Transformed by the Power of the Resurrection
Summary
In my sermon, I began by sharing the powerful testimony of Brooklyn Bowman, who recounted her struggles with depression, anxiety, disordered eating, and self-harm. Despite growing up in the church and achieving professional success, Brooklyn felt overwhelmed by her internal battles. Her darkest moment came in 2019 when she attempted suicide twice. Miraculously, she survived and found a renewed sense of purpose, realizing that her life had meaning and that God cared deeply about her. Brooklyn's story set the stage for the central message of the sermon: the transformative power of Jesus Christ's resurrection and the access it grants us to God.
I then transitioned to the celebration of the resurrection, proclaiming, "He is risen!" This declaration underscores the significance of the resurrection as the greatest victory of all time, a victory that changes everything. I drew a parallel between the excitement of a Super Bowl victory and the incomparable triumph of Jesus over death. Just as my son Dallas experienced an unearned celebration during a victory parade, we too have been given unearned credentials through Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.
The sermon focused on three symbols that illustrate the access Jesus offers to God: the cross, the curtain, and the tomb. The cross, a symbol of brutality turned into a symbol of love, represents the intersection of God's justice and mercy, where we receive forgiveness. The curtain, once a barrier in the temple, was torn at Jesus' death, signifying the end of separation and the beginning of a relationship with God. The tomb, which was found empty, symbolizes our formation into Christ's image through the power of the resurrection.
I emphasized that the resurrection is not just a historical event but a present reality that changes our future, power, identification, and perspective. The empty tomb is a trophy of God's victory, assuring us that we are no longer slaves to sin but are united with Christ in his victory over sin and death.
As we prepared for communion, I read from 1 Corinthians 11, reminding the congregation of the significance of the Lord's table. I urged everyone to reflect and repent, remember Christ's sacrifice, and restate the proclamation of the Lord's death. This practice is not just a ritual but a meaningful engagement with the reality of Jesus' sacrifice for us.
In conclusion, I challenged the congregation to spend time with Jesus daily, gather with the church weekly, and share our faith in meaningful relationships. The sermon ended with an invitation to celebrate communion, regardless of church membership, as long as one has a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. Our lives, like Brooklyn's, can be transformed by the resurrection power of Jesus. No matter the depth of our despair or the mistakes we've made, there is hope and meaning in Christ. God's love and forgiveness are wide enough to cover any sin, offering us a fresh start and a new identity. [34:39]
2. The torn curtain in the temple is a profound symbol of our newfound access to God. It signifies the end of hostility and the beginning of reconciliation, the end of brokenness and the start of restoration, and the end of religion and the start of a relationship with God. This access allows us to experience God's presence intimately and personally. [38:12]
3. The empty tomb is not just a historical fact; it is the foundation of our faith and the source of our transformation. The resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us, changing us from the inside out. This power enables us to overcome addictions, sins, and any negative labels that have defined us in the past. [41:54]
4. The resurrection changes our future from death to life, our power from flesh to spirit, our identification from shame to honor, and our perspective from fear to courage. The empty tomb is a reminder that we are part of a new creation, and a new chapter in cosmic history has begun. [44:36]
5. Communion is a time to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus, to repent of our sins, to remember His broken body and shed blood, and to restate our faith in His death and resurrection. This practice is a proclamation of the Lord's death until He comes, and it is central to our worship and remembrance as believers. [52:27]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 14:6 - "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
2. Matthew 27:50-51 - "And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split."
3. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
#### Observation Questions
1. What internal struggles did Brooklyn Bowman face despite her professional success and church upbringing? ([17:03])
2. How did the torn curtain in the temple symbolize our newfound access to God? ([35:17])
3. What does the empty tomb represent in terms of our transformation and victory over sin? ([43:08])
4. What are the three symbols discussed in the sermon that illustrate the access Jesus offers to God? ([25:23])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Brooklyn's testimony illustrate the transformative power of Jesus' resurrection? ([20:59])
2. In what ways does the torn curtain signify the end of separation and the beginning of a relationship with God? ([35:17])
3. How does the empty tomb change our future, power, identification, and perspective according to the sermon? ([43:56])
4. What is the significance of communion as described in 1 Corinthians 11, and how does it relate to the sermon’s message? ([49:42])
#### Application Questions
1. Brooklyn's story shows that no matter how deep our despair, there is hope and meaning in Christ. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by internal struggles? How did you find hope in Jesus during those times? ([20:59])
2. The torn curtain signifies our access to God and the end of separation. How can you cultivate a more intimate and personal relationship with God in your daily life? ([35:17])
3. The empty tomb is a reminder of our transformation and victory over sin. What specific areas in your life do you need to surrender to the resurrection power of Jesus for transformation? ([43:08])
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of spending time with Jesus daily, gathering with the church weekly, and sharing our faith. How can you incorporate these practices into your routine? ([47:46])
5. Reflecting on the significance of communion, how can you make this practice more meaningful in your spiritual life? ([49:42])
6. The resurrection changes our perspective from fear to courage. Is there a specific fear or challenge you are facing right now? How can the truth of the resurrection help you approach it with courage? ([44:36])
7. The sermon mentioned the importance of building trusting relationships with non-believers. Identify one person in your life who is curious about faith. How can you engage them in a spiritual conversation this week? ([48:18])
Devotional
Day 1: Transformation Through Resurrection Power
The story of Brooklyn Bowman is a testament to the life-changing power of the resurrection. Despite her achievements and upbringing, she faced profound internal struggles that led her to the brink of despair. Yet, in her darkest moments, she discovered that her life had meaning and that she was deeply cared for by God. This realization is available to all who feel overwhelmed by life's battles. The resurrection power of Jesus offers a fresh start, a new identity, and a hope that transcends all despair. It is a reminder that no matter the depth of one's struggles, there is always a path to transformation and renewal through Christ's love and forgiveness. [34:39]
Romans 6:4-5 (ESV)
"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 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."
Reflection: What aspect of your life do you need to surrender to experience the transformative power of Jesus' resurrection?
Day 2: Unfettered Access to God
The torn curtain in the temple is a powerful symbol of the new access believers have to God. It signifies the end of separation and the beginning of an intimate relationship with the Divine. This access was granted through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, tearing down the barriers of hostility and brokenness. Now, individuals can experience God's presence in a personal and profound way, engaging in a relationship that is no longer hindered by the constraints of the past. The torn curtain invites believers into a journey of reconciliation and restoration, where they can walk with God in the fullness of His grace. [38:12]
Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV)
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of God's presence in your daily life now that you have access to Him?
Day 3: The Empty Tomb's Transformative Power
The empty tomb is not merely a historical fact; it is the cornerstone of faith and the engine of transformation. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is actively working within believers, offering strength to overcome addictions, sins, and the negative labels of the past. This divine power reshapes lives from the inside out, enabling individuals to break free from the chains that once defined them. The empty tomb is a trophy of God's victory, a promise of new life, and an invitation to become part of the new creation that has begun with Christ's resurrection. [41:54]
Ephesians 2:4-6 (ESV)
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What negative label or past sin do you need to let go of to fully embrace the transformative power of the resurrection?
Day 4: Resurrection's Impact on Our Identity
The resurrection of Jesus Christ has profound implications for our future, power, identification, and perspective. It marks a transition from death to life, from operating in the flesh to moving in the Spirit, from shame to honor, and from fear to courage. The empty tomb signifies that believers are part of a new creation, with a new chapter in cosmic history unfolding. This new identity is not just a future hope but a present reality, shaping how individuals see themselves and their place in the world. [44:36]
Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV)
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: In what ways can you start living out your new identity in Christ today?
Day 5: Communion as a Proclamation of Faith
Communion is a sacred time for believers to reflect on Jesus' sacrifice, repent of sins, remember His broken body and shed blood, and restate faith in His death and resurrection. This practice is not a mere ritual but a profound engagement with the reality of Jesus' sacrifice. It serves as a proclamation of the Lord's death until He returns and is central to worship and remembrance. Through communion, believers are invited to connect with the heart of their faith, drawing closer to the essence of what it means to follow Christ. [52:27]
1 Peter 2:24 (ESV)
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."
Reflection: How can participating in communion deepen your understanding and appreciation of Jesus' sacrifice for you?
Quotes
1) "The cross has become so common that there is the potential we've lost maybe a little bit of the meaning of it... originally the cross was a symbol of brutality and torture but Jesus has taken that Roman symbol of torture and turned it into a symbol of love... The cross is where the justice of God met the mercy of God and provided forgiveness for the people of God." [27:28]
2) "The curtain... was a separation between... the holy place and the holy of holies... when Jesus said it is finished that curtain... was torn apart... it shows us access... now we have access into the presence of God... an end to hostility and an invitation for reconciliation... an end to Brokenness and an invitation to Restoration... an end to religion and an invitation to relationship." [38:12]
3) "The tomb... the stone wasn't there to let Jesus out it was there to let us in and to see the power that can transform lives... We are no longer slaves to sin but are united with Christ in his victory over sin and death. The empty tomb is a trophy of God's Victory." [43:08]
4) "Our future has been changed from Death to life... our power has changed from the flesh to the spirit... our identification has changed from shame to honor... our perspective has changed from Fear to courage... This is the beginning of the new creation, a new chapter in Cosmic history has opened." [44:36]
5) "You and I we are as imperfect as they come... this life is a construction zone... When we accept the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus by faith we begin construction and it goes on for the very rest of our lives... God transforms us through the power of the Resurrection." [47:01]
6) "Reflect and when necessary repent... Remember... his broken body and shed blood... Restate... Proclaim that Jesus died for me, he died for you. These steps are not just a ritual but a meaningful engagement with the reality of Jesus' sacrifice for us." [52:27]
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