Come Alive: Embracing the Power of Resurrection

Devotional

Day 1: Encountering the Living Christ Beyond History

The resurrection of Jesus is not merely a historical event to be acknowledged intellectually but a living reality that invites a personal encounter. It is a truth foretold by hundreds of prophecies and witnessed by many, yet its power lies in how it touches the heart. When Jesus calls your name, it is an invitation to step into a relationship with the risen Savior, who is alive and present today. This encounter transforms faith from abstract belief into a vibrant, life-giving experience.
Recognizing the resurrection as both fact and personal reality means opening yourself to hear Jesus’ voice and respond with trust. It is not about distant stories but about meeting the living Christ who walks with you, offers hope, and calls you to new life. This is the foundation for all that follows in the journey of faith. [02:24]

Isaiah 26:19
“Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.”

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the invitation of the living Christ today? How can you be a witness to the reality of Jesus’ resurrection in a way that invites them to encounter Him personally?

Day 2: The Futility of Chasing Fleeting Success

Many pursue what the world calls the “good life”—more possessions, achievements, and status—only to find themselves exhausted and empty. This relentless chase is like trying to catch the wind, leaving a sense of spiritual and emotional depletion. Solomon’s wisdom in Ecclesiastes reveals that these pursuits, while tempting, ultimately fail to satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart.
Understanding this emptiness is the first step toward freedom. It calls for honest reflection on what truly fulfills and a willingness to let go of the endless striving that leads nowhere. The exhaustion felt is a signal that there is a better way, a life not defined by what is gained but by what is received through grace. [12:28]

Ecclesiastes 4:4
“Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.”

Reflection: In what specific area of your life are you chasing success or approval that leaves you feeling empty? What would it look like to pause and ask God to reveal a deeper satisfaction beyond these pursuits?

Day 3: Living the God Life: Meaning Rooted in Resurrection

True meaning and purpose are found not in circumstances or achievements but in a living relationship with the resurrected Jesus. The “God life” is a life energized by Christ’s victory over death, offering a new beginning that starts now and extends into eternity. This life is marked by grace, peace, and a power that transcends external situations.
When you embrace the God life, you discover a source of hope and strength that does not depend on what happens around you. It is a call to come alive in Christ, to experience His presence daily, and to live with the assurance that death and despair have been overcome. This reality transforms how you see yourself and your purpose in the world. [14:31]

Zechariah 8:12
“For there shall be a sowing of peace. The vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew. And I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.”

Reflection: What circumstances in your life challenge your ability to live fully in the God life? How can you intentionally focus on Christ’s resurrection power to find meaning beyond your current situation?

Day 4: Receiving Grace as a Gift, Not a Reward

God’s grace is not something earned by effort or good deeds but is freely given through Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. This grace invites you into God’s presence, offering freedom from striving and the burden of trying to earn approval. It is a divine favor that rests on what Christ has done, not on what you can accomplish.
Receiving grace means resting in the assurance that you are loved and accepted as you are. It frees you from performance-based faith and opens the door to a relationship marked by peace and joy. This gift is available to all who recognize their need and turn to Jesus with open hands and hearts. [14:31]

Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Reflection: Identify one area where you have been trying to earn God’s favor through your own efforts. How can you practice receiving His grace today by simply resting in His love and acceptance?

Day 5: Empowered by Resurrection Power for New Life

The power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to you, bringing new energy, hope, and freedom from past captivity. This resurrection power works within, renewing your spirit even when external circumstances seem broken or difficult. It is a promise that God is making all things new, unfolding His grace day by day in your life.
Living in this power means embracing freedom from old patterns, finding strength to overcome challenges, and walking in the reality of being truly alive in Christ. It is an invitation to experience transformation that is both present and eternal, fueled by the same divine energy that conquered death. [14:31]

Colossians 2:12-13
“...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. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to invite resurrection power to bring new energy and freedom? How can you practically rely on this power in your daily struggles starting today?

Sermon Summary

Summary

He is risen—He is risen indeed! Today is not just another holiday or tradition; it is a celebration of the most pivotal event in history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is not a myth or a fable, but a true story, foretold by over 300 prophecies across 1,500 years, fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection is not just a historical fact, but a personal invitation. Jesus came alive so that we, too, might come alive—not just in eternity, but here and now.

The evidence for the resurrection is compelling. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, to the disciples, to more than 500 people at once, and even to those who doubted, like Thomas. He walked, talked, and ate with them, offering undeniable proof that He was alive. This resurrection is not just something to be believed intellectually, but something to be experienced personally. When Jesus calls your name, you know it deep within your soul.

Many of us chase after the “good life”—success, possessions, status—only to find ourselves exhausted, empty, and enslaved by things that cannot satisfy. The good life, as the world defines it, is fleeting and ultimately meaningless, as Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes. But there is an alternative: the God life. This is a life full of meaning, grace, and energy, made possible by the resurrected Christ.

The God life is not about striving or earning, but about receiving. It is a life marked by a relationship with Jesus, filled with His grace—God’s riches at Christ’s expense—and empowered by His resurrection energy. This is not just a promise for the future, but a reality we can experience today. No matter your past, no matter your exhaustion or emptiness, Jesus offers you a new path, a resurrected life. All it takes is to recognize your need, turn to Him, and receive the life He freely gives. Today, you are invited to come alive—because He is alive.

---

Key Takeaways

1. The Resurrection Is a Historical and Personal Reality The resurrection of Jesus is not a legend or a distant religious idea, but a well-attested event, prophesied centuries in advance and witnessed by many. This truth is not just for the mind, but for the heart—Jesus’ resurrection is an invitation for each of us to encounter the living Christ personally, to hear Him call our name, and to respond with faith. [02:24]
2. Chasing the “Good Life” Leads to Exhaustion and Emptiness The world’s definition of a good life—more possessions, more achievements, more status—ultimately leaves us tired, empty, and enslaved to things that cannot fulfill. This endless pursuit is like chasing the wind, as Solomon observed, and it distracts us from the deeper purpose for which we were created. [12:28]
3. The God Life Offers Meaning Beyond Circumstances True meaning is not found in what we own or accomplish, but in a relationship with the resurrected Jesus. The God life is about coming alive in Him, enjoying a new life that starts now and continues into eternity. This life is not based on circumstances, but on the unchanging reality of Christ’s victory over death. [14:31]
4. Grace Is Freely Given, Not Earned God’s grace—His favor, blessing, and love—is not something we can work for or deserve. It is a gift, made possible by Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. This grace brings us into God’s presence, offers us freedom, and invites us to rest in what Christ has done, rather than striving to earn His approval. [14:31]
5. Resurrection Power Brings New Energy and Freedom The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us, offering new energy, hope, and freedom from the things that once held us captive. Even when life feels like it’s falling apart on the outside, God is making new life within us, unfolding His grace day by day. This is the promise of the God life: to be truly alive, empowered, and free in Christ. [14:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:24] - The Resurrection: Fact, Not Fiction
[03:15] - Fulfilled Prophecies of the Messiah
[04:58] - Prophecies of the Resurrection
[05:45] - Convincing Proofs of Jesus’ Resurrection
[06:59] - Encounters with the Risen Jesus
[08:16] - Eyewitnesses and the Power of Testimony
[09:57] - The Call to Come Alive
[10:22] - Jesus’ Promise: You Are About to Come Alive
[11:25] - The Good Life vs. The God Life
[12:28] - The Exhaustion and Emptiness of Chasing the Good Life
[13:30] - Spiritual Enslavement and the Need for Freedom
[14:31] - The God Life: Meaning, Grace, and Energy
[17:00] - A Personal Story of Resurrection Life
[20:00] - Invitation to Experience the God Life
[22:00] - Responding to the Invitation and Next Steps
[24:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 — _“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”_

2. John 14:19
_“In just a little while, the world will no longer see me, but you are going to see me because I am alive and you are about to come alive.”_ ([10:22])

3. Ecclesiastes 1:14
_“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”_ ([14:31])

Observation Questions

According to 1 Corinthians 15, who were some of the people Jesus appeared to after His resurrection? Why is it significant that Paul mentions the number of witnesses? ([08:16])
In John 14:19, what promise does Jesus make to His followers about life after His resurrection? ([10:22])
What does Ecclesiastes 1:14 say about the pursuit of meaning in life? How does this connect to the sermon’s point about the “good life”? ([14:31])
The sermon mentioned that Jesus called Mary Magdalene by name after His resurrection. What was her response, and why is this detail important? ([06:59])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says the resurrection is not just a historical fact but a personal invitation. What does it mean for someone to “come alive” because Jesus is alive? ([09:57])
The “good life” is described as exhausting and empty, while the “God life” is full of meaning, grace, and energy. Why do you think chasing after success and possessions often leads to emptiness, according to both Ecclesiastes and the sermon? ([12:28])
The sermon says grace is “God’s riches at Christ’s expense” and that it cannot be earned. How does this understanding of grace challenge the way people often try to relate to God? ([14:31])
The pastor shared his own story of coming alive in Christ at age 14, despite growing up in church but not experiencing real life until then. What does this suggest about the difference between religious activity and a living relationship with Jesus? ([17:00])

Application Questions

The sermon asks, “Is Easter just a holiday, or is it something more?” How have you personally viewed Easter in the past, and has your perspective changed after hearing this message? ([09:57])
The “good life” is described as chasing after bigger jobs, houses, and possessions, but ending up exhausted and empty. Are there areas in your life where you feel you’ve been chasing the “good life” as the world defines it? What has been the result? ([12:28])
The “God life” is about receiving, not striving. Are there ways you’ve been trying to earn God’s approval or blessing? What would it look like to simply receive His grace this week? ([14:31])
The sermon says the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us, bringing new energy and freedom. Is there an area of your life where you feel stuck, tired, or enslaved? How might you invite God’s resurrection power into that area? ([14:31])
The pastor shared that he grew up in church but didn’t experience real life in Christ until he was 14. Have you ever had a moment where faith became real and personal for you? If so, what happened? If not, what questions or doubts do you still have? ([17:00])
Jesus called Mary by name, and she recognized Him. Have you ever felt like God was calling your name or speaking to you personally? What was that experience like? ([06:59])
The sermon ends with an invitation to “come alive” and experience a new path with Jesus. What is one practical step you can take this week to move toward the “God life” described in the message? ([22:00])

Sermon Clips

Let's ask ourselves, is Easter just a holiday? Is Easter just a tradition? Or is it something more? Jesus came alive for you and me to come alive. This Easter can be a turning point where you don't just enjoy a holiday. You don't just celebrate a tradition. But you experience coming alive. [00:10:10] (29 seconds) Edit Clip

Chasing the good life only leads to emptiness. The state of containing nothing. We start feeling sad, feeling incomplete, lacking spiritual or emotional purpose. No goals, no vision, no future. We start living a meaningless life. [00:13:13] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

What is happening around us. And materialism. What we own. But neither can fulfill us. People spend years, decades, sometimes their whole life just to realize it was not worth it. As Solomon writes in the book of Ecclesiastes. [00:14:10] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

jesus is not a myth jesus is the son of god who died on the cross buried for three days and came alive for you and i to have full life a life full of meaning a life full of grace a life full of energy [00:24:57] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

In most instances, Jesus did more than just appear before people. He talked to them, he walked with them, he broke bread with them. Yes, after his resurrection, not just before. All this was possible because he came alive. In fact, that's the title of my message today. Come alive. Death could not hold him. [00:09:56] (29 seconds) Edit Clip

For what I received, I passed on to you as of first importance. The most important thing of the Christian world is that Christ died for our sins according to the scripture, according to all those prophecies that I've been talking about. That he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures. And that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the twelve, to more than 500 brothers and sisters that are still living. [00:08:16] (41 seconds) Edit Clip

If you could see him walking, if you could see him talking, if you could see him maybe having lunch with you, probably that would be a pretty good testimony or convincing proof that he is alive after his death. Well, that is precisely what Luke is referring to here in this Bible verse. After being crucified, Jesus showed himself alive by appearing to the disciples on several occasions. He walked with them, he talked to them, and he ate with them. [00:06:24] (35 seconds) Edit Clip

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?