But the believer has a different foundation.

Psalm 23:4 says:

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”

Why?

Because death is no longer the final word.

Jesus said:

“I am the resurrection and the life.”
—John 11:25

 

7. WATCHMAN NEE: SEE YOURSELF IN CHRIST

One of the strongest themes in Watchman Nee's teaching is that the believer must learn to see himself in Christ, rather than continually looking at himself apart from Christ.

This is essential for overcoming the accusation and intimidation of the enemy.

The enemy says:

“Look at yourself.”

God says:

“Look at Christ.”

The enemy says:

“Look at your failure.”

God says:

“Look at what Christ has accomplished.”

The enemy says:

“You are still the same person.”

The gospel says:

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”
—2 Corinthians 5:17

Your confidence is not:

“I am strong.”

Your confidence is:

“Christ is strong in me.”

Your victory is not based upon your ability to defeat Satan.

Your victory is based upon Christ's victory over Satan.

 

8. CHRIST'S DEATH DEALT WITH OUR OLD MAN

Romans 6:6:

“Our old self was crucified with him.”

This is where many Christians struggle.

They try to improve the old life.

But Christianity is not primarily self-improvement.

It is new life in Christ.

The cross does not merely say:

“Try harder.”

The cross says:

“The old man has been dealt with.”

Galatians 2:20:

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”

This is not simply a doctrine to memorize.

It is a truth to live.

 

9. WE MUST LIVE FROM CHRIST'S VICTORY, NOT TRY TO PRODUCE OUR OWN VICTORY

Suppose someone gives you a house that is completely paid for.

You do not spend the rest of your life trying to pay the purchase price again.

You simply live in what has already been provided.

Likewise, Christ has accomplished something for us that we could never accomplish ourselves.

At the cross:

Sin was dealt with.

The old man was crucified.

Death was conquered.

Satan was defeated.

The power of fear was broken.

Therefore, Christian living is not:

“Lord, help me somehow obtain victory.”

It is:

“Lord, teach me to walk in the victory You have already accomplished.”

 

10. HOW DO WE WALK IN THIS VICTORY?

A. Believe what God says

Romans 6:11:

“Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Faith begins by agreeing with God's Word.

B. Reckon yourself identified with Christ

You died with Christ.

You were buried with Christ.

You were raised with Christ.

You now live in Christ.

C. Refuse the dominion of fear

2 Timothy 1:7 says:

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Fear does not have the right to govern the believer.

D. Set your mind on Christ

Colossians 3:1–3:

“Seek the things that are above, where Christ is... For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Your life is hidden with Christ.

That is your position.

 

11. JESUS DID NOT ONLY DELIVER US FROM DEATH—HE DELIVERED US FROM THE FEAR OF DEATH

This is the wonderful conclusion of Hebrews 2:15.

Jesus came:

“to deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

The gospel does not promise that Christians will never die physically.

The gospel promises that physical death is not the end for those who belong to Christ.

Paul could therefore say:

“To live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
—Philippians 1:21

Why could Paul say that?

Because death had lost its ultimate authority.

1 Corinthians 15:55 says:

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

Christ has conquered the grave.

 

12. A WORD TO THE CHURCH

Church, do not live like people who have never heard the gospel.

You are not waiting for Christ to obtain victory.

Christ has already won the victory.

You are not trying to convince God to accept you.

You are accepted in the Beloved.

You are not trying to defeat Satan through human strength.

Christ has already triumphed over the powers of darkness.

You are not trying to manufacture spiritual life.

Christ is your life.

Colossians 3:4:

“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

 

CONCLUSION: FROM FEAR TO FAITH

Hebrews 2:14–15 gives us a powerful movement:

Christ came into our humanity.

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Christ entered death.

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Christ defeated the devil.

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Christ broke the dominion of death.

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Christ delivered us from fear.

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Christ brought us into freedom.

Therefore, believer, you do not have to live as a slave to fear.

Your old master has been defeated.

Your old identity has been dealt with at the cross.

Your life is now in Christ.

So, when fear comes, don't begin by looking at yourself.

Look to Christ.

When Satan accuses you, don't argue with him in your own strength.

Stand upon what Christ has accomplished.

When fear of death comes, remember:

Jesus entered death for you.

Jesus conquered death for you.

Jesus rose from death.

And because He lives, you have life.

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Preaching Declaration

Church, let us declare this together:

I am in Christ.
I have died with Christ.
I have been raised with Christ.
My old life has been dealt with at the cross.
Sin shall not have dominion over me.
Satan is a defeated enemy.
Death is not my final destiny.
Fear will not rule my life.
Christ is my life.
Christ is my victory.
Christ lives in me.
Therefore, I will live by faith and not by fear.
In Christ, I am free!

Key Scriptures for the Sermon

Hebrews 2:14–15; Romans 6:4–11; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:14–15; Colossians 3:1–4; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 15:54–57; John 11:25–26; Philippians 1:21; 2 Timothy 1:7.