Living Without Fear: The Assurance of Resurrection
Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound truths found in the Book of Revelation, particularly the encounter John had with the resurrected Christ. This encounter is not only a historical event but also a powerful reminder of the hope and assurance we have in Jesus.
I shared a personal anecdote about mistakenly signing books with Revelation 2:18, a verse about judgment and the second death, which could have been unsettling for readers. This led to a reflection on human error and God's infallibility. Unlike us, God never makes mistakes, and His plans are perfect.
We delved into the fear that often paralyzes us, using the story of a farmer and his chickens to illustrate how fear can be more deadly than the actual threat. Jesus tells us, as He told John, "Do not be afraid." This command is rooted in the reality of His resurrection and the eternal life He offers. Our flawed understanding of earning heaven through good deeds is corrected by the truth that only a sinless life, which none of us can live, qualifies one for heaven. Jesus, however, lived that sinless life on our behalf.
The sermon also highlighted the importance of precision, likening it to entering an email address correctly. Just as a single error can prevent an email from reaching its destination, a single sin can separate us from God. But Jesus, the perfect man, has provided the way to eternal life through His death and resurrection.
As we anticipate a new sermon series on faith, fellowship, and truth, we are reminded of the importance of living according to God's unchanging Word in a world where truth is constantly shifting.
Finally, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus, emphasizing that because He lives, we can live without fear, have eternal life, and be assured that He is in control. The empty tomb is a testament to His victory over death and His ongoing work in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- The resurrection of Jesus is a cornerstone of our faith, providing us with the assurance that we need not fear anything in this life or the next. His presence offers us peace and the promise of eternal life, which is not based on our own righteousness but on His perfect sacrifice. [01:07:54]
- Eternal life is not something we can earn through good deeds or moral living. It is a gift from God, made possible through the sinless life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our own imperfections highlight the beauty of His grace and the necessity of His intervention on our behalf. [01:09:17]
- The precision required in our daily tasks, such as sending an email, serves as a metaphor for the perfection required for eternal life. Jesus is the only one who has lived a flawless life, and through faith in Him, we are connected to the true source of life and salvation. [01:10:24]
- The control we often seek in our lives is ultimately found in the hands of Jesus, who holds the keys to life and death. Surrendering control to Him brings freedom and peace, as we trust in His perfect plan and timing for our lives. [01:20:06]
- The empty tomb on Easter morning is not just an empty historical site; it is a symbol of the fullness of life that Jesus offers. His resurrection ensures that our lives, when surrendered to Him, are filled with purpose, hope, and the promise of eternity with Him. [01:25:53]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 1:12-18 (NIV)
> "I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: 'Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What was John's initial reaction when he saw the resurrected Christ in Revelation 1:17? How did Jesus respond to him? [58:54]
2. According to the sermon, what mistake did the pastor make when signing books, and what lesson did he draw from it? [52:13]
3. How does the story of the farmer and his chickens illustrate the impact of fear, as mentioned in the sermon? [01:07:18]
4. What metaphor did the pastor use to explain the importance of precision in our spiritual lives, and how does it relate to our relationship with God? [01:10:24]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think John fell at Jesus' feet "as though dead" when he saw Him? What does this reaction tell us about the nature of encountering the glorified Christ? [58:54]
2. How does the pastor's anecdote about signing books with the wrong verse highlight the difference between human error and God's infallibility? [52:13]
3. In what ways does the command "Do not be afraid" from Jesus provide comfort and assurance to believers today? [01:01:27]
4. How does the metaphor of sending an email with a single error relate to the concept of sin and perfection in our spiritual lives? [01:10:24]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when fear paralyzed you. How can the assurance of Jesus' resurrection help you overcome similar fears in the future? [01:07:18]
2. The pastor mentioned that eternal life is not something we can earn through good deeds. How does this truth change the way you view your daily actions and relationship with God? [01:09:17]
3. Think about an area in your life where you struggle with control. What steps can you take to surrender that control to Jesus, trusting in His perfect plan? [01:18:18]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of living according to God's unchanging Word. What practical steps can you take to ensure that you are aligning your life with biblical truth rather than the shifting truths of the world? [55:47]
5. How can the reality of the empty tomb and Jesus' victory over death influence the way you approach challenges and uncertainties in your life? [01:25:53]
6. The pastor shared a humorous story about a mistaken email. Have you ever experienced a situation where a small mistake had significant consequences? How did you handle it, and what did you learn from it? [01:10:24]
7. How can you actively remind yourself and others that "He's Got The Whole World in His Hands" during times of stress and uncertainty? [01:21:22]
Devotional
Day 1: Resurrection: Our Fearless Assurance
The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the bedrock of Christian faith, offering a profound sense of peace and assurance that transcends all earthly fears. It is this historical and transformative event that provides believers with the confidence to face life's uncertainties. The knowledge that Jesus overcame death and promises eternal life to those who trust in Him means that fear has lost its grip. This assurance is not based on personal merit or righteousness but on the perfect sacrifice of Christ, who lived the sinless life required to bridge the gap between humanity and God. The resurrection is a testament to the fact that believers can live without fear, secure in the promise of eternal life and the presence of Jesus. [07:54]
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39
Reflection: How does the assurance of the resurrection influence the way you handle fear and anxiety in your daily life?
Day 2: Grace Beyond Our Imperfections
The pursuit of a moral life, while noble, is insufficient for securing eternal life, as it is a gift that cannot be earned through human effort. This truth highlights the beauty of God's grace, which is made manifest in the sinless life, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our own imperfections and failings underscore the necessity of His intervention. The gift of eternal life is a testament to God's love and mercy, extended to us despite our inability to achieve perfection. This understanding invites believers to rest in the grace of God, knowing that it is through Jesus alone that we are reconciled to the Father and granted the promise of eternity. [09:17]
"But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit." - Titus 3:4-5
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced the freedom that comes from understanding your salvation is not based on your own works but on God's grace?
Day 3: Precision in Faith
Just as a single typo in an email address can prevent a message from reaching its intended recipient, a single sin can separate us from God. This metaphor serves to illustrate the precision required for eternal life—a standard that only Jesus met through His flawless life. Through faith in Him, we are connected to the true source of life and salvation. This connection is not based on our own perfection but on the perfect righteousness of Christ, credited to us. As believers, we are called to live with an awareness of the precision of God's standards and the grace that meets us in our imperfections, drawing us closer to the divine source of truth and life. [10:24]
"For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." - Hebrews 10:14
Reflection: How does the metaphor of precision in sending an email help you understand the importance of Jesus' role in bridging the gap between God's perfection and our imperfection?
Day 4: Surrendering Control to Jesus
In a world where control is often sought after, true peace and freedom are found in surrendering to Jesus, who holds the keys to life and death. Trusting in His perfect plan and timing allows believers to let go of the need to control every aspect of their lives. This act of surrender is not a sign of weakness but of strength, as it acknowledges the sovereignty of Christ and His ability to lead us through life's complexities. By placing our lives in His capable hands, we experience the freedom that comes from knowing He is in control, guiding us with wisdom and love. [20:06]
"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." - Proverbs 16:9
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?
Day 5: The Empty Tomb's Full Promise
The empty tomb on Easter morning is far more than an empty historical site; it symbolizes the fullness of life that Jesus offers to all who believe in Him. His resurrection is not only a victory over death but also a promise of a life filled with purpose, hope, and the assurance of eternity with Him. This powerful symbol serves as a constant reminder that our lives, when surrendered to Christ, are never empty but overflowing with the potential and promise that come from being in relationship with the risen Savior. The empty tomb invites believers to live in the reality of the resurrection, embracing the fullness of life that Jesus provides. [25:53]
"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." - 1 Corinthians 15:17-20
Reflection: How does the reality of the empty tomb shape your understanding of the fullness of life that Jesus offers, and how can you live out this truth today?
Quotes
1) "Jesus says to you like he said to John Don't Be Afraid. The second thing we see here is that eternal life is mine why because Jesus is Alive. Eternal life is yours and eternal life is mine. Jesus said to John in verse 18 I was dead but look I am alive forever and ever." [01:07:54]
2) "God demands that we be sinless, God demands Perfection, God demands that we are flawless... only those who have lived a completely faultless life, a completely Guiltless life can stand a chance at earning a place in heaven... for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." [01:09:17]
3) "Certain tasks in life require Perfection, kind of like entering an email address to send an email to someone... Just a single mistake in a letter or character can prevent it from reaching the intended recipient... it's crucial for us to input the address correctly and accurately." [01:10:24]
4) "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life... in order to connect with the correct person on a website or a URL it's got to be just right and when it comes to going to heaven we are fortunate that we don't have to lead a Flawless life all we need to do is have faith in the one and the only perfect man who existed and his name is Jesus." [01:11:39]
5) "He's Got The Whole World in His Hands... He's referring to the keys of everything, the keys to Life, Death, Heaven, hell... he was referring to the keys of peace and joy but Hallelujah church he was referring to the keys of Salvation. He holds the keys for your life this morning." [01:23:24]
6) "God has a purpose, God has a plan and let me tell you God's purpose and plan they never fail... The Lord of Heaven's armies has spoken who can change his plans when his hand is raised who can stop him... He's Got The Whole World in His Hands." [01:20:06]
7) "Jesus reassures Us of three things don't fear for I'm alive, you can live eternally because I live forever and always remember I hold the keys and I'm in control. Jesus is not only alive but I am so thankful he lives and resides Within Me." [01:25:53]
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