Embracing the Joy of the Risen Savior
Summary
In our journey through life, we often encounter moments that challenge our faith and understanding of God's blessings. Recently, I experienced such a moment during a family trip to Taiwan. Despite my hopes and prayers, I didn't win a prize at the airport's promotional event, but my son Nathan did. Initially, I felt a twinge of jealousy, but Nathan's generosity reminded me of the true spirit of family and sharing. This experience parallels how we sometimes perceive the gift of salvation. We have received the ultimate prize through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, yet we often fail to appreciate its true value.
Easter Sunday is a powerful reminder of Jesus' victory over death and the eternal life we gain through Him. However, many Christians find themselves burdened by their faith, losing sight of the joy and significance of the resurrection. The story of Jesus' appearance to His disciples after His resurrection, as recorded in Luke 24:36-53, illustrates the transformative power of encountering the risen Savior. Jesus provided tangible proof of His resurrection, dispelling doubts and fears among His followers.
The resurrection is not just a historical event; it is a call to action. First, we are called to believe in the resurrected Jesus, trusting in His power to overcome death and grant us victory over life's challenges. Second, we are called to share this good news with others, spreading the message of salvation to all nations. Finally, we are called to live joyfully, reflecting the hope and assurance that comes from serving a risen Savior.
As we celebrate Easter, let us renew our commitment to these calls to action. May the truth of the resurrection inspire us to live with purpose, share the gospel boldly, and embrace the joy that comes from knowing Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Authenticity in Faith: Just as I felt jealousy over my son's win, we often struggle with appreciating the gift of salvation. It's crucial to recognize and confront these feelings, understanding that our faith is a journey of growth and authenticity. [02:30]
- The Reality of the Resurrection: Jesus' resurrection is a historical and spiritual reality that demands our belief. His physical appearance to the disciples, complete with scars, serves as undeniable proof of His victory over death. This truth should strengthen our faith and dispel doubts. [07:47]
- The Call to Evangelize: The resurrection compels us to share the gospel with others. We are witnesses to the transformative power of Christ, and it is our responsibility to spread this message of hope and salvation to all corners of the world. [19:51]
- Joy in the Christian Life: Encountering the resurrected Jesus fills us with joy, a joy that should permeate our lives and attract others to Christ. This joy is not based on circumstances but on the assurance of eternal life and victory over sin. [28:12]
- Living with Purpose: Our lives should reflect the truth of the resurrection. By believing in Jesus, sharing the gospel, and living joyfully, we fulfill our purpose as followers of Christ. This perspective transforms our outlook on life, making it meaningful and fulfilling. [35:08]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:30] - The Jealousy Lesson
- [05:19] - The Resurrection Context
- [07:47] - Proof of the Resurrection
- [10:15] - The Scars of Jesus
- [14:06] - The Significance of Resurrection
- [16:54] - The Call to Believe
- [19:51] - The Call to Evangelize
- [22:53] - Living Out Our Faith
- [25:34] - The Power of Our Testimony
- [28:12] - The Call to Joy
- [30:35] - Joy in Trials
- [32:47] - The Joyful Christian Life
- [35:08] - Living with Eternal Perspective
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 24:36-53
Observation Questions:
1. What was the initial reaction of the disciples when Jesus appeared to them after His resurrection? How did Jesus address their doubts? [07:47]
2. How did Jesus prove to His disciples that He was not a ghost but truly resurrected? What specific actions did He take? [10:15]
3. What instructions did Jesus give to His disciples regarding the message of repentance and forgiveness? [19:51]
4. How did the disciples respond after Jesus ascended into heaven, and what does this reveal about their understanding of His resurrection? [28:12]
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might the disciples have struggled to believe in the resurrection initially, despite Jesus standing before them? What does this suggest about human nature and faith? [07:47]
2. How does Jesus' physical demonstration of eating fish and honeycomb serve as a significant proof of His resurrection? What does this tell us about the nature of His resurrected body? [10:15]
3. In what ways does the resurrection of Jesus serve as a foundation for the Christian faith, according to the sermon? How does this impact the believer's life? [16:54]
4. What is the significance of the disciples' joy after witnessing the ascension of Jesus, and how does this joy relate to their mission? [28:12]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt jealous or ungrateful for a blessing in your life. How can you shift your perspective to appreciate the gift of salvation more fully? [02:30]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of believing in the resurrection. How can you strengthen your faith in the reality of the resurrection in your daily life? [16:54]
3. Jesus calls us to share the gospel with others. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear the message of salvation. What steps can you take to share this good news with them this week? [19:51]
4. Joy is a key theme in the Christian life. What are some practical ways you can cultivate joy in your life, even amidst challenges? [28:12]
5. Consider the role of authenticity in your faith journey. How can you confront and address feelings of doubt or jealousy in a way that leads to spiritual growth? [02:30]
6. The disciples were called to live with purpose after witnessing the resurrection. What specific actions can you take to live out your faith with purpose and intentionality? [35:08]
7. Reflect on the joy that comes from serving a risen Savior. How can this joy influence your interactions with others and your involvement in your church community? [30:35]
Devotional
Day 1: Authenticity in Faith
In our journey of faith, we often encounter moments where our human emotions, such as jealousy or doubt, challenge our understanding and appreciation of God's gifts. Just as one might feel a twinge of jealousy when someone else receives a blessing, we can sometimes struggle to fully appreciate the gift of salvation that we have received through Jesus Christ. It is essential to confront these feelings and recognize that our faith is a journey of growth and authenticity. By acknowledging our struggles, we can deepen our relationship with God and grow in our understanding of His grace. [02:30]
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent moment when you felt jealousy or doubt in your faith journey. How can you bring this to God in prayer and seek His guidance to grow in authenticity?
Day 2: The Reality of the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus is both a historical and spiritual reality that demands our belief. When Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection, He provided tangible proof of His victory over death, dispelling their doubts and fears. This truth should strengthen our faith and encourage us to trust in His power to overcome life's challenges. By embracing the reality of the resurrection, we can find assurance and hope in the promises of God. [07:47]
"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: Reflect on a specific doubt or fear you have about your faith. How does the reality of the resurrection address this doubt, and how can you allow this truth to strengthen your faith today?
Day 3: The Call to Evangelize
The resurrection of Jesus compels us to share the gospel with others. As witnesses to the transformative power of Christ, it is our responsibility to spread the message of hope and salvation to all corners of the world. This call to evangelize is not just a duty but a privilege, as we have the opportunity to share the life-changing truth of Jesus with those around us. By embracing this call, we can participate in God's mission to bring salvation to all people. [19:51]
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one person in your life who needs to hear the message of Jesus. How can you intentionally share the gospel with them this week, and what steps can you take to prepare for this conversation?
Day 4: Joy in the Christian Life
Encountering the resurrected Jesus fills us with a joy that should permeate our lives and attract others to Christ. This joy is not based on circumstances but on the assurance of eternal life and victory over sin. As Christians, we are called to live joyfully, reflecting the hope and assurance that comes from serving a risen Savior. By embracing this joy, we can inspire others to seek the same hope and assurance in their own lives. [28:12]
"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a situation in your life where you struggle to find joy. How can you shift your focus from your circumstances to the assurance of eternal life in Christ, and how might this change your perspective?
Day 5: Living with Purpose
Our lives should reflect the truth of the resurrection. By believing in Jesus, sharing the gospel, and living joyfully, we fulfill our purpose as followers of Christ. This perspective transforms our outlook on life, making it meaningful and fulfilling. As we celebrate the resurrection, let us renew our commitment to living with purpose, sharing the gospel boldly, and embracing the joy that comes from knowing Christ. [35:08]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your daily routines and activities. How can you align them more closely with your purpose as a follower of Christ, and what specific changes can you make to live more intentionally for Him?
Quotes
``What a ridiculous thought, you may say. You received a free gift card you did not deserve and earn, and yet you complain. But sadly for many Christians, this is how we treat the gift of salvation to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter Sunday is the time of the year when we specifically remember the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are reminded of the truth that Jesus conquered the grave. He defeated death and rose again. [00:02:38] (31 seconds)
And we who place our trust in Jesus' death and resurrection can be said to have won the ultimate prize in life. The free gift of salvation and eternal life with God is ours. But sometimes we don't find joy even in this, our winnings. The fact we serve our risen Savior doesn't in any way change our lives, our attitude, our actions. May I dare say, in actuality, for many of us, being a Christian has somehow become a burden. [00:03:15] (38 seconds)
Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world, and His resurrection proves that His death did in fact save us. Jesus' death and resurrection are inseparable, two sides of the same coin. That's why the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 17, 1 Corinthians 15 17, if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile. You are still in your sins. Jesus had to resurrect from the dead as a confirming sign that His death on the cross really did save mankind from sin. [00:14:06] (40 seconds)
The only way to substantiate a claim is for me to see that the person who claims to be the Son of God can rise from the dead. For one who promises life after death, he better prove that he can do it. And that's exactly what Jesus did when He died and rose again on the third day for all to see. It proves that His death was sufficient to save us because He conquered death. That's why Satan rarely attacks the death of Christ, but he attacks the belief in the resurrection of Christ because without the resurrection, our faith is dead and futile. [00:16:09] (44 seconds)
Many have claimed to be the Savior of the world, but only one, the God-man Jesus Christ, has accomplished resurrection from the dead. That's why our first call to action, number one, is to believe, to believe. While the facts of the resurrection of Christ are important, what is most important is that we believe, and that's exactly what Jesus teaches them to do in verses 44 to 45. Then he said to them, these are the words which I spoke to you while I was with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms concerning me. [00:17:08] (43 seconds)
Jesus reminded the disciples gathered there that all of his teachings and even went back to the Old Testament to prove that he was the promised Messiah who would die and be resurrected again. With his teaching and the enablement of his power, Jesus opened their minds to finally comprehend the scriptures and believe. You see, the scriptures does indeed prove he is the one resurrected Messiah who fulfills biblical prophecy, no one else. So the call to action is to believe. [00:18:09] (38 seconds)
Tell everyone, you are my witnesses, Jesus says. It is a call for evangelism, the sharing of the good news, the great news of salvation to everyone near and far. It should be preached and given to all people of every nation for them contextually beginning in Jerusalem and bringing it to the ends of the world, for us applicationally from our homes to our schools, to our places of work, to everyone we come in contact with. It is the same call for action today as it was back then. [00:20:04] (40 seconds)
But yet sadly, we have forgotten to do so. In our generation. We have forgotten that in every sphere of influence that we are in, we are to tell people about Jesus through our words and actions. This is to be the purpose of our lives until we see Jesus, to evangelize and disciple. Everyone we come in contact with, everyone in our friend group, everyone in our family, everyone in our school, in our place of work needs to hear this unique, one-of-a-kind news, a news that saves, a news that should be proclaimed if we really believe in what our Savior has done when He conquered death. [00:20:54] (41 seconds)
There is more to Easter than just a musically-induced emotional experience. There must be an accompanying action. Jesus said, go and proclaim it, not commemorate it with a worship service. You are my witnesses. The challenge and the call is to go out. When we are reminded about the resurrected Savior that we believe in, there should be a renewed desire to share the good news with others. Perhaps today you will renew a commitment to share the good news of Jesus Christ dying and resurrecting to friends and family members, to work colleagues and school friends whom you've been so afraid to share with. [00:22:49] (47 seconds)
My friends, if you're not joyful this Easter Sunday, then you have missed out on the beauty and life-changing implications of having and believing in a resurrected Savior. What is there not to be joyful about? The Savior who died for us has risen, affirming that what he did on the cross was effective and successful. His promise of salvation and eternal life is secure because Jesus conquered the grave and was victorious over death. Jesus defeated Satan once and for all. Victory is assured. You can live, my friends, the victorious Christian life. [00:29:42] (38 seconds)
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