Reflecting on Sacrifice: The Heart of Easter
Summary
The privilege of gathering at Highland Heights Baptist Church is a profound joy, and today, we delve into the heart of Easter, a time not just for celebration but for deep reflection on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As we recount the harrowing journey of Jesus from his arrest to his crucifixion, we are reminded that our sins placed him on that cross. The brutality he endured was unimaginable, yet he bore it all for our salvation. This Easter, we must not only celebrate the resurrection but also grieve the death that preceded it, understanding the immense love that led Jesus to lay down his life for us.
In Revelation chapters 4 and 5, we witness a heavenly scene where the holiness of God is proclaimed, and the worthiness of Jesus, the Lion of Judah and the Lamb who was slain, is revealed. This passage calls us to be restored by God's presence, to rest in the promise of heaven, and to reflect on our human condition. We are reminded that without Jesus, we are lost and separated from God. Yet, through his sacrificial atonement, we are offered redemption and eternal life.
The message is clear: we are invited into a relationship with God, one that transforms us from the inside out. This transformation is not about mere behavior modification but about becoming new creations in Christ. As we embrace this newness, we are called to live in the light, to rejoice in the hope of heaven, and to share this love with others. Today, let us respond to this invitation, whether it is for the first time or as a renewal of our commitment to Christ. Let us be a community that embodies the love and grace of God, celebrating the resurrection not just once a year, but every day.
Key Takeaways:
1. Grieving Before Celebrating: To truly celebrate the resurrection, we must first grieve the death of Jesus. Understanding the depth of his sacrifice helps us appreciate the magnitude of his love and the victory of his resurrection. This reflection is crucial for a genuine Easter celebration. [46:21]
2. The Holiness of God: Revelation 4:8-11 emphasizes the infinite holiness of God. The repetition of "holy" signifies the superlative nature of God's holiness, reminding us that he is beyond our comprehension and worthy of all worship and honor. [49:53]
3. The Human Condition: Without Christ, we are lost and separated from God. Our human condition is one of sin and hopelessness, but through Jesus' sacrificial atonement, we are offered redemption and eternal life. This is the essence of the gospel. [01:02:30]
4. The Promise of Heaven: Heaven is a place of comfort and hope, where we will be reunited with loved ones and experience the fullness of God's presence. This promise gives us strength and joy, knowing that this life is just the beginning of eternity with God. [58:43]
5. Transformation Through Christ: Being a Christian is not about behavior modification but about becoming a new creation in Christ. This transformation is a complete renewal, where God's spirit dwells within us, giving us new desires and a new identity. [01:12:19]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction and Importance of Easter
- [03:15] - The Arrest and Trials of Jesus
- [07:30] - The Suffering of Christ
- [15:00] - The Crucifixion and Its Agony
- [22:45] - The Death of Jesus
- [30:00] - The Resurrection and Its Significance
- [35:20] - Revelation 4 and 5: A Heavenly Vision
- [42:10] - The Holiness of God
- [49:53] - Restored by God's Presence
- [52:59] - Yahweh: I Will Always Be What I Have Been
- [56:23] - Rest in the Promise of Heaven
- [58:43] - Reflect on the Human Condition
- [01:02:30] - Receive the Provision of an Atoning Savior
- [01:12:19] - Transformation Through Christ
- [01:15:06] - Invitation to Respond and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Revelation 4:8-11
2. Revelation 5:1-10
3. John 3:16-21
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Observation Questions:
1. In Revelation 4:8-11, what is the significance of the creatures repeating "Holy, holy, holy" in their worship of God? How does this emphasize God's nature? [49:53]
2. What does the imagery of the Lion of Judah and the Lamb who was slain in Revelation 5:5-6 reveal about Jesus' role and character? [01:05:17]
3. According to John 3:16-21, what is the purpose of Jesus coming into the world, and how does this relate to the concept of light and darkness? [01:12:19]
4. How does the sermon describe the physical and emotional suffering of Jesus during his crucifixion, and what does this reveal about the depth of his sacrifice? [46:21]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the repeated declaration of God's holiness in Revelation 4:8-11 shape our understanding of worship and reverence towards God? [49:53]
2. In what ways does the dual imagery of Jesus as both the Lion and the Lamb in Revelation 5:5-6 provide a fuller picture of his mission and victory? [01:05:17]
3. Reflecting on John 3:16-21, how does the contrast between light and darkness illustrate the human condition and the need for salvation? [01:12:19]
4. The sermon emphasizes grieving Jesus' death before celebrating his resurrection. How does this perspective deepen our appreciation of Easter and the gospel message? [46:21]
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Application Questions:
1. The sermon suggests that to truly celebrate the resurrection, we must first grieve Jesus' death. How can you incorporate this practice into your personal Easter traditions? [46:21]
2. Revelation 4:8-11 highlights the infinite holiness of God. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe in your daily worship and prayer life? [49:53]
3. The sermon describes the human condition as one of separation from God without Christ. How does this understanding impact your view of evangelism and sharing the gospel with others? [01:02:30]
4. Reflect on the promise of heaven as a place of comfort and hope. How does this promise influence your perspective on current struggles or losses you are facing? [58:43]
5. The sermon calls for transformation through Christ, not just behavior modification. What specific areas of your life do you feel God is calling you to experience this transformation? [01:12:19]
6. How can you actively live out the new creation identity in Christ in your interactions with others this week? Consider specific actions or attitudes you can adopt. [01:12:19]
7. The sermon invites us to respond to God's call, whether for the first time or as a renewal of commitment. What steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with God and respond to his invitation? [01:15:06]
Devotional
Day 1: Grieving Leads to Genuine Celebration
Understanding the depth of Jesus' sacrifice is essential for a genuine celebration of His resurrection. Before we can truly rejoice in the victory of Easter, we must first grieve the immense suffering and death that Jesus endured on the cross. This reflection allows us to appreciate the magnitude of His love and the triumph of His resurrection. By acknowledging the pain and sacrifice, we can more fully embrace the joy and hope that Easter brings. [46:21]
Isaiah 53:3-5 (ESV): "He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."
Reflection: Think of a time when you have overlooked the significance of Jesus' sacrifice. How can you intentionally reflect on His suffering this week to deepen your appreciation for His resurrection?
Day 2: The Infinite Holiness of God
Revelation 4:8-11 paints a vivid picture of God's infinite holiness, emphasizing His superlative nature. The repetition of "holy" signifies that God is beyond our comprehension and worthy of all worship and honor. This understanding calls us to approach Him with reverence and awe, recognizing that His holiness is the foundation of our faith. As we reflect on His holiness, we are reminded of our own need for His grace and mercy. [49:53]
1 Samuel 2:2 (ESV): "There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God."
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence for God's holiness in your daily life? Consider a specific practice or habit you can adopt to honor His holiness.
Day 3: Redemption from Our Human Condition
Without Christ, we are lost and separated from God, trapped in a condition of sin and hopelessness. However, through Jesus' sacrificial atonement, we are offered redemption and eternal life. This is the essence of the gospel, a message of hope and transformation. By accepting this gift, we are invited into a relationship with God that changes us from the inside out, offering us a new identity and purpose. [01:02:30]
Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel separated from God. How can you invite His redemptive power into that area today?
Day 4: The Comforting Promise of Heaven
Heaven is a place of comfort and hope, where we will be reunited with loved ones and experience the fullness of God's presence. This promise gives us strength and joy, knowing that this life is just the beginning of eternity with God. As we rest in this promise, we are encouraged to live with an eternal perspective, finding peace in the assurance of our future with Him. [58:43]
2 Corinthians 5:1 (ESV): "For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
Reflection: How does the promise of heaven influence your perspective on current challenges? Identify one way you can live with an eternal perspective this week.
Day 5: Transformation Through Christ
Being a Christian is not about behavior modification but about becoming a new creation in Christ. This transformation is a complete renewal, where God's spirit dwells within us, giving us new desires and a new identity. As we embrace this newness, we are called to live in the light, to rejoice in the hope of heaven, and to share this love with others. This transformation is an ongoing journey, inviting us to continually grow in our relationship with Christ. [01:12:19]
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to experience transformation through Christ? What steps can you take to invite His Spirit to work in that area today?
Quotes
I discovered that every day that I walked through this, and I would walk in, and Debbie would still be on that respirator. We would live off how much oxygen she had, and what the doctors would say. And every day when I walked in there, and then when Kara was born, and she was a neonatal nursery, and I'd walk in there and see that little child, blessing two pounds, and all that. And walking through all of that every single day. Here's what I discovered. In the middle of me, in my limited humanity, what I was discovering was, every day when I got there, my God was already there. [00:54:39] (38 seconds)
Some of you in this building are struggling right now. You have family members and others that are sick and hurting, or maybe you're going through a difficult time. And I don't know. Maybe your marriage. Maybe your family. I have no clue. But I know this. I know through all of those times, in the last 35 years, the doctors told us Debbie had two years to live in 1990. And for these last many years, these 35 years, guess what we have discovered? We've discovered every day when we get there, He's already there. That's who He is. [00:56:25] (33 seconds)
I can fix this. I can do this. And God says it was never meant to be that way. I created you in my image to put my spirit in you, that you would never be alone, that you could walk with him, that every day when you get there, whatever it may be, you can face it because he's already there. [00:57:30] (20 seconds)
I don't know what heaven's going to be like one day. I know it's going to be an amazing place. I know this. I know this. I told them in the early service this morning, you know, the Bible teaches us that one day we will get a new body. Come on, man. There's a lot of pain in this body, isn't there? I'm 64 years old. Y 'all don't realize this. I used to be 6 '8". [00:57:48] (25 seconds)
When my father passed away in 2002, my dad had had a valve replacement and several heart surgeries and dad was just, he knew that Christmas and the doctors had told him it wouldn't be long. He was about 73. [00:58:09] (16 seconds)
This is what it says. It's entitled, Until We Meet Again. When dawn's first light turned into day who knew an angel would soon call me away. And though I didn't get the chance to say goodbye, I leave you three things to help you get by. I leave you courage that you might see your heart can rebuild a world without me. I leave you faith that you might believe the spirit will survive no matter how much we grieve. And I leave you love to comfort you in the healing embrace until we meet again in another place. Heaven comforts me. I can't wait. Guys, I mean, the greatest part of heaven is Jesus. [00:59:18] (48 seconds)
We need to be rejoicing in all of this. There is no reason for us not to rejoice because we have eternal hope in Christ. Rejoice. Smile. It won't break your face, I promise you. We need to rejoice in this. Come on. Who do you look forward to seeing? I want to see my dad again. I want to see my little brother who died when I was three. [01:00:14] (24 seconds)
The picture here of the human condition is that we are lost and separated from God. That Dave, I mean, John is writing this as God is giving this picture to him. And the picture here is John laying down. He can see everything. And he sees the father with the scroll, his right hand, and he's there. And he knows if someone doesn't step out that there is no hope. [01:01:46] (23 seconds)
Our human condition is that we are eternally separated from God. We are lost. There's none of us good. No, not one. [01:02:18] (10 seconds)
It's not about being a good person. Just even being a kind person. It's about us understanding that all of us here, there's only two ways to get to heaven. Two ways. I thought there was only one way. No, there's two ways. [01:02:29] (13 seconds)
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