Living in the Power of the Resurrection

 

Summary

Today, we celebrated the power of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, a cornerstone of our faith that empowers every single day. The Resurrection is not just an event to be acknowledged once a year; it is the very essence of our daily walk with Christ. It is the truth that Jesus is alive, and because He lives, we too can live fully, both now and eternally.

In my sermon, I emphasized the significance of the Resurrection as it was preached by Peter and Paul. Peter's first sermon hinged on the Resurrection, boldly proclaiming that though humanity put Jesus to death, God raised Him from the grave. It was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him. Similarly, Paul's life was transformed by an encounter with the risen Christ, and he dedicated his ministry to preaching the Resurrection, even standing trial for his unwavering belief in it.

I shared three critical aspects of the Resurrection: what it reveals, what it assures, and what we can anticipate. The Resurrection reveals the truth of Jesus' words. He prophesied His death and Resurrection, and when He rose, it confirmed His trustworthiness. It assures us of the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus' perfect sacrifice means that we are reconciled with God, and our sins are forgiven. Lastly, the Resurrection allows us to anticipate the restoration of God's kingdom, a new heaven and a new earth where we will live in peace and fellowship with our Lord.

As we live in the reality of the Resurrection, we must embrace the forgiveness of our sins, assured by the empty tomb. We are called to live under the power of the Holy Spirit, loving those we cannot love on our own and finding joy in the midst of trials. The Resurrection empowers us to live victoriously, not in guilt or defeat.

In closing, I encouraged the congregation to greet one another with the affirmation of our risen Lord, saying, "He is risen," and responding with, "He is risen indeed." This simple yet profound exchange reminds us of the hope and victory we have in Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a historical event but the foundation of our faith that should influence our daily lives. It is the assurance that our Savior lives, and because He lives, we can face our days with confidence and hope. The Resurrection is a testament to the truth of Jesus' words and the fulfillment of prophecy, confirming that He is trustworthy and His teachings are reliable.

- Forgiveness is a gift that has been assured to us through the Resurrection. As we have been forgiven through Christ's perfect sacrifice, we must also extend that forgiveness to others. Living in the reality of this forgiveness means we no longer have to dwell in guilt or shame but can walk in the freedom of God's grace and love.

- The Resurrection anticipates the ultimate restoration of all things. It gives us a glimpse of the future glory that awaits us—a new heaven and a new earth where sin and death are no more. This hope enables us to endure present sufferings with the knowledge that they are temporary and that eternal joy is on the horizon.

- Living in the power of the Resurrection means allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us, transforming us into the likeness of Christ. It is through His Spirit that we can love the unlovable, find joy in trials, and live a life that reflects the victory we have in Jesus.

- The Resurrection empowers us to live each day with purpose and intentionality. As we remember that Christ has risen, we are called to live out that reality in our interactions, our decisions, and our very being. Let the truth of the Resurrection shape your life and be the source of your strength and joy.

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 2:23-24 - "This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him."
2. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 - "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
3. Romans 8:11 - "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Acts 2:23-24 reveal about the power of the Resurrection and its significance in Peter's first sermon? [52:00]
2. According to 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, what victory does the Resurrection provide for believers? [59:00]
3. How does Romans 8:11 describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer in relation to the Resurrection? [01:09:32]
4. What were the three critical aspects of the Resurrection mentioned in the sermon? [56:03]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Resurrection confirm the trustworthiness of Jesus' words and prophecies? [57:00]
2. In what ways does the Resurrection assure believers of the forgiveness of their sins? [01:00:03]
3. How does the hope of the ultimate restoration of God's kingdom, as mentioned in the sermon, influence a believer's perspective on present sufferings? [01:06:00]
4. What does it mean to live under the power of the Holy Spirit as a result of the Resurrection, according to the sermon? [01:09:32]

#### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized that the Resurrection should influence our daily lives. How can you remind yourself of the Resurrection's power in your daily routine? [01:07:19]
2. Reflect on a time when you struggled with guilt or shame. How can the assurance of forgiveness through the Resurrection help you move past those feelings? [01:08:27]
3. The sermon mentioned loving those we cannot love on our own. Identify someone in your life who is difficult to love. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you love that person? [01:09:57]
4. How can the hope of a new heaven and a new earth, as promised by the Resurrection, change the way you handle current challenges and trials? [01:06:00]
5. The sermon encouraged greeting one another with "He is risen" and responding with "He is risen indeed." How can this practice serve as a daily reminder of the Resurrection's significance in your life? [01:11:46]
6. Think of a specific area in your life where you need to experience victory. How can the power of the Resurrection empower you to overcome that challenge? [01:08:39]
7. The sermon highlighted the importance of living with purpose and intentionality. What is one specific action you can take this week to live out the reality of the Resurrection in your interactions and decisions? [01:07:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Resurrection: Our Daily Foundation
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is not an isolated event relegated to the past, but a powerful truth that shapes every aspect of a believer's life. It is the bedrock upon which faith is built, providing a constant source of hope and strength. The Resurrection confirms that Jesus is alive, and this reality should infuse every moment with purpose and confidence. It is the fulfillment of Jesus' own prophecies, validating His identity as the Son of God and His teachings as the path to life. As believers grasp this truth, they find their faith is not based on myths or legends but on the solid ground of historical and spiritual reality. The Resurrection is a beacon that guides through the darkest valleys and the highest peaks of life's journey.

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures." - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Reflection: How does the reality of the Resurrection shape your daily decisions and interactions with others?

Day 2: Forgiven and Free to Forgive
The Resurrection assures believers of the forgiveness of sins, a gift that is both profound and transformative. Through Christ's perfect sacrifice, the barrier of sin that separated humanity from God has been torn down. This assurance allows believers to step out of the shadows of guilt and shame and into the light of God's grace and love. It is not only a personal experience but also a call to extend the same forgiveness to others. Living in the reality of this forgiveness means embodying grace in relationships, communities, and every encounter. It is a daily journey of letting go of bitterness and embracing the freedom that comes from being forgiven.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will." - Ephesians 1:3-5

Reflection: Who do you need to forgive today, and how can you take a step towards offering them the same forgiveness you have received?

Day 3: Anticipating Eternal Restoration
The Resurrection is not only about the past or the present; it is also a promise of the future restoration of all things. It gives believers a glimpse of the coming kingdom of God, where there will be no more sin, suffering, or death. This hope is not a passive waiting but an active anticipation that motivates believers to live in a way that reflects the future glory. It is a call to endure present trials with the knowledge that they are temporary and to invest in things that have eternal significance. The Resurrection points to a day when God will make all things new, and it invites believers to be part of that redemptive story even now.

"But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." - 2 Peter 3:13

Reflection: How does the hope of the Resurrection help you to persevere through current challenges, and what eternal investments can you make today?

Day 4: Empowered by the Spirit
Living in the power of the Resurrection means allowing the Holy Spirit to work within, transforming believers into the likeness of Christ. It is the Spirit who enables them to love the unlovable, find joy in trials, and live a life that reflects the victory of Jesus. This empowerment is not a one-time event but a daily filling and renewal that equips believers to face life's complexities with divine strength. It is through the Spirit's presence that believers can exhibit the fruits of love, joy, peace, and patience, which are so often counterintuitive to the human response.

"And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you." - Romans 8:11

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's power today, and how can you be more open to His transforming work?

Day 5: Living with Resurrection Purpose
The Resurrection empowers believers to live each day with intentionality and purpose. It is a call to embody the reality of Christ's victory in every aspect of life. This means making choices that align with the truth of the Resurrection, engaging with others in a way that reflects the hope and love of Christ, and being a tangible expression of the gospel in the world. The Resurrection is not just a doctrine to be believed but a truth to be lived out. It is the source of strength and joy that fuels the believer's mission to be light in the darkness.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Reflection: What is one way you can live out the truth of the Resurrection in your community or workplace today?

Quotes

1) "The Resurrection reveals the truth of Jesus' words. He prophesied His death and Resurrection, and when He rose, it confirmed His trustworthiness. It assures us of the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus' perfect sacrifice means that we are reconciled with God, and our sins are forgiven." [57:17](Download clip | | )

2) "The Resurrection allows us to anticipate the restoration of God's kingdom, a new heaven and a new earth where we will live in peace and fellowship with our Lord. This hope enables us to endure present sufferings with the knowledge that they are temporary and that eternal joy is on the horizon." [01:06:22]( | | )

3) "Living in the power of the Resurrection means allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us, transforming us into the likeness of Christ. It is through His Spirit that we can love the unlovable, find joy in trials, and live a life that reflects the victory we have in Jesus." [01:09:50]( | | )

4) "The Resurrection empowers us to live each day with purpose and intentionality. As we remember that Christ has risen, we are called to live out that reality in our interactions, our decisions, and our very being." [01:11:26]( | | )

5) "The Resurrection is a testament to the truth of Jesus' words and the fulfillment of prophecy, confirming that He is trustworthy and His teachings are reliable. Because the Resurrection happened, we can trust in Jesus and His word." [57:53]( | | )

6) "Forgiveness is a gift that has been assured to us through the Resurrection. As we have been forgiven through Christ's perfect sacrifice, we must also extend that forgiveness to others." [01:08:09](Download clip | | )

7) "The Resurrection anticipates the ultimate restoration of all things. It gives us a glimpse of the future glory that awaits us—a new heaven and a new earth where sin and death are no more." [01:06:56]( | | )

8) "The Resurrection empowers us to live victoriously, not in guilt or defeat. We are called to live under the power of the Holy Spirit, loving those we cannot love on our own and finding joy in the midst of trials." [01:10:15]( | | )

9) "The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a historical event but the foundation of our faith that should influence our daily lives. It is the assurance that our Savior lives, and because He lives, we can face our days with confidence and hope." [01:07:18]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?