Embracing the Transformative Power of the Resurrection
Summary
Summary:
Welcome to Risen Church on this beautiful Easter morning. Today, we gather not just for an event, but as a community united in the mission of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is not merely a historical event; it is the cornerstone of our faith and identity. The resurrection is not a metaphor or wishful thinking; it is a well-documented, miraculous event that changes everything. It is the foundation upon which we build our lives, and it is the reason we are called Risen Church, not Rising Church. Our identity is rooted in the reality of the resurrection, and it is something we rest in.
The resurrection of Jesus is not just an intellectual issue; it is a heart issue. Many reject the resurrection not due to a lack of evidence but because of the implications it has on their lives. Romans 1 tells us that by our unrighteousness, we suppress the truth. The resurrection challenges us to confront the reality of sin and the need for a Savior. It is not about humanity trying to reach God, but about God reaching down to us through Jesus Christ.
Today, we explore three implications of the resurrection: if it is true, then hell is real, heaven is real, and God loves you. Hell is the result of a heart that desires separation from God, while heaven is the promise of a renewed creation. The resurrection assures us that everything will be okay, and it is a testament to God's sacrificial love for us. This love is not blind or unjust; it is a love that redeems and transforms.
As we reflect on these truths, I encourage you to consider your standing before God and to find a spiritual home in a local church community. The resurrection is an invitation to a life of faith, hope, and love. It is a call to live by the truth of the resurrection and to partner with others in the mission of sharing this good news with the world.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Resurrection as Identity: The resurrection of Jesus is not just an event but the foundation of our identity as believers. It is a historical and miraculous event that defines who we are and how we live. Our faith is not based on wishful thinking but on substantial evidence and the transformative power of the resurrection. [05:11]
2. Heart Over Intellect: The rejection of the resurrection is often a heart issue rather than an intellectual one. Romans 1 highlights how unrighteousness leads to the suppression of truth. The resurrection challenges us to confront our sin and the need for a Savior, inviting us to a heart transformation. [10:27]
3. Implications of the Resurrection: If the resurrection is true, it means hell is real, heaven is real, and God loves us deeply. Hell is the result of a heart that desires separation from God, while heaven is the promise of a renewed creation. The resurrection assures us that everything will be okay, rooted in God's sacrificial love. [17:27]
4. Faith in Christ Alone: Our hope is not in our ability to resist sin but in Christ's victory over sin and death. The resurrection invites us to place our faith in Jesus, not in ourselves. It is not the quantity of our faith but the object of our faith—Jesus Christ—that matters. [34:38]
5. Living by the Resurrection: The resurrection calls us to live by its truth, impacting how we think, operate, and live. It is an invitation to a life of faith, hope, and love, partnering with others in the mission of sharing the good news. The resurrection changes everything, and it is available to all who believe. [37:12]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Introduction and Purpose
- [05:11] - The Resurrection as Identity
- [07:30] - Heart Over Intellect
- [10:27] - Implications of the Resurrection
- [14:30] - Hell is Real
- [17:27] - Heaven is Real
- [22:42] - Do You Want Jesus?
- [25:38] - Faith in Christ Alone
- [28:11] - Living by the Resurrection
- [30:55] - First Fruits of the Resurrection
- [34:38] - God's Sacrificial Love
- [37:12] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Resurrection of Jesus
Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 15:17-22
- Romans 1:18-25
- John 3:16
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Corinthians 15:17, what is the consequence if Christ has not been raised? How does this relate to the concept of sin and its penalty? [14:30]
2. In Romans 1, how does Paul describe the way people suppress the truth? What role does unrighteousness play in this suppression? [10:27]
3. How does John 3:16 encapsulate the message of God's love and the purpose of Jesus' coming? How is this love described in the sermon? [34:38]
4. What evidence does the sermon provide to support the historical reality of the resurrection? How does this evidence impact the identity of Risen Church? [05:11]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the resurrection of Jesus serve as the foundation of a believer's identity, according to the sermon? Why is it important that this identity is rooted in a historical event rather than a metaphor? [05:11]
2. The sermon suggests that the rejection of the resurrection is more of a heart issue than an intellectual one. How does Romans 1 support this idea, and what implications does this have for how we share the gospel? [10:27]
3. What are the implications of the resurrection being true, as discussed in the sermon? How do these implications affect a believer's understanding of heaven, hell, and God's love? [17:27]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between empty religion and the true gospel? What does it mean for God to come down the mountain to us, and how does this change our approach to faith? [22:42]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own identity as a believer. How does the resurrection of Jesus shape who you are and how you live your life? Are there areas where you struggle to rest in this identity? [05:11]
2. Consider a time when you may have suppressed the truth due to unrighteousness. How can you address this heart issue and seek transformation through the resurrection? [10:27]
3. The sermon emphasizes the reality of heaven and hell. How does this understanding influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? Are there specific changes you feel called to make? [17:27]
4. How can you actively participate in a local church community to live out the mission of sharing the good news of the resurrection? What steps can you take to find or deepen your spiritual home? [22:42]
5. The sermon challenges us to place our faith in Christ alone. What are some practical ways you can shift your focus from self-reliance to reliance on Jesus' victory over sin and death? [34:38]
6. Reflect on the sacrificial love of God as described in the sermon. How can you embody this love in your relationships and interactions with others this week? [34:38]
7. The sermon mentions the joy and hope found in the resurrection. How can you cultivate a mindset of hope and joy in your life, especially in challenging circumstances? [28:11]
Devotional
Day 1: The Resurrection as Our Foundation
The resurrection of Jesus is not just an event in history; it is the very foundation of our identity as believers. It is a miraculous event that defines who we are and how we live. The resurrection is not based on wishful thinking but on substantial evidence and the transformative power it holds. As believers, our faith is anchored in this truth, shaping our lives and guiding our actions. The resurrection is the cornerstone upon which we build our lives, and it is the reason we are called Risen Church, not Rising Church. Our identity is rooted in the reality of the resurrection, and it is something we rest in. [05:11]
1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (ESV): "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."
Reflection: How does the resurrection of Jesus shape your daily decisions and interactions with others? Can you identify one area of your life where you need to let the truth of the resurrection guide you more fully today?
Day 2: The Heart's Response to Truth
The rejection of the resurrection is often a heart issue rather than an intellectual one. Romans 1 highlights how unrighteousness leads to the suppression of truth. The resurrection challenges us to confront our sin and the need for a Savior, inviting us to a heart transformation. It is not about humanity trying to reach God, but about God reaching down to us through Jesus Christ. This truth calls us to examine our hearts and to be open to the transformative power of the resurrection. [10:27]
Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting the truth of the resurrection? How can you invite God to soften your heart and transform this area today?
Day 3: The Reality of Eternity
If the resurrection is true, it means hell is real, heaven is real, and God loves us deeply. Hell is the result of a heart that desires separation from God, while heaven is the promise of a renewed creation. The resurrection assures us that everything will be okay, rooted in God's sacrificial love. This love is not blind or unjust; it is a love that redeems and transforms. The reality of eternity calls us to live with an eternal perspective, understanding the implications of our choices and the depth of God's love for us. [17:27]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: How does the reality of eternity influence your priorities and decisions today? What is one change you can make to align your life more closely with an eternal perspective?
Day 4: Faith in Christ's Victory
Our hope is not in our ability to resist sin but in Christ's victory over sin and death. The resurrection invites us to place our faith in Jesus, not in ourselves. It is not the quantity of our faith but the object of our faith—Jesus Christ—that matters. This truth frees us from the burden of self-reliance and invites us to trust in the sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross and His resurrection. It is a call to rest in His victory and to live in the freedom and assurance it provides. [34:38]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: In what ways are you relying on your own strength rather than Christ's victory? How can you shift your focus to trust more fully in Jesus today?
Day 5: Living by the Truth of the Resurrection
The resurrection calls us to live by its truth, impacting how we think, operate, and live. It is an invitation to a life of faith, hope, and love, partnering with others in the mission of sharing the good news. The resurrection changes everything, and it is available to all who believe. As we embrace this truth, we are called to live in a way that reflects the transformative power of the resurrection, influencing our relationships, our communities, and the world around us. [37:12]
Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: How can you intentionally live out the truth of the resurrection in your daily life? What is one practical step you can take today to share the hope of the resurrection with someone else?
Quotes
``We believe that there's more evidence that the event taking place, that the resurrection took place, there's more evidence for that event taking place than any other event in history. Like this isn't just wishful thinking. This is logical. This is rational, reasonable. It's backed by substantial evidence. And yet it's fully miraculous. It is supernatural. That's the point. So either Christ's tomb is empty or Christianity is. That's the reality. [00:05:13] (35 seconds)
He conquered death in the grave by paving the way to eternal life. And it's an eternal life that starts now, not just one day when we die. It starts the moment we place our faith and our hope in the cross, in what Christ has done for us at the cross and through the resurrection. And when we do that, he has paid the price. When we put our faith in his payment, what he has done, what he has purchased, not just what we haven't been able to do or what we can't do in the future, but what he has already done for us in the past, when you place your faith in that, your sins have been covered by the blood of Christ. [00:10:32] (36 seconds)
And now the Holy Spirit comes and he fills you from the inside out and he changes you from the inside out. He gives you a new heart. He gives you new desires, new affections. You're not immediately perfect, but you are immediately perfectly loved. And that's what begins to change you. And it changes your trajectory toward him and in him even. [00:11:10] (31 seconds)
This morning, we want to behold and be transformed by this living God. This isn't about some intellectual philosophy or principle for better living. There are implications that do lead to those things, but the reality is that this isn't about us living a better life. This is about his glory, his goodness, and that he's worthy. Amen? There's a joy in that, that I want you all to know, taste, and see, like the one who not only came down the mountain of separation, but removed it entirely at the cross. [00:21:55] (34 seconds)
If it's not real, we're most to be pitied. Does your life look that way? Think about that. Don't miss this. Think about what he's saying. He's saying, I've gone all in on the resurrection. If it turns out to be untrue, then I've wasted my life. I'm most to be pitied, which is a phrase that's like it's miserable if it's not true. This is not something we hedge our bets on. [00:24:06] (26 seconds)
The hope of heaven is a fully renewed and recreated world, terra firma, physical resurrection. You're going to be able to eat food. That's why the resurrected Jesus sat down with his disciples and ate with them. I like food. You like food? I like food. I can't wait to taste food when Jesus comes back in the new heavens and the new earth. Like it's Virginia Beach without pollution or overfishing. No crime, no sorrow, no sin, no tears, no pain for eternity. [00:27:34] (33 seconds)
The Bible is clear that the Holy Spirit fills every believer and it's a deposit, a taste of what's to come, a guarantee that God will fulfill his promises. And when I'm talking about the Holy Spirit, I don't mean that you got to have like your hair is electrified and it's standing on end and you just fully go like super saiyan and power up and that's what being filled with the Holy Spirit. It's that sense of like God is real and he loves me. [00:32:07] (24 seconds)
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