Embracing Resurrection: A Call to Transform Lives

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the transformative power it holds for all of us. We began by dedicating young Samuel Norris to the Lord, entrusting his upbringing to his parents and our church community. We were reminded of Jesus' words, "Let the little children come to me," and the importance of nurturing the faith of the next generation.

We also shared in the joy of baptizing four individuals—Becca, June, Nathan, and Tina—each with their unique journey of faith. Their baptisms symbolize their participation in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and their incorporation into His body, the Church. It was a profound moment of commitment and celebration for our church family.

During the sermon, we reflected on the events of Holy Week, from the Last Supper to the crucifixion and the resurrection. We pondered the emotional rollercoaster the disciples must have experienced and how, despite their shortcomings, they were transformed by the grace of God. We also highlighted the often-overlooked role of the women who were present through Jesus' darkest hours and became the first preachers of the empty tomb.

We discussed the inclusivity of the gospel message, emphasizing that the kingdom of God is open to everyone—doubters, outcasts, and the marginalized. The resurrection is a gift for all, not just a select few, and it is our privilege to share this "nonsense message" of hope and love with the world.

As we partook in Holy Communion, we were reminded of Jesus' sacrifice and the new life He offers us. We were called to be agents of resurrection in our communities, to bless others, and to connect them to Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

- The dedication of children to the Lord is a sacred responsibility that we, as a church community, share with the parents. It is a commitment to guide the next generation towards a personal knowledge of Christ and to live out the values of the kingdom of God. [10:47]

- Baptism is a powerful outward expression of an inward transformation. It signifies our death to sin and rebirth into a life of following Jesus. As we celebrate the baptisms in our congregation, we are reminded of the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in drawing people to Christ and the joy of new life in Him. [01:20:45]

- The role of women in the resurrection narrative challenges us to consider who the marginalized are in our society today. It invites us to listen to the voices that are often dismissed and to recognize the value of every person in the eyes of God. The gospel is a message of radical inclusion and love. [54:18]

- The resurrection is not just a historical event to be celebrated once a year; it is a reality that should transform our daily lives. As believers, we are called to live out the hope and power of the resurrection in every aspect of our lives, demonstrating the love of Christ to those around us. [01:00:29]

- The message of the cross and resurrection may seem like nonsense to the world, but to us, it is the power of God for salvation. We are entrusted with the mission to share this message, to be bearers of hope, and to live as witnesses to the transformative power of God's love. [01:03:30]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 19:13-14: "Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'"
2. Luke 24:1-12: "But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, 'Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.' Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened."

#### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus say about children in Matthew 19:13-14, and how does this relate to the dedication of Samuel Norris? [10:29]
2. Who were the first witnesses to the empty tomb according to Luke 24:1-12, and what was their initial reaction? [50:02]
3. How did the male disciples initially respond to the women's testimony about the resurrection? [54:03]
4. What significant roles did women play in the resurrection narrative as highlighted in the sermon? [47:22]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized the importance of children in Matthew 19:13-14, and how does this shape our understanding of community responsibility in raising children in faith? [10:29]
2. What might the initial disbelief of the male disciples in Luke 24:11 suggest about the cultural context of the time and the credibility of women's testimonies? [54:03]
3. How does the inclusion of women as the first witnesses to the resurrection challenge societal norms and expectations, both in the first century and today? [47:22]
4. In what ways does the resurrection narrative in Luke 24:1-12 demonstrate the transformative power of God's grace, especially considering the disciples' emotional journey? [46:10]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on the dedication of Samuel Norris, how can you actively participate in nurturing the faith of the next generation within your community? [10:29]
2. Considering the initial disbelief of the male disciples, have there been moments in your life where you struggled to believe a message of hope? How did you overcome that doubt? [54:03]
3. The sermon highlighted the role of women in the resurrection story. How can you ensure that marginalized voices are heard and valued in your community today? [47:22]
4. The resurrection is described as a gift for all. How can you share this "nonsense message" of hope and love with someone who might find it hard to believe? [53:39]
5. The sermon calls us to be agents of resurrection in our communities. What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate the love and power of the resurrection in your daily life? [01:00:29]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt like an outsider. How did you experience inclusion, and how can you extend that same inclusion to others in your church or community? [55:01]
7. The sermon mentioned the emotional rollercoaster the disciples experienced. How do you handle emotional highs and lows in your faith journey, and what practices help you stay grounded? [46:10]

Devotional

Day 1: Nurturing Faith in the Next Generation
The dedication of children is a profound commitment, not only by the parents but also by the entire church community. It is a promise to guide the young ones towards a deep, personal relationship with Christ and to model the values of the kingdom of God in their presence. This responsibility involves creating an environment where faith can flourish through teaching, example, and prayer. It is about instilling in them the stories, principles, and love that Jesus exemplified, so they may grow to embody these truths in their own lives. The dedication is a starting point, a sacred moment that sets the trajectory for a lifetime of spiritual growth and discovery. [10:47]

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6 ESV

Reflection: How can you contribute to the spiritual growth of a child in your community this week?

Day 2: The Significance of Baptism
Baptism is a vivid symbol of an individual's death to sin and rebirth into a life committed to following Jesus. It is an outward expression that marks an inward transformation, a public declaration of a private change. This sacrament is a celebration of the Holy Spirit's work in drawing people to Christ and the joy that comes with new life in Him. It is a reminder to the church of the ongoing process of conversion and sanctification in the lives of believers. As the baptized are submerged in water, they identify with Jesus' death, and as they emerge, they participate in His resurrection, signifying their new life in Him. [01:20:45]

"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:4 ESV

Reflection: In what ways does your life reflect the newness of life that baptism symbolizes?

Day 3: Embracing the Marginalized
The role of women in the resurrection narrative is a powerful reminder of the inclusivity of the gospel. It challenges us to recognize and value the contributions of those who are often marginalized in society. The gospel calls us to listen to and elevate the voices that are frequently ignored, affirming the worth of every individual in God's eyes. This message of radical inclusion and love is central to the kingdom of God, and it compels us to extend grace and acceptance to doubters, outcasts, and the marginalized, just as Jesus did. [54:18]

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:28 ESV

Reflection: Who are the marginalized individuals in your life, and how can you show them the love and inclusion of the gospel this week?

Day 4: Living the Resurrection Daily
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a historical event to be celebrated annually; it is a transformative reality that should permeate every aspect of our daily lives. Believers are called to embody the hope and power of the resurrection, demonstrating Christ's love in all interactions and circumstances. This means being agents of change, blessing others, and connecting them to the life-giving message of Jesus. The resurrection empowers us to overcome challenges with faith and to live with a sense of purpose and mission, reflecting the new life we have been given. [01:00:29]

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." - Colossians 3:1 ESV

Reflection: What is one way you can demonstrate the hope of the resurrection in your community today?

Day 5: The Power of the Gospel Message
The message of the cross and resurrection may seem like foolishness to the world, but for those who believe, it is the power of God for salvation. This "nonsense message" is the heart of the Christian faith, a message of hope and love that we are entrusted to share. As bearers of this message, we are called to live as witnesses to the transformative power of God's love, to be sources of hope in a world that often seems hopeless. The gospel is not just good news; it is the best news, and it is our privilege and responsibility to proclaim it. [01:03:30]

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV

Reflection: How can you be a bearer of the gospel's transformative power in your everyday conversations and actions?

Quotes

"When Jesus is crucified, the first to witness his resurrection are these women. You see, we celebrate, friends, that the resurrection today is a gift that is available to everyone through the grace of Jesus. Amen? Amen. Think about that truth for just a moment. The grace of Jesus is for everyone. Not just me, not just us in this room, but for everyone." [58:51]( | | )

"Friends, resurrection is a gift for us. Do you believe that this morning? Do you believe that every morning? You should. Does the power of the resurrection seem like nonsense to us? See, because our lives are in the throes of death, is it nonsense? Because hope seems fleeting or pointless, is the message of the cross and the resurrection pointless or nonsense?" [01:00:29]( | | )

"Friends, what would it look like today to embrace the gift of resurrection in our own lives? It would look a lot like blessing our community. It would look a lot like connecting those around us to Jesus any chance we get, right? Where do we need to see the power of resurrection at work in our own lives, in our neighborhoods, in our homes, in our workplaces, at our schools, at the grocery store, wherever you may find yourself?" [01:00:29]( | | )

"Friends, we can be the ones sitting vigil day in and day out, anticipating hope, sharing the good news of this nonsense message. We can be the ones running with good news to others who desperately need to hear it. Because resurrection is for all of us. And it's also for them, for all corners of the earth, and for all people." [01:01:52]( | | )

"The message of the cross, is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the very power of God. And then he follows that up in verse 23. He says, we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Greeks, but to those who are the call, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God." [01:03:30]( | | )

"Friends, Jesus' death on what has become to, what we have come to know as Good Friday brought about atonement for us, for the world. And I like to think of this as at-one-ment, right? The restoration of humanity's relationship with God because of what Jesus did for us upon the cross. And his raising to new life brings about resurrection. For all people, new life for everyone." [55:53]( | | )

"The kingdom of God is not just for men or any other single identity for that matter. The kingdom of God is open to everyone. Amen? It is a kingdom for doubters like Thomas and like the men who didn't believe the women at first. It's a kingdom for women. It's a kingdom for outcasts, a kingdom for those who are afraid, like the disciples staying hidden behind, locked doors." [54:18]( | | )

"The fact that women were the first to share the message of resurrection hope might just be the biggest statement of inclusion that we can find in the gospels. You see, this is particularly helpful, because history is usually told from the perspective of the victors and the powerful. But women in the first century culture had no power, yet their story was told." [57:16]( | | )

"Friends, do you know that your life can be transformed? That God can do something in you, even though you may not see it today? God can do something in you. You know, during this season, we've been talking about rearranging the furniture of our lives. And sometimes it takes just us rearranging some of that furniture. Sometimes it takes us making room in our hearts and our lives to receive this nonsense message that can totally transform and wreck you, but it can take you places that you would never expect." [01:05:13]( | | )

"Friends, the day of celebrating has arrived, and we will celebrate. We will praise God for all that he has done through the life, death, and resurrection of his son, Jesus Christ. Because resurrection is for all of us, and that message needs to be shared, needs to be lived out. The transformation that is for us." [01:05:13]( | | )

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