Embracing the Resurrection: A Journey of Spiritual Growth

Devotional

Day 1: The Six D's of Spiritual Growth

The journey at Destiny Church is structured around the "Six D's": Decide, Discover, Devote, Deploy, Develop, and Dispatch. This framework is designed to guide believers through a comprehensive spiritual journey. It begins with the decision to follow Christ, a pivotal moment that sets the course for one's faith journey. As believers progress, they discover their spiritual gifts and devote themselves to deepening their relationship with God. The next stages involve deploying these gifts in service to others, developing further in faith, and ultimately being dispatched into the world to expand God's kingdom. This structured approach encourages active participation in God's work and fosters continuous spiritual growth. [00:45]

Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

Reflection: Which stage of the "Six D's" are you currently in, and what steps can you take to move forward in your spiritual journey today?

Day 2: The Reality of the Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a historical event but a present reality with profound implications for believers. It serves as the cornerstone of Christian faith, validating Jesus' promises and offering salvation from sin. Belief in His death, burial, and resurrection is essential for experiencing the fullness of this reality. Embracing the resurrection means living in its power daily, allowing it to transform every aspect of life. This ongoing experience of resurrection power enables believers to live victoriously, grounded in the assurance of salvation and the hope of eternal life. [50:09]

1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

Reflection: How can you consciously live in the power of the resurrection today, allowing it to influence your thoughts, actions, and interactions with others?

Day 3: Embracing the Resurrection Process

The resurrection is a transformative process that leads to spiritual progress. It involves understanding the theological significance of Jesus' incarnation, humiliation, crucifixion, resurrection, and exaltation. By embracing this process, believers can experience the power of Christ's resurrection in their daily lives. This journey is not without challenges, but it is through these trials that God refines and develops His people for His glory. Embracing the resurrection process means recognizing that life's difficulties are temporary and serve a greater purpose in God's plan. [01:00:36]

Philippians 3:10-11 (ESV): "That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."

Reflection: What specific challenges are you facing right now, and how can you view them as part of God's refining process in your life?

Day 4: Understanding the Process of Life

Life is filled with challenges and suffering, but these are integral to God's refining work. This process helps believers put pain in perspective, reminding them that discomfort is temporary and that God is developing them for His glory. Understanding life's process involves trusting God's work and allowing Him to use each person for His purposes. By embracing this perspective, believers can find peace and purpose even in the midst of trials, knowing that God is at work in their lives. [01:12:44]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: How can you shift your perspective on a current struggle to see it as part of God's refining work in your life?

Day 5: Experiencing Resurrection Power

Resurrection power is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, and it is accessible to believers daily. By embracing the resurrection process, believers can experience this power, enabling them to live victorious and dynamic lives. This power is not reserved for special occasions but is available for everyday living. It empowers believers to overcome challenges, live out their faith boldly, and contribute to God's kingdom in meaningful ways. Experiencing resurrection power transforms ordinary lives into extraordinary testimonies of God's grace and strength. [01:12:44]

Ephesians 1:19-21 (ESV): "And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to experience resurrection power today, and how can you invite God to work in that area?

Sermon Summary

The mission of Destiny Church is to partner with people to maximize their lives in Christ, emphasizing a courageous, contagious, and committed multicultural community. This vision transcends being a mere "black church" to becoming God's diverse church, serving all people. The church's journey began in 2007, and over the years, it has developed a framework known as the "Six D's" to guide its members: Decide, Discover, Devote, Deploy, Develop, and Dispatch. These stages represent a spiritual journey from deciding to follow Christ to deploying one's spiritual gifts and ultimately dispatching into the world to expand God's kingdom.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just a historical event but a reality with present implications. First Corinthians 15 outlines the reality, resistance, requirements, and response to the resurrection. The resurrection validates Jesus' promises and offers salvation from sin, requiring belief in His death, burial, and resurrection. The resurrection is a process that, when embraced, leads to spiritual progress. This process involves understanding the theological significance of Jesus' incarnation, humiliation, crucifixion, resurrection, and exaltation.

Embracing the resurrection process means understanding that life involves challenges and suffering, but these are part of God's refining work. The process helps put pain in perspective, reminding us that discomfort is temporary and that God is developing us for His glory. The resurrection process is about experiencing the power of Christ's resurrection daily, not just as an annual celebration. It involves moving from condemnation to salvation, sanctification, contribution, and ultimately glorification. By embracing this process, believers can experience the resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead, enabling them to live victorious and dynamic lives.

Key Takeaways

1. The Six D's of Spiritual Growth: The journey at Destiny Church involves six stages: Decide, Discover, Devote, Deploy, Develop, and Dispatch. Each stage represents a step in spiritual growth, from deciding to follow Christ to deploying spiritual gifts and ultimately dispatching into the world to expand God's kingdom. This framework encourages believers to grow in their faith and actively participate in God's work. [00:45]
2. The Reality of the Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just a historical event but a present reality with significant implications. It validates Jesus' promises and offers salvation from sin, requiring belief in His death, burial, and resurrection. Embracing this reality means living in the power of the resurrection daily. [50:09]
3. Embracing the Resurrection Process: The resurrection is a process that, when embraced, leads to spiritual progress. This process involves understanding the theological significance of Jesus' incarnation, humiliation, crucifixion, resurrection, and exaltation. By embracing this process, believers can experience the power of Christ's resurrection in their daily lives. [60:36]
4. Understanding the Process of Life: Life involves challenges and suffering, but these are part of God's refining work. The process helps put pain in perspective, reminding us that discomfort is temporary and that God is developing us for His glory. Embracing the process means trusting God's work in our lives and allowing Him to use us for His purposes. [72:44]
5. Experiencing Resurrection Power: Resurrection power is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, and it is accessible to believers daily. By embracing the resurrection process, believers can experience this power, enabling them to live victorious and dynamic lives. This power is not just for special occasions but is available for everyday living. [01:12:44]
** [72:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction to Destiny Church
[02:30] - The Six D's of Spiritual Growth
[05:15] - The Mission of the Church
[07:00] - The Significance of Resurrection
[10:20] - Reality of the Resurrection
[15:00] - Resistance to the Resurrection
[20:00] - Requirements of the Resurrection
[25:00] - Response to the Resurrection
[30:00] - Embracing the Resurrection Process
[35:00] - Personal Story of Embracing the Process
[40:00] - Theological Insights on Resurrection
[45:00] - Understanding Life's Process
[50:00] - Experiencing Resurrection Power
[55:00] - Conclusion and Call to Embrace the Process

Sermon Clips

So we come on resurrection Sunday. We typically talk about the product of the resurrection. That boy, Christ is risen. Christ emptied the grave. Christ really was alive. We ought to believe in him because he's real. Amen. And his resurrection is real. See, it's one thing to die for somebody and remain in the grave. It's another thing to die for somebody. Then you rise up out the grave. Amen. So we have a celebration because of his victory. [00:51:12] (26 seconds)

But the reality is the resurrection ought to be about a process. Amen. It's the process of the resurrection. In other words, when you embrace the process, you can experience his progress. When you embrace the process, you can experience his progress. Amen. He says that, boy, Paul says that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his suffering. I have been crucified with Christ. No longer I who lives, Galatians 2 20. [00:52:08] (32 seconds)

The reason we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ is because Jesus came down in the flesh as God and died on Calvary's cross for us. The second thing you see is Christ's evacuation. He says here in verse 7, he says, but emptied himself. This emptied, what we got our word, kenosis, it does not mean he ceased to be God. It does not mean he stopped being the creator. It meant that, boy, he took on the limitations of humanity. [01:02:38] (31 seconds)

He became flesh because he knew where he was going. He became flesh because he knew where he was and, boy, he knew why he was and he knew exactly what he was going to do. First thing you see is Christ's estimation. Second thing you see is Christ's evacuation. Verse 8, you see Christ's evisceration. Verse 8 says, and being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [01:04:00] (30 seconds)

Many of us want the glory but don't want the story we want the product but don't want the process until you embrace the resurrection process you will not experience resurrection progress amen we need to make sure that we embrace the process jesus embraced the process theologically stated we can say number one his incarnation he came from heaven to earth he took on flesh the second thing is his humiliation he endured pain as isaiah 53 says he bore our griefs he was wounded for our transgressions. [01:11:42] (43 seconds)

The process reminds you that discomfort doesn't mean ultimate devastation you're just here yay though I walk through the valley guys you're not supposed to make the valley your permanent home you aren't supposed to make the valley your permanent place of residence the valley is something that you go through it's not something where you live amen but how many of us are not willing to embrace the process you know I talk to young adults sometimes and when you're a young adult you don't know that you are here. [01:26:02] (30 seconds)

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