Celebrating the Resurrection: Embracing Life and Mission
Summary
What a glorious day it is to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ! Today, we gather to remember that He is risen, and in doing so, we embrace the abundant life He offers. Every Sunday is a reminder of His resurrection, but today, we focus on the profound truth that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. We are called to be like Mary, who, upon realizing the truth, declared, "I have seen the Lord." May we see His evidence in our lives and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit among us.
As we reflect on the resurrection, we are reminded of the debt we owe—a debt we cannot pay on our own. Jesus, the Lamb of God, took our place, paying the ultimate price with His life. His sacrifice was not just a transaction of silver or gold but was made with His precious blood, cleansing us from sin and bringing us into right standing with God. This act of love and redemption is available to all who believe, offering eternal life and victory over death.
We are also reminded of our mission as disciples of Christ. Just as Joseph and Kristen Gibbons are reaching out to teenagers in Las Vegas, we too are called to make disciples who make disciples. This is the essence of our faith, to share the good news and bring others into the fold of God's love.
Today, we celebrate not only the resurrection but also the community we have in Christ. Whether you are here for salvation, celebration, or to reject condemnation, know that Jesus offers a place for you. He invites us to be part of His team, to serve Him with gratitude, and to live in the victory He has won for us.
As we close, let us remember that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. May we all respond to His call, whether it is to accept Him for the first time, to celebrate His resurrection, or to join in the mission of making disciples. Let us leave here today with the assurance that He is risen indeed, and that we are part of His eternal kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
- The resurrection of Jesus is a reminder of the abundant life He offers. Every day is a chance to see His evidence in our lives and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. [28:15]
- Jesus paid a debt we could never pay with His precious blood, bringing us into right standing with God. This act of love and redemption is available to all who believe. [01:13:45]
- We are called to make disciples who make disciples, sharing the good news and bringing others into God's love. This is the essence of our faith and mission. [01:00:48]
- Jesus invites us to be part of His team, serving Him with gratitude and living in the victory He has won for us. We are called to be active participants in His kingdom. [01:16:44]
- The resurrection assures us of eternal life. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and He invites us to respond to His call, whether for salvation, celebration, or mission. [01:26:59]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:02:00] - Opening Prayer
- [00:04:00] - Family Announcements
- [00:10:00] - Newcomers Class Information
- [00:15:00] - Upcoming Events and Activities
- [00:20:00] - Missionary Moment: Joseph and Kristen Gibbons
- [00:28:15] - Prayer for Missionaries
- [00:30:00] - Worship and Reflection
- [00:40:00] - Offering and Scripture Reading
- [00:50:00] - Reflection on Past Easters
- [01:00:48] - The Lamb of God and Our Need for Salvation
- [01:10:00] - The Debt We Cannot Pay
- [01:20:00] - Jesus as Our Substitute
- [01:26:59] - The Victory of Jesus
- [01:32:54] - Invitation to Respond
- [01:41:47] - Closing Blessing and Instructions
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 11:24-26 - "Jesus said, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me, though he dies, shall live.'"
2. John 1:29 - "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
3. 1 Peter 1:18-19 - "For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life... with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "I am the resurrection and the life" in John 11:24-26? How does this statement relate to the theme of the sermon? [01:26:59]
2. In John 1:29, John the Baptist refers to Jesus as the "Lamb of God." What significance does this title hold in the context of the sermon? [01:08:10]
3. According to 1 Peter 1:18-19, what is the nature of the redemption that Jesus offers, and how is it described in the sermon? [01:13:45]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of Mary in recognizing the risen Lord, and what does this teach us about witnessing the evidence of Christ in our lives? [01:04:59]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of Jesus as the "Lamb of God" deepen our understanding of His sacrifice and its implications for our lives? [01:08:10]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between Jesus' resurrection and the abundant life He offers to believers? [01:26:59]
3. How does the sermon interpret the idea of being "redeemed from an empty way of life" as mentioned in 1 Peter 1:18-19? What does this mean for believers today? [01:13:45]
4. In what ways does the sermon challenge us to see the evidence of Jesus' resurrection in our daily lives, similar to Mary's declaration, "I have seen the Lord"? [01:04:59]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. How did it affirm your faith in the resurrection of Jesus? [01:04:59]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of making disciples who make disciples. Identify one person in your life with whom you can share the good news of Jesus this week. How will you approach this conversation? [01:00:48]
3. Consider the debt that Jesus paid on your behalf. How does this understanding of His sacrifice influence your daily actions and decisions? [01:13:45]
4. The sermon calls us to be active participants in Jesus' kingdom. What specific steps can you take to serve in your church or community with gratitude and purpose? [01:16:44]
5. How can you celebrate the victory of Jesus' resurrection in your life this week? What are some practical ways to express this celebration in your interactions with others? [01:26:59]
6. Reflect on the assurance of eternal life that Jesus offers. How does this assurance impact your perspective on life's challenges and uncertainties? [01:26:59]
7. The sermon invites us to respond to Jesus' call for salvation, celebration, or mission. Which of these calls resonates most with you today, and how will you respond? [01:32:54]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Abundant Life in Christ
The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event but a present reality that offers us abundant life. Every day is an opportunity to witness His work in our lives and to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit guiding us. This abundant life is characterized by joy, peace, and purpose, as we live in the light of His resurrection. We are called to be like Mary, who, upon realizing the truth of the resurrection, declared, "I have seen the Lord." In our daily lives, we are invited to see His evidence and to embrace the life He offers. [28:15]
John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can more fully embrace the abundant life Jesus offers? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in this area today?
Day 2: The Precious Sacrifice of Jesus
Jesus paid a debt we could never pay with His precious blood, bringing us into right standing with God. This act of love and redemption is available to all who believe, offering eternal life and victory over death. His sacrifice was not a mere transaction but a profound act of love that cleanses us from sin and reconciles us with God. As we reflect on this truth, we are reminded of the depth of His love and the magnitude of His sacrifice. [01:13:45]
1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV): "Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."
Reflection: How does understanding the depth of Jesus' sacrifice change the way you view your relationship with God? What is one way you can express gratitude for His sacrifice today?
Day 3: The Call to Make Disciples
We are called to make disciples who make disciples, sharing the good news and bringing others into God's love. This is the essence of our faith and mission, as we follow the example of those like Joseph and Kristen Gibbons, who are reaching out to teenagers in Las Vegas. Our mission is to share the love of Christ and to invite others into a relationship with Him, creating a ripple effect of discipleship that extends beyond our immediate circles. [01:00:48]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can intentionally invest in and disciple? What is one step you can take this week to share the love of Christ with them?
Day 4: Serving with Gratitude in Christ's Victory
Jesus invites us to be part of His team, serving Him with gratitude and living in the victory He has won for us. We are called to be active participants in His kingdom, using our gifts and talents to serve others and to glorify God. This invitation is not just for a select few but for all who believe, as we live out our faith in community and in service to others. [01:16:44]
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (ESV): "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
Reflection: What is one way you can serve others with gratitude this week, using the gifts God has given you? How can you live out the victory of Christ in your daily life?
Day 5: Responding to the Call of Jesus
The resurrection assures us of eternal life. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and He invites us to respond to His call, whether for salvation, celebration, or mission. This call is an invitation to a relationship with Him, to celebrate His resurrection, and to join in the mission of making disciples. As we respond to His call, we are assured of our place in His eternal kingdom and the hope of eternal life. [01:26:59]
John 14:6 (ESV): "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
Reflection: How is Jesus calling you to respond to His invitation today? Is it through accepting Him for the first time, celebrating His resurrection, or joining in His mission? What step can you take today to respond to His call?
Quotes
What a glorious day and a marvelous day it is to be a Christian when we get to celebrate in full form the resurrection of Jesus Christ. [00:20:29]
May we be like Mary that comes to the disciples after she's figured out everything and says, I've seen the Lord. Lord, today may we see the evidence of you in the congregation. May we feel the presence of your Holy Spirit. And may we have the assurance that the cross is for our forgiveness and redemption and the grave is for the eternal life and overcoming death, the wages of our sin. [00:20:57]
If you're new here today and you're looking for a church, thank you for coming. Or if you've been coming for a while and you've never come to our Newcomers class, it starts next Sunday. Please be here at 830. If you need childcare, I need to know. So you need to email me. Sign up out there. There's a sign up sheet out there at the ministry desk. Make sure you sign up and say, I want to come to the Newcomers class. [00:23:09]
Joseph and Kristen Gibbons, they are in Las Vegas, Nevada. And so, what do you think they're doing there? No, it's Sin City. I know. No, they're not doing what you think they're doing. Okay. They're actually sharing the gospel and their focus is to reach teenagers in their community. So, they have like a teen center. So, our North American Mission Board sends them out to do that in the Las Vegas area to reach out as many teens as they possibly can and have teen activities to reach them in. [00:27:25]
Have you seen the Lord in your life? Have you seen the evidence of Christ in your life, that he is risen? He is risen. We say that, but does it really resonate deep within every fiber of who you are? Today, I want us to dive into the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and who conquered death. The Lamb died for you, but he also conquered death. [01:06:08]
Without the Lamb of God, you do not have eternal life. Without the Lamb of God, you cannot be saved from your sins. Now, you probably, if you've been in church long enough, you've heard that. You've heard that Jesus died for you. And you know, here's the sad thing. I get so accustomed, because I run into people, and people usually have some knowledge of Jesus when I talk to them. I actually ran into a person that when I asked them about Jesus, they had no clue who he was. [01:07:55]
We are sheep that have gone astray. But Christ became the Lamb of God who would take away our sin, our iniquity. Romans 3, 23 says it this way. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Listen, I'm not here to bring a message of condemnation. But I am bringing a message that we're all in the same boat. We're all in the same dilemma. Every single person in this room has to deal with this issue. [01:09:43]
Even the best among us is like filthy rags in comparison to God's righteousness. The best. And there's some good people in this room. And when I look around and I think, man, we should never forget that. We too were like sheep that did our own thing. We too have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. When we meet someone that doesn't know Jesus and is living in their sin, we shouldn't expect anything else. [01:10:34]
Sin is just bad behavior. Listen, I want you to hear, it's a condition of your heart that separates you from God. I want you to hear that. You and I right now, when we sin, we're separating ourselves from God. And God is the one that makes a way through the cross so that we can come to Him and so that we can actually be right with Him. Even though we've all sinned and fallen short, God made a way for us to come to Him through the Lamb of God. [01:12:04]
You owe a debt that you cannot pay. By the way, in this room, I mean, it will vary. But if Dave Ramsey's correct, he might even say up to 90 % of the church is living in debt up to their eyeballs. No wonder we can't give God's way. That's another sermon I won't talk about giving today. But I will talk about the debt that you owe. You owe a debt you can't pay. [01:12:53]
That is what Jesus did on the cross. He paid a debt you could never pay with his own life. He took your place. He took my place. So that I could be forgiven. Listen to 1 Peter 1, 18 through 19. For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life. I want you to stop right there. Every single one of us was living an empty way of life. I don't care how rich you are. I don't care how popular you are. [01:13:44]
But with the precious blood of Christ. Like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb. Behold the lamb of God. It wasn't through money transactions or silver or gold. It was with his blood that he purchased your salvation. Because he was the lamb of God who would own. Now why did they do blood? Thank you for asking. Because there's life in the blood. The blood, your life, comes through your blood. [01:14:48]
Listen, they used to sacrifice all kinds of things for the atonement of sin. They would kill bulls. They would kill goats. They would kill sheep. They would have, if you were poor, you would come with pigeon doves. And you would make a sacrifice that would please God, that would make you right with God. And listen, if all that stuff was acceptable to God for a short amount of time, how much more precious is the pure blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for your sins forever? [01:15:57]
The blood cleanses you of unrighteousness. It cleanses your conscience. It covers your shame. It removes your guilt. It brings you into a right standing with God because of what he's done for you. And look, I hate to do this, but you all know this because you've learned me by now. He didn't just do that to make you feel good about yourself. So you could serve him. Why did he do it? So you become part of his team. [01:17:06]
But God brings us all together in the church. There's no different tribes. In fact, every tribe, every tongue, every nation will come together and will profess the name of Jesus Christ. There's only team church, team Jesus. May we cleanse our conscience from these dead works so that we can serve the living God. That's just not a pastor. That's you. You're a minister for Jesus. You're a servant for Christ because he's cleansed you of all unrighteousness. [01:17:46]
He who knew no sin became sin. He who could have spoken up and say, hey, I don't deserve this. I didn't do this. Have you ever done that before? I didn't do that. It's not fair. What kid's not done that? Come on, parents. That's not fair. And usually if you're a good parent, you're saying, that's right, it's not. God, nobody told you it was going to be fair, right? Listen, Jesus, it wasn't fair what happened to him, but he took it. [01:18:40]
Listen, in this Corinthians 5 .21, this is one of my favorite verses. Jesus was innocent, but yet he took on sin that he had never known, which is our sin. And I think of all the stuff that I've done. I think of anything that anyone in everyday history has ever done, the most heinous things, Jesus took that upon himself. I can't even imagine the horror. Have you ever watched something, like my wife is, I like cop movies, so I like getting people, I don't mind seeing people get shot up, you know, I'm sorry, that's just me, all right? [01:19:35]
The come to Jesus moment is for us to come to the fact that he died for our sins and took our place. That whatever junk we have in our lives, he took it. He became it. He became it. Now listen to what happens to us. So we become righteous with God. We become right with God. Even though we're not right with God, we become right with God. Do you get this? I mean, this blows my mind. [01:21:06]
He paid fully for every sin of every man, woman, child that would ever live on that cross that day for all who would receive it. Now we need, all need the victory of Jesus, but we must receive the victory. Now listen to what I've never seen in all of my days. I've watched many, many, many basketball and football games and baseball games in my time. And I have never seen anyone win the championship and refuse to accept the trophy. [01:21:54]
The lamb who died is now the lamb who was slain who lives forevermore. He lives forevermore. He rose on the third day. He conquered death. He paid for your sin. He is now ascended to the right hand of the Father waiting for the day when he will come back to call his church home. That's the Jesus we celebrate today. In John 11, 24 through 26, Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life. [01:25:28]
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