Living as a Resurrection People: Embracing Transformation
Summary
In this season of Easter, as the world around us bursts into new life, we are invited to meditate deeply on what it means to be a resurrection people—those who are fundamentally changed by the truth that death does not have the final say. Resurrection is not just a historical event or a theological idea to be agreed with; it is a living reality that calls us to transformation, both individually and as a community. The early church, especially as seen in the letter of James, grappled with what it meant to live out this resurrection in the midst of empire, oppression, and a world obsessed with hierarchy and domination.
James, a letter written to a community under pressure, offers us a vision of resurrection wisdom—a way of living that is rooted in wholeness, healing, and solidarity. This wisdom stands in stark contrast to the logic of the world, which prizes self-sufficiency, power-hoarding, and wealth as security. Instead, resurrection wisdom calls us to interdependence, mutual submission, and generosity. It challenges us to lay down the false promises of worldly success and to embrace the abundance and mercy of God, who gives without keeping score.
Trials and struggles are not signs of God’s displeasure or tests sent to break us, but opportunities to build endurance, solidarity, and deeper relationship. In the face of suffering, we are called to approach life with joy and hope, trusting that God is present and pouring out good gifts upon us. Asking God for wisdom is an act of faith—a belief that a better way is possible, that transformation is real, and that we are not alone in this journey.
James warns us that clinging to the ways of domination, wealth, and self-sufficiency will only keep us tied to systems of death. Instead, we are invited to participate in the kingdom of God, where abundance is found in community, where power is shared, and where our worth is not measured by status or possessions. Baptism, as we celebrated today, is a living sign of this new reality: dying to the ways of the world and rising into the life of the kingdom, marked by love, liberation, and connection.
As we move through this season, let us recommit ourselves to living out resurrection wisdom—asking God daily for the courage to believe, the humility to be transformed, and the faith to build a world where all are made whole.
Key Takeaways
- Resurrection is not just a belief, but a call to transformation. Closeness to the resurrection compels us to live differently, shaping our minds, hearts, and relationships. It is not enough to intellectually agree with the resurrection; we are called to embody its reality in our daily lives, letting it disrupt the patterns of domination and death that surround us. [23:57]
- Trials and suffering are not orchestrated by God, but are opportunities for growth and solidarity. James teaches that endurance and maturity are forged in the struggle, not in comfort. Rather than seeking to avoid discomfort at all costs, we are invited to find joy and hope in the midst of difficulty, trusting that God is present and that solidarity is built in the struggle. [37:29]
- Resurrection wisdom stands in contrast to the logic of empire and worldly success. The world teaches self-sufficiency, power-hoarding, and wealth as security, but the wisdom of the kingdom is rooted in interdependence, mutual submission, and generosity. True flourishing comes not from climbing the ladder, but from dismantling it together and trusting in God’s abundance. [55:53]
- Asking God for wisdom requires faith in the possibility of transformation. Doubt is not condemned, but when we ask for wisdom, we must be open to the reality that God can and will lead us into a better way. If we cling to the old patterns of domination and self-reliance, we block the flow of resurrection wisdom; faith means letting go and trusting in God’s goodness and the community God is building. [41:31]
- Baptism is a sign of dying to the world’s ways and rising into the life of the kingdom. It is not a transaction to earn God’s favor, but a celebration of our adoption into God’s family and a commitment to live out the values of love, liberation, and mutual care. Each time we remember our baptism, we are invited to recommit ourselves to the work of building a community where resurrection is real and empire does not have the final say. [01:26:41]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[20:42] - Living as Resurrection People
[23:57] - Closeness to Resurrection: Belief vs. Transformation
[25:07] - The Letter of James: Context and Relevance
[27:04] - How Early Christians Received Scripture
[28:26] - Engaging James as a Community
[30:57] - James’ Core Themes: Resurrection Wisdom
[32:19] - Six Themes in James
[34:12] - The Power of Words and Community
[37:29] - Trials, Endurance, and Joy
[39:13] - Laying Down Comfort and Embracing Struggle
[41:31] - Asking for Wisdom and the Challenge of Doubt
[43:37] - Wealth, Status, and the Kingdom
[46:39] - Temptation, Sin, and the Gifts of God
[51:23] - Resurrection Wisdom vs. Worldly Wisdom
[55:53] - Self-Sufficiency vs. Interdependence
[58:41] - Mutual Submission and Service
[01:17:47] - Baptism: Dying and Rising with Christ
[01:26:41] - Remembering Our Baptism and Living the Commitment
[01:32:05] - Community Announcements and Giving
[01:39:44] - Membership and Community Involvement
[01:41:13] - May Day, People’s Agenda, and Opportunities to Serve
[01:44:46] - Closing and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living as Resurrection People (James 1 & 3)
---
### Bible Reading
- James 1:2-8, 9-18
(Trials, wisdom, and the difference between God’s gifts and worldly temptations)
- James 3:13-18
(Resurrection wisdom vs. worldly wisdom)
---
### Observation Questions
1. According to James, what is the purpose of trials and tests in the life of a believer?
[[34:12]]
2. How does James describe the way God gives wisdom to those who ask?
[[40:02]]
3. What are some characteristics of “wisdom from above” as listed in James 3?
[[51:23]]
4. In the sermon, what are some examples given of the “wisdom of the world” versus “resurrection wisdom”?
[[54:26]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says, “Trials and struggles are not signs of God’s displeasure or tests sent to break us, but opportunities to build endurance, solidarity, and deeper relationship.” How does this perspective change the way someone might view their own suffering?
[[37:29]]
2. James warns that clinging to wealth and self-sufficiency keeps us tied to “systems of death.” What does it mean to “dismantle the ladder together” instead of climbing it?
[[55:53]]
3. The sermon describes asking God for wisdom as an act of faith, but also says doubt is not condemned. How can someone hold both faith and doubt when seeking God’s guidance?
[[41:31]]
4. Baptism is described as “dying to the world’s ways and rising into the life of the kingdom.” What does it look like to live out this reality in daily life?
[[01:26:41]]
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to see resurrection not just as a belief, but as a call to transformation. Is there an area of your life where you feel called to live differently because of the resurrection? What would it look like to take a first step?
[[23:57]]
2. When facing trials or suffering, do you tend to see them as punishments, random events, or opportunities for growth? How might you practice “joy and hope in the midst of difficulty” this week?
[[37:29]]
3. The “wisdom of the world” values self-sufficiency, power, and wealth. In what ways do you notice these values shaping your decisions or relationships? What would it look like to choose interdependence or generosity instead?
[[54:26]]
4. The sermon says, “If you want to be transformed by the wisdom of the kingdom…ask God daily for the courage to believe, the humility to be transformed, and the faith to build a world where all are made whole.” What is one specific prayer you could pray this week to ask for resurrection wisdom?
[[54:26]]
5. Baptism is described as a celebration of our adoption into God’s family and a commitment to love, liberation, and mutual care. How can you remember or live out your baptismal identity this week—at home, at work, or in your community?
[[01:26:41]]
6. The sermon talks about “mutual submission and service” as a mark of resurrection wisdom. Is there a relationship in your life where you could practice more humility, service, or mutual care? What would that look like?
[[58:41]]
7. The early church read James together as a community. Is there someone you could invite to read or discuss James with you this week? How might this help you experience “resurrection wisdom” in community?
[[28:26]]
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God for the courage to live as resurrection people, for wisdom in your trials, and for the grace to build a community marked by love, generosity, and hope.
Devotional
Day 1: Resurrection Wisdom: Living Wholeness in a Divided World
Resurrection wisdom calls us to orient our lives toward healing and wholeness, even in a world bent on violence, division, and harm. Instead of seeking comfort or avoiding struggle, we are invited to see trials as opportunities for growth, endurance, and deeper solidarity with one another. This wisdom is not about passively accepting suffering, but about actively seeking God’s guidance and expecting transformation in ourselves and our communities. When we ask God for wisdom, we do so with the hope that a better way is possible, trusting that God gives generously and without keeping score. [37:29]
James 1:2-8 (Common English Bible)
"2 My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. 3 After all, you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 Let this endurance complete its work so that you may be fully mature, complete, and lacking in nothing. 5 But anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a second thought, without keeping score. Wisdom will certainly be given to those who ask. 6 Whoever asks shouldn’t hesitate. They should ask in faith, without doubting. Whoever doubts is like the surf of the sea, tossed and turned by the wind. 7 People like that should never imagine that they will receive anything from the Lord. 8 They are double-minded, unstable in all their ways."
Reflection: Where in your life are you facing struggle or discomfort, and how might you invite God’s wisdom to help you see this as an opportunity for growth and deeper connection with others?
Day 2: Faith That Transforms: Beyond Belief to Action
Faith is not just a set of beliefs or a box to check; it is a living, active force that transforms how we live, make decisions, and relate to others. The wisdom of resurrection compels us to move from distant agreement to close, embodied action—changing our relationships, our communities, and the world around us. True faith is seen in how we live out the teachings of Jesus, not just in what we say we believe. When faith is alive, it calls us to participate in building God’s kingdom here and now, making heaven present on earth through our choices and actions. [23:57]
James 2:14-17 (Common English Bible)
"14 My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? 15 Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. 16 What if one of you said, ‘Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!’? What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? 17 In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity."
Reflection: What is one concrete way you can put your faith into action today, making the resurrection real in your daily life?
Day 3: God’s Kingdom: No Favorites, Only Mutuality
In God’s kingdom, there are no favorites—no hierarchies of worth, status, or privilege. The wisdom of the world tells us to seek power, wealth, and reputation, but resurrection wisdom levels the playing field, calling us into mutual submission, service, and generosity. We are invited to lay down the false security of wealth and status, and instead embrace interdependence, humility, and the abundance that comes from community. In this way, we dismantle the ladders of domination and build a world where everyone is lifted up and no one is left behind. [45:21]
James 1:9-11 (Common English Bible)
"9 Brothers and sisters who are poor should find satisfaction in their high status. 10 Those who are wealthy should find satisfaction in their low status, because they will die off like wildflowers. 11 The sun rises with its scorching heat and dries up the grass so that its flowers fall and its beauty is lost. Just like that, in the midst of their daily lives, the wealthy will waste away."
Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to hold onto status, wealth, or privilege, and how might you practice generosity and mutuality with others today?
Day 4: Speaking Life: The Power of Words in Resurrection Living
Our words have the power to build up or tear down, to sow seeds of justice or perpetuate harm. Resurrection wisdom calls us to speak life into the world—to use our language, speech, and actions to create peace, mercy, and justice. The wisdom from above is pure, peaceful, gentle, and full of good actions. When we choose to speak and act from this place, we participate in God’s work of making all things new, and we help create communities where everyone can flourish. [51:23]
James 3:13-18 (Common English Bible)
"13 Are any of you wise and understanding? Show that your actions are good with a humble lifestyle that comes from wisdom. 14 However, if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, then stop bragging and living in ways that deny the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above. Instead, it is from the earth, natural and demonic. 16 Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and everything that is evil. 17 What of the wisdom from above? First, it is pure, and then peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good actions, fair and genuine. 18 Those who make peace sow the seeds of justice by their peaceful acts."
Reflection: How can you use your words today to speak life, encouragement, and justice into your relationships and community?
Day 5: Rituals of Resurrection: Living Out Our Baptismal Commitments
Rituals like baptism are not mere traditions or transactions; they are gifts that root us in the patterns of resurrection living. Through baptism, we die to the ways of the world—domination, greed, and self-sufficiency—and rise into new life as beloved members of God’s family, committed to love, liberation, and solidarity. Each day, we are invited to remember and renew these commitments, letting God’s abundant grace wash over us and empower us to live as Easter people—alive, connected, and transformed by love. [01:28:41]
Romans 6:3-4 (ESV)
"3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Reflection: As you encounter water today—whether in a shower, washing your hands, or seeing rain—pause to remember your baptismal calling: What is one way you can recommit to living out love, liberation, and solidarity in your community?
Quotes
The wisdom of the world calls for the hoarding of power. Climb the ladder. Dominate before you're dominated is essentially the strategy. It's a very terrified logic. Hoard power. Get what you can so that no one else can have power over you. But the kingdom says that is a losing game. [00:57:21] (24 seconds)
Your words matter. You can either build a new world with your words, with your language, with your speech, or you can burn it down. And resurrection calls us to speak life into the world. [00:35:21] (15 seconds)
James says, resurrection isn't about belief and it's not about earning your way into heaven, it is about living heaven into earth. It is about participating in the teachings of Jesus that say the heavens are coming to earth. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. I'm a part of that. [00:31:21] (17 seconds)
Closeness to the cross. Closeness to Jesus. Closeness to resurrection. Closeness to communities of resurrection. Means that we don't just believe, we are absolutely changed, transformed, called into a new way of being together. Together. [00:24:40] (20 seconds)
God's wisdom is not self -sufficiency. It's God dependence, it is a humility that is honest about our own limitations, and it is actually a leaning into interdependence that allows for collective flourishing. [00:55:06] (20 seconds)
The way of the kingdom is abundance it is trust it is understanding that when the first are last and the last are first it is because the whole playing field has been leveled and there is no more ladder we can only do that by dismantling the ladder together and we can only do that if we believe it is possible. [01:03:40] (22 seconds)
The love of God should transform us. We should be submitting to a new kind of logic, a new way of life that brings us into fundamentally different relationship with the world. And if our faith isn't doing that, it's sort of, it's sort of dead on arrival in our spirits. [00:34:37] (17 seconds)
Across the book of James, James is calling out the world's wisdom as strategies for survival in a dying system. It's like trying to live in a graveyard. But we know, we know, Easter people know that the grave is not the end. [00:54:08] (18 seconds)
We build solidarity in the struggle. We build endurance in the trials. The things that are tough can be a place for us to grow. And so do your best to come at it with a spirit of openness, a spirit of hope, a spirit of expectation that God will increase in you your capacity and your community's capacity to be kingdom people. [00:38:42] (24 seconds)
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