Embracing New Life Through Christ's Resurrection

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace the New Creation Within You

The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event but a transformative opportunity for us to live a new life, free from sin and shame. It marks the beginning of a new creation in each of us. The resurrection signifies a profound change, not just in the world but within each believer. It is an invitation to step into a life that is no longer bound by past mistakes, guilt, or failures. This new life is characterized by freedom and the power to overcome sin and shame. As we embrace this new creation, we are called to live in the fullness of the life that Jesus offers, a life marked by grace and purpose. [46:32]

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."

Reflection: What old habits or mindsets do you need to let go of to fully embrace the new creation that you are in Christ?

Day 2: A Personal Encounter with Jesus

Jesus calls us by name, offering a personal encounter that changes everything. This is not about behavior correction but about becoming a new creation, free from the past and empowered to live a life marked by grace. When Jesus called Mary Magdalene by name at the empty tomb, it was a moment of profound personal transformation. This encounter signifies that Jesus knows each of us intimately and desires a personal relationship with us. It is through this relationship that we are empowered to live a life of grace, free from the chains of our past. This transformation is not about merely changing our behavior but about a deep, inner change that redefines our identity and purpose. [01:02:03]

Isaiah 43:1 (ESV): "But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'"

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper personal relationship with Jesus today, knowing that He calls you by name?

Day 3: Resurrection as a New Beginning

Resurrection is not a reset but a recreation. It invites us to leave behind the grave clothes of our past and step into the newness of life that Jesus offers. The resurrection is a powerful symbol of new beginnings. It is not merely a chance to start over but an invitation to be completely transformed. This transformation involves shedding the "grave clothes" of our past—our old ways of thinking and living—and embracing the new life that Jesus offers. This new life is characterized by hope, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose. It is a call to live differently, to be shaped by the victory of the resurrection, and to walk in the image of the resurrected Christ. [50:20]

Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV): "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."

Reflection: What "grave clothes" from your past do you need to leave behind to fully embrace the new life Jesus offers?

Day 4: Transformation Through Grace

Our transformation is not something we can achieve on our own; it is a work of grace that happens when we fully enter into the presence of Jesus and allow Him to change us from the inside out. True transformation is a work of grace, not human effort. It occurs when we surrender ourselves to Jesus and allow His presence to work within us. This transformation is deep and lasting, changing us from the inside out. It is not about striving to be better but about allowing Jesus to mold us into His image. As we enter into His presence, we are empowered to live a life that reflects His love, grace, and truth. [01:04:18]

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to surrender to Jesus and allow His grace to transform you?

Day 5: Communion as a Living Gospel

Communion is not just a ritual but a reenactment of the gospel. It is a reminder of His body broken and His blood shed, declaring that He is alive and that we are alive in Him. Participating in communion is a profound act of worship and remembrance. It is not merely a ritual but a living declaration of the gospel. As we partake in the bread and the cup, we remember the sacrifice of Jesus and proclaim His victory over death. This act is a powerful reminder that Jesus is alive and that we share in His life. It is an invitation to live in the reality of His resurrection, to be continually transformed by His presence, and to walk in the newness of life that He offers. [01:09:54]

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."

Reflection: How can you approach communion with a renewed sense of its significance, allowing it to be a transformative experience in your life?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event that signifies not just a historical moment but a transformative opportunity for each of us. The resurrection is not merely about what happened to Jesus; it is about what happens within us. It marks the beginning of a new life, a new creation, and a new identity in Christ. As we reflect on the cross, we remember the sins, shame, and disappointments that were laid down, and we declare that they no longer have power over us. The resurrection is not a reset but a recreation, inviting us to live in the newness of life that Jesus offers.

The story of Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb illustrates the personal nature of this transformation. When Jesus calls her by name, it signifies a personal encounter that changes everything. This is not about behavior correction but about becoming a new creation, free from the past and empowered to live a life marked by grace and purpose. The resurrection gives us back our name, our mission, and invites us to see life differently.

As believers, we are called to step into this new life, leaving behind the grave clothes of our past. The resurrection empowers our discipleship now, not just in eternity. It is a call to live differently, to be formed by His victory, and to walk in the image of the resurrected one. This transformation is not something we can achieve on our own; it is a work of grace that happens when we fully enter into the presence of Jesus and allow Him to change us from the inside out.

Today, as we participate in communion, we do so not just as a ritual but as a reenactment of the gospel. We remember His body broken and His blood shed, not just to recall His death but to declare that He is alive and that we are alive in Him. Let this be more than symbolic; let it be a prophetic moment that marks a new beginning in your life.

Key Takeaways

1. The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event but a transformative opportunity for us to live a new life, free from sin and shame. It marks the beginning of a new creation in each of us. [46:32]
2. Jesus calls us by name, offering a personal encounter that changes everything. This is not about behavior correction but about becoming a new creation, free from the past and empowered to live a life marked by grace. [62:03]
3. Resurrection is not a reset but a recreation. It invites us to leave behind the grave clothes of our past and step into the newness of life that Jesus offers. [50:20]
4. Our transformation is not something we can achieve on our own; it is a work of grace that happens when we fully enter into the presence of Jesus and allow Him to change us from the inside out. [64:18]
5. Communion is not just a ritual but a reenactment of the gospel. It is a reminder of His body broken and His blood shed, declaring that He is alive and that we are alive in Him. [01:09:54]
** [69:54]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[41:54] - Communion Preparation
[42:52] - Welcoming New Members
[44:57] - Spiritual Formation Journey
[45:48] - The Cross and Resurrection
[46:32] - Liberation from Sin
[47:22] - Newness of Life
[48:12] - Transformation in Christ
[49:36] - Worship and Joy
[50:20] - Resurrection as Recreation
[51:05] - Personal Transformation
[52:45] - Mary Magdalene's Encounter
[54:08] - Entering His Presence
[57:00] - Jesus Calls Us by Name
[69:54] - Communion as Reenactment

Sermon Clips

Over the last few weeks we have journeyed through the topic of formation and our spiritual Christian formation and we arrive at the moment where we are formed for a new life each and every one of us. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was more than just something that happened to Jesus; it was an opportunity for us to be resurrected with him as well. Today we celebrate the most powerful reality in human history, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. [00:44:57]

Today we do not deny the weight of what was placed there on that cross, but we declare that none of that remains in our lives. There is no longer any more shame that we should live through. There is no longer any sin that should hold us back and weigh us down. Each and every one of us today is a reminder we are liberated from sin. Amen. [00:46:16]

This resurrection is often treated like a final act, but in God's story, it is just the beginning. It was a beginning for each and every one of us to live in this new life and to walk in a newness of life serving Jesus Christ. Romans 6:4 says that just as Christ was raised, we too may walk in newness of life. [00:47:00]

Jesus didn't rise to send us back to business as usual. He rose to awaken a new creation in every one of us. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior, then you shouldn't live the same way you used to live. You shouldn't act the same way you used to act. You don't talk, you don't walk the way you used to do. [00:48:01]

When you give yourself to Christ, that means you die out to who you used to be, and now you are new. And in that newness, you now must be formed. You now must be transformed into something even better than you were. Our attitudes change, our worship changes. We're no longer just coming to church because it's the thing that we do. [00:49:05]

Resurrection isn't a reset. It isn't, "Well, okay, I'm give my life to Christ, and I'm just going to start this new life and I'll just start over." No, we don't start over. We die, and when you die, you don't begin again. Something new rises from those ashes. Resurrection isn't a reset; it's a recreation. [00:50:32]

Too many believers celebrate Easter while living in the shadow of Friday, but the grave clothes don't fit you anymore. You see, I think some of us are still trying to get ourselves back into the grave clothes of what was happening on that Good Friday of the crucifixion of Christ. We live in this death, we live in this sacrifice. [00:51:04]

You ain't ever going to fully believe in Jesus Christ until you enter into his presence. You want to keep looking on the outside of the tomb, you want to keep looking on the outside of the church. You're wanting him to do something amazing in your life, and you're looking for him on one Sunday or another particular Sunday. [00:55:58]

Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping, and so as she wept, she stood and looked into the tomb and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" [00:57:00]

The response changes when Jesus calls us by name, and he says Ryan, and he says your name. And when we turn and we see him, our response should be Rabbi, should be, "Oh, there you are." There was no more fear, there was no more depression, there was no more anxiety, there was no more scarring that had happened. [01:02:00]

Christianity is not about behavior correction; it's about becoming a new creation. If you are living with addictions or problems or situations in your life, I want to be the first one to tell you that while you are living in those addictions or in those nightmares and you're telling yourself that you got to stop and you got to quit. [01:03:46]

Step in and step into the presence of the Lord because he is the one who's overcome. I can't do these things on my own. I learned a long time ago I can't do any of this stuff on my own. There were things in my past that I tried to quit, tried to quit those things on my own. [01:06:27]

Colossians 3:1-3 says, "If you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above. Set your mind on things above, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." I'm just want to tell you, you keep your mind on the things of God, it won't be on the things of this world. [01:07:49]

Remember the fingerprints, the marks that were left on the cross last week. They represented what you surrendered, what you confessed, what needed crucifying. All these things, they represent all the bad things that we were, that it was him on the cross. And some of you, and I know not all of you are up here. [01:09:00]

He said, "Ryan, I don't want you to be that man anymore. I want you to be a new man. I want you to be a new creation. I want you to have something new." And as his side was bleeding, as his hands was bleeding, as the crown was on his head and the blood was running down his face. [01:11:07]

He looked at all of our sins and he did the greatest thing that, and the greatest miracle that we could have ever witnessed. And I know y'all just waiting for it. He just grabs it and he just rips it off. He said, "It's no longer is no longer there anymore. It's no longer there anymore." [01:12:12]

He washed it all away. He didn't take me and throw me away. He picked me up and he began to wash me clean and to make me new. And he looks at you and he calls you by name and says, "I love you unconditionally. Sin is no longer your identity. Shame is no longer has an authority over you." [01:13:00]

The cross was the place of an exchange, but the resurrection is the place of an empowerment. You are not just forgiven; you are formed by resurrection. Let this be more than symbolic. Let what just happened be more than just a symbolic gesture and a meaning, but let it be a prophetic moment for you in your life. [01:14:23]

The table of the Lord is not a ritual; it is a reenactment of the gospel. We take the bread and the cup not just to remember but to participate. Today we don't stop at his death; we declare that he is alive. As the paper was removed from the cross, we are reminded that our sin has also washed away. [01:15:49]

Today we're going to participate in a moment that we remember what he has done, his body being broken for you and me, his blood being poured out and washing us clean. It is a reminder. He tells us, he commands us, we do this, we honor him, we remember his death. [01:17:02]

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