Embracing Resurrection: From Doubt to Destiny
Summary
On this Easter Sunday, we gather to celebrate the profound truth of Jesus' resurrection and the transformative power it holds for each of us. We stand in the tension between the cross and the resurrection, between pain and purpose, doubt and destiny. The blood of Jesus, sown like a seed, brings forth salvation for the world, and our response in giving is an act of worship, a declaration that our lives and resources belong to Him.
In John 1:43-51, we see the story of Philip and Nathanael, illustrating how Jesus finds us in our lostness and invites us to follow Him. Philip, upon encountering Jesus, immediately shares the good news with Nathanael, demonstrating that found people find people. This is our mission: to help others encounter Jesus, to be a lighthouse of hope in our communities.
Jesus meets us where we are, not where we think we need to be. He sees us in our questions, doubts, and struggles, just as He saw Nathanael under the fig tree. This personal encounter reveals that Jesus knows our hearts and invites us to come and see the greater things He has in store for us. The resurrection is a reminder that God brings good out of the hard, dark, and messy places in our lives. Just as Nazareth, a place of insignificance, brought forth the Savior, so can our own places of pain and disappointment bring forth new life and hope.
The invitation is clear: come and see. Whether you are like Philip, ready to follow, or like Nathanael, full of questions, Jesus calls you to experience His love and grace. He transforms skeptics into believers, critics into converts, and He can do the same for you. Today, if you feel the call of Jesus, respond with faith, knowing that He sees you, loves you, and has a purpose for your life. Embrace the resurrection power and witness the greater things God has planned for you.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Jesus' Blood: The blood of Jesus was not merely spilled; it was sown like a seed, bringing salvation to the world. Our giving is an act of worship, a declaration that our lives belong to Him. This is a reminder that our offerings are not out of obligation but out of love and gratitude. [01:14:33]
- Found People Find People: When Jesus finds us, we are compelled to share the good news with others. Like Philip, who immediately told Nathanael about Jesus, we are called to help others encounter Him. This is our mission as believers, to be a lighthouse of hope in our communities. [01:19:27]
- Jesus Meets Us Where We Are: Jesus sees us in our questions, doubts, and struggles. He meets us in our current state, not where we think we need to be. This personal encounter reveals that Jesus knows our hearts and invites us to come and see the greater things He has in store for us. [01:24:16]
- God Brings Good Out of the Bad: The resurrection is a reminder that God can bring good out of the hard, dark, and messy places in our lives. Just as Nazareth, a place of insignificance, brought forth the Savior, so can our own places of pain and disappointment bring forth new life and hope. [01:27:57]
- The Invitation to Come and See: Whether you are ready to follow or full of questions, Jesus calls you to experience His love and grace. He transforms skeptics into believers and critics into converts. Embrace the resurrection power and witness the greater things God has planned for you. [01:30:42]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:02:00] - Praise and Fellowship
- [00:04:00] - Tithes and Offerings
- [00:06:00] - Declaration of Worship
- [00:08:00] - Introduction to the Word
- [00:10:00] - The Story of Philip and Nathanael
- [00:14:00] - Jesus Finds Us
- [00:18:00] - Found People Find People
- [00:22:00] - Jesus Meets Us Where We Are
- [00:26:00] - God Brings Good Out of the Bad
- [00:30:00] - The Invitation to Come and See
- [00:34:00] - Responding to Jesus
- [00:38:00] - Prayer and Blessing
- [00:42:00] - Closing and Final Act
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 1:43-51
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Philip's immediate reaction after Jesus found him, and how did he respond to Nathanael's skepticism? [01:19:27]
2. How does Jesus demonstrate His knowledge of Nathanael before they even meet? [01:24:16]
3. What does Jesus promise Nathanael he will see, and how does this relate to the theme of the sermon? [01:24:16]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the interaction between Jesus and Nathanael illustrate the idea that Jesus meets us where we are, not where we think we need to be? [01:24:16]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God can bring good out of the hard and messy places in our lives? [01:27:57]
3. How does the concept of "found people find people" challenge believers to share their faith with others? [01:19:27]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like Nathanael, full of questions and doubts. How did you experience Jesus meeting you in that place? [01:24:16]
2. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus' blood was sown like a seed, bringing salvation. How can you view your own acts of giving as seeds sown in faith and gratitude? [01:14:33]
3. Consider someone in your life who might be like Nathanael, skeptical or questioning. How can you be a "lighthouse of hope" for them this week? [01:19:27]
4. The sermon mentions that God can bring good out of places of pain and disappointment. Identify a challenging situation in your life and discuss how you can look for God's transformative work in it. [01:27:57]
5. Jesus invites us to "come and see" the greater things He has planned. What steps can you take this week to respond to this invitation and deepen your relationship with Him? [01:30:42]
6. How can you actively participate in the mission of helping others encounter Jesus, as Philip did with Nathanael? [01:19:27]
7. Reflect on the idea that Jesus sees you in your current state. How does this truth impact your understanding of His love and grace in your life? [01:24:16]
Devotional
Day 1: The Seed of Salvation
The blood of Jesus is not just a symbol of sacrifice but a seed sown for the salvation of the world. This profound act of love calls us to respond with gratitude and worship, recognizing that our lives and resources belong to Him. Our giving, therefore, is not out of obligation but a heartfelt declaration of our devotion and acknowledgment of His ultimate sacrifice. As we reflect on this, we are reminded that our offerings are a tangible expression of our faith and love for God. [01:14:33]
Hebrews 9:14 (ESV): "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."
Reflection: In what ways can you express your gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice through acts of worship and giving today?
Day 2: Sharing the Good News
When Jesus finds us, He ignites a passion within us to share the good news with others. Like Philip, who immediately told Nathanael about Jesus, we are called to be lighthouses of hope in our communities. This mission is not just a duty but a natural overflow of the joy and transformation we experience in Christ. As found people, we are compelled to help others encounter the same love and grace that changed our lives. [01:19:27]
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the good news of Jesus? How can you be a beacon of hope to them today?
Day 3: Meeting Us in Our Doubts
Jesus meets us where we are, in our questions, doubts, and struggles. He sees us in our current state, not where we think we need to be. This personal encounter reveals that Jesus knows our hearts and invites us to come and see the greater things He has in store for us. Just as He saw Nathanael under the fig tree, He sees us and calls us to experience His love and grace. [01:24:16]
Psalm 139:1-3 (ESV): "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways."
Reflection: What doubts or struggles are you currently facing? How can you invite Jesus into these areas of your life today?
Day 4: Beauty from Ashes
The resurrection is a powerful reminder that God can bring good out of the hard, dark, and messy places in our lives. Just as Nazareth, a place of insignificance, brought forth the Savior, so can our own places of pain and disappointment bring forth new life and hope. God specializes in transforming our brokenness into beauty, and He invites us to trust Him with our deepest hurts. [01:27:57]
Isaiah 61:3 (ESV): "To grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."
Reflection: What is one area of pain or disappointment in your life that you need to surrender to God? How can you trust Him to bring beauty from these ashes?
Day 5: The Call to Experience
The invitation from Jesus is clear: come and see. Whether you are ready to follow or full of questions, He calls you to experience His love and grace. Jesus transforms skeptics into believers and critics into converts, and He can do the same for you. Embrace the resurrection power and witness the greater things God has planned for you. [01:30:42]
John 1:50-51 (ESV): "Jesus answered him, 'Because I said to you, "I saw you under the fig tree," do you believe? You will see greater things than these.' And he said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.'"
Reflection: What step of faith can you take today to experience the greater things God has in store for you? How can you open your heart to His transformative power?
Quotes
"We've just declared one of the most powerful truths that we hold as Jesus followers, as believers. The blood of Jesus will never lose its power. We're reminded there's no greater offering that's been given than what Jesus gave on that hill. His blood wasn't simply spilled. His blood was sown like a seed, bringing forth salvation for the world. He gave everything. And today, we don't give our tithes and offerings out of obligation." [01:05:52] (43 seconds)
"See, Jesus finds us, then we go find others. I love how the Bible says Jesus found Philip. The truth is, and you'll hear religious people say this, I found God. Well, let me let you know, he found you. God was never lost. We were. And in our lostness, Jesus comes and finds us. And even today, in our wandering, in our brokenness, in our rebellion, God came and he comes looking for us. Jesus found Philip. And immediately, the Bible says, Philip went and found someone else, Nathaniel." [01:11:36] (45 seconds)
"Our own skepticism has gotten in the way. And that's okay, because God's not afraid of the skeptics. God's not afraid of your questions. So Philip invites his compadre, Nathaniel, come and encounter Jesus. See, our Jesus meets us where we are at. One of the most beautiful truths about scripture is this, that Jesus meets us where we are. Not where we think we need to be. Wherever you're at, Jesus will meet you there. And when Nathaniel finally meets Jesus, Jesus says, I saw you." [01:15:02] (42 seconds)
"But the good news is this. Jesus stepped in to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Jesus took our place. Jesus bore our sin. And the cross isn't the end of the story. It was just the bridge back to God. Jesus tells Nathaniel, you believe because I saw you under the fig tree. But you will see greater things than this. And I believe God's saying that to you today. You're going through some stuff. You're sitting in that fig tree. But you will see greater things than this." [01:18:55] (44 seconds)
"You'll see a Savior who doesn't just die but rises. Who came for you. A God who doesn't just meet us in our doubt. But he leads us into our destiny. See, Jesus brings good out of the bad. When Nathaniel first hears about Jesus, he scoffs. Can anything good come out of Oakland? I mean Nazareth. See, Nazareth was the kind of town people made fun of. Every time you go on CNN, they're talking bad about Oakland. I mean Nazareth. Every time they're doing this stuff." [01:19:42] (37 seconds)
"While Isaiah prophesied all the way in the Old Testament that the Messiah would come from this very place, this place called Nazareth, it was unexpected. It's not what people wanted, but that's what the beauty of God's plan is. He brings greatness out of unlikely places. And Easter Sunday is a reminder that God wants to show us that good things can come out of the hard, dark, ugly, messy places in our lives. And some might be asking today, can anything good come out of this pain?" [01:21:02] (43 seconds)
"And out of that tomb comes resurrection life. And if God can bring life from death, he can bring hope out of whatever you are facing today. Anything is possible with Jesus. So whatever your faith Nazareth is, whatever your Oakland is, whatever your part of your life feels forgotten, insignificant, broken, overlooked, too painful to look at, God can still use it. That is the story of the resurrection. See, Easter Sunday is the invitation to come and see." [01:23:47] (51 seconds)
"You're still looking for answers. You're just tired of trying to be good and never quite being good enough. The invitation is this. Saying, come and see. Come and see a Savior who knows your name. Come and see the one who sees you under the fig tree. Come and see the God who brings dead things back to life. And if you've never said yes to Jesus, or maybe today you're saying, I'm coming back to Jesus. This is your moment. Now is the time. He's still inviting you. He's still calling you. Come and see." [01:29:11] (46 seconds)
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