Jesus: The Resurrection and the Life
Summary
In our journey through the book of John, we encounter the profound declarations of Jesus, where He repeatedly uses the phrase "I am" to reveal His divine identity. Today, we delve into Jesus' claim as the "Resurrection and the Life," a statement that holds immense significance for our understanding of life, death, and eternity. To truly grasp the depth of this promise, we must first confront the reality of death, a stark reminder of the world's brokenness. Funerals, whether expected or sudden, highlight the dissonance between our longing for life and the finality of death. This disorientation prompts humanity to seek answers, often leading to various beliefs about the afterlife.
Throughout history, people have grappled with the question of what happens after death, often landing in one of three categories: nothingness, reincarnation, or a singular life followed by judgment. The latter, shared by the Abrahamic faiths, aligns with the biblical narrative, where Jesus offers a unique solution to the problem of death. In John 11, we witness Jesus' encounter with Martha and Mary, grieving the loss of their brother Lazarus. Jesus' declaration, "I am the resurrection and the life," is not just a promise of future resurrection but a present reality. He embodies the power to bring life from death, offering hope beyond the grave.
Jesus' resurrection power is not limited to the future; it transforms our present reality. By believing in Him, we transcend the limitations of death, gaining a new perspective on life. This belief infuses our actions with eternal significance, as we live not just for ourselves but for others, reflecting God's kingdom on earth. Jesus' resurrection assures us of a future where death is defeated, and life is restored in its fullness. This hope empowers us to live abundantly, embracing the life Jesus offers today while anticipating the glory of eternity.
Key Takeaways:
1. Confronting Death's Reality: Funerals remind us of the world's brokenness and our innate longing for life. Jesus' promise as the "Resurrection and the Life" offers a solution that transcends human understanding, providing hope beyond the grave. [01:48]
2. Three Views of the Afterlife: Humanity's attempts to explain life after death often fall into three categories: nothingness, reincarnation, or judgment. Jesus' resurrection offers a unique and hopeful perspective, affirming life beyond death. [06:45]
3. Present Power of Resurrection: Jesus' declaration is not just about future resurrection but a present reality. Believing in Him transforms our lives, freeing us from the fear of death and infusing our actions with eternal significance. [14:15]
4. Living Abundantly Today: Jesus' resurrection power is not just a safety net for the afterlife but a source of abundant life now. By living for others and reflecting God's kingdom, we experience the fullness of life Jesus offers. [19:33]
5. Hope Beyond the Grave: Jesus' resurrection assures us of a future where death is defeated, and life is restored. This hope empowers us to live with purpose, anticipating the glory of eternity while embracing the life Jesus offers today. [26:25]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:48] - The Reality of Death
[06:45] - Views on the Afterlife
[10:43] - Lazarus and the Power of Resurrection
[14:15] - Jesus as the Source of Resurrection
[17:57] - Abundant Life in Christ
[19:33] - Living for Others
[20:34] - Jesus' Power Over Death
[21:55] - The Miracle of Lazarus
[26:25] - Hope Beyond the Grave
[27:04] - The Christian Perspective on Funerals
[28:06] - Fullness of Life on Earth
[29:46] - The Family of Faith
[33:57] - The Reality of Resurrection
[34:45] - Communion and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 11:1-44
- John 14:6
- 1 Corinthians 15:54-57
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 11, what was the significance of Jesus waiting four days before going to Lazarus? How did this impact the belief of those around Him? [10:43]
2. What are the three views of the afterlife mentioned in the sermon, and how do they differ from the Christian perspective? [06:45]
3. How does Jesus demonstrate His power over death in the story of Lazarus? What was the reaction of the people who witnessed this miracle? [21:55]
4. According to the sermon, what does Jesus mean when He says, "I am the resurrection and the life"? How does this statement relate to His identity and mission? [14:15]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Lazarus illustrate the present power of Jesus' resurrection in our lives today? What does this mean for believers facing difficult situations? [19:33]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' resurrection power transforms our understanding of life and death? How does this perspective influence our daily actions? [17:57]
3. How does the sermon explain the difference between living for oneself and living for others in light of Jesus' teachings? What are the implications of this for a believer's life? [28:06]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of community in experiencing the fullness of life that Jesus offers? How does this relate to the concept of the "family of faith"? [29:46]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent funeral you attended. How did your understanding of Jesus as the "Resurrection and the Life" shape your experience and emotions during that time? [01:48]
2. Consider the three views of the afterlife discussed in the sermon. How does your belief in Jesus' resurrection influence your perspective on life after death? [06:45]
3. In what ways can you actively live out the resurrection power of Jesus in your daily life? Identify one specific area where you can apply this power to overcome fear or limitation. [19:33]
4. How can you incorporate the principle of living for others into your daily routine? Identify one person you can serve or support this week, reflecting God's kingdom on earth. [28:06]
5. Think about a time when you felt the brokenness of the world. How does Jesus' promise of resurrection and life give you hope in those moments? How can you share this hope with others? [26:25]
6. How can you contribute to building a "family of faith" within your community? What steps can you take to foster connections and support among fellow believers? [29:46]
7. Reflect on the concept of abundant life as presented in the sermon. What changes can you make in your life to experience this abundance more fully? How can you help others do the same? [17:57]
Devotional
Day 1: Confronting the Reality of Death
In the face of death, we are reminded of the world's brokenness and our deep longing for life. Funerals, whether anticipated or unexpected, highlight the dissonance between our desire for life and the finality of death. This disorientation often leads humanity to seek answers about the afterlife, exploring various beliefs. Jesus' declaration as the "Resurrection and the Life" offers a profound solution that transcends human understanding, providing hope beyond the grave. By confronting the reality of death, we open ourselves to the transformative power of Jesus' promise, which assures us of life beyond death. [01:48]
Isaiah 25:8 (ESV): "He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken."
Reflection: How does acknowledging the reality of death change the way you live today, and how can you invite Jesus' promise of resurrection into your daily life?
Day 2: Understanding Views of the Afterlife
Throughout history, humanity has grappled with the question of what happens after death, often landing in one of three categories: nothingness, reincarnation, or a singular life followed by judgment. The latter, shared by the Abrahamic faiths, aligns with the biblical narrative, where Jesus offers a unique solution to the problem of death. His resurrection provides a hopeful perspective, affirming life beyond death. By understanding these views, we can appreciate the distinct hope that Jesus' resurrection brings, offering assurance and peace in the face of life's uncertainties. [06:45]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
Reflection: What beliefs about the afterlife have influenced your perspective on life and death, and how does Jesus' promise of resurrection challenge or affirm those beliefs?
Day 3: Experiencing the Present Power of Resurrection
Jesus' declaration as the "Resurrection and the Life" is not just about future resurrection but a present reality. By believing in Him, we transcend the limitations of death, gaining a new perspective on life. This belief infuses our actions with eternal significance, freeing us from the fear of death. Jesus' resurrection power transforms our lives today, enabling us to live with purpose and hope. As we embrace this present power, we are called to reflect God's kingdom on earth, living not just for ourselves but for others. [14:15]
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: In what ways can you allow the present power of Jesus' resurrection to transform your daily actions and interactions with others?
Day 4: Living Abundantly Today
Jesus' resurrection power is not just a safety net for the afterlife but a source of abundant life now. By living for others and reflecting God's kingdom, we experience the fullness of life Jesus offers. This abundant life is characterized by love, service, and purpose, as we align our lives with God's will. Embracing this abundant life means living with intentionality, seeking to make a difference in the lives of those around us. As we live abundantly today, we anticipate the glory of eternity, knowing that our actions have eternal significance. [19:33]
John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Reflection: How can you intentionally live an abundant life today, focusing on serving others and reflecting God's kingdom in your daily actions?
Day 5: Embracing Hope Beyond the Grave
Jesus' resurrection assures us of a future where death is defeated, and life is restored in its fullness. This hope empowers us to live with purpose, anticipating the glory of eternity while embracing the life Jesus offers today. By holding onto this hope, we are encouraged to live with courage and faith, knowing that our future is secure in Christ. As we embrace this hope, we are called to share it with others, offering the assurance of life beyond the grave to a world in need of hope. [26:25]
1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."
Reflection: In what ways can you share the hope of Jesus' resurrection with those around you, offering them assurance and peace in the face of life's uncertainties?
Quotes
in the hurt and what you know is that this world is broken that's what funerals do they signify the world's not right something's wrong something's amiss you're disoriented we are made for life we're made for relationship we're made to connect with one another and when we go to a funeral we realize i'm not going to see this person anymore and so what it does is it just it's this reminder like this stinks this is awful and this doesn't feel right [00:01:57]
there's no consciousness I actually found out this is what Jehovah's Witnesses believes I was surprised by that they say they're Christian they see in Revelation 144 ,000 will be with God in the throne room and so they say for the lucky hundred and forty four thousand they get heaven for the rest of the billions of people who have walked this earth nothingness you go to sleep and you never experience anything I thought that was interesting but this isn't a new idea of nothingness it actually goes all the way back to Jesus time in the Bible there's a group of Jews called the Sadducees and the Sadducees had arguments with the Pharisees they too believed that after death there was no resurrection there was no life there was no consciousness [00:05:36]
the resurrection and the life the one who believes in me will live even though they die and whoever lives by believing in me will never die jesus makes really two really powerful statements here he says i am the resurrection and essentially i am the life and we have to tease them apart into two separate things because they have two incredibly different and powerful meanings the first when he says i am the resurrection he's saying i am the source of the resurrection power [00:14:15]
going to be a resurrection and all of God's saints are going to rise to new life and he's saying I am that power you see there was an incredible power of God on the very first day of all creation where God spoke and this creative act is that heaven and earth was formed and we know in the book of John Jesus was there everything that was formed was formed through him and nothing was formed apart from him but now Jesus is saying there's going to be a new creation there is this resurrection where everything is restored everything is fixed and I'm the one who brings that together [00:15:33]
But if there is life beyond the grave, if there's meaning beyond your life, your 89 to your 100 years here, if how you live and what you do yields rewards in heaven, if the way you pour into other people ultimately gives them an eternal future with God, where the angels are going to rejoice and sing and praise, then what you do today and the here and the now makes a huge difference for eternity. [00:17:06]
God's kingdom, we have the opportunity to usher it in, not in its fullest form, not to completion. We understand there's a lot of brokenness here, but we have the opportunity to bring light to the darkness around us when we follow Jesus. We have the opportunity to show people a way of living that they don't know and they don't understand, that is attractive, that they look at it and they think, I want that. Why is my life not like that? I want that joy. I want that peace. I want that contentment. [00:18:57]
And we only get that. If we understand that Jesus gives us life for today, we aren't meant to just be a bunch of somber, mourning Christians. Oh, my sin is so terrible. I'm an awful person. Beat myself up every single day to keep myself humble. Like we live in victory over sin, death, shame, so that we can experience the fullness of life that Jesus wants us to experience. And we can bring that to other people. Your life matters. Your life matters for today. [00:20:05]
with all these people who've been out to mourn and know that Lazarus has been dead for four days and now he's alive and yet some people's hearts were so hard they still couldn't see Jesus for who he was so Lazarus had the second chance at life but what it really ultimately points to like I said it's Jesus resurrection and what that it does is it shows us what our own resurrection is gonna look like you see when we read in the Gospels what happens after Jesus died on the cross and raised us to new life he's got a new resurrected body [00:22:22]
we were not made for death we've already covered that we know how it crept into our destiny as an intruder a snake in Genesis chapter 3 who brought sin and death into this world I love the final part and we know who has defeated it in 1st Corinthians 15 Paul writes Oh death where is your victory Oh death where is your sting those words can only be penned when you know that death is not the final word because the resurrection power gives you a hope for something better something beyond something that we need to dream about [00:30:27]
an excitement for the future we need to not just think like okay I know that when I die I go to heaven but we have to dream like God this is going to be incredible when I get there they're gonna be Africans and Asians white black red yellow they're all precious in his sight Jesus loves the little children of the world and we're gonna be singing together but it's gonna be more than a giant worship service we're gonna live a life on a restored earth [00:32:22]
God has a super abundance, right? We read about abundant life. His super abundance goes beyond the boundary of this life. It reaches to the next. As he tells us at the very end of that passage, those who believe in Jesus will never die. We have to understand when a person dies, guys, to most of the world, they say, that's a goodbye. Maybe I'll see you as a butterfly or a cardinal. But we as Christians understand it as a see you later. [00:33:37]
If you have never received this message I am telling you today, I encourage you, make the decision to put your faith and your trust in God. In Jesus, he explains what happens after death better than any of the other religions or belief systems of this world. And he's calling every single one of us to say, I believe and I'm gonna follow. [00:34:20]
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