Finding True Fulfillment in the Empty Tomb

Devotional

Day 1: Futility of Earthly Pursuits

The relentless chase for wealth, fame, and success often leads to a profound sense of emptiness. This is a universal human condition, one that King Solomon articulated centuries ago when he described all his achievements as "vanity and a striving after wind." The more one acquires, the clearer it becomes that these pursuits cannot bring lasting satisfaction. This emptiness serves as a signpost, directing individuals toward a deeper need for spiritual fulfillment. It is a reminder that the material world is transient and that true contentment is found beyond the physical realm. The emptiness felt is not an end but a beginning, urging one to seek fulfillment in something greater, something eternal.

"For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 2:23 ESV)

Reflection: What material pursuit have you prioritized above your spiritual well-being, and how can you begin to shift your focus towards lasting fulfillment in Christ? [07:40]

Day 2: Resurrection as Present Reality

The story of the empty tomb is not merely a historical account; it is a present reality with the power to transform lives today. It challenges individuals to examine what they are running towards and invites them to find true meaning and purpose in the resurrection power of Jesus. This power fills the voids of life with hope and joy, offering a new perspective on what it means to live a fulfilled life. The empty tomb symbolizes the victory over death and the promise of a life that transcends the temporal, a life that is abundant in the spiritual riches that Christ offers.

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." (2 Corinthians 4:7 ESV)

Reflection: How can the reality of the resurrection influence your daily decisions and help you to live a life that reflects the hope and joy found in Jesus? [07:40]

Day 3: Technology vs. True Connection

In an age where technology offers the illusion of connection, the pervasive sense of loneliness remains unaddressed. The recent development of an app designed to combat loneliness highlights society's deep-seated need for genuine relationships. This need reflects the biblical truth that humans are created for community. While technology can facilitate connections, it often falls short of providing the meaningful interactions that people crave. True belonging and community are found in the spiritual family that God provides through His church, where individuals can experience the love and support that echoes the relational nature of God Himself.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you foster deeper connections within your spiritual community to combat the loneliness that technology cannot resolve? [07:40]

Day 4: Sufficiency of God as Our Treasure

A.W. Tozer's insight into the sufficiency of God as our treasure is a profound reminder of the true source of happiness and satisfaction. When Christ is at the center of one's life, all other needs are met in Him. The fleeting treasures of this world pale in comparison to the eternal riches found in a relationship with God. This understanding shifts the focus from what one can acquire to who one can become in Christ. It is a call to treasure the Giver above the gifts, finding contentment and joy in the presence of God rather than the possessions of the world.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21 ESV)

Reflection: What worldly treasure have you allowed to take precedence over your relationship with God, and how can you begin to realign your heart to treasure Christ above all else? [07:40]

Day 5: Embracing the Fullness of Life in Christ

The empty tomb is not just a symbol of Christ's resurrection but an invitation to experience the fullness of life that He offers. It beckons believers to move beyond a superficial understanding of the resurrection as merely a ticket to heaven and to embrace the abundant life that Jesus promises here and now. This life is marked by a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose, which can only be found in a relationship with Jesus. The fullness that Christ offers fills the emptiness within, providing a sense of completeness that the world cannot give.

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." (Ephesians 3:17-18 ESV)

Reflection: How can you more fully embrace the abundant life that Jesus offers, allowing His resurrection power to fill the emptiness within and guide you to a life of purpose? [07:40]

Sermon Summary

In today's sermon, I explored the profound emptiness that can pervade our lives despite our pursuits of wealth, fame, and success. I drew parallels between the experiences of King Solomon, as expressed in Ecclesiastes, and the modern-day phenomenon of seeking fulfillment in things that ultimately leave us feeling hollow. Solomon's pursuit of everything under the sun left him declaring all as vanity, a striving after wind. This same sense of futility can be seen in the lives of many today, including those who seem to have it all.

I then turned our attention to the Gospel of John, chapter 20, where we find Mary Magdalene and the disciples discovering the empty tomb of Jesus. This pivotal moment in history is not just a narrative about an event that happened two thousand years ago; it is a story that holds transformative power for us today. The empty tomb signifies that the things of this world will never truly satisfy our deepest longings. Only through the resurrection power of Jesus can our hearts find true fulfillment.

I shared about a new app designed to combat loneliness by connecting people in real life, reflecting our society's deep-seated sense of isolation. Despite technological advancements, we are still grappling with an emptiness that gadgets and social networks cannot fill. This is reminiscent of the biblical truth that God sets the lonely in families, as stated in Psalm 68:6. The app's attempt to create meaningful connections underscores our innate need for community and belonging, which can ultimately be found in the family of God.

The resurrection of Jesus is central to our faith, not just as a historical fact but as a present reality that fills the emptiness within us. The empty tomb is a testament to the power of Christ to conquer death and offer us a life of purpose and satisfaction. As believers, we are called to find our identity not in our achievements or possessions but in our relationship with Christ. A.W. Tozer beautifully articulated this when he said that having God as our treasure means we have all things in one.

In conclusion, the empty tomb is an invitation to experience the fullness of life in Christ. Whether we are seeking to fill our emptiness with worldly pursuits or struggling to find our identity beyond our accomplishments, the resurrection reminds us that true satisfaction is found in a relationship with Jesus.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, 17 — 2. John 20:1-9
3. Psalm 68:6

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Observation Questions

What did King Solomon conclude about his pursuits of wealth, fame, and success in Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, 17?
Describe the scene in John 20:1-9 when Mary Magdalene and the disciples discovered the empty tomb.
According to Psalm 68:6, what does God do for the lonely?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Solomon describe his pursuits as "vanity" and "striving after wind"? How does this reflect the human condition today? [25:11]
What is the significance of the empty tomb in John 20:1-9 for believers today? How does it relate to the concept of fulfillment? [40:01]
How does Psalm 68:6's message about God setting the lonely in families connect to the modern issue of loneliness and the use of technology to combat it? [29:01]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you pursued something you thought would bring you satisfaction but ended up feeling empty. How does Solomon's experience in Ecclesiastes resonate with your own? [25:11]
The empty tomb signifies that worldly achievements cannot fulfill our deepest longings. What are some areas in your life where you are seeking fulfillment outside of your relationship with Christ? How can you shift your focus? [40:01]
Technology often gives the illusion of connection but can exacerbate loneliness. How can you foster genuine relationships within your church community to combat this sense of isolation? [29:01]
A.W. Tozer said that having God as our treasure means we have all things in one. What steps can you take to make Christ your ultimate treasure and source of satisfaction? [51:12]
The resurrection of Jesus offers a life of purpose and satisfaction. How can you live out this truth in your daily life, especially in areas where you feel unfulfilled? [42:08]
Think about the new app designed to combat loneliness by connecting people in real life. How can the church serve as a better community for those feeling isolated? What role can you play in this? [29:01]
The empty tomb is an invitation to experience the fullness of life in Christ. What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Jesus and find true fulfillment in Him? [40:01]

Sermon Clips

1) "Happiness today, what causes us to be satisfied with life today, tomorrow will feel empty because it cannot last. It is not something that can last. This brokenness of man, therefore, I hated life because I found that every day I thought I had it. And then tomorrow I realized that feeling was no longer there." [25:33]( | | )

2) "The app was launched in January, taking its place among the new group of startups seeking to innovate a way out of loneliness, it defines itself against social networks and apps that limit communications to our phones or our tablets. And it's taking a claim to opening the door to something new and real." [28:02]( | | )

3) "God said something about loneliness in the Bible and Psalms chapter 68. Verse six. It's one of my favorites versus five and six and many of you who have been here before I've heard me talk about this verse and I talk about it in a context of the foster care and adoption and it says something like this God is a father to the fatherless and defender of widows is God is holy habitation." [30:07]( | | )

4) "I can't get no satisfaction. The first line the first lyric is I can't get no satisfaction. I can't get no satisfaction. Because I try and I try and I try and I try but I can't get no no no no I can't get no no satisfaction." [32:46]( | | )

5) "The tomb is empty so that you don't have to. Paul said, second Corinthians chapter six and verse two, he said, behold, now is the acceptable time. Now is the day of salvation. The Bible says in Romans chapter 10, it says that all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." [48:59]( | | )

6) "Christ is more the empty tomb is more than a ticket christ is more the empty tomb is more than those things which you feel like you need to have in order for you to be accomplished those things that we strive after in our lives." [50:50]( | | )

7) "Remember that app I mentioned to you earlier that was designed for you to be able to download it onto your smartphone so that you could in some way through this connecting device be able to have this emptiness filled in this loneliness removed." [42:54]( | | )

8) "The resurrection of Christ, empty that tomb so that what was in it, Jesus, could fill your emptiness today and man, that's what, that's what we find here. That's what's happening here. That's what John saw and realized in that moment that Jesus, the tomb was not going to hold him in the ground." [41:36]( | | )

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