Living the Resurrection: Authentic Faith Every Day
Summary
In my sermon today, I explored the transformative power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and its implications for our daily lives. I emphasized that the resurrection is not just a historical event to be celebrated once a year, but a reality that should shape our lifestyle every day. I shared the story of the women who went to the tomb early on the first Easter morning, only to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Their encounter with the angels who announced Jesus' resurrection was a moment of profound revelation, one that was better experienced than explained.
I drew parallels between the disciples' need to see the empty tomb for themselves and our own need to experience the resurrection in a personal and transformative way. I urged the congregation to live out the resurrection story every day, to be people whose lives are so changed by Jesus that others can't help but notice and be drawn to Him.
I recounted the story of Francis of Assisi, who preached by his actions rather than his words, reminding us that our behavior is a sermon in itself. I challenged the congregation to consider whether people experience Jesus when they are with us, whether our lives are a testament to the change He has brought about in us.
I also addressed the importance of being authentic in our faith, not changing our behavior based on our company, but being consistently Christ-like. I stressed that our relationship with Christ is the only one that can secure our eternity, and that we cannot rely on the faith of others to save us.
Finally, I called for a response, inviting those who were ready to commit fully to living for Christ to stand and pray, affirming their decision to live a life that is attractive because it is surrendered to Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Living the resurrection life is about authenticity and consistency in our faith journey. It's not about putting on a show or changing our demeanor based on who we're with. When we are the same person in every situation, our faith becomes more credible and our witness more powerful. Authenticity in our walk with Christ is attractive and draws others to Him. [01:01:33]
- The resurrection life is better experienced than explained. We must strive to live in such a way that others can see the difference Christ makes in our lives. Our transformed lives then become a testimony that invites others to experience the same transformation. This is not about a one-time event, but a daily commitment to grow closer to God. [01:00:18]
- Our lifestyle should preach the gospel at all times. Like Francis of Assisi, we should understand that our actions often speak louder than our words. Our daily interactions and behaviors are opportunities to demonstrate the love and truth of Jesus to those around us. [57:33]
- The truest thing about us is that we are loved by God. This love is not just a comforting thought; it is the driving force behind the resurrection. God's love is transformative, and He loves us too much to leave us as we are. This should motivate us to live changed lives and to share that love with others. [47:50]
- Easter is not just a day to celebrate; it's a call to live out the resurrection every day of the year. We are to be Easter people, embodying the hope and renewal that comes from Christ's victory over death. This means actively working to be closer to God today than we were yesterday, and helping others to encounter the living Jesus. [32:32]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 24:1-12 (NIV)
> "On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, 'Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: "The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again."' Then they remembered his words. When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened."
2. Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)
> "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
3. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
> "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
#### Observation Questions
1. What did the women find when they arrived at Jesus' tomb early on the first Easter morning? (Luke 24:1-3)
2. How did the angels explain the empty tomb to the women? (Luke 24:5-7)
3. What was Peter's reaction when he heard the women's report and went to the tomb himself? (Luke 24:12)
4. According to Ephesians 3:16-19, what does Paul pray for the believers to understand about Christ's love?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the disciples initially did not believe the women's report about the empty tomb? (Luke 24:11) [41:36]
2. How does the resurrection of Jesus demonstrate the depth of God's love as described in Ephesians 3:16-19? [44:15]
3. What does it mean to "fix our eyes on Jesus" in the context of living out the resurrection life daily? (Hebrews 12:2) [47:07]
4. How can the story of Francis of Assisi, who preached through his actions, inspire us to live out our faith authentically? [56:51]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a profound moment of faith. How did it change your perspective or actions? How can you seek similar experiences to deepen your faith? [31:10]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of living out the resurrection story every day. What are some practical ways you can demonstrate the transformative power of Jesus in your daily life? [38:08]
3. Consider the idea that our behavior is a sermon in itself. How can you ensure that your actions consistently reflect your faith, regardless of your company? [50:36]
4. The pastor mentioned the importance of being authentic in our faith. Are there areas in your life where you feel you are not being authentic? How can you work on being more consistent in your faith journey? [01:01:33]
5. Think about someone in your life who may not know Jesus. How can you be a living testimony to them through your actions and words? What specific steps can you take this week to share the love of Christ with them? [01:03:03]
6. The sermon highlighted that the truest thing about us is that we are loved by God. How does this truth impact your self-view and your interactions with others? [47:50]
7. Easter is a call to live out the resurrection every day. What specific changes can you make in your daily routine to grow closer to God and help others encounter the living Jesus? [32:32]
Devotional
Day 1: Authentic Faith Attracts
Authenticity in one's faith journey is crucial. It's about being the same person regardless of the situation or the company one keeps. This consistency lends credibility to one's faith and makes one's witness to Christ's transformative power more compelling. When faith is not performed but genuinely lived, it becomes evident to those around. It's the small, everyday interactions that reveal the depth of one's relationship with God. By living authentically, believers become beacons of Christ's love, drawing others to Him through their genuine example of a life changed by faith.
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:9-10)
Reflection: How does your faith manifest in your daily interactions, and in what ways can you make your walk with Christ more authentic starting today? [01:01:33]
Day 2: Testimony Beyond Words
The resurrection life is a profound experience that goes beyond mere explanation. It calls for believers to live in such a way that the difference Christ makes is visible to others. This daily commitment to embodying the transformative power of Christ's love is what turns a life into a living testimony. It's not about grand gestures but the consistent, incremental steps towards God that reflect His work in one's life. By living the resurrection, believers invite others to seek and embrace the same transformation.
"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'" (Matthew 4:19)
Reflection: What are the tangible signs of Christ's transformation in your life, and how can you more actively demonstrate this change to those around you? [01:00:18]
Day 3: Actions Preach Louder
The gospel is most powerfully preached not just through words but through actions. Like Francis of Assisi, believers are called to understand that their behavior is a sermon in itself. Every interaction and behavior is an opportunity to demonstrate Jesus' love and truth. This approach to living out the gospel requires mindfulness and intentionality, ensuring that one's actions align with the teachings of Christ and serve as a witness to His grace and mercy.
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)
Reflection: What is one action you can take today that will serve as a non-verbal witness to the love and truth of Jesus? [57:33]
Day 4: Loved into Transformation
The driving force behind the resurrection is God's transformative love. This love is not passive; it actively seeks to change us, to make us more like Christ. Understanding that one is deeply loved by God is the foundation for a life of transformation. This knowledge should not only comfort but also compel believers to live in a way that reflects God's love and to share it with others, knowing that He desires for all to experience this life-altering love.
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5)
Reflection: How does the knowledge of God's love for you inspire you to live differently, and in what ways can you share this love with someone today? [47:50]
Day 5: Easter People Every Day
Easter is not merely a day of celebration but a call to live out the resurrection every day. Believers are to be Easter people, embodying the hope and renewal that comes from Christ's victory over death. This means actively seeking to grow closer to God and helping others encounter the living Jesus. It's a journey of continuous spiritual growth, where each day is an opportunity to deepen one's faith and to be a source of hope for others.
"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 specific way you can embody the hope and renewal of Easter today, and how can you assist someone else in their journey towards encountering the living Jesus? [32:32]
Quotes
1) "The truth is that the Resurrection Life is better experienced than explained. We need people to see the people that we used to be versus the people that we are. We need our tomorrows to be closer to God than we are today, just like we need our todays to be closer to God than we were yesterday." [01:00:18]
2) "If I'm one way with one person and one way with another person, then what happens when we're all together? But if I'm the same no matter who's around, if I'm authentic, then it becomes attractive." [01:01:33]
3) "The reality of the empty tomb is more than just something we look to once a year. My prayer is that hope renews our minds, it changes our hearts, it transforms our lives, and it becomes the greatest decision that we've ever made because lives hang in the balance." [01:03:03]
4) "Authentic Jesus people are attractive. So let's close by asking this question: are you ready? I can't think of a better way to celebrate this Resurrection Sunday than saying, 'Jesus, I'm all in.'" [01:04:28]
5) "Easter changes everything because we encounter the love of God. It's the reason why it's so important not just to hear the Easter story, not just to engage it on an intellectual level, but you and I friends, we have to experience it fully." [43:35]
6) "Paul was talking about God's love being so unimaginable that we could somehow try to wrap our finite brains around an infinite love that God has for us by using words like how wide, how long, how high, how deep." [45:04]
7) "The truest thing about you and about me is that we're loved by God, period, full stop. He loves you just the way you are. And he loves you too much to leave you that way." [47:50]
8) "Friends, when people see us, do they experience Jesus through us? We're supposed to be Easter Sunday people every single day of the year. It's not just the day where we polish off the shoes and the jacket." [51:19]
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