Embracing New Life Through Christ's Resurrection
Summary
In today's gathering, we celebrated the profound significance of Easter, a cornerstone of our Christian faith. We began by reflecting on the events of Passion Week, starting with Palm Sunday and culminating in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Good Friday, often underestimated, was highlighted as a pivotal moment where Jesus bore the sins of the world, destroyed the curse, and canceled every debt we owed. This act of sacrifice was not just a historical event but a transformative moment that ushered in a new covenant, grafting us into the root of Israel and making us one in Christ.
The resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday is a testament to the victory over death and the promise of new life. It is a reminder that while Good Friday signifies forgiveness and a name change, Easter Sunday represents an impartation of a new nature. Through Christ's resurrection, we are made alive from the inside out, receiving a new heart and becoming new creations. This transformation is not merely positional but a profound change in our very nature, as we are born of God and seated with Christ in heavenly places.
We explored the concept of justification, which goes beyond forgiveness to declare us innocent, restoring us to our original intent before sin entered the world. This powerful gospel message emphasizes that our identity in Christ is secure, and we are seen as holy and righteous in God's sight. The resurrection is not just about eternal life as a future promise but a present reality, as we are invited to know Christ and the power of His resurrection.
In closing, we were reminded that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead resides in us, empowering us to overcome challenges and live victoriously. This Easter, let us embrace the fullness of what Christ has accomplished, celebrating the new life and eternal hope we have in Him.
Key Takeaways:
- The Significance of Good Friday: Good Friday is a profound moment where Jesus bore the sins of the world, destroyed the curse, and canceled every debt we owed. This act of sacrifice ushered in a new covenant, making us one in Christ and offering us a new identity as children of God. [05:25]
- The Power of the Resurrection: Easter Sunday is not just a celebration of Jesus' victory over death but a declaration of our new nature in Christ. Through His resurrection, we are made alive from the inside out, receiving a new heart and becoming new creations. [14:04]
- Justification and Innocence: Justification goes beyond forgiveness, declaring us innocent and restoring us to our original intent before sin entered the world. Our identity in Christ is secure, and we are seen as holy and righteous in God's sight. [19:10]
- Eternal Life as a Present Reality: Eternal life is not just a future promise but a present reality. Knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection transforms our lives, empowering us to live victoriously and experience the fullness of His grace. [22:28]
- Empowered by the Spirit: The same power that raised Jesus from the dead resides in us, enabling us to overcome challenges and live in the victory of Christ. This Easter, let us embrace the fullness of what He has accomplished and celebrate the new life we have in Him. [35:13]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:00] - Worship and Celebration
- [02:30] - Reflections on Passion Week
- [05:25] - The Significance of Good Friday
- [09:58] - Understanding the New Covenant
- [14:04] - The Power of the Resurrection
- [19:10] - Justification and Innocence
- [22:28] - Eternal Life as a Present Reality
- [26:00] - The Transformation of Our Nature
- [30:00] - Embracing Our New Identity
- [35:13] - Empowered by the Spirit
- [40:00] - Invitation to Know Christ
- [45:00] - Closing Prayer and Celebration
- [50:00] - Final Worship and Praise
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Significance of Easter
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
2. 2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
3. Colossians 2:13-14 - "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the sermon highlight as the significance of Good Friday in the context of Jesus' sacrifice? [05:25]
2. According to the sermon, how does Easter Sunday represent more than just Jesus' victory over death? [14:04]
3. How does the sermon describe the concept of justification, and what does it mean for believers? [19:10]
4. What does the sermon say about the power that resides in believers as a result of the resurrection? [35:13]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the transformation that occurs in believers through Christ's resurrection? What does it mean to be made alive from the inside out? [14:04]
2. In what way does the sermon suggest that justification restores believers to their original intent before sin? How does this impact a believer's identity? [19:10]
3. The sermon mentions that eternal life is a present reality. How does this understanding affect the way believers live their daily lives? [22:28]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to overcome challenges? What practical implications does this have for a believer's life? [35:13]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the significance of Good Friday as described in the sermon. How does understanding Jesus' sacrifice change the way you view your own sins and debts? [05:25]
2. The sermon emphasizes a new nature in Christ. In what areas of your life do you feel you need to embrace this new nature more fully? What steps can you take to do so? [14:04]
3. Justification is described as a declaration of innocence. How does this truth affect your self-perception and your relationship with God? [19:10]
4. The sermon states that eternal life is a present reality. How can you live more consciously in this reality, and what changes might you need to make in your daily routine to reflect this? [22:28]
5. The power of the resurrection is said to reside in believers. Identify a challenge you are currently facing. How can you rely on this power to overcome it? [35:13]
6. Consider the idea of being seated with Christ in heavenly places. How does this perspective influence your understanding of your identity and purpose? [14:04]
7. The sermon encourages believers to embrace the fullness of what Christ has accomplished. What is one specific area in your life where you need to embrace this fullness more? How will you start doing that this week? [35:13]
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of Good Friday
Good Friday is a profound moment in Christian history where Jesus bore the sins of the world, destroyed the curse, and canceled every debt we owed. This act of sacrifice was not just a historical event but a transformative moment that ushered in a new covenant, grafting us into the root of Israel and making us one in Christ. It signifies the forgiveness of sins and the beginning of a new identity as children of God. This day reminds us of the depth of God's love and the lengths He went to restore our relationship with Him. [05:25]
Galatians 3:13-14 (ESV): "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree'—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith."
Reflection: Think of a specific area in your life where you feel burdened by guilt or shame. How can you embrace the forgiveness and new identity offered through Christ's sacrifice on Good Friday?
Day 2: Resurrection as a Declaration of New Life
Easter Sunday is not just a celebration of Jesus' victory over death but a declaration of our new nature in Christ. Through His resurrection, we are made alive from the inside out, receiving a new heart and becoming new creations. This transformation is not merely positional but a profound change in our very nature, as we are born of God and seated with Christ in heavenly places. Easter reminds us that we are empowered to live a life that reflects our new identity in Christ. [14:04]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: Identify one old habit or mindset that does not align with your new nature in Christ. What steps can you take today to embrace the new life that Jesus' resurrection offers?
Day 3: Justification and Restoration to Original Intent
Justification goes beyond forgiveness, declaring us innocent and restoring us to our original intent before sin entered the world. This powerful gospel message emphasizes that our identity in Christ is secure, and we are seen as holy and righteous in God's sight. It is a reminder that we are not only forgiven but also restored to the purpose for which God created us. This understanding of justification invites us to live confidently in our identity as children of God. [19:10]
Romans 5:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you struggle to see yourself as innocent and restored. How can you embrace the truth of justification and live out your original intent in that area?
Day 4: Eternal Life as a Present Reality
Eternal life is not just a future promise but a present reality. Knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection transforms our lives, empowering us to live victoriously and experience the fullness of His grace. This perspective shifts our focus from merely anticipating heaven to living out the abundant life that Jesus offers here and now. It challenges us to seek a deeper relationship with Christ and to walk in the power of His resurrection daily. [22:28]
John 17:3 (ESV): "And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
Reflection: Consider how you can experience eternal life as a present reality today. What practical steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Christ and live in the power of His resurrection?
Day 5: Empowered by the Spirit to Live Victoriously
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead resides in us, enabling us to overcome challenges and live in the victory of Christ. This Easter, let us embrace the fullness of what He has accomplished and celebrate the new life we have in Him. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit empowers us to face life's difficulties with confidence and to live out our faith boldly. It is a call to rely on the Spirit's strength and guidance in every aspect of our lives. [35:13]
Ephesians 1:19-20 (ESV): "And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places."
Reflection: Identify a challenge you are currently facing. How can you rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome it and live victoriously in Christ?
Quotes
He paid for it all. No accusation. There's no longer any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. But one of the most powerful things that happened on Good Friday was that he cut a new covenant in his blood, when he says, it is finished, he got a new covenant. It was done with the Jews, not with you and me. Sorry, Gentiles were not in the picture. All the covenants are with the Jews. But then we get grafted in, in the new covenant, grafted into the root of Israel. And now all of us are one in Christ Jesus. And now we also have a covenant. The old covenant is not yours. It never was, it never will be. [00:05:58] (43 seconds)
It's good to learn from, but it's not your covenant. Anyway, so new covenant was cut when Jesus, it is finished. Did you know that the same word, it is finished, in Hebrew, also means bride. So at the same time as he says, it is finished, he bought himself a bride through his blood. Powerful, powerful, powerful, powerful. It is finished. He has done it. But then we go to Easter Sunday, right now Resurrection Sunday. And this is a great day. Now Friday is a good day. Come on, a lot of things happened. But Easter is a great day. Why? Because Jesus rose from the grave. Death has been beaten. Jesus is alive. And we've been made alive with him, right? [00:06:45] (43 seconds)
He put it all on Jesus. All the imperfection on Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5 .21, For God made him who had no sin, which is Jesus, to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. So he gives us righteousness instead of sinfulness. One of the greatest verses in the Bible. Colossians 2. He has forgiven all. Everybody say all. All. Nah, some. Some of our sins, surely. No, all of our sins. And can... Cancelled every debt we owe, Christ has done away with it by nailing it on the cross. Now, you may think, this is in the Bible, all the debt we owe. There was no debt yet. You were not alive yet. [00:08:26] (48 seconds)
He cancelled your sin, my sin, the sin of the world, past, present, and future, 2 ,000 years ago. Right? So it's a powerful gospel that we see here. Come on. So good. But I sometimes really wonder about the lack of greatness and awe and wonder about the cross of Christ and what he has really done. And if you have a revelation of what he has really done, it will completely change your life. All of our sins were left there. All of them. Our guilt was removed. Why? Well, guilt is only when you do something wrong, right? And he paid for it all. So there is no guilt. [00:09:13] (47 seconds)
Sinful things is not good for you. But what he did, he actually paid for it all. That is the issue. So it's no longer an issue between you and God. God removed it. And we received his righteousness. Every believer is perfect and complete in Jesus Christ. And God sees every believer in the same way as he sees his son, Jesus Christ, perfect and holy in Jesus' name. Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for me, so I can then become righteous like he is. He became what we were, so that we can become what he is. [00:10:08] (49 seconds)
What a powerful, powerful transformation and exchange. He became like us, so we can be like him. That is called grace. Why is it grace? Because you can't do anything to deserve it. You can't do anything to earn it. It is a gift of grace. The only thing he requires from you is to believe. Believe in Jesus. Believe in what he's done for you. You know, the greatest, the Bible says that the greatest prophet in the Old Testament was a guy called John. John the Baptist. And John the Baptist said this in John 1, 29. Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. [00:10:56] (48 seconds)
Because what he came to do, he came to deal with the root of the sin problem, not the results of the sin problem. If you are a sinner, then you will sin because it's your nature. You will just do sinning stuff because that's who you are. He came to deal with the root of the sinning, not just the sins of the people. Now, this is powerful. Amen? So good. And then he goes on. No, he says then in Revelation. In Revelation 13, he says the Lamb of God was slain before the creation of the world. What? So are you telling me that before the earth was ever made, there was nothing? [00:11:54] (40 seconds)
He was slain before the foundation of the world. Amen? And then the actual thing that happened was, the manifestation was 2 ,000 years ago when he actually died on the cross. But that was already in the thought of God long before Jesus ever manifested this in the earth. Romans 5, therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into the grace in which we now stand. In Christ, we are justified by faith. It's always faith involved. That's why I don't believe in universalism. Yes, Jesus did it for everybody, for all time. [00:13:08] (53 seconds)
Anyway, so what I'm trying to say is justification is powerful. Do you know justification means just as if I have never sinned? Okay, okay, okay. So what He's doing, He's not just forgiving the sinner, you're a sinner, but I forgive you, but you're still a sinner, but I forgive you. No, no, what He does, He brings us all the way back to Adam and Eve when the problem started, when they were disobedient and the infection came into the world, right? And He goes beyond that, before that, because Jesus is the second Adam, the first Adam, right? And brings us back to before anything ever went wrong. [00:14:12] (41 seconds)
Justified. Now, justified. This word justified and the word justified and also the word righteousness all come from the root word dikaios. And the root word dikaios means much more than forgiveness. It's a much deeper word. It actually means innocence. It's innocence. It's very powerful. It's actually called innocence. So, new covenant Christianity is a declaration of innocence. You were never there. It never happened. What? Yes, because he goes way back here before you ever were born, before the world was even made. Here. And he saw the lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world. [00:16:16] (46 seconds)
That shows the love of God. It's just unbelievable, so deep. Colossians 119, for God is satisfied to have all his fullness dwelling in Christ, and by the blood of his cross, everything in heaven and on earth is brought back to himself, back to its original intent, restored to innocence again. That's what Jesus did. He restored us back to innocence again. It is such a powerful gospel, restored to innocence again. Now, I want to illustrate this by a name change. I do this, I do this. I often talk about this because I love this so much. So here I am. Here's Gideon or Catherine. Gideon, not Gideon, okay. [00:17:47] (38 seconds)
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