Living the Transformative Power of the Resurrection
Summary
In Matthew 28, we find the profound story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event that not only transformed history but also offers us a new way of living. The resurrection is not just a historical fact; it is the cornerstone of our faith, providing us with hope and a promise of eternal life. This event is a testament to God's power and love, demonstrating that through Jesus, we can have a relationship with God that surpasses our understanding. The resurrection assures us that our sins are forgiven, and it calls us to live transformed lives, sharing this good news with others.
Reflecting on personal experiences, such as the memory of a loved one who believed in the resurrection, reminds us of the hope and joy that this belief brings. It is a reminder that the resurrection is not just a doctrine but a reality that impacts our daily lives. We are called to be conduits of this good news, living in a way that reflects the transformative power of the resurrection.
The resurrection challenges us to meet Jesus in our everyday lives, not just within the walls of the church. It invites us to encounter Him in the messiness of life, where He meets us with grace and redemption. This encounter is not limited to Sundays; it extends into our Mondays and every day thereafter, urging us to live out the resurrection in all aspects of our lives.
The story of William Neil Moore, a man transformed by the realization of the resurrection, exemplifies the power of this truth. His life, once marked by hopelessness, became a testament to the life-changing power of Jesus. This transformation is available to all of us, regardless of our past or present circumstances.
As we partake in communion, we remember the sacrifice of Jesus, His broken body, and shed blood, which set the stage for the resurrection. This act of remembrance calls us to embrace the power of the resurrection, allowing it to overshadow our struggles and transform our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our faith, offering us hope and a promise of eternal life. It is not just a historical event but a transformative reality that impacts our daily lives. [39:16]
- We are called to be conduits of the good news, living in a way that reflects the transformative power of the resurrection. This involves sharing the message of Jesus and living out its implications in our lives. [44:07]
- Jesus meets us in the messiness of life, offering grace and redemption. We are invited to encounter Him not just within the church but in our everyday experiences, where He reveals Himself in unexpected ways. [46:19]
- The resurrection challenges us to live out our faith beyond Sundays, carrying the joy and hope of the resurrection into our everyday lives, even amidst struggles and challenges. [58:48]
- The story of William Neil Moore illustrates the life-changing power of the resurrection. His transformation from hopelessness to a life of purpose and impact is a testament to the reality of Jesus' resurrection. [11:11]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [37:48] - The Resurrection Story
- [38:30] - Power and Control of God
- [39:54] - Personal Reflection on April 20th
- [41:26] - Belief in the Resurrection
- [42:58] - Sharing the Good News
- [44:52] - Importance of the Resurrection
- [45:31] - Jesus Meets Us
- [46:56] - Encountering Jesus in Everyday Life
- [48:21] - The Question of Belief
- [49:41] - The Centrality of the Resurrection
- [51:07] - Jesus' Journey to the Cross
- [54:48] - The Silent Day
- [55:37] - It's Friday, But Sunday's Coming
- [58:48] - It's Sunday, But Monday's Coming
- [01:05:12] - The Story of William Neil Moore
- [01:12:36] - Communion and the Power of the Resurrection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Resurrection of Jesus
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 28:1-10
2. John 11:25-26
3. Philippians 3:10
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 28, what was the reaction of the guards and the women when they encountered the angel at the tomb? How did the angel address their fear? [37:48]
2. What significant event does Jesus' meeting with the women after His resurrection highlight in Matthew 28:8-9? How does this encounter reflect the immediacy of Jesus' presence in our lives? [45:31]
3. According to the sermon, how does the story of William Neil Moore illustrate the transformative power of the resurrection? [01:05:12]
4. What does Philippians 3:10 suggest about the relationship between knowing Christ and experiencing the power of His resurrection?
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the resurrection of Jesus serve as the cornerstone of Christian faith, and why is it essential for believers to understand its significance beyond a historical event? [49:41]
2. In what ways does the resurrection challenge believers to live out their faith beyond the confines of the church and into their everyday lives? [46:19]
3. How does the story of William Neil Moore demonstrate the potential for personal transformation through belief in the resurrection? What does this suggest about the power of faith in changing one's life circumstances? [01:11:11]
4. What does it mean to "know Christ" and the "power of His resurrection" as described in Philippians 3:10? How might this knowledge influence a believer's daily life and decisions?
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the presence of Jesus in an unexpected place or situation. How did this experience impact your faith, and how can you remain open to such encounters in the future? [46:19]
2. The sermon emphasizes living out the resurrection in everyday life. Identify one area of your life where you can more fully embody the hope and joy of the resurrection. What practical steps can you take to make this change? [58:48]
3. Consider the story of William Neil Moore. Is there an area in your life where you feel hopeless or stuck? How can the message of the resurrection inspire you to seek transformation in that area? [01:11:11]
4. How can you be a conduit of the good news of the resurrection in your community? Identify one person or group you can share this message with and plan a way to do so this week. [44:07]
5. Reflect on the statement, "God is greater than your theology." How can this perspective help you approach your faith with humility and openness to growth? [01:01:56]
6. In what ways can you incorporate the power of the resurrection into your prayer life, especially when facing challenges or uncertainties? [53:21]
7. How can you ensure that the joy and celebration of the resurrection experienced on Sundays extend into your daily life throughout the week? What specific actions can you take to maintain this mindset? [58:48]
Devotional
Day 1: The Resurrection as the Foundation of Faith
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian faith, offering believers hope and the promise of eternal life. It is not merely a historical event but a transformative reality that impacts daily living. The resurrection demonstrates God's power and love, assuring believers that their sins are forgiven and inviting them into a relationship with God that surpasses human understanding. This foundational truth calls Christians to live transformed lives, sharing the good news with others and embodying the hope and joy that the resurrection brings. [39:16]
1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."
Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection influence your perspective on eternal life and your daily decisions today?
Day 2: Living as Conduits of the Good News
Believers are called to be conduits of the good news, living in a way that reflects the transformative power of the resurrection. This involves not only sharing the message of Jesus but also living out its implications in everyday life. The resurrection empowers Christians to embody the hope and joy it brings, influencing their interactions and relationships. By living as conduits of this good news, believers can impact their communities and the world, demonstrating the life-changing power of Jesus' resurrection. [44:07]
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you share the message of Jesus with someone in your life this week, both in words and actions?
Day 3: Encountering Jesus in Everyday Life
Jesus meets believers in the messiness of life, offering grace and redemption. The resurrection invites Christians to encounter Him not just within the church but in their everyday experiences, where He reveals Himself in unexpected ways. This encounter is not limited to Sundays; it extends into every day, urging believers to live out the resurrection in all aspects of life. By recognizing Jesus' presence in daily life, believers can experience His grace and redemption in the midst of struggles and challenges. [46:19]
Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: How can you intentionally seek to encounter Jesus in the ordinary moments of your day today?
Day 4: Living Out Faith Beyond Sundays
The resurrection challenges believers to live out their faith beyond Sundays, carrying the joy and hope of the resurrection into everyday life. This involves integrating faith into all aspects of life, even amidst struggles and challenges. By living out the resurrection daily, believers can experience its transformative power and influence those around them. The resurrection calls Christians to embody the hope and joy it brings, impacting their communities and the world. [58:48]
James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can live out your faith in your workplace or community this week?
Day 5: The Transformative Power of the Resurrection
The story of William Neil Moore illustrates the life-changing power of the resurrection. His transformation from hopelessness to a life of purpose and impact is a testament to the reality of Jesus' resurrection. This transformation is available to all, regardless of past or present circumstances. The resurrection offers hope and the possibility of a new beginning, inviting believers to experience its transformative power in their own lives. By embracing the resurrection, believers can find purpose and impact the world around them. [11:11]
Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel hopeless. How can you invite the transformative power of the resurrection into this area today?
Quotes
The beauty of who you are and your power and control over all things was seen most clearly in the resurrection of your son. And that resurrection was so that we could have life and that we could experience relationship with you in a way that we can probably never even fully imagine or comprehend. But we know that you love us and we know that it's because of your son that we have relationship with you. And it's because of your son that our sins are forgiven. [00:38:45]
The one thing that was always spoken no matter where we went was 42039. And it got to the point that he wouldn't say it anymore. He would just look at me and I would say 42039 everywhere we went. And in some ways I've been kind of dreading today because it's 420 not 39 but 25. And in all the things I miss about him the thing I miss the most is he believed in the resurrection. [00:40:56]
And he never let us forget that. And he would lead singing occasionally and he would lead it is well with my soul. And we would get to the last verse and when he was leading singing he sang the entire verse and the chorus up on his toes as if he was trying to reach for something that just wasn't there yet. And so I can celebrate 420 in a different way because I know because of the resurrection I will see him again. [00:41:37]
And to me that takes away the pain. It takes away the tragedy. It takes away the frustration. It takes away those days when I just need Phil's voice to tell me something. But it never fails because Carrie always says "Michael you know what dad would say just listen to it." And so as we celebrate today I'm going to hopefully take this in a little different direction. [00:42:15]
I thought through this a whole lot and I got probably the best advice ever this morning when I walked through the door. Someone stopped me at the front door and said "We don't need anything new. We don't need anything that's going to blow our minds. What we just need is the truth, the good news of the gospel of Jesus." And so that's what I'm hoping to give you today. [00:43:10]
And as we think about that I want to keep bringing this back to our minds right in front of us that our mission here is to share the good news so lives can be transformed. And there's some method to that. And part of that is us understanding how much the good news has changed our lives so that we can live that transformation so other people see it. [00:43:50]
And so when we get into this and I kind of change direction a little bit I hope you'll understand a little bit this idea of share the good news transform lives because ultimately the power of the resurrection comes back to us to share with everybody else. We have to be the conduit of the good news. We have to be the ones who are living it and sharing it and showing it. [00:44:30]
And somehow getting rid of that viewpoint that the world has of religion that we're just like everybody else when we're not and we can't be if we truly want to share the message of Jesus. And so as we go back to this verse in Matthew chapter 28 and those verses and this just like the triumphal entry that we looked at last week it's in all four gospels. [00:45:10]
And there's some arguments and discussions about the time frame of what happened during this week and when everything happened. And look I can see both sides. I can look into the details and I can do the timelines and the reality is whether I get that right or not is irrelevant. What matters is that I get right the fact that he rose from the dead. [00:45:50]
And if I can live that and I can share that then a lot of the details don't really matter as much. Now I know there's prophecy and there's things that were fulfilled and yes we want to be as true as we can but in the end the reality is he came out of the grave. And we start looking at these verses and I want to pull out a couple. [00:46:30]
The beauty of him coming out of the grave and the resurrection is that he meets us every single day if we're just willing to meet him. We don't necessarily have to go find him. I mean they were looking but here it says suddenly Jesus met them. Greetings He said. My goodness sakes Jesus right there. He came to them and I want us to be open to the Lord coming to us on a regular basis. [00:47:10]
And us being willing to accept the fact that he's coming and he may come in places and ways and opportunities that we may not have thought was actually the way he was going to come because I can tell you he comes more to you when you're in the world than he does when you're in here. Now listen to that again okay. I love coming together. I love the celebration of the church and the family. [00:47:50]
It's one of my very favorite things to do if you weren't here Friday night to sit in the Bixler and just hear that music raising up and people singing and just being open and hands in the air and celebrating the fact that yes on Friday he died but on Sunday he came out of the grave. I love when we come together and here but it's a no-brainer that he's going to be here right. [00:48:30]
You know we throw those verses where two or three are gathered together there I am in the midst. But are you looking for him and are you willing to meet him in the grunt in the filth in the world where we try to stay out of sometimes but we end up falling into. It might be the very person that you don't like to be around that Jesus reveals himself to you in that person. [00:49:10]
Are we willing for him to come to us at that point? Are we willing to allow him into the dirt and the mire and the filthiness of our own life because that's where he wants to meet us because he is the only one because of the resurrection that can take care of all that filth. I can't do it. Psychology can't do it. Your parents can't do it. Your best friend can't do it. [00:49:50]
Nobody in this world can take you out of that except Jesus. And so are we willing to let him come to us and meet us where we are? And then in John chapter 11 a quick verse. This is when Jesus has come back after Lazarus has died and Mary and Martha are pretty upset with him. Look if you'd have just been here he wouldn't have died. [00:50:30]
I mean can I honestly I can't imagine saying that to Jesus and questioning if you'd have just done what your if you just done your job. You seen those things where they just had one job those memes and stuff and everything's messed up. Well this is kind of in my mind to say "If you'd have just done your job Jesus Lazarus would not be in the grave." [00:51:10]
And then he says "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live even though they die. And whoever lives by believing in me will never die." And then I love this question. Do you believe this? And so my question to us today is do we actually believe the resurrection or is it just a religious doctrine that goes along with everything else we throw into the power of religious doctrine? [00:51:50]
Because in my mind this is the epitome of what we believe and who we are and how we live is the fact that we believe that Jesus is the resurrection. And anything outside of that maybe doesn't matter. Tony Compos says this "If Jesus rose from the dead I'm sorry this is Tim Keller. If Jesus rose from the dead then you have to accept all that he said. [00:52:30]
If he didn't rise from the dead then why worry about anything of what he said. The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teachings but whether or not he rose from the dead. Everything we do in here everything we do in our life everything we involve ourselves in our work our recreation our play our families everything revolves around the fact of whether or not we believe that Jesus rose from the dead. [00:53:10]
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