Grief and Hope: The Power of Christ's Resurrection

This week has been marked by deep grief and loss, both in our church family and across the nation. We mourn the passing of Angelica Gore, a beloved member of our body, and reflect on the tragic events surrounding Charlie Kirk. Yet, in the midst of sorrow, we are reminded of the unique hope we possess as followers of Jesus. Our grief is not like the world’s, for we know that death is not the end. The promise of resurrection and eternal life in Christ transforms our mourning into hope, assuring us that we will see our loved ones again.

The events of Jesus’ death, as recorded in John and the other Gospels, reveal the profound significance of the cross. Supernatural signs accompanied His crucifixion: the temple curtain torn from top to bottom, darkness covering the land, an earthquake, and even the resurrection of saints. Each of these signs points to the reality that Jesus’ sacrifice changed everything. The torn curtain signifies that access to God is now open to all who believe—no longer do we need a priest or a temple, for God’s presence dwells within us by His Spirit.

Death, though still an enemy, has been defeated by Christ. The pain and anger we feel at loss are not foreign to Jesus; He Himself wept and was moved with righteous anger at the injustice of death. Yet, He declared, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Through His death and resurrection, the power of sin and death has been broken. We are invited to surrender our struggles and find true freedom in Him.

The example of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus challenges us to boldness. These men risked everything—status, wealth, reputation—to honor Jesus when it seemed all was lost. Their courage in the face of fear calls us to examine our own willingness to stand for Christ, even when it costs us. We are reminded that every believer, regardless of vocation, is called to be an evangelist, bringing the hope of Jesus into every sphere of life.

As we process grief and face uncertain times, we are called to strengthen ourselves in the Lord, to rest in His presence, and to boldly share the hope we have. The harvest is plentiful, and God is stirring hearts for renewal. May we respond, “Here I am, send me,” and walk forward in the boldness and hope that only Jesus provides.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Grieving with Hope, Not Despair As believers, we experience grief deeply, but not as those without hope. The resurrection of Jesus assures us that death is not the end, and our separation from loved ones is only temporary. This hope anchors us in seasons of loss, allowing us to mourn honestly while holding fast to the promise of reunion in Christ. Our faith gives substance to our hope, turning “goodbye” into “see you soon.” [42:24]
• 2. The Cross Opens the Way to God’s Presence The tearing of the temple curtain at Jesus’ death was a supernatural sign that access to God is now open to all who trust in Christ. No longer do we need a mediator or religious ritual to approach God; through Jesus, we can boldly enter His presence. This reality calls us to cultivate a living relationship with God, not just go through spiritual motions, and to recognize the miracle of His Spirit dwelling within us. [58:29]
• 3. Righteous Anger and Grief: Jesus’ Example Jesus’ response to death—anger at its injustice and tears of grief—shows us that these emotions are not sinful when rightly directed. Righteous anger can move us to action against evil, while honest grief is part of the healing process. We are invited to bring our emotions to God, releasing them in His presence, and allowing Him to transform our pain into compassion and purpose. [68:06]
• 4. The Cost and Courage of Following Jesus Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus risked everything to honor Jesus when it seemed all was lost. Their example challenges us to examine our own willingness to stand for Christ, even when it costs us status, reputation, or comfort. True discipleship may require boldness in the face of fear, but the reward is far greater than anything we might lose—eternal life and the joy of pleasing our Savior. [74:45]
• 5. Every Believer is Called to Bold Evangelism Sharing the hope of Jesus is not reserved for pastors or public figures; every follower of Christ is called to be an evangelist in their sphere of influence. Whether in the workplace, at home, or in public life, we are to bring the gospel into every area, refusing to compartmentalize our faith. God promises to give us the words and the boldness we need when we step out in faith, making us effective witnesses for His kingdom. [92:01]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [41:20] - Remembering Angelica Gore
• [42:24] - Grieving with Hope
• [43:46] - The Hope of Jesus in Tragedy
• [50:10] - Jesus’ Burial and Fulfillment of Prophecy
• [51:22] - Supernatural Signs at the Crucifixion
• [54:27] - The Temple Curtain and Access to God
• [55:47] - The Tabernacle and God’s Presence
• [56:51] - The Heavenly Reality Behind the Temple
• [58:29] - Full Access to God Through Christ
• [61:35] - Ritual Without Presence
• [64:06] - The Power of Resurrection
• [68:06] - Jesus’ Emotions: Anger and Grief
• [72:27] - Death Defeated: The Cross and Resurrection
• [74:45] - The Boldness of Joseph and Nicodemus
• [82:39] - The Cost of Discipleship
• [83:41] - The Legacy of Charlie Kirk
• [92:01] - Every Believer an Evangelist
• [95:51] - The Harvest and Our Purpose
• [98:46] - Responding with Boldness
• [100:17] - Closing Blessing

Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (ESV) — > But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

John 19:28-42 (ESV) — > [Read the account of Jesus’ death and burial, including Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus caring for Jesus’ body.]

Matthew 27:50-54 (ESV) — > And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised... When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Thessalonians 4, what is the difference between how believers and non-believers grieve the loss of loved ones?
2. What supernatural signs happened at the moment of Jesus’ death, as described in Matthew 27?
3. What did Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus do after Jesus died, and why was this significant? [01:14:45]
4. What did the tearing of the temple curtain represent, based on the sermon and the passages? [58:29]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul say that Christians “do not grieve as others do who have no hope”? How does the resurrection of Jesus change the way we process loss? [42:24]
2. The sermon described Jesus’ anger and grief at the death of Lazarus. What does this teach us about how God views death and our emotions in times of loss? [01:08:06]
3. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus risked their status and reputation to honor Jesus. What does their example reveal about the cost and courage of following Christ, especially when it’s unpopular or risky? [01:14:45]
4. The tearing of the temple curtain opened access to God’s presence for everyone. How should this truth affect the way we approach God today? [58:29]

Application Questions

1. Think about a time when you experienced grief or loss. Did you grieve with hope, or did it feel more like despair? How can the promise of resurrection change the way you process future losses? [42:24]
2. The sermon talked about “righteous anger” and honest grief. Is there a loss or injustice in your life that you need to bring to God, rather than holding it in or letting it turn to bitterness? What would it look like to release those emotions in God’s presence? [01:08:06]
3. Are there areas in your spiritual life where you’re just “going through the motions” instead of truly experiencing God’s presence? What is one step you can take this week to cultivate a real relationship with God, not just religious routine? [01:01:35]
4. Joseph and Nicodemus were bold when it mattered most, even though it cost them. Is there a situation in your life right now where you feel God is asking you to take a stand for your faith, even if it’s risky? What’s holding you back? [01:14:45]
5. The sermon said every believer is called to be an evangelist in their sphere of influence—not just pastors or public speakers. Where has God placed you (work, home, school, etc.) to share the hope of Jesus? What is one practical way you can be more intentional about sharing your faith this week? [01:32:01]
6. The pastor encouraged the church to pray, “Here I am, send me.” What would it look like for you to say that prayer honestly? Is there a specific person or group God is putting on your heart to reach out to? [01:38:46]
7. When you think about the “cost” of following Jesus—whether it’s reputation, comfort, or something else—what fears come up for you? How can you trust God with those fears and step forward in boldness? [01:22:39]