Embracing Our Identity: The Transformative Power of Resurrection

 

Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound truths of Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the transformative power of understanding and accepting our identity as children of God. We began by reflecting on the Easter story as told by Luke, where Jesus, after his resurrection, appears to his disciples, calming their fears and opening their minds to the scriptures. This moment underscores the reality that Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection were all part of God's redemptive plan for humanity.

We delved into the significance of Jesus showing his wounds to the disciples, highlighting that God's power is made perfect in weakness. These wounds are not just scars of pain but are powerful testimonies to God's love and forgiveness. This led us to discuss the importance of recognizing Jesus in our lives today, not just as a historical figure but as a living presence that we experience through love and service to one another.

The sermon also addressed the personal and communal aspects of faith. We talked about the role of the church in nurturing faith through teaching and practicing forgiveness, as exemplified by our various workshops and sessions on spiritual disciplines. This communal aspect of faith was further emphasized through the commissioning of new church leaders, reminding us that we are all called to serve and embody Christ's love in our various capacities.

Moreover, we reflected on the nature of our offerings to God, which are not merely financial but encompass all that we are and all that we have. This act of offering is a profound expression of our faith and commitment to God's service.

Finally, we concluded with a call to live out our faith actively, serving the world with love and forgiveness, inspired by the Holy Spirit. This call to action is not just for the here and now but is a continuous commitment that extends beyond our lifetimes, impacting future generations through legacy giving and other forms of service.

### Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Our Identity in Christ:
Recognizing ourselves as God's children is foundational to our faith. This identity is not just a label but a call to a deeper relationship with God, characterized by intimate knowledge and love. As we grow in this relationship, our lives begin to reflect God's love more clearly, impacting how we interact with the world around us. [41:18]

2. The Power of Christ's Resurrection:
The resurrection of Jesus is a cornerstone of Christian faith, signifying victory over sin and death. This event is not just a past historical occurrence but a present reality that offers hope and new life to all who believe. It invites us to live in the freedom of God's forgiveness and to extend this forgiveness to others. [38:01]

3. The Role of Community in Spiritual Growth:
Our faith journey is not meant to be walked alone. The church community plays a crucial role in supporting and nurturing individual faith through shared worship, teaching, and service. This communal aspect of faith is vital for spiritual growth and for carrying out the mission of the church in the world. [44:56]

4. Offering Our Whole Selves to God:
True worship involves offering not just our words and songs but our entire being and resources to God. This act of offering is a response to God's total claim over our lives. It reflects our trust and gratitude towards God, acknowledging that everything we have is a gift from Him. [51:01]

5. Legacy and Service Beyond Our Lifetime:
Our commitment to God's kingdom is not limited to our lifespan. Legacy giving and other forms of service are ways we can continue to contribute to the church and its mission even after we are gone. This forward-thinking approach to stewardship ensures that future generations can also experience the love and grace of God. [01:02:21]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 24:36-48 (NRSV)
> "Jesus himself stood among the disciples and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' They were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, 'Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.' And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, 'Have you anything here to eat?' They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. Then he said to them, 'These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.' Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, 'Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. What were the disciples' initial reactions when Jesus appeared to them after His resurrection? ([26:31])
2. How did Jesus prove to the disciples that He was not a ghost? ([27:39])
3. What did Jesus do to help the disciples understand the Scriptures? ([27:39])
4. What message did Jesus say should be proclaimed to all nations? ([40:26])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to show His wounds to the disciples? What significance do these wounds hold? ([35:07])
2. How does the resurrection of Jesus provide hope and new life to believers today? ([38:01])
3. In what ways does the church community support and nurture individual faith according to the sermon? ([44:56])
4. What does it mean to offer our whole selves to God, and how is this reflected in our daily lives? ([51:01])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your identity as a child of God. How does this understanding impact your daily interactions and decisions? ([41:18])
2. The sermon emphasized the power of Christ's resurrection. How can you live in the freedom of God's forgiveness and extend this forgiveness to others in your life? ([38:01])
3. Think about a time when the church community played a crucial role in your spiritual growth. How can you contribute to nurturing faith within your church community? ([44:56])
4. Offering our whole selves to God includes more than just financial contributions. What are some specific ways you can offer your time, talents, and resources to God's service this week? ([51:01])
5. The sermon mentioned legacy giving and serving beyond our lifetime. Have you considered how your actions and contributions today can impact future generations? What steps can you take to ensure your legacy reflects your faith and commitment to God's kingdom? ([01:02:21])
6. How can you actively live out your faith by serving the world with love and forgiveness, inspired by the Holy Spirit? Identify one specific action you can take this week to embody Christ's love in your community. ([46:31])
7. Reflect on the importance of recognizing Jesus in your life today. How can you become more aware of His presence through love and service to others? ([35:07])

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our Identity in Christ
Understanding our identity as God's children transforms our perspective and interactions with the world. Recognizing ourselves as beloved by God is not merely about self-awareness; it's about embracing a life that reflects His love and grace. This identity shapes every aspect of our lives, urging us to live not for ourselves but for Him who loved us first. As we deepen our relationship with God, our true identity becomes clearer, influencing our decisions, relationships, and mission in life. This foundational truth is vital for personal and spiritual growth, enabling us to stand firm against challenges by knowing whom we belong to. [41:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSYwUsD4zH8&t=2463s)

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him." - 1 John 3:1 ESV

Reflection: How does understanding your identity as a child of God change the way you view yourself and your interactions with others?

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Day 2: The Living Power of the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus is a cornerstone of our faith, symbolizing the ultimate victory over sin and death. This miraculous event is not just a historical fact but a present reality that breathes life into our daily existence. It invites us to live in the freedom of forgiveness, offering us a new beginning every day. The resurrection empowers believers to face life's adversities with hope and courage, knowing that Christ has overcome the world. This transformative power is available to all who believe, urging us to extend the same forgiveness and hope to others. [38:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSYwUsD4zH8&t=2266s)

"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished." - 1 Corinthians 15:17-18 ESV

Reflection: In what ways does the reality of the resurrection influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?

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Day 3: Fostering Spiritual Growth Through Community
Our spiritual journey is enriched and supported by the faith community. The church plays a crucial role in nurturing our faith through shared experiences of worship, teaching, and service. This communal aspect of faith is not just about attending services but actively engaging in the life of the church. By participating in various church activities, we grow spiritually and help others on their faith journey. The support and encouragement of a community are indispensable in living out the teachings of Christ and advancing the mission of the church in the world. [44:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSYwUsD4zH8&t=2681s)

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

Reflection: How can you more actively engage in your church community to foster both your spiritual growth and that of others?

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Day 4: Offering Our Whole Selves to God
True worship involves offering our entire being and resources to God, acknowledging His sovereignty over our lives. This act of offering goes beyond financial contributions; it encompasses our time, talents, and hearts. It is a response to God's total claim over us, reflecting our trust and gratitude. By surrendering our whole selves to God, we honor Him and open ourselves to His divine guidance and provision. This total offering is a powerful expression of our faith and commitment to His service. [51:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSYwUsD4zH8&t=3046s)

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." - Romans 12:1 ESV

Reflection: What are some specific ways you can offer more of yourself to God in your daily life?

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Day 5: Building a Legacy of Faith and Service
Our commitment to God's kingdom extends beyond our lifetime. Legacy giving and other forms of service enable us to contribute to the church's mission even after we are gone. This forward-thinking approach to stewardship helps ensure that future generations can also experience the transformative love and grace of God. By planning for the future, we demonstrate our faith and commitment to a cause greater than ourselves, leaving a lasting impact that echoes through generations. [01:02:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSYwUsD4zH8&t=3726s)

"Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner's wealth passes to the righteous." - Proverbs 13:22 ESV

Reflection: What are some ways you can start building a legacy of faith and service that impacts future generations?

Quotes

1. "May the Christ who walks on wounded feet walk with you on the road. May the Christ who serves with wounded hands stretch out your hands to serve. May the Christ who loves with a wounded heart open your heart to love. May you see the face of Christ in everyone you meet. And may everyone you meet see the face of Christ in you." [46:31](Download clip | Download cropped clip | )

2. "So, you know, every service we do an offertory. We bring up the bread and the wine and we take a collection. These are but symbols. So really, on this Sunday, you are making the most profound offering. Your offering, your time, your talent, and that's what you're putting on the altar to serve God with your gifts." [51:01]( | | )

3. "Well, accepting God's gift of forgiveness, and then sharing it, passing it on, forgiving others is at the heart of being a Christian. Because that's who God is. Love and forgiveness. And that's what Jesus incarnates." [38:01]( | | )

4. "And then, in the end, we'll use those funds to help keep the ministry of the Holy Trinity alive and well and vital. There's an article on stewardship from Peter Misawczyk, and in the middle of it, he talks about the importance of legacy giving." [01:02:21]( | | )

5. "You are the children of God, who will be the children of all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. So, does life have meaning and purpose? The good news of Easter is an emphatic, yes." [41:18]( | | )

6. "Look, Jesus said to them afterwards, when the danger was past. You can look now. He wanted them to know he had gone through the danger, not around it. See? Some of us wish he had come back all cleaned up and tidy. But he did not." [36:21]( | | )

7. "The resurrection stories seem to be exploring aspects of how the risenness of Jesus has to do with the sense of absolution by God. How the resurrection creates forgiven persons whose relationship with God and derivatively with each other is transformed." [39:10]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?