Transformative Power of the Resurrection: A Journey of Faith

 

Summary

Gathering together as a church family is a profound reminder of the community and love we share in Christ. This morning, we embark on a journey through the eyewitness accounts of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event that has the power to transform our lives. Throughout history, there have been moments that have reshaped our world, but none compare to the resurrection. As we delve into John chapter 20, we begin with Mary Magdalene, the first to witness the empty tomb and encounter the risen Christ.

Mary Magdalene's story is one of transformation and devotion. Once tormented by seven demons, she was healed by Jesus, who gave her hope and purpose. Her journey to the tomb, despite her grief and confusion, exemplifies unwavering faith. Even in her pain, she pursued Jesus, a lesson for us all to seek Him in our darkest moments. Her encounter with the risen Christ, marked by the simple utterance of her name, "Mary," reveals the personal and relational nature of God. Jesus knows us intimately and calls us by name, inviting us into a relationship with Him.

Mary's experience also underscores the responsibility we have as believers to share the message of the resurrection. Just as Mary was instructed to tell the disciples, we too are called to proclaim the good news that Jesus is alive. This message, though sometimes met with skepticism or rejection, holds the power to change lives. Our role is not to convince others but to faithfully share the truth of the resurrection, trusting that God will work in their hearts.

As we continue this series, I invite those who may find the resurrection hard to believe to journey with us. Over the next few weeks, we will explore the historical accounts and evidence of the resurrection, praying that what may seem like nonsense will become a life-changing truth. The resurrection is not just an event in history; it is the foundation of our faith and the source of our hope for eternity.

Key Takeaways:

- Pursuing Jesus in Pain: Mary Magdalene's devotion to Jesus, even in her grief, teaches us to seek Him in our darkest moments. When life is hard, we often run from God, but Mary shows us the importance of running to Him, trusting that He knows what we need and when we need it. [09:28]

- The Power of a Name: Jesus calling Mary by name highlights the personal and relational nature of God. He knows us intimately and desires a relationship with us, reminding us that our faith is not about religious rituals but about walking with a God who knows and loves us deeply. [14:09]

- Carrying the Message of the Resurrection: Like Mary, we are called to share the good news of Jesus' resurrection. Despite potential rejection or skepticism, our responsibility is to proclaim that Jesus is alive, trusting that God will use our testimony to impact others. [20:28]

- Faith in the Face of Doubt: The disciples initially doubted Mary's testimony, yet they eventually believed and gave their lives for the message of the resurrection. This reminds us that our role is to share the truth, leaving the work of transformation to God. [23:30]

- Invitation to Explore the Resurrection: For those who find the resurrection hard to believe, this series offers an opportunity to explore the historical accounts and evidence. We pray that what seems like nonsense will become a life-changing truth, revealing the power of the resurrection to transform lives. [24:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to the Church Family
- [01:06] - Historical Events that Shape Life
- [02:07] - The Resurrection: A Life-Changing Event
- [02:36] - Eyewitness Account Series Introduction
- [03:05] - The Resurrection: The Linchpin of Faith
- [04:08] - The Power of the Resurrection
- [05:01] - Mary Magdalene's Journey to the Tomb
- [06:03] - Understanding Mary Magdalene
- [07:18] - Mary's Dark Past and Transformation
- [08:42] - Mary's Devotion in Grief
- [10:09] - Encounter with Angels at the Tomb
- [12:33] - Jesus Appears to Mary
- [14:09] - The Power of a Name
- [17:22] - Mary's Commission to Share the News
- [20:28] - Our Responsibility to Share the Resurrection
- [24:22] - Invitation to Explore the Resurrection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 20:1-18
- 1 Corinthians 15:14-15

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Observation Questions:

1. What was Mary Magdalene's initial reaction upon finding the empty tomb, and how did she respond to the angels she encountered? [10:22]

2. How did Mary Magdalene's past experiences with Jesus influence her actions and emotions at the tomb? [08:42]

3. What was the significance of Jesus calling Mary by her name, and how did it change her perception of the situation? [14:09]

4. How did the disciples initially react to Mary's testimony about the resurrection, and what does this reveal about their state of belief? [22:30]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does Mary Magdalene's devotion to Jesus, even in her grief, teach about the nature of faith during difficult times? [09:28]

2. How does the personal nature of Jesus calling Mary by name reflect the relational aspect of God, and why is this significant for believers today? [14:09]

3. In what ways does Mary's responsibility to share the news of the resurrection parallel the calling of believers to share their faith today? [20:28]

4. How does the initial skepticism of the disciples towards Mary's testimony highlight the challenges of sharing the gospel in a skeptical world? [23:30]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult situation. Did you run towards or away from Jesus during that time? How might Mary's example encourage you to seek Jesus in future challenges? [09:28]

2. Jesus called Mary by name, highlighting His personal relationship with her. How can you cultivate a more personal relationship with God in your daily life? [14:09]

3. Mary was tasked with sharing the news of the resurrection despite potential disbelief. Identify one person in your life with whom you can share your faith this week. What steps will you take to do so? [20:28]

4. The disciples initially doubted Mary's testimony. How can you prepare yourself to face skepticism when sharing your faith, and what strategies can you use to remain steadfast in your message? [23:30]

5. For those who struggle with believing in the resurrection, what steps can you take to explore the historical evidence and accounts of the resurrection more deeply? How can this exploration strengthen your faith? [24:22]

6. Consider the personal and relational nature of God as demonstrated in the sermon. How can you make your faith less about rituals and more about a genuine relationship with God? [16:09]

7. Reflect on the message of the resurrection as the foundation of your faith. How can this truth impact your daily life and interactions with others? [04:08]

Devotional

Day 1: Seeking Jesus in Our Darkest Moments
Mary Magdalene's journey to the tomb, despite her overwhelming grief, is a testament to her unwavering faith and devotion to Jesus. Her story is one of transformation, having been healed by Jesus from a life of torment. In her darkest moment, she chose to seek Jesus, demonstrating the importance of turning to Him when life feels unbearable. Her encounter with the risen Christ, marked by the simple utterance of her name, "Mary," reveals the personal and relational nature of God. This teaches us that even in our pain, we should pursue Jesus, trusting that He knows what we need and when we need it. [09:28]

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt overwhelmed by grief or pain. How can you intentionally seek Jesus in those moments, trusting that He knows your needs?


Day 2: The Personal Call of God
The moment when Jesus calls Mary by her name highlights the deeply personal and relational nature of God. This encounter shows that God knows us intimately and desires a relationship with us, beyond religious rituals. It reminds us that our faith is about walking with a God who knows and loves us deeply. This personal call is a powerful reminder that God sees us, knows us, and calls us into a relationship with Him. [14:09]

"But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'" (Isaiah 43:1, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on how you experience God's personal call in your life. How does knowing that God calls you by name impact your relationship with Him today?


Day 3: Sharing the Good News of the Resurrection
Mary Magdalene was entrusted with the responsibility to share the news of Jesus' resurrection with the disciples. This highlights the call for all believers to proclaim the good news that Jesus is alive. Despite potential skepticism or rejection, our role is to faithfully share the truth of the resurrection, trusting that God will work in the hearts of others. This responsibility is not about convincing others but about being faithful witnesses to the transformative power of the resurrection. [20:28]

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the good news of the resurrection? How can you share this message with them in a way that is authentic and loving?


Day 4: Faith Amidst Doubt
The initial doubt of the disciples regarding Mary's testimony of the resurrection serves as a reminder that faith often involves wrestling with doubt. Despite their skepticism, the disciples eventually believed and dedicated their lives to spreading the message of the resurrection. This teaches us that our role is to share the truth, leaving the work of transformation to God. Faith is not the absence of doubt but the courage to trust in God's truth despite it. [23:30]

"Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'" (Mark 9:24, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with doubt? How can you bring these doubts to God, asking Him to strengthen your faith?


Day 5: Exploring the Truth of the Resurrection
For those who find the resurrection hard to believe, there is an invitation to explore the historical accounts and evidence. The resurrection is not just an event in history; it is the foundation of our faith and the source of our hope for eternity. This exploration is an opportunity to move from skepticism to belief, praying that what seems like nonsense will become a life-changing truth. The power of the resurrection is transformative, offering hope and new life to all who believe. [24:22]

"Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised." (1 Corinthians 15:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: What questions or doubts do you have about the resurrection? How can you take steps to explore these questions, seeking understanding and truth?

Quotes



Mary Magdalene's story is one of transformation and devotion. Once tormented by seven demons, she was healed by Jesus, who gave her hope and purpose. Her journey to the tomb, despite her grief and confusion, exemplifies unwavering faith. Even in her pain, she pursued Jesus, a lesson for us all to seek Him in our darkest moments. [00:08:42]

Even in her pain, she is still pursuing Jesus. It's easy to miss this right, even in the midst of her worst day. For Mary, this was probably her worst couple of days. Her savior, the guy who changed her life, is gone. She's crushed, she's grieving the loss of a friend, a loved one, and yet in all of that pain, guess what she's still doing? [00:09:28]

Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned towards him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni," which means teacher. Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." [00:17:22]

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news, "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her. So here, this is Mary's eyewitness account. After every time I read this story of Mary at the resurrection, I always wonder one question: why Mary? [00:20:28]

God, do you realize that Mary is the first to speak and see Jesus after the resurrection? Of all the people that God could have chosen to appear to, to speak to, he chose a woman with a past, a woman who was possessed by demons at one point in her life, and yet he chose her to hear the greatest news in all of history. [00:23:30]

I think the first thing that we learn from Mary is that we have to pursue Jesus in our pain. What I love about this woman's story is you see such a level of devotion to God. Even though she was facing hard circumstances, we see faithfulness in Mary. We see devotion. We see she wanted to pursue Jesus no matter what it took. [00:24:22]

And here's the reality for all of us in life: we're going to experience hardship and pain. In fact, in our church this big, some of you right now, you get some of the things Mary is going through because you're grieving, you're hurting, you're walking through hardship right now. My question for you is, in the midst of that pain or that hardship, are you running to or are you running from Jesus? [00:25:12]

Because the enemy will do everything he can to get you to run from the very one that you need. What you will see is when Mary ran to Jesus, he knew exactly what she needed and when she needed it. The same is true for you in your pain. Stop running from the one who can heal you, comfort you, give you peace. [00:26:22]

He might not change your pain, but I promise you he will give you purpose and hope and a future in it. So when we walk through pain, let's run to Jesus. But from a bigger perspective, I think Mary's story reminds us to carry the message of the Resurrection. Like Mary, although she was the first one to hear, that came with some responsibility. [00:27:12]

That came with a command, right? You know the news, Mary. Now you have to go tell others. In fact, right after she sees Jesus, she understands who he is. Look what he tells her. He says, "Mary, you got to go. You got to go to my brothers and tell them. You got to tell them you've seen me, that I'm alive." [00:28:22]

And honestly, isn't that the same thing we carry as Christ followers, as people who have experienced the power of the Resurrection in our life? Isn't it our job to take that message to our city and to our world and to our county and our schools and to wherever you go, your workplaces? We have a responsibility to carry the message of the Resurrection. [00:29:22]

And yet, if we're honest, so many times we don't carry that message. We get busy in life chasing our dreams and our desires. Honestly, one of the greatest things that keeps us from carrying the message is just rejection. What if I tell people Jesus is alive and they laugh at me? They think I'm crazy. [00:30:00]

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