Living in the Power of Christ's Resurrection
Summary
In today's gathering, we reflected on the profound significance of Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection. The essence of our faith is rooted in the shedding of His blood, which grants us the victory over sin and death. Without His sacrifice, we would be no different from those who have not received Him. The blood of Jesus is not just a symbol; it is the foundation of our salvation and the reason we can gather in His name. We celebrated His resurrection, acknowledging that He is alive in us, our church, and our community.
We were reminded of the story of the two Marys who went to the tomb, only to find it empty. The angels asked them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" This question challenges us to seek Jesus not in dead rituals or buildings, but in a living relationship with Him. Our faith is not confined to a physical space or tradition; it is a vibrant, personal connection with the risen Christ.
Jesus' resurrection signifies more than just an event in history; it is the power that enables us to live a transformed life. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us, empowering us to overcome life's challenges. We are called to live a resurrected life, not bound by circumstances but free in His victory.
The Holy Spirit, our Helper, is with us, guiding and teaching us. Jesus' ascension made way for the Spirit to dwell within us, ensuring we are never alone. This relationship with the Holy Spirit is crucial for our spiritual growth and understanding of God's will.
Finally, we were encouraged to embrace the new life Jesus offers. Salvation is not just a ticket to heaven but a call to live differently, reflecting the righteousness of God. We are invited to let go of the old and embrace the new, allowing His peace and presence to transform us daily.
Key Takeaways:
- The blood of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, providing the victory over sin and death. It is not merely a symbol but the very reason we can stand as overcomers today. [45:07]
- Seeking Jesus in dead rituals or buildings misses the essence of a living relationship with Him. Our faith is about a vibrant connection with the risen Christ, not confined to physical spaces. [50:59]
- The resurrection power of Jesus is alive in us through the Holy Spirit. This power enables us to live a transformed life, overcoming life's challenges and living in His victory. [54:10]
- The Holy Spirit, our Helper, is with us, guiding and teaching us. Jesus' ascension made way for the Spirit to dwell within us, ensuring we are never alone. [01:01:11]
- Salvation is a call to live a new life, reflecting the righteousness of God. We are invited to let go of the old and embrace the new, allowing His peace and presence to transform us daily. [01:07:26]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - The Power of Jesus' Blood
- [02:00] - Celebrating the Risen King
- [04:00] - Acknowledging Our Imperfections
- [06:00] - Offering and Prayer
- [10:00] - The Empty Tomb
- [12:00] - Seeking the Living Among the Dead
- [15:00] - The Role of the Church
- [18:00] - The Presence of the Holy Spirit
- [22:00] - Jesus' Sacrifice and Our Peace
- [26:00] - Living a Resurrected Life
- [30:00] - The Simplicity of Salvation
- [34:00] - Embracing New Life in Christ
- [38:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
- [42:00] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 6:9-11
2. John 16:7
3. Isaiah 53:3-5
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Romans 6:9-11 say about the power of Jesus' resurrection and its impact on death? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on living a resurrected life? [01:05:06]
2. In John 16:7, Jesus mentions the advantage of His departure. What is this advantage, and how does it connect to the role of the Holy Spirit as discussed in the sermon? [54:10]
3. Isaiah 53:3-5 describes the suffering of Jesus. How does the sermon explain the significance of these sufferings for our peace and healing? [01:01:11]
4. The sermon mentions the story of the two Marys at the tomb. What was the significance of the angels' question, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" and how does it challenge our understanding of where to find Jesus? [45:07]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of Jesus' blood being the cornerstone of our faith challenge or affirm your understanding of salvation? [45:07]
2. The sermon suggests that seeking Jesus in "dead rituals" misses the essence of a living relationship with Him. What might be some examples of these "dead rituals," and how can they be transformed into vibrant expressions of faith? [50:59]
3. In what ways does the Holy Spirit empower believers to live a transformed life, according to the sermon and John 16:7? How does this empowerment manifest in daily life? [54:10]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of embracing the new life Jesus offers. How does this new life differ from simply having a "ticket to heaven"? [01:07:26]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with Jesus. Are there any "dead rituals" or traditions you rely on that might be hindering a vibrant connection with Him? How can you shift your focus to a living relationship? [50:59]
2. The sermon highlights the role of the Holy Spirit as our Helper. In what areas of your life do you need guidance or teaching from the Holy Spirit? How can you invite His presence more intentionally? [54:10]
3. Consider the idea of living a resurrected life. What specific challenges are you facing that require the resurrection power of Jesus to overcome? How can you rely on this power in practical ways? [01:05:06]
4. The sermon encourages believers to let go of the old and embrace the new life in Christ. Identify one "old" habit or mindset you need to release. What steps can you take this week to embrace the new life Jesus offers? [01:07:26]
5. How does the understanding that Jesus' sacrifice was for our peace change your approach to stress and anxiety? What practical steps can you take to experience His peace more fully in your daily life? [01:01:11]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of community in experiencing Jesus' presence. How can you contribute to creating a community that facilitates a deeper relationship with Christ for yourself and others? [50:59]
7. Reflect on the statement, "Because He lives, I am free from paying my debt of sin." How does this truth impact your view of forgiveness and grace? How can you extend this grace to others in your life? [01:05:06]
Devotional
Day 1: The Blood of Jesus as Our Foundation
The blood of Jesus is not merely a symbol; it is the cornerstone of our faith, providing victory over sin and death. This victory is not just a theological concept but a living reality that empowers believers to stand as overcomers. The shedding of His blood signifies the ultimate sacrifice, a divine exchange that grants us freedom and redemption. Without this sacrifice, we would remain bound by sin, unable to experience the fullness of life that God intends for us. The blood of Jesus is the reason we can gather in His name, confident in the salvation it provides. [45:07]
Hebrews 9:14 (ESV): "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively acknowledge the power of Jesus' blood in your daily life, especially when facing challenges or temptations?
Day 2: Seeking a Living Relationship with Christ
Our faith is not confined to physical spaces or traditions; it is about a vibrant, personal connection with the risen Christ. The story of the two Marys at the empty tomb reminds us to seek Jesus not in dead rituals or buildings but in a living relationship with Him. This relationship is dynamic and transformative, inviting us to experience His presence in every aspect of our lives. By focusing on a living relationship with Christ, we move beyond mere religious practices and embrace a faith that is alive and active. [50:59]
Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper, more personal relationship with Jesus today, beyond the confines of traditional practices?
Day 3: Living in the Resurrection Power
The resurrection of Jesus is more than a historical event; it is the power that enables us to live transformed lives. This resurrection power is alive in us through the Holy Spirit, empowering us to overcome life's challenges and live in His victory. As believers, we are called to live a resurrected life, not bound by circumstances but free in His victory. This means embracing the new life Jesus offers, allowing His Spirit to guide and transform us daily. [54:10]
Ephesians 1:19-20 (ESV): "And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to experience the resurrection power of Jesus? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in that area today?
Day 4: The Holy Spirit as Our Guide
The Holy Spirit, our Helper, is with us, guiding and teaching us. Jesus' ascension made way for the Spirit to dwell within us, ensuring we are never alone. This relationship with the Holy Spirit is crucial for our spiritual growth and understanding of God's will. The Spirit empowers us to live according to God's purposes, providing wisdom and strength in our daily walk. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence and peace. [01:01:11]
John 14:26 (ESV): "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
Reflection: How can you become more attuned to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your daily decisions and actions?
Day 5: Embracing New Life in Christ
Salvation is not just a ticket to heaven but a call to live differently, reflecting the righteousness of God. We are invited to let go of the old and embrace the new, allowing His peace and presence to transform us daily. This transformation is an ongoing process, requiring us to continually surrender to His will and seek His guidance. By embracing the new life Jesus offers, we can experience the fullness of His peace and presence, living as true reflections of His love and righteousness. [01:07:26]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: What is one old habit or mindset you need to let go of to fully embrace the new life in Christ? How can you take a step towards this transformation today?
Quotes
``"Why are you looking for something that's alive in a dead place? And then they said, he's not here, but he is risen, right? He's not here. And that's pretty famous. We all pretty much know that series of scriptures. But think about the thought and the process behind that where Mary, or the two Marys and the disciples and all the people that had surrounded and part of Jesus' earthly ministry, and they had all these high hopes. They had all these dreams." [00:45:28] (29 seconds)
"But then when they get there, the angels are saying, why are you looking for something alive in a dead place? You know, people are always looking for Jesus in dead things, dead religion. You know, people are always looking for Jesus in a building. Now, we have to have a building to meet here this morning, but how many of you know that this building is a dead thing? It's not alive. What part of this building is alive is me and you." [00:47:05] (29 seconds)
"People are always looking for Jesus in a dead thing. They're looking for Jesus in statues to worship and programs to worship, denominations to worship, rituals and religions to worship. And those things mean nothing if it's not because Jesus is alive and we're worshiping him, right? All those things are used to facilitate a relationship towards God and for people to have a relationship together. They're not the thing that is alive, right? It's not the thing that's alive." [00:47:26] (33 seconds)
"But you know, sometimes if something like that happened, a lot of people say, well, I guess we just can't have church this morning. I guess we just can't go worship Jesus this morning. No, no, you're looking for someone who is alive in something that is dead. That's not what helps us to worship. It's not what causes us to be able to, but it is just something that we use to facilitate our relationship with Jesus and our relationship with each other. Amen?" [00:48:10] (26 seconds)
"So we're not coming to look for someone who is alive and something is dead. You can find Jesus anywhere you're at, any time that you're at that place, right? But we choose to come today and we choose to come on Sundays and Wednesdays because we just all need to know a time that the doors are going to be open and we're going to be here. But this isn't the place where we, the sum total of the place where we experience Jesus and we, and we develop a relationship with Jesus." [00:48:35] (27 seconds)
"But if we're growing and we're building that relationship with Jesus everywhere that we go and all that we do, and then we bring that facilitated relationship that we've been getting on our own into a place where other people have done that, you know what the Bible says? It said, where two or more are gathered, there he is also. Right? There his presence is also. That's what's so important about church is that when you, you can experience Jesus anywhere, you can speak to Jesus anywhere, you can, you can learn from him, you can experience his presence." [00:49:34] (28 seconds)
"Those songs that we sing, they're great and they're fine, but I'm not going to worship those songs. I'm going to use those songs to facilitate my worship to him. Amen. And it don't matter if we're singing amazing grace. It doesn't matter if we're singing what can wash away my sin. It doesn't matter if we're singing something new or something old. It's a vehicle to facilitate my worship to him. And if I'm not worshiping him with it and I'm worshiping it more than I am worshiping him, then I'm just looking for Jesus in a dead thing." [00:50:14] (28 seconds)
"If I'm worshiping the name on the outside of the church more than I'm worshiping him, I'm worshiping a dead thing. It's just something to facilitate a relationship with him and with us together. Amen. He's not here. Here he is risen, right? So, if he wasn't there, where was he at? Acts 7, 48 says this, Howbeit the Most High dwelt not in temples made with hands, as saith the prophet. Verse 49 says, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool. What house will you build me, saith the Lord?" [00:51:01] (36 seconds)
"You know, Jesus, he won't live inside our religious boxes. And that was something that got popular to preach on several years ago. But it's not that it's any less true just because a lot of people have preached on. But he's not going to live inside our religious boxes. When he broke out of the tomb that humanity placed him in, he hung around for a few days. But then he ascended and forever is seated at the right hand of God until God commands him to come back and rapture the church. Amen." [00:51:22] (29 seconds)
"But the disciples were pretty sad about that because they're like, well, how are we going to do this without Jesus? He was our leader. He was the one that was demonstrating all these things. How many know he didn't leave us alone? He ascended into heaven after he was resurrected, and he was seated at the right hand of the Father. But he didn't leave us alone. John 16, 7. This is Jesus. He says, nevertheless, I tell you the truth. Now, I don't know about you, but I've sat in front of a lot of people that have said, now, I'm telling you the truth." [00:51:49] (31 seconds)
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