Awakening to Resurrection Life: Embracing Our Spiritual Journey

Devotional

Day 1: Entering the Eighth Day of Creation—Resurrection Life Begins

The early church understood that coming to faith in Christ was not just a decision but an entry into a new reality—the “eighth day of creation.” This is the day of resurrection, a new beginning beyond the original seven days of creation, signifying that in Christ, you are not simply improved but entirely made new. The resurrection of Jesus on the “eighth day” (Sunday) marks the start of a new creation, and as a believer, you are invited to live in this resurrection life, free from the fear of death and empowered by the Spirit to walk in newness. Let this truth awaken you to the reality that your life is now defined by Christ’s victory and the eternal life He has placed within you. [19:18]

John 20:1 (ESV)
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to embrace the reality of resurrection life, leaving behind old fears or limitations and stepping into the new creation Christ has made you to be?

Day 2: Buried and Raised with Christ—The Power of Baptism

Baptism is more than a symbolic act; it is a supernatural participation in the death and resurrection of Jesus. As you are immersed in water, you are united with Christ in His burial, and as you rise, you are joined to His resurrection. This means your old life, with its constraints and failures, is left behind, and you now walk in newness of life, free from the power of death and sin. The early church emphasized this reality, reminding believers that baptism is the gateway to a transformed existence, not just a ritual but a profound spiritual reality. [22:04]

Romans 6:4 (ESV)
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Reflection: What is one “old” habit, mindset, or fear that you need to leave behind in the waters of baptism, so you can fully walk in the newness of life Christ offers?

Day 3: Anointed by the Spirit—Living in God’s Presence

The anointing with oil in the early church’s baptismal practice symbolized the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit. As a believer, you are not left to live this new life in your own strength; the Spirit of God is with you, empowering, guiding, and comforting you every day. This anointing is not a one-time event but an ongoing reality—God’s Spirit marks you as His own and equips you for every good work. Receive afresh today the truth that you are anointed, chosen, and filled with the Holy Spirit for the life God has called you to live. [23:52]

1 John 2:20 (ESV)
But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.

Reflection: Where do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit’s presence and power in your daily life, rather than your own strength or understanding?

Day 4: You Are the Light of the World—Blessed to Be a Blessing

Upon baptism, the new believer was given a candle and a glass of milk, symbolizing their new identity as the light of the world and their entry into God’s abundant blessings. You are called to shine in the darkness, to be a visible expression of God’s love and truth wherever you go. At the same time, you are brought into a land “flowing with milk and honey”—a life marked by God’s goodness, provision, and purpose. This blessing is not just for you, but so you can be a blessing to others, carrying the light and life of Christ into your community and beyond. [25:03]

Matthew 5:14 (ESV)
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Reflection: Who is one person or group you can intentionally bless or encourage today, letting the light of Christ shine through you in a practical way?

Day 5: From Ritual to Reality—Awakening to True Resurrection Life

The danger of empty ceremony is that it can leave us dry, disengaged, and spiritually asleep. The early church’s practices were never meant to be dead rituals but living reminders of the resurrection life available in Christ. True Christianity is not about going through the motions but about being awakened—revived—by the Spirit to live as sons and daughters of God, fully alive and engaged in His purposes. Ask God to awaken your heart afresh, to move beyond routine and into vibrant, Spirit-filled living that overflows into every area of your life and community. [32:13]

Ephesians 5:14 (ESV)
For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Reflection: What is one area of your spiritual life that has become routine or “dry,” and how can you invite God to awaken and revive you in that area today?

Sermon Summary

The journey of faith is not meant to be a passive experience, but an awakening to the fullness of life that God has made available through Christ. Living in the Western world, we are blessed beyond measure, and with that comes a responsibility to move beyond mere survival and into a thriving, Spirit-empowered existence. This call to awaken is not just for our benefit, but so that we might become living testimonies of resurrection life in our families, workplaces, and communities.

Reflecting on the practices of the early church, there is much to learn from their intentional rhythms and patterns. The early believers understood that spiritual transformation required more than spontaneous moments; it needed preparation, reflection, and a deep engagement with the mysteries of Christ. Their annual cycles—Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Advent—were not empty rituals, but opportunities to physically and spiritually connect with the profound realities of salvation, resurrection, and the indwelling Spirit.

The process of entering the early church was marked by a journey of genuine transformation. New believers underwent years of discipleship, deliverance, and preparation before baptism. The baptism itself was a powerful, multi-layered experience: being declared part of the “eighth day of creation,” immersed three times to signify union with the Trinity, anointed with oil as a sign of the Spirit’s presence, given a candle to symbolize being the light of the world, handed a glass of milk to represent entering into God’s abundance, and finally, declaring that Jehovah had become their Abba, their loving Father. Each step was designed to awaken the heart to the reality of resurrection life, not just as a concept, but as a lived experience.

Empty ceremony and religious routine can never substitute for true spiritual awakening. The story of Elijah and the priests of Baal reminds us that only authentic encounters with God bring life and transformation. The invitation is to move beyond dead religion and into the vibrant, Spirit-filled life that Christ offers. Revival is not an external event, but an internal awakening that, when multiplied in a community, has the power to shift families, cities, and even nations.

As we reflect on these truths, may we open our hearts to a fresh baptism of the Spirit, embracing our identity as sons and daughters of the resurrection, and carrying the light and blessing of God into every sphere of life.

Key Takeaways

1. Awakening Requires Intentional Preparation True spiritual awakening is not accidental or merely spontaneous. The early church understood the importance of rhythms—seasons of fasting, reflection, and anticipation—to prepare the heart for deeper encounters with God. Without intentional preparation, spiritual breakthroughs can be fleeting, but with it, transformation becomes lasting and progressive. [08:07]
2. Resurrection Life Is Our New Reality Baptism is more than a symbolic act; it is a supernatural participation in the death and resurrection of Christ. The old self is buried, and we are raised into a new creation, free from the fear and bondage of death. This resurrection life is not just for eternity, but for living victoriously and purposefully now. [22:04]
3. The Spirit’s Presence Is Tangible and Transforming The anointing with oil in baptism signified the indwelling and empowering of the Holy Spirit. This is not a distant theological idea, but a present reality—God’s Spirit is with us, guiding, empowering, and marking us as His own. Living in the Spirit means daily drawing on this anointing for wisdom, strength, and boldness. [23:52]
4. Our Identity Is Rooted in Divine Adoption The declaration “Jehovah has become my Abba” encapsulates the heart of the gospel: we are no longer orphans, but beloved sons and daughters. This identity is foundational, granting us access to the privileges, security, and intimacy of God’s royal family. Living from this place of adoption transforms how we see ourselves and others. [27:28]
5. Revival Begins in the Heart and Spreads Outward Revival is not an event or a program, but the awakening of resurrection life within individuals. When believers are truly alive to God, their lives become catalysts for transformation in their homes, workplaces, and communities. As revived “living temples,” we carry the presence and power of God wherever we go, shifting atmospheres and igniting hope. [34:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:02] - Awakening to the Moment
[04:30] - The Blessing and Responsibility of Thriving
[06:45] - Learning from Church History
[08:07] - The Power of Spiritual Rhythms
[11:33] - The Purpose of Lent and Fasting
[14:17] - The Early Church’s Path to Baptism
[17:30] - The Baptismal Journey Explained
[19:18] - Entering the Eighth Day of Creation
[22:04] - Immersion and Resurrection Life
[23:52] - The Anointing of the Spirit
[25:03] - Becoming Light and Entering God’s Abundance
[27:28] - Declaring God as Abba
[28:52] - The Danger of Empty Ceremony
[32:13] - Awakening to Resurrection Life
[34:41] - Revival Starts Within
[36:38] - A Prayer for Heart Baptism
[39:07] - Embracing Our Identity and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Awakening to Resurrection Life

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Bible Reading

Romans 6:3-5

"Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his."

1 John 2:20

"But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth."

Romans 8:15

"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'"

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Observation Questions

According to Romans 6:3-5, what does baptism symbolize about our relationship to Jesus’ death and resurrection?
In the early church’s baptism process described in the sermon, what were the six symbolic actions or items given to new believers, and what did each represent? ([19:18] – [27:28])
What does 1 John 2:20 say about the anointing believers receive, and how was this reflected in the early church’s baptism practice? ([23:52])
What declaration did new believers make as they entered the community, and what does this reveal about their new identity? ([27:28])

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Interpretation Questions

Why did the early church place such a strong emphasis on preparation, reflection, and intentional rhythms (like Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Advent) in the spiritual life of believers? How might this have shaped their experience of faith? ([08:07])
The sermon describes baptism as a “supernatural participation” in Christ’s death and resurrection. What does it mean for someone to live in “resurrection life” now, not just in eternity? ([22:04])
The anointing with oil was a sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence. How might understanding the Spirit’s presence as “tangible and transforming” change the way someone approaches daily life? ([23:52])
The declaration “Jehovah has become my Abba” was central to the early church’s understanding of identity. How does seeing oneself as a beloved son or daughter of God affect the way a person relates to God and others? ([27:28])

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Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to move beyond “just surviving” and into a thriving, Spirit-empowered life. In what areas of your life do you feel you are just surviving? What would it look like to intentionally prepare for spiritual awakening in those areas? ([02:02])
The early church’s process for new believers was slow and intentional, involving years of discipleship and deliverance. How does this compare to your own journey of faith? Are there areas where you need to slow down and allow God to do deeper work in you? ([14:17])
The sermon warns against empty ceremony and religious routine. Are there any spiritual practices in your life that have become routine or empty? What could you do to re-engage your heart in those practices? ([32:13])
The early church gave new believers a candle and a glass of milk to symbolize being the light of the world and entering God’s abundance. Where do you sense God calling you to bring His light or blessing this week? ([25:03])
The declaration “Jehovah has become my Abba” speaks of deep intimacy and security. Do you struggle to see God as a loving Father? What steps could you take to grow in this area of your relationship with Him? ([27:28])
The sermon describes revival as an internal awakening that spreads outward. What would it look like for you to be a “living temple” who carries God’s presence into your family, workplace, or community? ([34:41])
The early church’s rhythms included seasons of fasting, reflection, and anticipation. Is there a spiritual rhythm or practice you feel prompted to start or re-engage with in this season? How can the group support you in this? ([08:07])

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Sermon Clips

Christianity that just goes through the motions without true understanding of, or engagement with resurrection life is just empty. ceremony. It's going to leave you dry and dead. It's going to leave you disinterested in church. It's going to leave you disengaged in the marketplace. It's just dry ceremony. It's, you know, worship becomes Christian karaoke, right? A message just becomes a pep talk. It's just, you know, it's just nothing. [00:32:30] (29 seconds) Edit Clip

As you come out of the water, you don't come to just more of the old life with a bit of help from God. You literally came into a revelation that that old life, that old image, those old concepts, those old convictions, those old constraints, they're gone. You're now in this thing called new life, resurrection life. [00:22:38] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

Revival's not an event that happens in the city. It's something that happens, the genesis of it, in the hearts of the believers. Revival grace, revival. And when enough people become revived, it begins to shift atmospheres of not just hearts, but homes and regions and by the grace of God, nations. [00:34:56] (26 seconds) Edit Clip

You are now the light of the world, like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. So listen, dripping with water, dripping with oil, in their right hand a candle and the declaration now that the light of God is in you and you are a light to the world. [00:25:30] (23 seconds) Edit Clip

But the early church fathers wanted to make sure that they were positioning by the grace of God, the heart of the believer, so that they could understand we have awoken, not to dead ceremony, not to temple religion, but to resurrection life. [00:32:59] (18 seconds) Edit Clip

You are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Revive temples. Revive living temples. What could happen in a church? Oh man, instead of it being two people in revival, you know, but, but a cluster, a community of faith that just continues to animate one another. It's amazing. [00:35:44] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

Life in the Spirit, resurrection life. We've been, this whole weekend, we've been talking about awakening. I'm just, I'm just trying to put a bow in it from my perspective, from my moment, this thought about, could you imagine, as we go out into tomorrow, into your workplace, into your business, into the schools, into, you know, whatever it is that life is tomorrow for you, and you just, somehow, you're just more awake tomorrow than you were Friday, than you were last week. You're alive, you're awake in God, awake to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. That is revival. [00:34:09] (43 seconds) Edit Clip