Resurrection Hope: Transforming Lives Through Faith and Service

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound impact of Mission Dignity, a ministry dedicated to supporting retired pastors, missionaries, and their families who live at or below the poverty line. This ministry, a part of Guidestone Financial Resources, embodies the essence of James 1:27 by caring for orphans and widows. With over 2,800 recipients, many of whom are widows or over the age of 85, Mission Dignity provides monthly love offerings and a special 13th check during Christmas, allowing these individuals to meet their needs and even bless their grandchildren. The ministry also offers the Hawkins Emergency Grant Fund for urgent needs, ensuring that 100% of donations go directly to recipients.

Transitioning to our spiritual focus, we delved into 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, examining the cornerstone of our faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This doctrine is not just a historical event but the very hinge of history, affirming that Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection surpass all other historic events. We discussed four pivotal phrases: "Christ died for our sins," "He was buried," "He rose again the third day," and "He was seen." These affirmations underscore the physical death and resurrection of Jesus, which are foundational to our salvation and the credibility of our faith.

The resurrection is the linchpin of Christianity; without it, our faith would be in vain. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that if Christ is not risen, our preaching is empty, our faith is futile, and we remain in our sins. However, because Jesus rose, we too have the hope of resurrection and eternal life. This truth transforms our lives, offering us a new identity and purpose. The resurrection is not just a doctrine to be believed but a reality to be lived, impacting how we view life, death, and eternity.

Key Takeaways:

1. Mission Dignity's Impact: Mission Dignity exemplifies pure religion by supporting retired pastors and their families who live in poverty. This ministry provides financial assistance and emotional support, ensuring that these faithful servants are not forgotten in their later years. It is a tangible expression of James 1:27, calling us to care for those in need. [41:20]

2. The Hinge of History: Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are the most significant events in history, surpassing all others. His resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith, affirming that He is the Son of God and that His sacrifice was sufficient for our sins. This truth is the foundation of our hope and the assurance of our salvation. [53:33]

3. The Reality of the Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical fact but a transformative reality. It assures us of our future resurrection and eternal life with God. This hope empowers us to live with purpose and confidence, knowing that death is not the end but a transition to eternal glory. [59:47]

4. The Credibility of Changed Lives: The resurrection is evidenced by the transformed lives of the apostles and countless believers throughout history. Their willingness to suffer and die for their faith testifies to the truth of the resurrection. Our own changed lives are a powerful witness to the reality of Christ's victory over sin and death. [01:03:30]

5. Personal Reflection and Response: The resurrection demands a personal response. It challenges us to examine our beliefs and the impact of this truth on our lives. We are called to not only believe in the resurrection intellectually but to experience its power in our daily lives, living as people of hope and purpose. [01:06:06]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Mission Dignity
- [02:15] - The Purpose and Impact of Mission Dignity
- [05:45] - Stories of Recipients
- [08:30] - Financial Support and Love Offerings
- [12:00] - The Hawkins Emergency Grant Fund
- [15:20] - Sources of Funding for Mission Dignity
- [18:45] - Transition to the Resurrection Message
- [21:00] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians 15
- [24:30] - The Significance of Jesus' Birth and Death
- [28:00] - The Hinge of History: Jesus' Resurrection
- [32:15] - Four Key Phrases of the Resurrection
- [36:00] - The Importance of Jesus' Physical Death
- [41:20] - The Reality of the Resurrection
- [45:00] - The Credibility of Changed Lives
- [50:30] - Personal Reflection and Response
- [55:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

Observation Questions:
1. What is the primary mission of Mission Dignity, and how does it relate to James 1:27? [41:20]
2. According to the sermon, what are the four pivotal phrases found in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 that summarize the core of the Christian faith? [53:33]
3. How does the sermon describe the significance of Jesus' resurrection in relation to the credibility of the Christian faith? [59:47]
4. What evidence does the sermon provide to support the reality of Jesus' resurrection? [01:03:30]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Mission Dignity exemplify the biblical call to care for orphans and widows, and why is this important for the church today? [41:20]
2. In what ways does the resurrection of Jesus serve as the "hinge of history," and why is this doctrine crucial for Christian belief? [53:33]
3. How does the sermon explain the connection between Jesus' physical death and the assurance of our salvation? [59:47]
4. What role do the transformed lives of the apostles and other believers play in affirming the truth of the resurrection? [01:03:30]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the impact of Mission Dignity. How can you personally contribute to supporting retired pastors and their families in need? [41:20]
2. The resurrection is described as a transformative reality. How does this truth influence your daily life and decisions? [59:47]
3. Consider the four pivotal phrases from 1 Corinthians 15:3-8. Which phrase resonates most with you, and why? How can it shape your understanding of faith?
4. The sermon emphasizes the credibility of changed lives as evidence of the resurrection. How has your life been transformed by your faith in Jesus?
5. The resurrection offers hope of eternal life. How does this hope affect your perspective on life, death, and eternity? [59:47]
6. The sermon challenges us to respond personally to the resurrection. What steps can you take to deepen your belief and experience its power in your life? [01:06:06]
7. How can you share the message of the resurrection with others in a way that is both authentic and impactful? [01:03:30]

Devotional

Day 1: Mission Dignity: A Call to Action
Mission Dignity is a ministry that embodies the essence of James 1:27 by providing financial and emotional support to retired pastors, missionaries, and their families who live at or below the poverty line. With over 2,800 recipients, many of whom are widows or over the age of 85, this ministry ensures that these faithful servants are not forgotten in their later years. By offering monthly love offerings and a special 13th check during Christmas, Mission Dignity allows these individuals to meet their needs and even bless their grandchildren. Additionally, the Hawkins Emergency Grant Fund addresses urgent needs, with 100% of donations going directly to recipients. This ministry is a tangible expression of pure religion, calling us to care for those in need. [41:20]

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." (James 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community is in need of support, and how can you take tangible steps to assist them today?


Day 2: The Resurrection: The Hinge of History
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the most significant events in history, surpassing all others. The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith, affirming that Jesus is the Son of God and that His sacrifice was sufficient for our sins. This truth is the foundation of our hope and the assurance of our salvation. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that if Christ is not risen, our preaching is empty, our faith is futile, and we remain in our sins. However, because Jesus rose, we too have the hope of resurrection and eternal life. This truth transforms our lives, offering us a new identity and purpose. [53:33]

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection shape your understanding of your identity and purpose in life today?


Day 3: Living the Reality of the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical fact but a transformative reality. It assures us of our future resurrection and eternal life with God. This hope empowers us to live with purpose and confidence, knowing that death is not the end but a transition to eternal glory. The resurrection is not just a doctrine to be believed but a reality to be lived, impacting how we view life, death, and eternity. As believers, we are called to live as people of hope and purpose, experiencing the power of the resurrection in our daily lives. [59:47]

"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead." (1 Corinthians 15:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you live out the reality of the resurrection in your daily life, especially in how you approach challenges and opportunities?


Day 4: The Credibility of Changed Lives
The resurrection is evidenced by the transformed lives of the apostles and countless believers throughout history. Their willingness to suffer and die for their faith testifies to the truth of the resurrection. The apostles, who once fled in fear, became bold proclaimers of the gospel after witnessing the risen Christ. Our own changed lives are a powerful witness to the reality of Christ's victory over sin and death. As we live out our faith, we become living testimonies of the transformative power of the resurrection. [01:03:30]

"And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." (Revelation 12:11, ESV)

Reflection: How has your life been transformed by your faith in the resurrection, and how can you share your testimony with others today?


Day 5: Personal Reflection and Response to the Resurrection
The resurrection demands a personal response. It challenges us to examine our beliefs and the impact of this truth on our lives. We are called to not only believe in the resurrection intellectually but to experience its power in our daily lives, living as people of hope and purpose. This involves a personal reflection on how the resurrection shapes our values, decisions, and interactions with others. As we reflect on this truth, we are invited to respond by aligning our lives with the hope and purpose that the resurrection offers. [01:06:06]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: What specific changes can you make in your life today to align more closely with the hope and purpose offered by the resurrection?

Quotes

Mission Dignity is a ministry of Guidestone Financial Resources, which has been in existence well over 100 years. It was begun in 1921 in order to really provide retirement and insurance benefits and things of that nature to pastors, missionaries, and their families. I really believe, though, that Mission Dignity specifically is probably the most literal fulfillment I can imagine of James 1, verse 27, that says that pure and undefiled religion before God is this, is that we would care for and visit orphans and widows. [00:33:54] (31 seconds)


And it won't surprise you that by the time they're 81, they're no longer a couple, but one or the other is passed. And by that time, they're a single adult. That's kind of who we serve. And how exactly is it that we serve? Well, we come alongside, as I said, financially, and we provide them a monthly love offering. And I told Pastor Joey he'll understand this. Preachers understand love offerings, right? That language we understand. So in the early days, they wouldn't receive it. They were kind of hesitant. But when we started calling it love offerings, oh, okay, I get that. [00:39:40] (34 seconds)


But we were going somewhere. And so I thought it was a good thing to ask Joey, would he take care of the dog while we were gone? And so I gave him the keys to our house. And we went away, and we came back a few days later. And Joey had invited some of his friends and colleagues to help him care for our dog. So we get home, and our dog was an inside dog, but we couldn't find the dog. Well, the dog was in the backyard. That's okay. We found the dog. That was a good thing. And everything was okay. [00:54:07] (37 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?