Living in the Power of the Resurrection

Devotional

Day 1: Resurrection: Our Living Hope

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christian faith, providing believers with an unshakeable hope that transcends all earthly challenges. This hope is not rooted in a bygone event but is a vibrant reality that shapes every aspect of a believer's life. It is the assurance that, no matter the trials faced, there is a future that outshines the present, a life beyond death, and a joy that cannot be quelled by temporary struggles. This hope is a cause for celebration, a reason to approach each day with confidence, knowing that the victory over death has been won and that it holds personal significance for each individual.

The resurrection is a testament to the fact that love has triumphed over the grave, and it invites believers to live in the light of this truth. It is not merely a doctrine to be acknowledged but a transformative power to be experienced. It is the reason to face life with boldness, to pray with conviction, and to trust in the active presence of a Savior who is intimately involved in the lives of His followers.

[17:35]

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (ESV)
"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has also come the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."

Reflection: How does the reality of Jesus' resurrection shape your perspective on the difficulties you are currently facing?

Day 2: Unity: The Gift of Oneness

True unity within the church is a divine gift, birthed from the sacrifice of Jesus and sustained by His presence among His people. This unity is not characterized by uniformity or the absence of disagreements but by a shared commitment to the gospel and a mutual love that reflects Christ's love for the church. It is a unity that requires effort to maintain, calling believers to confront sins such as gossip, to pursue holiness, and to engage in difficult conversations that are anchored in the truth of the gospel.

This unity is not something believers create; it is something they receive and then work to preserve. It is a unity that is tested by diversity and strengthened through the shared experience of God's grace. It is a unity that compels believers to look beyond their own preferences and to embrace the beauty of God's varied family, striving together to reflect the unity of the Godhead in their relationships with one another.

[01:20:44]

Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV)
"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to maintaining the unity of your church community, especially when facing disagreements or conflicts?

Day 3: Diversity: Embracing God's Family

Community groups within the church serve as a microcosm of God's diverse family, bringing together individuals from various backgrounds to experience the fullness of church life. These groups are not just social gatherings but are integral to the spiritual growth of believers, challenging them to love beyond their comfort zones and to grow in their understanding of the breadth and depth of God's love. In these settings, believers are encouraged to engage with those who are different from them, fostering a deeper appreciation for the diversity within the body of Christ.

Participation in community groups is a practical expression of faith, where the teachings of Jesus are lived out in real and tangible ways. It is in these groups that believers learn to bear one another's burdens, to celebrate each other's victories, and to walk together in the pursuit of holiness. They are a place where the unity of the church is nurtured, where love is put into action, and where the gospel is made visible in the lives of God's people.

[01:23:01]

Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Reflection: How can you actively engage in your community group to foster a deeper sense of belonging and to support the spiritual growth of its members?

Day 4: Service: The Cost of Love

Christian love is exemplified by service that is costly, mirroring the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. This service is not about convenience or comfort but about giving of oneself for the benefit of others. It is a tangible expression of love that may require time, resources, or personal sacrifice. Through acts of service, believers demonstrate the love of Christ to those within the church and to the broader community, as seen in initiatives like "Do Good Friday."

Such service is a reflection of the gospel, which calls believers to love not in word or talk but in deed and in truth. It is through these acts of service that the church becomes a beacon of hope and a testament to the transformative power of Christ's love. It is a love that is not self-seeking but is poured out for the good of others, following the example of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve.

[01:24:00]

1 John 3:18 (ESV)
"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

Reflection: What is one way you can serve someone in your community this week, even if it requires a sacrifice on your part?

Day 5: Commitment: All In with Jesus

The confidence of a believer's relationship with God is bolstered by a wholehearted commitment to Jesus Christ. A lukewarm or half-hearted approach to faith leads to doubt and insecurity, but fully trusting in the victory of Christ's resurrection allows believers to live with assurance and boldness. This commitment means going all in with Jesus, surrendering every area of life to His lordship and allowing the gospel to motivate and move one to action.

This level of commitment is what empowers believers to respond to the gospel with more than just intellectual assent; it calls for a life that is transformed by the truth of the resurrection. It is a commitment that is visible in worship, in communion, and in giving, reflecting a heart that is fully aligned with the purposes of God and a life that is lived in the light of eternity.

[01:17:40]

Hebrews 10:22 (ESV)
"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Sermon Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the transformative power of the resurrection of Jesus and its implications for our lives as believers. We began by acknowledging the diversity within our congregation and the shared joy that should erupt whenever we mention Jesus' resurrection. This victory over death is not just a historical event; it's a present reality that impacts our daily lives, offering us hope and a future beyond our current struggles.

We delved into the importance of knowing that Jesus sees us, loves us, and wants us, regardless of our past or present circumstances. This truth is grounded in the reality of His resurrection, which assures us that we are not praying to an abstract deity but to a living Savior who is actively involved in our lives.

We also discussed the practical aspects of loving one another within the church. We emphasized that unity in the family of God is not something we create but a gift from God through the blood of Jesus. Our responsibility is to maintain this unity, which sometimes involves confronting and killing gossip, pursuing holiness, and having difficult conversations that lead us back to the path of the gospel.

Community groups were highlighted as essential for fostering unity and love among believers from diverse backgrounds. We encouraged participation in these groups as a means of living out our faith in practical ways.

Furthermore, we talked about serving each other in costly ways, exemplified by our upcoming "Do Good Friday" event, where we will serve our community and share the gospel. This kind of service requires sacrifice and may cost us time, money, or comfort, but it is a tangible expression of our love for others and obedience to Christ.

We concluded by praying for the courage to be obedient to God's word and to let the gospel motivate and move us to action. We affirmed that every time the gospel is preached, it demands a response, which we facilitate through worship, communion, and giving.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does 1 John 3:11-12 say about the message we have heard from the beginning? How does it relate to the story of Cain and Abel? ([43:05])
According to 1 John 3:16, how do we know what love is? What example is given? ([59:33])
What does 1 John 3:17-18 say about how we should love one another? What actions are emphasized? ([01:06:23])
In the sermon, what practical steps were mentioned for maintaining unity within the church? ([01:20:00])

Interpretation Questions

Why does John use the example of Cain and Abel to illustrate his point about love and hatred? How does this story help us understand the seriousness of harboring hatred? ([46:01])
How does the sacrificial love of Jesus, as described in 1 John 3:16, set a standard for how we should love others? What does this imply about the nature of true Christian love? ([01:00:02])
What does it mean to love "in deed and in truth" according to 1 John 3:18? How does this differ from merely loving "in word or talk"? ([01:06:38])
The sermon mentioned that unity is a gift from God that we must actively maintain. What are some specific ways we can work to maintain this unity in our church community? ([01:20:00])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt bitterness or resentment towards someone. How did it affect your relationship with them and with God? What steps can you take to address and resolve these feelings? ([47:04])
Jesus' sacrificial love is the ultimate example of how we should love others. What are some practical ways you can demonstrate sacrificial love in your daily life, especially towards those who are difficult to love? ([01:00:02])
The sermon emphasized the importance of serving one another in costly ways. Identify a specific need within your church or community that you can meet, even if it requires a personal sacrifice. How will you commit to this act of service? ([01:07:06])
Gossip can be a significant barrier to unity within the church. Have you ever been involved in or affected by gossip? What steps can you take to actively kill gossip and promote a culture of honesty and love? ([01:20:44])
Community groups were highlighted as essential for fostering unity and love among believers. Are you currently involved in a community group? If not, what steps can you take to join one? If you are, how can you contribute to making it a place of genuine love and support? ([01:23:01])
The sermon mentioned the upcoming "Do Good Friday" event as an opportunity for costly service. How can you prepare to participate in this event, and what sacrifices might it require from you? ([01:24:00])
Reflect on your current level of commitment to your faith. Are there areas where you are holding back? What steps can you take to go "all in" with Jesus and live with greater confidence and boldness in your faith journey? ([01:17:40])

Sermon Clips

"Don't be surprised when you follow Jesus if you end up having to break up with a boyfriend or a girlfriend. Don't be surprised when you follow Jesus if all of a sudden people who are really close to you don't relate to you in the same way." [51:15] (Download clip | Download cropped clip | Download captioned clip)

"Loving others is the evidence that the gospel has changed your heart. It is hard and I love that he says if you love the brothers and that might be a little confusing because you're like It's always about the men or the brothers you know what is that me hey brother you know like what is that what does that mean." [54:35] ( | | )

"We got to pursue holiness together, church. Sometimes that means having hard conversations with each other, go, man, the way you're living is not the way of the gospel. And we got to be willing to accept that correction." [01:23:01] (Download clip | Download cropped clip | )

"Each other. So I want to encourage you, in a couple of weeks, we're going to have what's called Do Good Friday. We're on Good Friday, we're asking everybody in our church to take the day off of work. Take the day off of classes, do it in advance, and come out and serve our community with us." [01:24:00] ( | | )

"Notice he says, you don't know that you're a Christian because the Holy Spirit lives inside of you. And is reminding you daily that you belong to him. That you are his. So guys, today we've talked about loving each other. We've talked about serving each other." [01:19:49] ( | | )

"We are called to love one another. All right let's dive into God's word. We're going to see where that comes from. First John chapter three have i told you guys what verse yet. All right pick one i'm skin let's do verse 11." [42:33] ( | | )

"Because unity is not something we create. It was a gift given to us by God. We're already unified through the blood of Jesus. There's nothing greater to unify us. So our job is to keep it. To fight for it, to maintain it." [01:20:44] (Download clip | Download cropped clip | )

"Guys a follower of Jesus that's what we do. You can't follow Jesus and not give up your life for him and for his family. You can't it's literally impossible because you know where he's going. He's going to the hill of Calvary to be crucified." [01:01:21] ( | | )

"Jesus we want to praise you. So just all over this room with your head bowed. Let's just spend some time celebrating and praising Jesus this morning. And you're going to go ahead and give Him the victory for it." [19:29] ( | | )

"Because John isn't the first one to say it. Actually Jesus I want his sermon on the mountain he said to hate someone is the same thing as to murder someone in your heart. And he raises the bar and says some of you guys are walking around going out I don't you know I haven't murdered anybody." [56:33] ( | | )

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