4/12 CRC Sunday: Is Jesus Who He Said? | Resurrection is a Promise Pt. 2

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Clearly Claimed to Be God in the Flesh

Jesus made bold and unambiguous claims about His own divinity. He did not present Himself as merely a moral teacher or a prophet, but as the eternal God who has always existed. When He used the phrase "I am," He was directly invoking the divine name of God revealed to Moses. These claims were so clear to His contemporaries that they accused Him of blasphemy, a capital offense, for making Himself equal with God. We can have confidence in the historical record of His words. [58:38]

John 10:30-33 (NIV)
“I and the Father are one.” Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”

Reflection: As you consider the claims of Jesus, what specific statement or title He used for Himself resonates most deeply with you, and why does it hold that significance?

Day 2: The Resurrection Validates All of Christ’s Claims

The promise of the resurrection is the ultimate validation of everything Jesus said about Himself. His victory over death proves that His authority is real and His words are true. It transforms His followers from a fearful, disillusioned group into a bold, joyful community willing to risk everything. The resurrection is the historical event that turns skepticism into faith, providing a solid foundation for our hope. It is the proof that demands a verdict. [01:14:49]

1 Corinthians 15:17, 20 (NIV)
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins… But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Reflection: How does the historical reality of the resurrection strengthen your confidence in the other promises Jesus made about Himself and your life?

Day 3: Called to Be Equipped for the Work of Ministry

God’s design is for every believer to be equipped and empowered for the work of ministry, not just a few professionals. This happens through the life of the church community, where discipleship is shared and everyone is built up. The goal is to create a body where each person feels supported and confident to live out their faith, whether in their neighborhood, home, or workplace. This is how the gospel spreads organically through relationships. [38:39]

Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV)
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…

Reflection: In what specific area of your life—neighborhood, workplace, or family—do you feel God is inviting you to step more fully into your role as an equipped minister of the gospel?

Day 4: The Transformative Power of a Personal Encounter

The disciples’ lives were irrevocably changed by their personal, physical encounter with the risen Christ. Their doubt and fear were replaced with unwavering conviction and joy, compelling them to witness even at the cost of their lives. This transformation wasn't based on a secondhand story but on seeing, hearing, and touching Jesus themselves. A genuine encounter with the living God is the foundation for a faith that endures. [01:12:51]

1 John 1:1-3 (NIV)
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life… We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us.

Reflection: When have you personally felt most aware of the reality and presence of the risen Christ, and how did that experience impact your faith?

Day 5: Building a Community of Open Discipleship

A healthy church is marked by open doors and authentic community where people can find belonging and be built up in the gospel. It is a place where discipleship happens naturally through relationships, not just programs, and where everyone is welcomed to participate. The goal is to create a culture where people are equipped to grow and serve, whether they are here for a season or a lifetime. This kind of community reflects the heart of Jesus. [40:01]

Acts 2:42, 46-47 (NIV)
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

Reflection: What is one practical step you could take this week to help foster a more welcoming and discipleship-oriented environment within your own church community?

Sermon Summary

Crossroads outlines a clear season of leadership stability and strategic growth while centering everything on the gospel. Leadership commits to a sustained local presence alongside plans to hire full-time pastoral staff, clarifying roles so ministry does not hinge on one professional but on a multiplied pastoral team. The congregation receives an open invitation to a members meeting designed to share structure, answer questions, and welcome those who consider this their home church into fuller participation.

A renewed emphasis on grassroots discipleship drives the vision: equip the saints for the work of ministry so that discipleship multiplies beyond the building into neighborhoods and homes. The aim is both organized and organic systems that make community accessible to anyone who wanders in for a season—meals, small groups, and life-on-life investment that raise new leaders, not just consumers of programming. Leaders and elders intend to supply resources and support so life group leaders can train others to lead, making the body resilient if staff numbers fluctuate.

The theological core centers on the identity and resurrection of Christ. Jesus’ claims to divine identity appear repeatedly in the Gospels—“I am,” the Son of Man enthroned with everlasting dominion, and unity with the Father—claims the original audiences understood as claims to deity. The resurrection functions as both promise fulfilled and public vindication: the risen Christ showed his wounds, ate with his disciples, and turned fear into worship. The apostles’ witness and willingness to suffer and die testify to an encounter that transformed them from frightened followers into bold proclaimers. That combination—clear claims and vindicating resurrection—forms the basis for trusting Christ’s authority and trusting Scripture.

The congregation receives an urgent but pastoral call to honest wrestling and personal conviction: identify doubts, bring them into community and scripture, and allow evidence and testimony to shape firm faith. Prayer teams stand ready to walk with people through questions and commitments, and the church prays that faith will rise and that the Spirit will continue to breathe life into this community for the glory of God.

Key Takeaways

1. Committed local leadership presence A long-term pastoral rhythm anchors the church in stability while new staff hires fill gaps. This commitment prevents ministry from collapsing into dependency on one or two professionals and models shepherding that stays engaged with people’s daily lives. The plan balances outside ministry work with local responsibility so leadership remains accessible and accountable. [33:45]
2. Open, transparent membership invitation An open members meeting invites seekers and committed attenders to know the church’s direction and ask hard questions. Transparency builds trust and allows people to move from casual attendance to intentional belonging, which strengthens discipleship and accountability. This openness removes barriers for those who sense God’s call to make this their spiritual home. [36:25]
3. Equip every believer for ministry Discipleship should multiply in homes and neighborhoods, not centralize in an institutional building. Training life-group leaders and equipping ordinary believers releases the church into kingdom work wherever people live, making gospel presence both organic and sustainable. The goal is a body that reproduces leaders and maintains ministry momentum regardless of staff changes. [38:39]
4. Jesus claimed his divine identity Gospel texts record explicit claims—“I am,” the Son of Man with everlasting dominion, and unity with the Father—that original hearers recognized as blasphemy unless true. These declarations confront every soft version of Jesus and require a response: either reduce him or accept his divine lordship. Honest engagement with these claims reshapes worship, trust, and obedience. [56:11]
5. Resurrection validates apostles’ witness The risen Christ’s appearances—showing wounds, eating, and commissioning—turned disbelief into worship and sent frightened followers into courageous testimony. The apostles’ willingness to suffer for that testimony argues powerfully that they encountered reality, not myth or conspiracy. Resurrection provides the historical and existential anchor for trusting Jesus’ claims and living under his reign. [72:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:45] - Leadership commitment and role clarity
[36:25] - Open members meeting invitation
[38:39] - Vision: equip the saints for ministry
[56:11] - Did Jesus claim to be God?
[72:35] - Resurrection appearances and apostles’ witness
[75:09] - Questions, response, and invitation to pray

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading: Mark 14:60-62 (NIV)
Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Observation questions

What specific question did the high priest ask Jesus, and what was Jesus’s direct response?
What two future events did Jesus say the high priest and others would see?
In the sermon, what Old Testament passage was referenced to explain the meaning behind Jesus’s statement about the “Son of Man”? [59:50]
According to the sermon, why was Jesus’s claim considered blasphemy by the religious leaders, and what was their immediate reaction? [01:07:21]

Interpretation questions

Why did Jesus choose to directly answer the high priest’s question with “I am” at this specific moment, knowing it would lead to his condemnation, when at other times he was more evasive?
The sermon mentioned that Jesus’s claim to be the “Son of Man” was a direct reference to a divine figure from the book of Daniel. [01:00:31] What does this connection tell us about how Jesus viewed his own identity and mission?
The religious leaders understood Jesus’s claim as blasphemy and worthy of death. What does their reaction reveal about what they believed Jesus was claiming about himself?
The sermon emphasized that Jesus’s claims were clear to his original audience, even if we sometimes miss the meaning today. [01:01:19] Why is it important to understand the cultural and historical context of these claims?

Application questions

The sermon posed the question, “In what areas are you struggling to believe that Jesus is actually God?” [01:15:47] What is one specific area of doubt or question you have wrestled with, and what is one step you could take to explore it further?
Jesus’s claims require a response; they can’t be ignored. How does accepting Jesus’s claim to be “I am” change the way you view his authority over your daily life, decisions, and relationships?
The sermon encouraged bringing doubts into community rather than wrestling with them alone. [01:16:23] Who is one person in your life or in this group that you feel safe being honest with about your spiritual questions?
The apostles were transformed from fearful followers to bold witnesses because of their encounter with the risen Christ. [01:12:02] What is one situation this week where you could rely on the reality of the resurrection to give you courage to speak or act?
The vision for the church is that discipleship multiplies in homes and neighborhoods, equipping every believer for ministry. [38:39] What is one simple way you could help create an “open door” for someone in your own neighborhood to experience Christian community this month?
If the resurrection is the historical proof that validates all of Jesus’s claims, how does that truth provide a solid foundation for you when you feel your faith is being challenged? [01:16:46]

Sermon Clips

How do you go from a band of disciples who abandoned him because you're afraid to those that come back with joy and stand in front of the same crowd that did that to him and say, we've seen him alive. Do as you please. How do you go from that to that? They saw something worth giving their lives for, and they did it for you and for me. Did Jesus claim to be resurrected? Yes. He did. Did Jesus claim to be God? Yes. He did. Did Jesus prove it? Yes. He did. He's worth putting your faith in. [01:14:24] (40 seconds) #SeenHimAlive

Before Abraham was, I existed, I was around, the father created me, like, kinda like the angels, which is what you might get from some other like beliefs. No. I am. Because what did God say to Moses in the bush in Exodus? What he says, how who who shall I say sent me? What name should I give them? His name was I am that I am. Jesus is saying, I'm the one back then. I am the beginning and the end. I am he. I am him that was, that is, and is to come. There is no beginning. There is no end to me. You are talking to I am in the flesh. [01:08:48] (38 seconds) #IAmThatIAm

If Jesus actually got about that grave like he said he would and he did and like they saw and they gave their lives to believe and give to us, then you can trust everything here, but you gotta know it for yourself. Amen? Nobody can know it for you. I want you to know that you know that you know that Jesus is exactly who he said he is, God in the flesh. I am son of man coming on the clouds of heaven. I'm him. He's worth putting your faith in today. [01:16:59] (31 seconds) #KnowItForYourself

I give them eternal life. Me. I give not me Jesus. I give them eternal life. Right? What good prophet gives people eternal life? What moral teacher gives people eternal life? They will never perish. No one will snatch them from my hand. Nobody can take them from me. I'm gonna get my sheep. I give them eternal life. Nobody can snatch them from my hand. I'm gonna that's liar lunatic or Lord. Which one is he claiming to be right now? You know what I mean? Thank you. One person said it Lord. Amen. [01:02:57] (34 seconds) #EternalLifePromise

I'm in front of you. I'm here right now. Mine is the kingdom that's never gonna pass. I don't care what you think you can do to me. Mine is the dominion that can never get destroyed. I have this everlasting reign that's here. When Jesus starts in the beginning of Mark chapter one, he says, the kingdom of God is at hand. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel. The good news about me. Because Daniel chapter seven talked about me. I'm here now. Whose kingdom? God's. Daniel chapter seven, my kingdom. One in the same. Jesus is tying all this together for them in one phrase and they heard exactly what he was saying. [01:01:10] (32 seconds) #KingdomAtHand

Because I would much rather you be honest in public than skeptical in private. Skepticism is a good thing. You know, cynicism is not. Skepticism is good because now I can go to the word and see do I really believe. This is a good thing. This is a good thing. What areas are you struggling to believe that? Second question, is the fulfilled promise of the resurrection enough for you to begin to solidify that maybe everything he said was true? Maybe I need to go here. Maybe I need to go in history. Maybe I need to read some Josephus and see what history actually says about this. [01:16:23] (35 seconds) #HonestSkepticism

Folks will give their lives something they truly believe in, whether that thing is right, wrong, or indifferent. Right? If they really believe in it, we're willing to risk it all if it's something we're convict convicted of and convinced is a good thing. Right? I that makes total sense to me that, you know, we'll we'll throw sometimes even for a stranger we see somebody, man, we'll risk ourselves to help them out and all that type of stuff. But when you knowingly when you knowingly believe a lie, once the benefits of propagating said lie run out, people recant. They recoil. [01:09:51] (32 seconds) #DieForWhatYouBelieve

I just want you to wrestle with this, and I want you to be honest. Because being fake in, like, what we're thinking through a question and doesn't help anybody. Right? Right? Right. Like, keeping it inside to pretend you're being a better Christian. Stop all that. Like, let's just deal with what's going on our mind, talk about it in community, disciple each other, go to the scriptures, see if we can find answers to our questions. Does that sound good? In what areas, if this is you, what areas are you struggling to believe that Jesus is actually God? This is something to bring up in prayer [01:15:15] (34 seconds) #BeRealInCommunity

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Did Jesus explicitly claim deity in Scripture?

How does the resurrection confirm Jesus' divinity?

What does equipping the saints practically look like?

4/12 CRC Sunday: Is Jesus Who He Said? | Resurrection is a Promise Pt. 2

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Clearly Claimed to Be God in the Flesh

Day 2: The Resurrection Validates All of Christ’s Claims

Day 3: Called to Be Equipped for the Work of Ministry

Day 4: The Transformative Power of a Personal Encounter

Day 5: Building a Community of Open Discipleship

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

4/12 CRC Sunday: Is Jesus Who He Said? | Resurrection is a Promise Pt. 2

Share