Embodying Christ: Living Out the Resurrection
Summary
The celebration of Easter is a profound reminder of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event that distinguishes Christianity from other faiths. Jesus is not in the grave; He is alive, and this truth is the cornerstone of our faith. The resurrection is not just a historical fact but a call to action for believers to become the living embodiment and expression of Jesus to the world. This means that individually and collectively, we are called to be His hands, feet, and voice, demonstrating His love and grace to those around us.
The church is not merely a building or an event; it is the people of God living out their faith in tangible ways. This involves moving beyond being mere religious observers to becoming active participants in God's mission. The parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates the kind of neighbor we are called to be—responsive and compassionate, willing to get involved in the lives of others. This is what it means to be the church scattered, engaging with the world and meeting people at their point of need.
Collectively, the early church in Acts 2 provides a model for us. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teachings, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. These practices fostered a community that was not only spiritually vibrant but also attractive to those outside the faith. The result was that the Lord added to their number daily. This growth was not due to programs or events but because the believers were living out their faith authentically.
Being the church means embodying the love and grace of Jesus in our daily lives. It means being committed to spiritual growth, loving one another deeply, remembering the significance of the cross, seeking God in prayer, and including others in the faith. This is how we fulfill our mission and make a difference in the world.
Key Takeaways:
- The resurrection of Jesus is a foundational truth that calls us to be His living embodiment and expression to the world. This means actively demonstrating His love and grace in our daily interactions. [32:39]
- The church is not a building or an event but the people of God living out their faith. We are called to be responsive and compassionate, like the Good Samaritan, engaging with the world and meeting people at their point of need. [40:39]
- The early church in Acts 2 serves as a model for us, showing the importance of devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. These practices create a spiritually vibrant community that attracts others to the faith. [47:22]
- Being the church means embodying the love and grace of Jesus, committing to spiritual growth, loving one another, remembering the cross, seeking God in prayer, and including others in the faith. This is how we fulfill our mission. [53:16]
- Our mission is not to win the world to faith in Jesus through programs or events but to be Jesus to others, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us to draw people to God. This is how we make a difference in the world. [59:32]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - He is Risen
- [01:45] - Celebrating the Risen Savior
- [03:00] - Mission Georgia Offering
- [05:00] - The Church: More Than a Gathering
- [07:30] - The Doctrine of Salvation
- [10:00] - What to Do with Jesus
- [12:00] - Becoming the Church
- [15:00] - The Parable of the Good Samaritan
- [20:00] - Types of Neighbors
- [25:00] - The Church Scattered
- [30:00] - The Early Church Model
- [35:00] - Devotion to Apostles' Teachings
- [40:00] - Koinonia: True Fellowship
- [45:00] - Prayer and Inclusion
- [50:00] - Being the Living Embodiment of Jesus
- [55:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Mark 16:1-7
2. Luke 10:25-37
3. Acts 2:42-47
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Observation Questions:
1. In Mark 16:1-7, what was the reaction of the women when they found the tomb empty, and how did the angel reassure them? How does this event emphasize the foundational truth of the resurrection? [32:39]
2. According to the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37, what actions did the Samaritan take that distinguished him from the priest and the Levite? How does this relate to the call for believers to be responsive and compassionate? [40:39]
3. In Acts 2:42-47, what were the key practices of the early church that contributed to their spiritual vibrancy and growth? How did these practices foster a sense of community? [47:22]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between being the church and merely attending church? What implications does this have for how believers live out their faith? [50:23]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the resurrection of Jesus serve as a call to action for believers to embody His love and grace in their daily lives? What does it mean to be the living embodiment of Jesus? [32:39]
2. The parable of the Good Samaritan challenges believers to consider what kind of neighbor they are. How does this parable redefine the concept of 'neighbor' in the context of Christian faith? [40:39]
3. The early church in Acts 2 is described as being devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. How do these elements contribute to a spiritually vibrant community, and why are they important for the church today? [47:22]
4. The sermon suggests that the mission of the church is not to win the world through programs but to be Jesus to others. How does this perspective shift the focus of church activities and individual responsibilities? [50:23]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily interactions. How can you actively demonstrate the love and grace of Jesus in a specific relationship or situation this week? [32:39]
2. Consider the parable of the Good Samaritan. Is there someone in your life who needs compassion and support? What practical steps can you take to be a responsive neighbor to them? [40:39]
3. The early church was devoted to prayer and fellowship. How can you incorporate these practices into your routine to foster spiritual growth and community? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [47:22]
4. The sermon emphasizes being the church rather than just attending it. What changes can you make in your mindset or actions to embody this principle in your life? [50:23]
5. Think about a time when you were more of a religious observer than an active participant in God's mission. What barriers prevent you from being more engaged, and how can you overcome them? [36:10]
6. The sermon highlights the importance of including others in the faith. Is there someone you know who is curious about Christianity? How can you engage them in a meaningful conversation about faith this week? [59:32]
7. Reflect on the concept of koinonia, or true fellowship. How can you deepen your relationships with fellow believers to encourage mutual spiritual growth? Identify one person you can reach out to this week. [53:16]
Devotional
Day 1: Living the Resurrection Truth
The resurrection of Jesus is not merely a historical event but a living truth that calls believers to embody His presence in the world. This foundational aspect of Christian faith distinguishes it from other beliefs, emphasizing that Jesus is alive and active through His followers. As Christians, we are called to be His hands, feet, and voice, demonstrating His love and grace in our daily interactions. This means moving beyond passive belief to active participation in God's mission, allowing the resurrection to transform our lives and the lives of those around us. [32:39]
1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (ESV): "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."
Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate the love and grace of Jesus in a specific relationship or situation today?
Day 2: The Church as a Living Community
The church is not confined to a building or an event; it is the people of God living out their faith in tangible ways. This involves being responsive and compassionate, like the Good Samaritan, engaging with the world and meeting people at their point of need. Christians are called to move beyond being mere religious observers to becoming active participants in God's mission. This means being the church scattered, living out faith authentically in everyday life, and making a difference in the world through acts of love and service. [40:39]
James 2:14-17 (ESV): "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: Who in your community is in need of compassion and support, and how can you be a Good Samaritan to them this week?
Day 3: Devotion to Spiritual Practices
The early church in Acts 2 serves as a model for modern believers, highlighting the importance of devotion to the apostles' teachings, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. These practices fostered a spiritually vibrant community that was attractive to those outside the faith. The growth of the early church was not due to programs or events but because believers lived out their faith authentically. This devotion to spiritual practices is essential for creating a community that reflects the love and grace of Jesus and draws others to the faith. [47:22]
Acts 2:42-47 (ESV): "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common."
Reflection: What spiritual practice can you commit to this week to deepen your relationship with God and strengthen your community?
Day 4: Embodying Love and Grace
Being the church means embodying the love and grace of Jesus in our daily lives. This involves committing to spiritual growth, loving one another deeply, remembering the significance of the cross, seeking God in prayer, and including others in the faith. By living out these principles, believers fulfill their mission and make a difference in the world. The call is to be a living embodiment of Jesus, allowing His love and grace to flow through us to others, transforming lives and communities. [53:16]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally embody the love and grace of Jesus in your interactions with others today?
Day 5: Being Jesus to Others
Our mission is not to win the world to faith in Jesus through programs or events but to be Jesus to others, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us to draw people to God. This means living out our faith authentically and being a reflection of Jesus in our daily lives. By doing so, we make a difference in the world, not through our efforts alone but by allowing God's love and grace to shine through us, impacting those around us and drawing them closer to Him. [59:32]
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."
Reflection: How can you be an ambassador for Christ in your workplace or community, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you to draw others to God?
Quotes
"And the Bible teaches us that if we would believe that, if we believe in him, that he would forgive us, he'd redeem us, and we would have life eternal with him. Romans chapter 5 verse 6 says it this way, you see at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Do you know who the ungodly are? All of us." [00:32:38] (22 seconds)
"And so because of God's love for us, when we were lost and incapable of saving ourselves, God took the initiative to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. He laid down his life. God provided one single means for the forgiveness of our sin. And when we believe in that gift of Jesus, the Bible teaches us that we'll be rescued into an eternal relationship with him, which raises maybe the most important question in all of life." [00:33:15] (29 seconds)
"And three days later, he arose from the grave. So what have you decided to do with Jesus? What have you decided to do with the cross? Now, if you have answered this question with, I believe and I've trusted him, you've received him as your Lord and Savior, the next logical question then is, what's next? What's next? What now? What does it mean to follow Jesus? And the answer may surprise you, but the answer is really very simple." [00:33:58] (30 seconds)
"Collectively, we become his church. Now, what does that mean? To be the church, it means that individually and collectively, you are now, we are now the living embodiment and expression of Jesus to the world around us. That's what it means. Everybody say this with me. Say, I am the living embodiment an expression of Jesus to the world around me." [00:34:28] (32 seconds)
"See, from the start, God's intent was for you and me and all of us together to be the living embodiment and expression of Jesus to the world around us. What does that mean? It means that we are His hands. We are His feet. We are His voice. We are Jesus with flesh to the world around us. That's what the church is." [00:35:31] (24 seconds)
"And as a result, too many of us have settled for a cultural brand of Christianity that might draw a crowd, but in essence, peddles Christ without commitment. And as a result, far too many professing Christians have become religious observers at best, Pharisees at worst, instead of abandoned followers of Jesus." [00:36:23] (25 seconds)
"The word ekklesia means the called out ones, meaning that all of us, if we have received Christ as our Savior and we become His church individually and collectively, we are those who have been called out to live on mission, to represent Jesus to our friends, to our family, to our neighbors, and to the world around us watching." [00:36:39] (25 seconds)
"See, when you and I, we get together in this room, we are the church gathered. But when we leave this place, we walk out these doors, we're entering to the mission field of our lives, that's when you become the church scattered. And the question is, are we willing to engage others at the point of their need to love and influence them to Jesus?" [00:44:40] (25 seconds)
"IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MUCH YOU GO TO CHURCH. WHAT MATTERS IS THAT YOU ARE THE CHURCH. SEE, IF YOU GO TO CHURCH, BUT YOU NEVER DECIDE TO BE THE CHURCH, WHAT DOES IT MATTER? CHURCH IS AN ACTION WE LIVE, NOT AN EVENT WE ATTEND. LET ME REITERATE, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH GOING TO CHURCH. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH LISTENING TO A SERMON. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH SINGING SONGS ABOUT JESUS. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH ATTENDING A BIBLE STUDY. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH GOING TO A CHURCH OUTING. BUT AS IT PERTAINS TO BEING THE LIVING EXPRESSION AND EMBODYMENT OF JESUS TO OTHERS, THESE THINGS ARE NOT THE MAIN THING THAT MAKE A GREAT COMMISSIONED CHRISTIAN OR A GREAT COMMISSIONED CHURCH." [00:49:20] (55 seconds)
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