Empowered by the Resurrection: Embracing God's Guidance and Strength
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound benefits of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, focusing on three key aspects: the living Great Shepherd, being fully equipped for God's will, and access to real spiritual strength. We began by reflecting on Hebrews 13:20-21, which speaks of the God of peace who raised Jesus from the dead and equips us for His will. This scripture set the foundation for our discussion.
The first benefit is having a living Great Shepherd. Jesus, like David who protected his sheep from lions and bears, is our shepherd who leads us to places of peace and security. He desires for us to flourish and be at rest, guiding us through life's darkest valleys. This shepherding is not just a metaphor but a real, tangible experience of God's care and protection in our lives.
The second benefit is being fully equipped to do God's will. We discussed how various influences—family, friends, society, and even our own desires—can pull us in different directions. However, true success lies in aligning ourselves with God's will. When we do so, God promises to resource and equip us fully, ensuring we have everything we need to accomplish His purposes. This divine equipping alleviates anxiety and frustration, allowing us to rest in His provision.
The third benefit is access to real spiritual strength and power through the Holy Spirit. This power is not just theoretical but practical, transforming our lives and relationships. We heard a testimony of a man whose marriage was being healed through the tangible work of the Holy Spirit. This power is available to all believers, enabling us to live out our faith in a real and impactful way.
We concluded by praying three prayers together, affirming our security in Christ, our equipping for His will, and our access to His power. These prayers serve as a reminder of the incredible benefits we have through the resurrection of Jesus.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Living Great Shepherd: Jesus is our living Great Shepherd who leads us to places of peace and security. Just as David protected his sheep, Jesus protects and guides us, ensuring we have everything we need to flourish. This shepherding is a real, tangible experience of God's care in our lives. [03:00]
2. Equipped for God's Will: True success lies in aligning ourselves with God's will. While various influences may pull us in different directions, God promises to equip us fully for His purposes. This divine equipping alleviates anxiety and frustration, allowing us to rest in His provision and accomplish His will. [10:50]
3. Access to Spiritual Strength: Through the Holy Spirit, we have access to real spiritual strength and power. This power transforms our lives and relationships, enabling us to live out our faith in a practical and impactful way. The Holy Spirit's work in us is evident and tangible, providing the help we need in every aspect of our lives. [19:22]
4. Avoiding Counterfeit Powers: In our pursuit of strength and success, we must be wary of counterfeit powers that offer temporary solutions. True and enduring power comes from God alone. By tapping into the Holy Spirit, we experience genuine transformation and lasting impact in our lives. [25:36]
5. Responding to God's Offer of Help: God is always ready to rescue and strengthen us, no matter how far we may feel from Him. By responding to His offer of help, we can experience His faithfulness and transformative power in our lives. This response requires us to trust in His guidance and provision. [27:37]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:44] - Introduction to the Resurrection Benefits
[03:00] - The Living Great Shepherd
[04:30] - Psalm 23 Reflection
[06:11] - Jesus as the Good Shepherd
[07:31] - Jesus' Victory Over Death
[09:08] - First Prayer: Security in Christ
[10:50] - Equipped for God's Will
[12:30] - The Importance of God's Will
[14:08] - Personal Testimony of Equipping
[15:43] - Surrendering to God's Call
[17:29] - Stepping Out of Comfort Zones
[19:22] - Access to Spiritual Strength
[20:51] - Testimony of Transformation
[23:52] - Upcoming Series on the Holy Spirit
[25:36] - Avoiding Counterfeit Powers
[27:37] - Responding to God's Offer of Help
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 you need for doing his will, and may he work in you through the power of Jesus Christ, what is pleasing to him. To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen."
2. Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass and 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, for you are with me. Your shepherd's rod and staff protect 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 us with, and for what purpose? [01:44]
2. In Psalm 23, what are some of the ways the Lord, as our shepherd, provides for and protects us? [04:30]
3. How does Jesus describe Himself in John 10:11, and what significant action does He take for His sheep? [06:11]
4. What are the three benefits of the resurrection mentioned in the sermon? [01:44]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the imagery of Jesus as the "Great Shepherd" in Hebrews 13:20-21 and Psalm 23 help us understand His role in our lives? [03:00]
2. What does it mean to be "fully equipped to do God's will," and how does this alleviate anxiety and frustration according to the sermon? [10:50]
3. How does the Holy Spirit provide "real spiritual strength and power" in practical ways, as illustrated by the testimony shared in the sermon? [20:51]
4. Why is it important to avoid "counterfeit powers," and how can we discern true spiritual strength from false sources? [25:36]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the guidance and protection of Jesus as your Great Shepherd. How did this experience impact your faith and sense of security? [03:00]
2. Are there areas in your life where you feel unequipped or anxious about fulfilling God's will? How can you seek God's equipping and provision in these areas? [10:50]
3. The sermon mentioned a testimony of a man whose marriage was being healed through the Holy Spirit's work. Can you identify a relationship or situation in your life that needs the Holy Spirit's transformative power? How can you invite the Holy Spirit into that situation? [20:51]
4. Have you ever relied on "counterfeit powers" for strength or success? What were the outcomes, and how can you shift your reliance to God's enduring power? [25:36]
5. The sermon emphasized responding to God's offer of help. Is there an area in your life where you need to trust in God's guidance and provision more fully? What steps can you take to respond to His offer of help? [27:37]
6. How can you practically align your daily actions and decisions with God's will, especially when faced with conflicting influences from family, friends, or society? [10:50]
7. Think of a specific challenge you are currently facing. How can you apply the three prayers from the sermon—affirming your security in Christ, your equipping for His will, and your access to His power—to this challenge? [09:08]
Devotional
Day 1: The Living Great Shepherd
Jesus is our living Great Shepherd who leads us to places of peace and security. Just as David protected his sheep from lions and bears, Jesus protects and guides us, ensuring we have everything we need to flourish. This shepherding is a real, tangible experience of God's care in our lives. Jesus desires for us to flourish and be at rest, guiding us through life's darkest valleys. This is not just a metaphor but a real, tangible experience of God's care and protection in our lives. Reflecting on Psalm 23, we see how the Lord is our shepherd, providing for our needs and leading us beside still waters. This imagery is brought to life through Jesus' resurrection, affirming that He is alive and actively shepherding us today. [03:00]
Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV): "Now may the God of peace who brought again 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."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt lost or anxious. How can you invite Jesus, your Great Shepherd, to guide you to a place of peace and security today?
Day 2: Equipped for God's Will
True success lies in aligning ourselves with God's will. While various influences may pull us in different directions, God promises to equip us fully for His purposes. This divine equipping alleviates anxiety and frustration, allowing us to rest in His provision and accomplish His will. When we align ourselves with God's will, we are assured that He will provide all the resources we need to fulfill His purposes. This means that despite the pressures and distractions from family, friends, society, and our own desires, we can find true success and fulfillment in doing God's will. This divine equipping is a promise that we can rely on, giving us confidence and peace as we pursue His plans for our lives. [10:50]
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you feel unequipped or inadequate. How can you seek God's equipping and provision to fulfill His will in that area today?
Day 3: Access to Spiritual Strength
Through the Holy Spirit, we have access to real spiritual strength and power. This power transforms our lives and relationships, enabling us to live out our faith in a practical and impactful way. The Holy Spirit's work in us is evident and tangible, providing the help we need in every aspect of our lives. This spiritual strength is not just theoretical but practical, as seen in the testimony of a man whose marriage was being healed through the work of the Holy Spirit. This power is available to all believers, enabling us to live out our faith in a real and impactful way. [19:22]
Ephesians 3:16-17 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love."
Reflection: Reflect on a relationship in your life that needs healing or transformation. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring His strength and power into that relationship today?
Day 4: Avoiding Counterfeit Powers
In our pursuit of strength and success, we must be wary of counterfeit powers that offer temporary solutions. True and enduring power comes from God alone. By tapping into the Holy Spirit, we experience genuine transformation and lasting impact in our lives. Counterfeit powers may offer quick fixes or temporary relief, but they cannot provide the lasting change and true strength that come from God. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can avoid these false sources of power and experience the genuine transformation that only God can provide. [25:36]
Jeremiah 2:13 (ESV): "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."
Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you have sought temporary solutions or quick fixes. How can you turn to God for true and lasting power and transformation in that area today?
Day 5: Responding to God's Offer of Help
God is always ready to rescue and strengthen us, no matter how far we may feel from Him. By responding to His offer of help, we can experience His faithfulness and transformative power in our lives. This response requires us to trust in His guidance and provision. No matter how distant we may feel from God, He is always ready to rescue and strengthen us. By responding to His offer of help, we can experience His faithfulness and transformative power in our lives. This requires us to trust in His guidance and provision, knowing that He is always there to support and uplift us. [27:37]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Think of a challenge or difficulty you are currently facing. How can you actively respond to God's offer of help and trust in His guidance and provision today?
Quotes
1. "What I'm saying is we're not talking about sheep. Do not take it literally. We're talking about people's lives. And God has given a gift to the world in the gift of his son, who is a living great shepherd. And his desire is to lead us in a place where we are at peace and we are secure and to a place where we can, come on, help me out, where we can prosper. That's the gift of the resurrection." [03:00] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "He fought the devil himself and all the powers of darkness he overcame and all who are in him will overcome because of him. What he's done furthermore than that, with his own blood and the scripture we just said, it was the blood of the eternal everlasting covenant. I am secure in him with his own blood on the cross. He paid the ransom. The price covered our sins. And in him, we can be clean. What a benefit. We're talking about the benefit of the resurrection to have a living, come on, to have a living great shepherd." [07:31] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Do you know that God's will is not the only will out there? Have you ever found out that family has a will for your life? Parents can sometimes have a will for your life. Friends have a will for your life. If we take scripture seriously, the kingdom of darkness has a will for your life. I mean, if you're just honest, you have a will. I know. That's what I want to do. My will. But scripture also says that there's this thing called God's will, his will. And here's the million dollar question. Whose will?" [10:50] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Can you imagine going through your entire life, going to college, wherever you are, wanting to achieve, wanting to achieve, succeeding, moving up, sitting, climbing up the ladder, climbing up the ladder, climbing, only to get to the very top of the ladder and realize your ladder is leaning against the wrong wall. Lord, what have I been doing this whole time? Achieving what? Is success, Lord, really doing what you call me to do? Is that real?" [12:30] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "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, uh, did I serve you Lord with, with, with all of my, with all of my heart. And here's the thing is, is that when we surrender to that call, the Lord gives us a promise, son, daughter, I'm going to resource you and equip you to accomplish and to succeed in everything." [17:29] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We have access to real spiritual strength and, and, and power. That power in the Bible is called many things, but we understand it to be this, the very spirit of God. What the scripture calls the Holy Spirit or the spirit of Jesus that, that comes, his spirit comes on the inside of us and begins to work on the inside of us and also uses us to be a blessing to others as well." [19:22] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "What is Christianity without any strength or power? Is this just some kind of creed we read or something that gets down on the inside of us and begins to transform the way I think in my life? Through Christ, we have access. What is that power? It's the evident, tangible, you say obvious. It's access to the obvious, help. Here it is. The help of God in our lives." [23:52] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Some of us in here need to move from just a knowledge and like a religion of Christianity to the very experience and the very power and the strength of God in my practical life that's available. It's the gift of God raising his son dead. Amen?" [25:36] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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