Transformed by the Power of the Resurrection

 

Summary

In my sermon today, I began by greeting the congregation on this Resurrection Sunday, emphasizing the power and significance of declaring that Jesus is risen. I shared the story of Gardell Martin, a young boy who miraculously came back to life after being clinically dead for over an hour, drawing a parallel to the resurrection of Jesus, who was not only brought back to life but was given a new, glorified body after three days.

I then recounted the events of Luke 24, starting with the women who were the first to discover the empty tomb and receive the angelic message that Jesus had risen. I highlighted the cultural significance of women being the first witnesses to the resurrection, despite their testimonies not being valued in that society. I continued with the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, who were joined by Jesus without recognizing him. Jesus explained how the scriptures pointed to his death and resurrection, and they finally recognized him when he broke bread with them.

I emphasized the importance of the Bible in pointing us toward Jesus, referencing John Calvin's insights on how Jesus is represented throughout scripture. I explained that Jesus is the culmination of history and the answer to the world's greatest problem—sin. I stressed that Jesus' resurrection is a message that must be proclaimed to all nations, calling for repentance and belief in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.

I shared my personal experience of living in Jerusalem for 11 years, describing it as a life-changing event that transformed my understanding of culture, language, and relationships. I drew a parallel to the life-changing event of encountering the risen Christ, which calls us to a new life of following him.

I then focused on the disciples' encounter with the resurrected Jesus, who appeared among them and showed them his hands and feet, proving he was not a ghost but had a physical body. I pointed out the significance of Jesus eating broiled fish in their presence, which further confirmed his physical resurrection.

I concluded by discussing the ascension of Jesus into heaven and the disciples' response of worship, which was shocking given their Jewish understanding of God's holiness. I explained that their worship of Jesus as God was a testament to his divine nature and the truth of his resurrection.

Key Takeaways:

1. The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event but a transformative reality that invites us into a living relationship with a risen King. Just as the disciples' lives were radically changed by their encounters with the resurrected Christ, so too are our lives meant to be transformed when we truly understand and accept the power of his resurrection. [19:23]

2. The Bible is a unified story that points us to Jesus, the answer to our greatest problem—sin. Through the scriptures, we see Jesus as the fulfillment of the law, the prophets, and the sacrificial system, offering us forgiveness and a new life. Understanding this helps us to read the Bible with a Christ-centered perspective, finding the infinite riches that are in him. [29:02]

3. Encountering Jesus is a life-changing event that calls us to a new way of living. Just as moving to a new country can change every aspect of life, so does following Jesus transform our priorities, relationships, and identity. This transformation is a journey that begins with repentance and faith in Jesus. [39:23]

4. The physical resurrection of Jesus is central to our faith, providing us with confidence in his divinity and the hope of our own resurrection. The disciples' amazement at Jesus eating broiled fish is a reminder that our faith is grounded in the reality of Jesus' bodily resurrection, which assures us of his victory over death. [25:03]

5. Worshiping Jesus as God is the appropriate response to his resurrection and ascension. The disciples' worship of Jesus, despite their Jewish reverence for God's holiness, signifies the recognition of Jesus' divine nature and lordship over all creation. As followers of Christ, we are called to offer him our worship and allegiance. [34:13]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Luke 24:36-43: "While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, 'Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.' When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, 'Do you have anything here to eat?' They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence."

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the reaction of the disciples when Jesus appeared among them in Luke 24:36-37?
2. How did Jesus prove to the disciples that he was not a ghost in Luke 24:39-40?
3. What did Jesus do to further confirm his physical resurrection to the disciples in Luke 24:41-43?
4. According to the sermon, why is the physical resurrection of Jesus central to our faith? [25:03]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the disciples were initially frightened and doubted when Jesus appeared to them? [22:01]
2. How does Jesus' act of eating broiled fish in front of the disciples serve as a significant proof of his resurrection? [23:48]
3. In what ways does the resurrection of Jesus invite us into a transformative relationship with him? [19:23]
4. How does understanding Jesus as the fulfillment of the law, the prophets, and the sacrificial system change the way we read the Bible? [29:02]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced doubt in your faith. How did you overcome it, and what role did the resurrection of Jesus play in strengthening your belief? [22:01]
2. Jesus' resurrection calls us to a new way of living. What specific changes can you make in your daily life to align more closely with this calling? [39:23]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of proclaiming the message of Jesus' resurrection to all nations. How can you actively share this message within your community? [30:41]
4. Considering the disciples' amazement at Jesus eating broiled fish, how can you find and appreciate the tangible proofs of Jesus' presence in your life today? [23:48]
5. Worshiping Jesus as God was a radical shift for the disciples. How can you deepen your worship and reverence for Jesus in your personal and communal worship practices? [34:13]
6. The sermon mentioned that encountering Jesus is a life-changing event. Can you identify a moment in your life where you felt a significant transformation due to your faith in Jesus? How did it impact your priorities and relationships? [39:23]
7. How can you cultivate a Christ-centered perspective when reading the Bible, and what steps can you take to discover the infinite riches that are in Jesus? [29:02]

Devotional

Day 1: Resurrection: A Call to Transformation
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a past event but a present reality that beckons a profound transformation in the lives of believers. It is an invitation to enter into a dynamic relationship with a living Savior, whose victory over death is a catalyst for radical change. This transformation is akin to the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly, where the old life is left behind, and a new, vibrant life begins. The disciples' own lives were irrevocably altered by their encounters with the risen Christ, serving as a testament to the power of His resurrection to revolutionize our very existence. This transformative power is not confined to the spiritual realm but extends to every facet of life, prompting a reevaluation of values, goals, and relationships. It is a journey that commences with the recognition of Jesus' lordship and continues with daily steps of faith and obedience. [19:23]

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." - 2 Corinthians 3:18

Reflection: How has the reality of Jesus' resurrection challenged you to change one specific aspect of your life, and what steps can you take today to embody that change?

Day 2: Scripture: A Christ-Centered Narrative
The Bible is a grand narrative that, from Genesis to Revelation, points to Jesus Christ as the solution to humanity's most profound dilemma—sin. It is through the scriptures that one can trace the redemptive arc of history, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He is the fulfillment of ancient prophecies, the embodiment of the law, and the ultimate sacrifice that renders obsolete the old system of atonement. Understanding the Bible through a Christ-centered lens allows believers to discover the inexhaustible riches found in Him and to see every story, law, and prophecy as a signpost leading to the Savior. This perspective transforms the act of reading the Bible from a religious exercise into a personal encounter with the living Word, who is Jesus Himself. [29:02]

"Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, 'Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead.'" - Luke 24:45-46

Reflection: In what ways can you approach your Bible reading with a more Christ-centered focus, and what is one passage you can revisit today to seek a deeper understanding of Jesus' role in it?

Day 3: Encountering Jesus: A New Way of Living
Encountering Jesus is a transformative experience that calls for a complete overhaul of one's life. It is akin to moving to a new country, where every aspect of life, including culture, language, and relationships, is subject to change. When one truly meets the risen Christ, priorities shift, relationships are redefined, and identity is found in Him. This encounter demands a response of repentance and faith, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey of discipleship. It is a path marked by continual growth and change, as believers learn to live out the implications of the gospel in every area of their lives. [39:23]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have resisted the transformative work of Jesus, and how can you invite Him into that space today?

Day 4: Bodily Resurrection: Our Confident Hope
The physical resurrection of Jesus is a cornerstone of Christian faith, providing believers with unwavering confidence in His divinity and the hope of their own future resurrection. The disciples' astonishment at Jesus' ability to eat broiled fish with them after His resurrection serves as a powerful reminder that our faith is rooted in historical reality. Jesus' victory over death is not a metaphorical concept but a tangible truth that assures us of His lordship over life and death. This assurance fuels the hope that, as Jesus was raised in a glorified body, so too shall His followers be raised to eternal life. [25:03]

"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." - Romans 6:5

Reflection: How does the reality of Jesus' bodily resurrection shape your understanding of life after death, and how can this hope influence your actions and attitudes today?

Day 5: Worship: Our Response to the Divine
The appropriate response to the resurrection and ascension of Jesus is worship. The disciples, steeped in Jewish tradition, understood the gravity of worshiping only God, yet they found themselves compelled to worship Jesus as divine. This act of worship was a profound acknowledgment of Jesus' nature as God and a testament to the truth of His resurrection. As modern-day followers of Christ, recognizing Jesus' lordship and divine nature should lead us to a life of worship, not only in song and prayer but in every aspect of our daily lives. Worship is an expression of allegiance, love, and reverence for the One who has triumphed over death and reigns eternally. [34:13]

"And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God." - Luke 24:52-53

Reflection: What are some practical ways you can express worship to Jesus in your everyday life, and how can you incorporate an act of worship into your routine today?

Quotes


We don't just say those words because it's what you do on Easter. We say it because there's power in those words. We don't worship a good man who died 2,000 years ago and got unfairly treated. We worship a living king. Somebody who rose from the grave and has power. And he invites us into his kingdom to be his people. And so when we say Jesus is risen, we mean he's alive. We mean he hears us. We mean he's here today. [16:27]( | | )

Miracles do happen. And people do die and come back to life after a very short time. It's very rare, but it does happen. In 2015, Gardell got that gift. But Jesus' resurrection is quite a bit different, isn't it? He wasn't dead for two hours. He was dead for three days. And when he rises from the dead, he hasn't given back his old body. But he's given a new body, a new resurrected body. Something you and I have never seen. [19:23](Download clip | | )

And yet he's our sacrifice. If you were here on Good Friday, we celebrated. He died on a cross for our sins. He took our punishment, our mocking, our beating. And in verse 47, we see he's the answer to the world's greatest problem. Let's read it. Verse 47. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name, to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent. [30:45]( | | )

You never turn back around because he is the king and he demands allegiance. He demands we follow him. He demands that we're different than we were before, that a new life begins. That's why Jesus talks about being born again. We're to start new with the Lord. He gives us his Holy Spirit when we put our faith in Jesus Christ. Because Jesus' desire, what he was sent to do, is that every knee would bow, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue confess that he is Lord. [40:10]( | | )

And yet in Jesus's glorified body, he was able to do that. He would just show up. I think it must have been kind of fun for Jesus to sneak up on people and be like, bam, I'm Jesus. What's going on here? I heard you talking about me. You don't get away with anything with Jesus. He always seems to know what's going on. But here, they're confused. They don't understand what's going on. So Jesus says, look at my hands, right? He has the nails in them still. [23:25]( | | )

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