Celebrating the Power of the Resurrection
Summary
The celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a profound reminder of the cornerstone of our faith. Today, we witnessed the baptism of four individuals, a powerful symbol of identifying with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Baptism is not a means of salvation but an act of obedience and public declaration of faith. It is a testament to the transformative power of the resurrection, as we are raised to walk in newness of life. The Great Commission calls us to make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded. This act of baptism is a continuation of that mission, a visible link to the Great Commission.
The resurrection of Jesus is the linchpin of Christianity. Without it, our faith would be in vain. Jesus' resurrection is what sets Christianity apart from all other religions. While other faiths can point to the graves of their founders, Christianity points to an empty tomb. The resurrection is not just a historical event but a present reality that assures us of our own resurrection and eternal life. It affirms the reliability of Jesus as our Savior, assures us of our future resurrection, and asserts the redemption of our sins. The resurrection is God's seal of approval on Jesus' sacrifice, confirming that our sins are forgiven and we are justified before God.
The Apostle Paul, in Acts 13, boldly proclaimed the truth of the resurrection, emphasizing its physical nature, personal knowledge, and practical necessity. The resurrection is not a myth or a metaphor but a historical fact witnessed by many. It is essential to our salvation, as we must believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead. The resurrection is the foundation of our hope, the assurance of our future, and the power of our faith. As we celebrate this truth, let us be reminded of the call to share this good news with others, to live in the power of the resurrection, and to look forward to the day when Jesus will return.
Key Takeaways:
- Baptism is a significant act of obedience and public declaration of faith, symbolizing our identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a visible link to the Great Commission, calling us to make disciples and teach them to obey Jesus' commands. [11:31]
- The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christianity, setting it apart from all other religions. It is not just a historical event but a present reality that assures us of our own resurrection and eternal life. Without the resurrection, our faith would be in vain. [43:33]
- The resurrection affirms the reliability of Jesus as our Savior, assures us of our future resurrection, and asserts the redemption of our sins. It is God's seal of approval on Jesus' sacrifice, confirming that our sins are forgiven and we are justified before God. [50:07]
- The resurrection is a historical fact witnessed by many, not a myth or metaphor. It is essential to our salvation, as we must believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead. The resurrection is the foundation of our hope, the assurance of our future, and the power of our faith. [53:57]
- As we celebrate the resurrection, we are reminded of the call to share this good news with others, to live in the power of the resurrection, and to look forward to the day when Jesus will return. The resurrection offers us true victory over the grave and the opportunity to follow a risen Savior. [01:00:09]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Sunrise Service and Baptisms
- [02:00] - Significance of Baptism
- [04:00] - Believer's Baptism Explained
- [06:00] - Baptism of Heaven Holtzclaw
- [07:30] - Baptism of Dustin Buxton
- [09:00] - Baptism of Juwan Bradford
- [10:30] - Baptism of J.D. Bradford
- [11:31] - Prayer and Praise
- [12:00] - Introduction to Acts 13
- [15:00] - The Resurrection: Linchpin of Christianity
- [20:00] - The Physical Resurrection of Jesus
- [30:00] - The Personal Knowledge of the Resurrection
- [40:00] - The Practical Necessity of the Resurrection
- [50:00] - Assurance of Our Resurrection
- [01:00:00] - Invitation to Salvation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 13:29-39
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Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of baptism as described in the sermon, and how does it relate to the Great Commission? [11:31]
2. According to the sermon, what sets Christianity apart from other religions in terms of the resurrection? [43:33]
3. How does the sermon describe the physical nature of Jesus' resurrection, and why is it important? [50:07]
4. What evidence does the sermon provide to support the claim that Jesus' resurrection is a historical fact? [53:57]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the resurrection affirm the reliability of Jesus as our Savior, according to the sermon? [01:04:35]
2. In what ways does the resurrection assure believers of their future resurrection and eternal life? [50:07]
3. How does the sermon explain the practical necessity of the resurrection for the redemption of sins? [01:00:09]
4. What role does personal knowledge and witness of the resurrection play in the spread of the Gospel, as discussed in the sermon? [53:57]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own baptism or the decision to be baptized. How does it serve as a public declaration of your faith, and how can it inspire others to follow Christ? [11:31]
2. The sermon emphasizes the resurrection as the cornerstone of Christianity. How does this truth impact your daily life and faith journey? [43:33]
3. Consider the transformative power of the resurrection in your life. In what areas do you need to experience "newness of life"? [50:07]
4. The sermon calls us to share the good news of the resurrection. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear this message. How can you share it with them this week? [01:00:09]
5. How does the assurance of your future resurrection influence your perspective on current challenges and struggles? [50:07]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of living in the power of the resurrection. What specific steps can you take to live more fully in this power? [01:00:09]
7. Reflect on the call to make disciples as part of the Great Commission. What is one practical way you can engage in disciple-making in your community? [11:31]
Devotional
Day 1: Baptism as a Symbol of New Life
Baptism is a profound act of obedience and a public declaration of faith, symbolizing our identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is not a means of salvation but a testament to the transformative power of the resurrection, as believers are raised to walk in newness of life. This act is a visible link to the Great Commission, calling us to make disciples and teach them to obey Jesus' commands. Through baptism, we are reminded of our commitment to follow Christ and live according to His teachings. [11:31]
Colossians 2:12 (ESV): "Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead."
Reflection: Consider your own baptism or the baptism of someone you know. How does this act of obedience continue to influence your daily walk with Christ?
Day 2: The Resurrection as the Cornerstone of Faith
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christianity, setting it apart from all other religions. It is not just a historical event but a present reality that assures us of our own resurrection and eternal life. Without the resurrection, our faith would be in vain, as it is the foundation of our hope and the assurance of our future. The empty tomb is a powerful testament to the unique nature of Christianity and the living hope we have in Christ. [43:33]
1 Corinthians 15:17-19 (ESV): "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied."
Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection impact your understanding of hope and eternal life? In what ways can you live out this hope today?
Day 3: Assurance of Forgiveness and Justification
The resurrection affirms the reliability of Jesus as our Savior, assures us of our future resurrection, and asserts the redemption of our sins. It is God's seal of approval on Jesus' sacrifice, confirming that our sins are forgiven and we are justified before God. This assurance allows us to live in the freedom and joy of being reconciled with God, knowing that our past is forgiven and our future is secure. [50:07]
Romans 4:24-25 (ESV): "It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you struggle to accept God's forgiveness. How can you embrace the truth of your justification through the resurrection?
Day 4: The Resurrection as a Historical Fact
The resurrection is a historical fact witnessed by many, not a myth or metaphor. It is essential to our salvation, as we must believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead. This belief is the foundation of our hope, the assurance of our future, and the power of our faith. The physical resurrection of Jesus provides a solid foundation for our faith, encouraging us to trust in the truth of the Gospel. [53:57]
Acts 2:32-33 (ESV): "This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing."
Reflection: How does the historical reality of the resurrection strengthen your faith? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding and conviction of this truth?
Day 5: Living in the Power of the Resurrection
As we celebrate the resurrection, we are reminded of the call to share this good news with others, to live in the power of the resurrection, and to look forward to the day when Jesus will return. The resurrection offers us true victory over the grave and the opportunity to follow a risen Savior. This victory empowers us to live boldly and share the transformative message of the Gospel with those around us. [01:00:09]
Philippians 3:10-11 (ESV): "That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."
Reflection: In what ways can you live out the power of the resurrection in your daily life? Who can you share this life-changing message with today?
Quotes
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the one element that not only makes Christianity different from every other religion or faith, it makes it superior to every other faith. Someone once said, Christianity begins where all religions end with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is what makes us different, friends. We don't serve a dead man. We serve a risen Savior. We worship him because he is alive and he is well right now. [00:44:06] (30 seconds)
Religion is man's attempt at working his way to heaven. See, Christianity says that God worked his way down to us. He got down on our level, and he lived a sinless life in this sin-filled world. And because of that, he could die as our Savior because he never sinned. I told the congregation Friday night, all of us die. One out of one people die. It's 100%. [00:44:47] (24 seconds)
Nobody's getting out of here alive. But you can get out of here spiritually alive forevermore in eternity by putting your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Every other religion, because everything outside of Christianity is a religion, it can point to the grave of its founder. Only Christianity can point to an empty tomb and say, He's alive and I'm forgiven. [00:45:12] (23 seconds)
Let it be known to you, therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. And by him, everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. Heavenly Father, we praise you and thank you for the salvation that you have afforded to us through your mercy and grace by the sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. [00:47:36] (21 seconds)
We thank you for his shed blood, that divine detergent that washes away all of our sins. Lord, we thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. And Lord, that spirit that is indwelt in each and every one of your children is the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. God, you have given us incredible power through that spirit. You've given us all authority to go into the world in your name and preach the gospel. [00:48:56] (23 seconds)
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. So the resurrection of Jesus Christ is absolutely essential to your salvation and mine. We must believe in that resurrection. We saw four folks identifying publicly with the resurrection of Jesus Christ today. It does matter. It is important to your faith. [00:49:23] (25 seconds)
The historical bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead is unique among all religions in the world. Confucius died and was buried. Lao Tzu wandered off and died with his water buffalo. Buddha rotted with food poisoning. Muhammad died in 632. His body was cut up and spread all over the Near East. But Jesus Christ rose from the dead and he rose in a bodily, literal bodily form. [00:50:18] (25 seconds)
But Lazarus got old and Lazarus eventually died again. But I guarantee you that when Lazarus laid on that second deathbed, he had no fear because he knew where he was going. He knew that the one that had given him back his bodily life would give him eternal life. Oh, that's wonderful. That is wonderful. [00:51:25] (19 seconds)
Listen to what 1 Corinthians 15 verse 20 says, But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. Jesus was the first fruits. He had a new body. He had a perfect body, a body no longer subject to decay, to disease, or to death. And listen, one day if you trust in Jesus Christ, you will have a new body too. [00:51:41] (21 seconds)
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