Embracing the Resurrection: Our Faith and Mission
Summary
On this beautiful Easter Sunday, we gather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event that completes the story of His sacrifice and victory over sin and death. Our children's ministry has beautifully illustrated this truth through their songs and teachings, reminding us of the importance of discipling the next generation. Easter is not just about traditions like egg hunts or chocolate bunnies; it's a profound reminder of the fulfillment of God's promises and the hope we have in Christ.
Reflecting on the Old Testament, we see prophecies that pointed to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. These "Easter eggs" in scripture reveal God's plan from the beginning, showing us that Jesus' resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith. Without it, our faith would be in vain, but because He lives, we are assured of our salvation and the forgiveness of our sins.
The resurrection is not just a historical event; it is a personal invitation to each of us. We are called to make a choice, to accept the gift of salvation that Jesus offers. This decision is not automatic; it requires a personal response of repentance and faith. As Peter preached in Acts, we are to repent and be baptized, receiving the Holy Spirit as a seal of our inheritance.
Through Jesus' resurrection, we are united with Him in new life. Baptism symbolizes this union, representing our death to sin and resurrection to a new life in Christ. This new life is marked by freedom from the bondage of sin and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, who guides and assures us of our eternal inheritance.
Finally, we are reminded of our mission as believers. The empty grave is not just a symbol of our salvation but a call to action. We are commissioned to share this good news with others, making disciples and baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This Easter, let us embrace the resurrection power in our lives and fulfill the mission Jesus has entrusted to us.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Resurrection Completes Our Faith: The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, affirming that our belief is not in vain. Without it, Jesus would be just another man who died, but because He rose, we have assurance of our salvation and forgiveness. [43:45]
2. A Personal Choice: Salvation is available to all, but it requires a personal decision to accept Jesus' sacrifice. This choice is not automatic; it involves repentance and faith, leading to the gift of the Holy Spirit. [48:10]
3. United in New Life: Through baptism, we symbolize our union with Christ in His death and resurrection. This new life frees us from sin's bondage and empowers us to live victoriously through the Holy Spirit. [52:26]
4. The Assurance of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is our guarantee of eternal inheritance, guiding and assuring us of our salvation. This promise is a deposit of the life we have in Christ, both now and for eternity. [56:18]
5. Our Mission as Believers: The resurrection calls us to action, to share the good news and make disciples. This mission is a response to the grace we have received, inviting others to experience the life-changing power of Jesus. [58:36]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Celebrating Our Children's Ministry
- [02:30] - Easter Traditions and Memories
- [05:15] - Discovering Easter Eggs in Scripture
- [08:00] - The Importance of the Resurrection
- [12:00] - Personal Choice and Salvation
- [15:30] - Baptism: Symbol of New Life
- [18:45] - Freedom from Sin
- [22:00] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [25:30] - Assurance of Salvation
- [28:45] - Our Mission: Making Disciples
- [32:00] - Invitation to Accept Christ
- [35:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Easter Sunday Sermon
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Corinthians 15:17
2. Acts 2:24-28
3. Romans 6:5
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Observation Questions:
1. What does 1 Corinthians 15:17 say about the importance of the resurrection to our faith? How does this relate to the idea that without the resurrection, our faith would be in vain? [43:45]
2. In Acts 2:24-28, how does Peter describe Jesus' victory over death? What Old Testament prophecy does he reference to support this? [48:10]
3. According to Romans 6:5, what does it mean to be united with Christ in His death and resurrection? How is this symbolized through baptism? [52:26]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in assuring us of our salvation and eternal inheritance? [56:18]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is the resurrection considered the cornerstone of Christian faith, and how does it affirm the promises of salvation and forgiveness? [43:45]
2. How does Peter's sermon in Acts 2 emphasize the necessity of a personal response to Jesus' resurrection? What does this response entail? [48:10]
3. What does it mean to live a new life in Christ, free from the bondage of sin, as described in Romans 6:5? How does this new life manifest in a believer's daily walk? [52:26]
4. How does the assurance of the Holy Spirit impact a believer's confidence in their salvation and their mission to share the gospel? [56:18]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the significance of the resurrection in your own faith journey. How does it shape your understanding of salvation and forgiveness? [43:45]
2. Have you made a personal decision to accept Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection? If so, how has this decision impacted your life? If not, what might be holding you back? [48:10]
3. Baptism symbolizes our union with Christ. If you have been baptized, how does this act continue to influence your daily life? If you haven't, what steps could you take to explore this further? [52:26]
4. The Holy Spirit is described as a guarantee of our eternal inheritance. How do you experience the guidance and assurance of the Holy Spirit in your life? [56:18]
5. The sermon calls believers to share the good news and make disciples. Identify one person in your life who you can share the message of Easter with this week. How will you approach this conversation? [58:36]
6. Consider the role of traditions in your Easter celebrations. How can you ensure that the focus remains on the resurrection and its significance rather than just the cultural aspects? [05:15]
7. Reflect on the idea of living a new life in Christ. What specific changes can you make in your daily routine to align more closely with this new life? [52:26]
Devotional
Day 1: The Resurrection as the Cornerstone of Faith
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which Christian faith is built. It is not merely a historical event but the pivotal moment that affirms the truth of Jesus' divinity and His victory over sin and death. Without the resurrection, the message of the Gospel would be incomplete, and our faith would be in vain. The resurrection assures believers of their salvation and the forgiveness of sins, providing hope and purpose in their spiritual journey. This assurance transforms the way Christians live, knowing that their faith is grounded in the reality of Jesus' triumph over the grave. [43:45]
1 Corinthians 15:17-20 (ESV): "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. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."
Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?
Day 2: The Personal Choice of Salvation
Salvation is a gift offered to all, but it requires a personal decision to accept Jesus' sacrifice. This choice is not automatic; it involves a conscious act of repentance and faith. By choosing to follow Christ, individuals receive the Holy Spirit, who empowers and guides them in their spiritual journey. This decision marks the beginning of a transformative relationship with God, where believers experience His grace and love in profound ways. The call to salvation is an invitation to a new life, one that is marked by a commitment to live according to God's will and purpose. [48:10]
Acts 2:38-39 (ESV): "And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.'"
Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your commitment to Christ and embrace the gift of salvation more fully?
Day 3: Baptism as a Symbol of New Life
Baptism is a powerful symbol of the believer's union with Christ in His death and resurrection. It represents the death of the old self, bound by sin, and the birth of a new life in Christ, characterized by freedom and victory. Through baptism, believers publicly declare their faith and commitment to follow Jesus, embracing the new identity and purpose He offers. This act of obedience is a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel, as it signifies the believer's entry into the community of faith and their ongoing journey of spiritual growth and renewal. [52:26]
Romans 6:3-4 (ESV): "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Reflection: In what ways can you live out the new life you have in Christ, demonstrating the transformation that baptism symbolizes?
Day 4: The Assurance of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the believer's guarantee of eternal inheritance, providing guidance, comfort, and assurance of salvation. As a deposit of the life to come, the Holy Spirit empowers believers to live according to God's will, equipping them with spiritual gifts and strength for their journey. This assurance is not based on human effort but on the faithfulness of God, who promises to complete the work He has begun in each believer. The presence of the Holy Spirit is a constant reminder of God's love and commitment, offering peace and confidence in the face of life's challenges. [56:18]
Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV): "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
Reflection: How can you become more aware of the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance in your daily life?
Day 5: Our Mission to Share the Good News
The resurrection of Jesus is not only a symbol of personal salvation but also a call to action for believers. Christians are commissioned to share the good news of the Gospel, making disciples and baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This mission is a response to the grace received, inviting others to experience the life-changing power of Jesus. As believers embrace the resurrection power in their lives, they are called to be witnesses of God's love and truth, impacting their communities and the world for Christ. [58:36]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the good news of Jesus, and how can you intentionally share His love and message with them this week?
Quotes
When we look into the scripture, I learned this week in just studying it and just being reminded that Jesus didn't need the stone rolled away in order to be freed. [00:42:46] (14 seconds)
Here's what's so crucial, and I love this. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is futile, right? He's just another man that died, that got buried, that had great claims. But Jesus rose again. [00:43:29] (16 seconds)
And in that, we find that our faith is not futile, and that we are not still left in our sins, and that is not where we find ourselves today, and that is not what they found in that grave. They rolled it away so that every one of the disciples, if they wanted to, could go in. They would go in. They would look. They would find that it was completely empty in that. [00:44:05] (23 seconds)
Peter is talking with the Israelites. He's teaching them. And in chapter 2, he makes this statement. He said, but God raised him, Jesus, from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. He had defeated it. He had taken care of it. There was no way that he was ever going to be there. [00:44:36] (20 seconds)
I would love to say that just because Jesus Christ died on the cross, and he rose again, that it's just a blanket thing that goes across each and every person in this world. It's available to each and every person, but it's your choice to choose what you want to do with it today, and what happened, and what Jesus did on the cross for you, and that he rose again. [00:46:16] (21 seconds)
Peter said, well, this is what you do. He said, repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you, it's for your children, and it's for all who are far off. I think we're the far off. [00:47:01] (20 seconds)
Romans 6, 5 says this, if we have been united with him like this in his death, most certainly will we also be united with him in his resurrection. Isn't that a good word? Lord, that is good to know that we aren't just experiencing the repentance of our sins and that forgiveness of our sins because of what he did on the cross, but you and I, we are just as much united with him in his resurrection. [00:47:37] (29 seconds)
And when we're raised again, we are raised into a new life, a new experience. And there's so many of us that I know we struggle with that day in and day out. Man, sin can get the better of us, can't it? It can drive us to places that we don't want to go and things that we don't want to do. But no matter where we're at, that forgiveness is there and it's available. [00:48:20] (24 seconds)
In verse 6, it says, for we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with. Do you hear that? It can be done away with. We no longer have to be a slave to that sin. And essentially, that's what happens. We're born into it. None of you kids out here, nobody had to tell you how to do wrong. [00:49:18] (23 seconds)
And we do as he instructs us and as he guides us. What else did Jesus do when he died on the cross and he rose from the grave? He also gave us his spirit. I love that promise that he gave you and I. He said, I have to go, but I'm going to leave my spirit with you. Ephesians 1, 13 through 14 said, and you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. [00:50:26] (25 seconds)
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