Living Transformed: Embracing the Resurrection of Christ
Summary
On this Resurrection Sunday, we gathered to celebrate the culmination of our six-week journey towards becoming more like Jesus. This journey has been a collective effort, not just on Sundays but throughout the week in our small groups. For those who may be joining us for the first time or after a long absence, we've been singing a song that encapsulates our desire to emulate Jesus in every aspect of our lives. The lyrics, "I have decided to follow Jesus," reflect our commitment to this path.
The Apostle Paul, in Romans 13:1, urges us to embody the likeness of Jesus Christ. This is not merely about avoiding wrongdoing but about actively pursuing a life that mirrors Christ's. Our goal has been to learn how to look, think, pray, serve, and love like Jesus. This transformation is the essence of our Christian walk.
On Good Friday, we remember the crucifixion of Jesus, a day that might seem to be about defeat and death. However, it is a crucial part of the Easter story. Jesus' death on the cross was not just a historical event; it was a substitutionary act of love. He took our place, bearing the punishment for our sins, as prophesied in Isaiah 53. This act of love was not for a select few but for all who would receive it.
The question then becomes, how do we ensure we are among those for whom Jesus carried away sins? The answer lies in receiving the gift of salvation. Romans 6 and Romans 10 outline the steps: confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection. This confession is an act of surrender, and belief is an act of faith. It is through this that we receive the gift of salvation and begin our journey of transformation.
Living like Jesus means making a choice. We cannot serve two masters; we cannot be slaves to sin and to Christ simultaneously. Jesus' words in John 8 and Matthew 6 remind us that we must choose whom we will serve. The cross gives us the ability to choose Christ and to walk away from sin. Paul, in Romans 6, emphasizes that our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ. We are to let it remain there and live a new life, free from the control of sin.
Hebrews 12 encourages us to throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles, so we can run the race marked out for us. This race is our God-given purpose on Earth. We can run this race because we fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. The cross and the empty tomb empower us to live like Jesus.
In summary, Easter is not just a celebration of Jesus' resurrection but also a call to live a transformed life. It is about putting to death our sinful nature and embracing the life of righteousness that Jesus exemplified. Through His sacrifice, we have been given the opportunity to live a life that honors God and draws others to Him.
Key Takeaways:
- The act of confessing Jesus as Lord is not merely a statement of belief but an act of surrender. It signifies a willingness to obey and follow Jesus' teachings, acknowledging His authority over our lives. This confession is the first step in a lifelong journey of discipleship, where we learn to live out the values and principles that Jesus embodied. [01:14:58
- Belief in the resurrection is more than accepting a historical fact; it is a declaration of hope and trust in the power of God. It affirms that just as Jesus was raised from the dead, we too are promised new life. This belief shapes our identity and destiny, anchoring us in the assurance of eternal life and empowering us to live with purpose and courage. [01:15:26
- Choosing to follow Jesus requires a daily decision to turn away from sin. This choice is not a one-time event but a continuous process of aligning our will with God's. It involves recognizing the areas of our lives that are not in harmony with God's desires and intentionally moving towards righteousness. [01:24:55
- Baptism symbolizes our union with Christ in His death and resurrection. It is an outward expression of an inward transformation, marking the beginning of a new life in Christ. Through baptism, we publicly declare our commitment to leave behind our old ways and embrace the life that Jesus offers. [01:19:33
- The cross and the empty tomb are central to our faith and how we live. They remind us of the price paid for our freedom and the victory over sin and death. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, we are inspired to live lives that reflect His love, grace, and truth, becoming beacons of hope in a world that desperately needs the light of Christ. [01:27:30
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 13:1 - "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."
2. Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
3. Hebrews 12:1-2 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 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 does Romans 13:1 urge believers to do, and how does it relate to becoming more like Jesus? [56:38]
2. According to Romans 6:23, what are the consequences of sin, and what is the gift that God offers? [01:01:39]
3. In Hebrews 12:1-2, what are believers encouraged to do in order to run the race marked out for them? [01:26:18]
4. How does the sermon describe the significance of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection in relation to our salvation? [58:13]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the act of confessing Jesus as Lord serve as an act of surrender, and what does it imply about our daily lives? [01:14:58]
2. What does it mean to believe in the resurrection as a declaration of hope and trust in the power of God? How does this belief shape our identity and destiny? [01:15:26]
3. Why is it important to make a daily decision to turn away from sin, and how does this choice impact our journey of transformation? [01:24:55]
4. How does the symbolism of baptism represent our union with Christ in His death and resurrection? What does this outward expression signify about our inward transformation? [01:19:33]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you struggle to surrender control to Jesus? What steps can you take this week to practice surrendering those areas to Him? [01:14:58]
2. How does your belief in the resurrection influence your daily actions and decisions? Can you identify a specific situation where this belief has given you hope and courage? [01:15:26]
3. Identify one area of your life where you need to turn away from sin. What practical steps can you take to align this area with God's desires? [01:24:55]
4. Have you been baptized? If not, what is holding you back from taking this step? If you have, how can you continue to live out the commitment you made during your baptism? [01:19:33]
5. The sermon mentioned fixing our eyes on Jesus to run the race marked out for us. What distractions are currently hindering you from focusing on Jesus, and how can you minimize them this week? [01:26:18]
6. How can you actively embody the likeness of Jesus in your interactions with others this week? Think of a specific person or situation where you can demonstrate Christ-like love, grace, or service. [56:38]
7. The cross and the empty tomb are central to our faith. How can you remind yourself daily of the significance of Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection? Consider creating a daily habit or ritual that helps you keep this focus. [01:27:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Surrender in Confession
Confessing Jesus as Lord is a profound declaration of surrender, a pivotal moment where one acknowledges the authority of Christ over their life. This confession is not a mere utterance but a commitment to a journey of discipleship, where the values and principles of Jesus are learned and lived out. It is a conscious decision to walk in obedience, to let go of self-direction, and to embrace the guidance and teachings of Jesus. This act of surrender is the gateway to a transformed life, one that is continually shaped and molded by the hands of the divine potter.
"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." - Matthew 10:39 ESV
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? [07:40]
Day 2: Anchored in Resurrection Hope
Belief in the resurrection is a transformative experience that goes beyond accepting a historical event. It is an affirmation of hope and trust in the power of God, a conviction that as Jesus was raised from the dead, so too are we promised a new life. This belief is not passive; it actively shapes one's identity and destiny, providing a firm anchor in the promise of eternal life. It empowers individuals to live with purpose and courage, knowing that their future is secured in the hands of a loving God.
"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." - 1 Corinthians 15:17 ESV
Reflection: How does your belief in the resurrection influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [01:15:26]
Day 3: The Daily Choice Against Sin
Choosing to follow Jesus is a daily exercise in turning away from sin and aligning one's will with that of God. It is a continuous journey of self-examination and repentance, where one must identify and forsake the aspects of life that conflict with God's desires. This choice is not without struggle; it requires a steadfast commitment to pursue righteousness and to embody the holiness to which believers are called.
"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions." - Romans 6:12 ESV
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to turn away from a recurring sin in your life? [01:24:55]
Day 4: Baptism as a New Beginning
Baptism is a powerful symbol of one's union with Christ in His death and resurrection. It represents the inward transformation that occurs when one accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior. Through baptism, believers publicly declare their intention to leave behind their old self and to step into a new life characterized by faith and obedience to Christ. It is a milestone in the Christian journey, marking the beginning of a life lived in the light of Jesus' teachings and love.
"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:4 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you live out the symbolism of your baptism in your everyday actions and choices? [01:19:33]
Day 5: Living in Light of the Cross and Tomb
The cross and the empty tomb stand at the center of Christian faith, symbolizing the sacrifice made for humanity's freedom and the victory over sin and death. These pivotal events compel believers to live lives that reflect the love, grace, and truth of Jesus. By fixing our eyes on Him, we draw inspiration to become beacons of hope in a world that is in desperate need of the light of Christ.
"Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was." - Romans 6:5 ESV
Reflection: How can you embody the hope of the resurrection in a practical way in your community or family today? [01:27:30]
Quotes
1) "Living Like Jesus means we receive that free gift of Salvation from him, we're redeemed, we're brought back into relationship with God. We join him in his death, burial, and Resurrection through the act of baptism. But there's another part of this death that we have to embrace, and that is when we choose to die to sin daily." [01:23:08
2) "You cannot have two masters either you are a slave to sin or you are a slave to Christ and you can't do both at the same time. You've got to make a choice and because of the Cross you now have the ability to choose." [01:24:55
3) "Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ. Don't go back to it and take it off the cross again. Let it stay nailed to the cross. A decisive end to that sin miserable life, no longer captive to sin's demands." [01:25:33
4) "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, so we can run the race marked out for us. This race is our God-given purpose on Earth." [01:26:18
5) "Because of Jesus our sins are now no longer in control, sin no longer has to have a hold on us. Because of Jesus, one last verse for you, it's one of my favorites in the Bible, Hebrews 12 says therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses let us throw off everything that hinders." [01:26:54
6) "This Easter Sunday with our eyes fixed on Jesus because of the Cross and because of the empty tomb we put sin to death so that we can look like Jesus and think like Jesus and pray like Jesus and Love Like Jesus and serve like Jesus." [01:27:30
7) "The crucifixion may have been carried out by the Romans at the pressure of the Jews but it was orchestrated by God for you and for me. One of the most beautiful pictures of this ugly cross is the fact that Jesus was hung on a cross that was intended for someone else." [01:03:36
8) "Jesus didn't hang on a cross that was made for him. Jesus literally died on Barabas cross but he also died on your cross and on my cross. Jesus hung on a cross that was built for you." [01:12:44
9) "The wage of sin is death. We're all guilty. I'm Not Innocent, I'm guilty too and we are all on our way to pay the penalty for our sins and then all of a sudden Jesus shows up and Jesus walks in and he takes our place on a cross built for barabus, on a cross built for you." [01:10:49
10) "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. It outlines the two things that need to happen, one there's a confession that Jesus is Lord, that's an act of surrender." [01:14:58
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