Embracing the Great Reversal: Hope in Resurrection
Summary
Today, we gather to celebrate the greatest reversal in human history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This event is the cornerstone of our faith, transforming despair into hope and rejection into acceptance. The resurrection is a profound reminder that Jesus, once rejected and crucified, has become the cornerstone of our salvation. This is echoed in Psalm 118, which proclaims, "The stone the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone." This reversal is not just a historical event but a personal invitation to each of us to experience transformation through Christ.
The resurrection reveals God's sovereignty and His ability to bring about change in our lives. Just as God exalted Jesus, making Him the cornerstone, He can bring about reversals in our lives, turning our rejections and failures into opportunities for growth and renewal. This revelation encourages us to take risks for the Kingdom of God, knowing that He is in control and working all things for our good.
Easter is not just a day but a season of celebration. It is a time to rejoice in the victory of Christ over death and to live in the joy of His resurrection. This celebration is a call to live each day with gratitude, recognizing that every day is a gift from God. As we continue to celebrate Easter for 50 days, let us find ways to keep the joy of the resurrection alive in our hearts and communities.
In this season, we are reminded that Jesus bore the pain of rejection for us, so that we might experience the joy of acceptance and transformation. Just as Rory McIlroy experienced a reversal in his golfing career, we too can experience a reversal in our spiritual lives through the power of the resurrection. Let us embrace this great reversal, revelation, and celebration, and live as people transformed by the risen Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Great Reversal: Jesus' resurrection is the ultimate reversal, transforming rejection into acceptance and death into life. This event is a reminder that no matter how rejected or broken we feel, through Christ, we can experience new life and hope. [26:36]
2. The Great Revelation: The resurrection reveals God's sovereignty and His power to bring about change. It assures us that God is in control and working all things for our good, encouraging us to take bold steps for His Kingdom. [31:09]
3. The Grand Celebration: Easter is a season of joy and gratitude, reminding us to celebrate the victory of Christ over death. This celebration is an invitation to live each day with a heart full of thanksgiving, recognizing each day as a gift from God. [32:40]
4. Personal Transformation: The resurrection is a personal invitation to experience transformation through Christ. Just as Jesus was exalted, we too can experience a reversal in our lives, turning our failures into opportunities for growth. [30:24]
5. Living in the Light of Easter: As we celebrate Easter for 50 days, let us find ways to keep the joy of the resurrection alive in our hearts and communities. This ongoing celebration can transform our lives and the lives of those around us. [33:28]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [08:23] - Opening Hymn and Prayer
- [11:19] - The Great Commandments
- [13:50] - Prayer for Redemption
- [14:41] - Reading from 2 Corinthians
- [15:36] - Psalm 118
- [22:18] - Gospel Reading from Luke
- [25:01] - Introduction to the Sermon
- [26:36] - The Great Reversal
- [28:09] - Understanding Rejection
- [28:54] - Jesus as the Cornerstone
- [30:24] - Invitation to Relationship
- [31:09] - The Great Revelation
- [32:40] - The Grand Celebration
- [33:28] - Living the Easter Season
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 118:22-24 - "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
2. Luke 24:1-12 - The account of the resurrection of Jesus, where the women find the empty tomb and are told by angels that Jesus has risen.
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Psalm 118:22-24 say about the stone that the builders rejected, and how is this related to Jesus' resurrection? [26:36]
2. In Luke 24:1-12, what was the reaction of the women when they found the empty tomb, and how did the angels explain the situation to them? [23:22]
3. How does the sermon describe the concept of "The Great Reversal" in relation to Jesus' resurrection? [26:36]
4. What examples of personal rejection are mentioned in the sermon, and how are they connected to the theme of transformation through Christ? [27:20]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the resurrection of Jesus serve as a "Great Reversal" for believers, transforming rejection into acceptance and death into life? [26:36]
2. What does the sermon suggest about God's sovereignty and His ability to bring about change in our lives through the resurrection? [31:09]
3. How does the sermon encourage believers to take risks for the Kingdom of God, and what role does the resurrection play in this encouragement? [31:09]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Easter is not just a day but a season of celebration, and how should this impact our daily lives? [32:40]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt rejected or broken. How can the message of Jesus' resurrection as the "Great Reversal" bring hope and transformation to that situation? [26:36]
2. The sermon speaks of God's sovereignty and His power to bring about change. What is one area in your life where you need to trust God's control and seek His guidance for transformation? [31:09]
3. Easter is described as a season of joy and gratitude. What are some practical ways you can keep the joy of the resurrection alive in your heart and community over the next 50 days? [32:40]
4. Consider the risks you might take for the Kingdom of God if you knew you could not fail. What is one bold step you feel called to take, and how can you begin to pursue it? [31:09]
5. The sermon mentions personal transformation through Christ. Identify a failure or challenge in your life that you can view as an opportunity for growth. How can you invite Christ into that process? [30:24]
6. How can you incorporate the message of Easter into your daily routine to ensure that each day is lived with gratitude and purpose? [32:40]
7. Think about someone in your life who might be experiencing rejection or despair. How can you share the hope and transformation of the resurrection with them this week? [27:20]
Devotional
Day 1: The Ultimate Reversal of Destiny
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest reversal in human history, transforming rejection into acceptance and death into life. This event is a profound reminder that no matter how rejected or broken we feel, through Christ, we can experience new life and hope. The resurrection is not just a historical event but a personal invitation to each of us to experience transformation through Christ. It assures us that our failures and rejections are not the end but can be the beginning of a new chapter filled with hope and renewal. [26:36]
"The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." (Psalm 118:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you feel rejected or broken. How can you invite Christ into this situation to experience His transformative power today?
Day 2: Sovereignty in the Midst of Change
The resurrection reveals God's sovereignty and His power to bring about change. It assures us that God is in control and working all things for our good, encouraging us to take bold steps for His Kingdom. This revelation is a reminder that God can turn our rejections and failures into opportunities for growth and renewal. Just as God exalted Jesus, making Him the cornerstone, He can bring about reversals in our lives. [31:09]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one bold step you can take for God's Kingdom this week, trusting in His sovereignty and goodness?
Day 3: A Season of Joy and Gratitude
Easter is a season of joy and gratitude, reminding us to celebrate the victory of Christ over death. This celebration is an invitation to live each day with a heart full of thanksgiving, recognizing each day as a gift from God. As we continue to celebrate Easter for 50 days, let us find ways to keep the joy of the resurrection alive in our hearts and communities. [32:40]
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand." (Philippians 4:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally cultivate a heart of gratitude today, recognizing the daily gifts God has given you?
Day 4: Embracing Personal Transformation
The resurrection is a personal invitation to experience transformation through Christ. Just as Jesus was exalted, we too can experience a reversal in our lives, turning our failures into opportunities for growth. This transformation is not just about personal change but about living as people transformed by the risen Christ, impacting those around us with His love and grace. [30:24]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you desire transformation. What steps can you take today to invite Christ into this area for renewal and growth?
Day 5: Living in the Light of Easter
As we celebrate Easter for 50 days, let us find ways to keep the joy of the resurrection alive in our hearts and communities. This ongoing celebration can transform our lives and the lives of those around us. Living in the light of Easter means embracing the hope and joy of the resurrection daily, allowing it to shape our actions, attitudes, and relationships. [33:28]
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." (Matthew 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you be a light in your community this week, sharing the joy and hope of the resurrection with others?
Quotes
Today we celebrate the greatest reversal in all of human history. If you watched the Masters last week, you have an idea of what a reversal of fortune looks like. My apologies to you non-golf fans, but let me tell you, it was a big deal. Rory McIlroy had been chasing a career grand slam for over a decade, and the Masters had vexed him. Every time he got close, he fell apart. Last Sunday was no exception. Four shots in the lead as he made the turn, he fell apart again. [00:25:15]
Today we are here to celebrate the reversal that the psalmist says this way: "The stone the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone." Think about it. Throughout the scripture, this passage from Psalm 118 is repeated again and again about Jesus. He's the stone the builders rejected that has become the cornerstone. Another way of saying this truth on this day is what the angel said to those who came to the tomb: "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here; he is risen." [00:26:36]
Understand this: in order to understand the joy of Easter, we must understand the rejection. You see, the stone the builders rejected means that Jesus Christ, as Isaiah said about him, was despised and rejected, a man of sorrows acquainted with grief. He was not the only one who knew rejection. As Mary Magdalene went down to the tomb early on that first day of the week, imagine her life—a woman possessed by demons, a woman with a reputation. She had known rejection. [00:27:40]
Today we can say with all confidence that because Jesus Christ is risen from the dead, that reversal can be ours as well. And so, what does Easter, what does this feast say about the world that we experience and the world of rejection? Three things today: the great reversal, the great revelation, and the grand celebration. If you open in your bulletins to the psalm, you'll see verse 22 says these words: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." [00:28:48]
Jesus Christ was rejected. He was beaten. He was put on the cross for your sins and mine. That Good Friday becomes a great celebration on Easter morning when he becomes the cornerstone. How does he do that? He is raised from the dead by the power of God, and he stands alone now, seated at the right hand of the Father, and he is there interceding for us. This is the foundation of our hope. Jesus Christ becomes the capstone. [00:29:37]
Think about the great arc of human history. The capstone is that very stone that holds the arch in place. Jesus is that capstone. He is, as Colossians 1:17 says, "In him all things hold together." The whole cosmos is held together by Jesus Christ. And so, Easter Sunday is about a great reversal. The God of the universe sent his one and only Son to die for you, that whoever believes in him would not perish but would have eternal life in him. [00:30:04]
Friends, I want to invite you today on this Easter Sunday, if you've never surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, if you've never asked him to be your Lord and Savior, may today be the day. Come and speak with one of us. We would love to pray with you. We'd love to talk to you about Jesus. This great reversal is first and foremost a call to relationship, an invitation. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. [00:30:44]
The great revelation is that God himself is the one who made Jesus Christ the cornerstone. As Paul writes in Philippians 2, "Therefore God has highly exalted him and given him the name which is above every name." That's when Jesus Christ became the cornerstone, and God in his sovereign goodness did it. This is great news for us because God is sovereign. We know that reversals are possible. The God of the universe revealed to us that in him all things are working together for the good. [00:31:35]
The great news of Romans 8:28 is ours today because, as the psalmist says, "This is the Lord's doing; God is in control, and this is marvelous in our eyes." The great reversal leads us to this great revelation: God is sovereign. And if God is sovereign and God is good, then you and I can take great risk for the kingdom of God. Think about it: if you knew you could not fail, what would you do for the kingdom of God? [00:32:27]
What dream has God planted in your heart? What country, what neighborhood, what mission field are you called to today? Easter says to us that in Christ Jesus, we know that God is leading and guiding us. The circumstances of our life are not random. That great revelation propels us outward. We have a great reversal and a great revelation, but finally, verse 24 reminds us that this is a grand celebration. [00:33:10]
Notice what he says: "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." This is the compass by which I set my daily prayers. I say this every morning because I need to be reminded: God made me, God made this day, and every day, no matter how difficult, is a gift. And so, friends, he doesn't leave us, he doesn't forsake us, and we can lean into each day with this heart of celebration. [00:33:44]
Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Today we celebrate Easter. Tomorrow, the world will throw Easter away, but the church celebrates Easter for 50 days. I want to invite you into the grand celebration. What I want to encourage you to do is to find some way, when the bunnies and the eggs are gone away, I want you to find some way to continue to celebrate the 50 days. What would it look like if the people of God celebrated Easter for 50 days? [00:34:19]
How would that transform our lives? The invitation is there today. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Today, I don't know how you come. I don't know what rejection you faced. I don't know where you are in your life, but this I know: the stone the builders rejected, Jesus Christ, has borne that pain for you so that his great reversal might be yours. [00:34:56]
Rory could have hung it up on 18. He could have just folded and missed that next putt and continued along, but he steeled himself and went the distance. And Jesus could have quit on us in the garden when he cried, "Lord, take this cup from me." Or at the cross, he could have quit when he said, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" But instead, he won the victory. He not only went into death to conquer death, but he rose again on that third day. [00:35:32]
The great reversal is ours, and so let us say with the saints throughout all the generations: "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Amen. Getting together, let us confess what it is that we believe in the words of the Nicene Creed. [00:36:05]
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is visible and invisible. We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven. [00:36:19]
He was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and was made man. For our sake, he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried. On the third day, he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. [00:36:59]
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. [00:37:32]
Let us pray for the church and for the world, saying, "Hear our prayer." After each intercession, the congregation is invited to offer prayers for the peace of the whole world and for the well-being and unity of the people of God. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. For our Archbishop Steve and for Bishop Chip, for all the clergy and the people of our diocese and congregation, and for Camp Jubilee, we celebrate our Lord's victory over the grave. [00:38:14]
We pray that all the churches of our diocese be heralds of the good news. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. For all those who proclaim the gospel at home and abroad, and for all who teach, disciple, and plant churches, especially for our gospel communities on Fripp, our daughter church at Habersham, and our church planter Daniel Miles and his family. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. [00:38:56]
For our brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted for their faith, and for all our mission partners, especially Fred and Sophia Anongo, Zach and Noel Slagel in Albania, Roger and Joanne Griffin in Mexico, Stephen and Sarah Hoskins in Maine, and Pong, our seminarian. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. For our nation, for all those in authority, and for all in public service. [00:39:32]
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