Embracing the Power of the Resurrection

 

Summary

In my sermon today, I explored the profound implications of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, focusing on three key benefits that it brings to our lives. The foundational scripture for this message was Hebrews 13:20-21, which speaks of the God of peace, the resurrection of Jesus, and the equipping of believers to do His will.

The first benefit I discussed is the reality of having a living Great Shepherd. Drawing from the imagery of a shepherd, I explained how Jesus, as our shepherd, protects, guides, and leads us into security and prosperity. I paralleled this with the story of David, the shepherd boy who became king, and his Psalm 23, which beautifully captures the essence of God as our shepherd. Jesus, who declared Himself the Good Shepherd, laid down His life for us, fighting battles we could not win, such as defeating death and sin.

The second benefit is that we are fully equipped to do God's will. I emphasized the importance of discerning whose will we are pursuing in our lives. The scripture assures us that God equips us with everything we need to accomplish His will. This equipping is not just for pastors or church leaders but for every believer who surrenders to God's purpose for their life.

The third benefit is access to real, tangible power through the Holy Spirit. I shared a story of a church member whose life was transformed by this power, leading to reconciliation and healing in his marriage. This power is not a mere concept but a practical, transformative force that can change our lives and the lives of those around us.

In conclusion, the resurrection of Jesus is not just an event to be celebrated once a year; it is a powerful reality that offers us a living shepherd, equips us for God's will, and grants us access to His transformative power. As we embrace these benefits, we can live in the fullness of what God has for us.

Key Takeaways:

- Having Jesus as our living Great Shepherd means we are never alone or defenseless. Just as a shepherd cares for his sheep, Jesus cares for us, guiding us to places of peace and prosperity. This relationship with Jesus is not symbolic but a present and active reality that provides security and direction in our lives. [31:53]

- God's equipping is not limited to material resources but includes spiritual strength, wisdom, and opportunities. When we commit to doing God's will, He promises to provide all that we need to fulfill His purposes. This divine provision is a testament to God's faithfulness and His desire for us to succeed in our divine calling. [42:11]

- The Holy Spirit's power in our lives is not an abstract concept but a tangible presence that can transform our attitudes, relationships, and circumstances. This power is available to every believer, not just a select few, and it is meant to be experienced daily as we walk in obedience to God. [52:35]

- The resurrection of Jesus offers us a new identity and purpose. As we align ourselves with God's will, we find that our true success is not measured by worldly standards but by our faithfulness to His calling. This shift in perspective can liberate us from the fear of failure and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. [40:36]

- The power of the resurrection is not a seasonal or temporary influence but a perpetual source of strength and hope. As we continue to seek God and rely on His Spirit, we can expect to see His help become evident in all areas of our lives, from personal growth to impacting our communities for the better. [55:56]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 13:20-21 - "Now may the God of peace who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
2. Psalm 23:1-4 - "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
3. John 10:11 - "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 13:20-21, what does God equip believers with, and for what purpose? [29:11]
2. In Psalm 23, what are the specific ways the Lord, as our shepherd, provides for and protects us? [33:45]
3. How does Jesus describe Himself in John 10:11, and what significant action does He take for His sheep? [35:36]
4. What story did the pastor share about a church member experiencing the Holy Spirit's transformative power in his marriage? [50:02]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for Jesus to be our "living Great Shepherd," and how does this role impact our daily lives? [31:25]
2. How can believers discern whether they are pursuing God's will or their own will, according to the sermon? [40:47]
3. In what ways does the Holy Spirit's power manifest in a believer's life, based on the pastor's story and the sermon? [52:03]
4. How does the resurrection of Jesus provide believers with a new identity and purpose, as discussed in the sermon? [40:36]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt alone or defenseless. How can embracing Jesus as your living Great Shepherd change your perspective in similar situations? [31:53]
2. Identify an area in your life where you feel unequipped to do God's will. How can you seek God's equipping and trust in His provision for that area? [42:11]
3. Think of a relationship or situation in your life that needs transformation. How can you invite the Holy Spirit's power to bring about change in that area? [52:35]
4. How can you actively align your daily decisions and actions with God's will rather than your own or others' expectations? [40:47]
5. The pastor mentioned the importance of being part of a church community. How can you deepen your involvement in your church to experience the benefits of having Jesus as your Great Shepherd? [37:24]
6. Reflect on a recent challenge or trial you faced. How did you experience God's peace and strength during that time, and how can you rely on His power in future challenges? [55:56]
7. The resurrection of Jesus offers a perpetual source of strength and hope. How can you remind yourself of this truth daily and share it with others in your community? [55:56]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Shepherd's Presence
The first key takeaway reminds us that Jesus, as our living Great Shepherd, is always with us, offering protection, guidance, and leading us into places of peace and prosperity. Just as a shepherd tends to his flock, ensuring their safety and well-being, Jesus tends to us with the same level of care and attention. This is not a mere symbol; it is a reality that we can experience every day. As we navigate through life's challenges, we can take comfort in knowing that we are never alone or defenseless. The presence of Jesus as our shepherd means that we have a constant companion who not only understands our struggles but also has the power to lead us through them.

The relationship we have with Jesus is active and dynamic. He provides security and direction, much like a shepherd who knows the terrain and the needs of his sheep. This relationship is built on trust and the understanding that our shepherd has triumphed over the greatest enemies: death and sin. As we follow Him, we can rest assured that we are being led to places that will nourish our souls and enrich our lives.

[31:53]

Psalm 95:7 - "For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice,"

Reflection: How can you practice listening for the Shepherd's voice in your daily decisions and challenges?

Day 2: Equipped for His Purpose
The second takeaway emphasizes that God equips us with everything necessary to accomplish His will. This divine provision includes spiritual strength, wisdom, and opportunities, and it is not just for a select few but for every believer who commits to God's purpose. It is a testament to God's faithfulness and His desire for us to succeed in our divine calling. When we align our actions with God's will, we can trust that He will provide the resources, both material and spiritual, to fulfill the tasks He sets before us.

This equipping is comprehensive, preparing us for every good work that we are called to do. It is not limited to our capabilities but is supplemented by God's limitless power. As we step out in faith to do what God has called us to do, we can be confident that He will not leave us lacking in any good thing.

[42:11]

1 Thessalonians 5:24 - "He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."

Reflection: What is one step you can take today to align yourself more closely with God's will, trusting that He will equip you for it?

Day 3: Power of the Holy Spirit
The third key takeaway brings to light the tangible power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This power is not abstract but a real presence that can transform our attitudes, relationships, and circumstances. Every believer has access to this transformative force, which is meant to be experienced daily as we walk in obedience to God. It is through the Holy Spirit that we find the strength to overcome personal struggles and the grace to bring healing and reconciliation in our relationships.

The Holy Spirit's power is practical and evident in the changes it brings about in our lives. As we yield to the Spirit's leading, we can expect to see a transformation that not only affects us personally but also has a positive impact on those around us. This power is a gift from God, enabling us to live out our faith in dynamic and effective ways.

[52:35]

Ephesians 3:16 - "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,"

Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where you need the Holy Spirit's power to bring about change? How can you open yourself up to His transformative work today?

Day 4: Identity and Purpose in the Resurrection
The fourth takeaway from the sermon is that the resurrection of Jesus offers us a new identity and purpose. As we align ourselves with God's will, we discover that true success is not measured by worldly standards but by our faithfulness to His calling. This new identity frees us from the fear of failure and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. It allows us to live with a sense of purpose that is rooted in eternity rather than the fleeting accolades of the present.

Embracing our identity in Christ means recognizing that we are loved, valued, and called to a higher purpose. Our lives are not our own; they are meant to be lived for God's glory. As we understand this, we can approach our daily tasks with a new perspective, seeing them as opportunities to serve and honor God.

[40:36]

Colossians 3:3 - "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: How does understanding your identity in Christ change the way you view success and failure? What is one practical way you can live out your divine purpose today?

Day 5: The Perpetual Source of Strength
The final takeaway is that the power of the resurrection is not a seasonal or temporary influence but a perpetual source of strength and hope. As we continue to seek God and rely on His Spirit, we can expect to see His help become evident in all areas of our lives. This includes personal growth and the ability to impact our communities positively. The resurrection assures us that we are not striving in our own strength but are empowered by the same force that raised Jesus from the dead.

This perpetual source of strength is available to us every day, in every situation. It is a wellspring of hope that does not run dry, no matter the challenges we face. As we tap into this power, we can move forward with confidence, knowing that God is with us, enabling us to make a difference in the world.

[55:56]

Isaiah 40:31 - "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to experience the resurrection's power more fully? How can you actively seek God's strength in this area today?

Quotes

1) "The Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass, he leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. He gives me new strength. He guides me in right paths, as he has promised. Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, because you are with me." [34:44]( | | )

2) "Jesus comes onto the scene and John, who was a witness to his life, we have John's account in the scriptures in the book of John, John says in John chapter 10 that Jesus actually stood up and identified himself, he said 'I am the good shepherd' and the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." [36:10]( | | )

3) "The Lord says to us that he will completely resource us and equip us to do the very thing that he's called us to do. Hello, that was the second benefit, that he will, come on, we are completely resourced to do the thing that God has called us to do." [42:11]( | | )

4) "Once we surrender to our life's purpose, what's that life's purpose? What's his will? It can be a thousand different things, but we can all put it in one bucket for all of us, it will be this: Did I serve the Lord? Did I serve you, Lord, with all of my heart?" [46:40]( | | )

5) "Now may the God of peace who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, here it is, work in you, how? Through the power of Jesus Christ, what is pleasing to him. To God be the glory forever and ever, amen. Number three benefit of the resurrection, we have access to real, come on everybody say real, we have access to real spiritual strength and power." [52:35]( | | )

6) "Lord, work in and through me, may your help be evident in my marriage, in my raising these kids, in this business, in my community. In Jesus' name, come on, let's pray just right where we are, can we do that? If you're comfortable with this, you just put your hands just right where you are, just Lord, thank you for today." [55:56]( | | )

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