Transformed by the Resurrection: A New Life

Devotional

Day 1: Encountering Christ Demands Radical Transformation

Faith in Jesus is not a mere addition to life’s existing framework but a profound transformation that redefines identity and purpose. When someone truly meets the risen Christ, everything changes—not just behavior or habits, but the very core of who they are. This transformation is not incremental or superficial; it is a crossing of a threshold from old life to new life, from death to resurrection power. If Jesus remains just one more “thing” on the shelf of your life, it may be time to ask whether you have truly encountered Him in His resurrection reality. The call is to let Him clear the shelf and reorder your heart and mind around His lordship. [43:39]

“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 ESV)

Reflection: What is one belief or value in your life that Jesus is calling you to surrender so that He can bring about a deeper transformation in you today?

Day 2: The Cost of Resurrection Life Requires Total Surrender

The resurrection invites a new way of living that involves sacrifice and generosity beyond what we might expect. Like the women at the tomb who spent their resources to honor Jesus in death, following the risen Lord calls for giving our time, energy, and comfort without knowing the full outcome. This is not a burden but a natural response to the One who gave everything for us. The new life in Christ demands new costs and commitments, inviting us to trust Him with what we offer and to embrace the uncertainty that comes with faith-filled obedience. [01:00:20]

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15 ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life—time, resources, or comfort—that you feel God is asking you to surrender more fully as an act of faith today?

Day 3: God’s Plans Stretch Us Beyond Our Limits

Living in the resurrection means stepping into new challenges and plans that often have no clear blueprint. These plans are intentionally bigger than what we can accomplish alone, requiring dependence on God and community. This stretching is part of God’s design to deepen our trust and reliance on Him. When life feels uncertain or overwhelming, it is an invitation to lean into God’s guidance and the support of others, knowing that His purposes are greater than our own understanding or capacity. [01:03:40]

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)

Reflection: What is one “big” or uncertain step God is inviting you to take that requires you to depend more fully on Him and others?

Day 4: Seeing Our Past Through the Lens of Resurrection

The resurrection not only changes our future but also transforms how we view our past. Painful memories and difficult seasons are no longer just sources of regret or shame but become places where God’s redemptive work is visible. This new perspective brings healing and hope, allowing us to reinterpret our stories as part of God’s greater purpose. When we look back through the eyes of Christ’s victory, our memories are redeemed and our identity is strengthened by the grace that carried us through. [01:10:01]

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases.” (Psalm 103:2-3 ESV)

Reflection: Is there a painful memory or past experience you can invite God to redeem and use for His purposes in your life today?

Day 5: Living the Resurrection Mission Amid Opposition

The reality of Easter gives believers a new mission: to make Jesus known and glorify Him in all things. This mission will inevitably bring challenges, including misunderstanding and opposition—even from those closest to us. Yet, the call remains to persevere, grounded in the truth that the resurrection changes everything and is worth every cost. Living this mission means embracing the tension of being misunderstood while faithfully bearing witness to the risen Christ, trusting that His story is the only one worth telling. [01:23:55]

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled.” (1 Peter 3:14 ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life struggles to understand your faith journey, and how can you lovingly and courageously share the hope of the resurrection with them today?

Sermon Summary

Easter is not just a day on the calendar; it is the defining moment that transforms everything. The resurrection of Jesus is not something to be added to our lives like a new hobby or interest—it is a threshold we cross, after which nothing remains the same. When we truly encounter the risen Christ, our priorities, our plans, our memories, and even our very purpose are fundamentally altered. This is not about incremental change or self-improvement; it is about total transformation, a new creation that reorients every aspect of our existence.

The women at the tomb experienced this firsthand. Their devotion cost them dearly, both financially and emotionally, as they purchased burial spices and faced the daunting task of moving a stone they could not budge. Yet, in their confusion and grief, they encountered angels who challenged them to stop looking for life among the dead. This question echoes through the ages: are we seeking life in places that can only offer death? The resurrection calls us to look for life in Christ alone, to let go of old patterns and empty pursuits.

Transformation also means that our past is reinterpreted in light of the resurrection. Painful memories and disappointments are not erased, but they are reframed as part of God’s redemptive work in us. The disciples and the women at the tomb had to revisit everything they thought they knew, realizing that Jesus had been preparing them for this all along. Our own stories, too, are rewritten as we see God’s hand at work, even in seasons we once resented or misunderstood.

With new life comes a new mission. The women were sent to proclaim the good news, becoming the first witnesses in a chain that would change the world. The resurrection gives us a new reason for living, a purpose that transcends our own ambitions and comforts. It also brings new challenges—misunderstanding, disbelief, and even opposition from those closest to us. Yet, the call remains: to let the reality of the empty tomb shape every part of our lives.

As we move from Easter toward Pentecost, the invitation is to let Jesus reveal himself to us in the “in-between”—in our doubts, our questions, our wonder, and our worship. If Jesus is truly alive, then everything is on the table. We are called to count the cost, take up our cross, and follow him into a life that is radically different, marked by resurrection hope.

Key Takeaways

1. True transformation in Christ is not about adding Jesus to an already crowded shelf of priorities or beliefs. It is about clearing the shelf entirely, letting him become the center and source of all meaning and direction. Anything less is merely change, not resurrection life. [43:39]
2. The resurrection demands new planning and new dependence. Following Jesus will lead us into situations for which we are unprepared, requiring us to rely on God and others in ways we never imagined. If our plans are always manageable and within our own strength, we may not be following where he leads. [63:40]
3. Resurrection life means looking for life in new places. The world offers countless dead ends—rituals, politics, empty pursuits—but the living Christ calls us to seek life in him alone. We must be vigilant not to search for fulfillment among things that cannot give it. [66:10]
4. The risen Christ changes even our memories. Painful or confusing seasons are reinterpreted as we see God’s faithfulness in hindsight. What once seemed like loss or failure can become the very ground of our growth and testimony, as God rewrites our stories for his glory. [70:01]
5. New life in Christ brings a new mission and new challenges. The call to witness and serve will sometimes be met with disbelief or resistance, even from those who should understand. Yet, the reality of the resurrection compels us to persevere, knowing that our purpose is now anchored in eternity, not in the approval of others. [83:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Announcements and Community Life
[05:30] - Breathing Prayer and Entering God’s Presence
[25:32] - Confession and Gratitude for the Cross
[27:54] - Blessing the Children
[37:40] - Praying for Deeper Faith and Trust
[39:09] - Threshold Moments: Life Will Never Be the Same
[41:25] - Transformation vs. Change
[43:39] - Clearing the Shelf: Jesus Alone
[46:15] - Change vs. Transformation Illustrated
[47:28] - Peter’s Story: Unexpected Transformation
[48:45] - Easter Is Not a Resolution
[01:00] - New Expenses: The Cost of Following Jesus
[01:03] - New Planning: Facing the Unexpected
[01:06] - New Places to Look for Life
[01:10] - New Memories: God Rewrites Our Stories
[01:17] - New Mission: A Changed Purpose
[01:23] - New Challenges: Facing Disbelief
[01:26] - Easter Changes Everything
[01:27] - What’s Next: From Resurrection to Pentecost
[01:30] - Everything Is Different: The Call to Radical Change
[01:31] - Knowing Jesus Changes the Whole Story
[01:36] - Communion and Response
[01:44] - Benediction and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 24:1-12 (NIV) — > Very early on the first day of the week, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” Then they remembered his words. When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

Romans 12:1 (NIV) — > Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Observation Questions

What did the women bring to the tomb, and what does this tell us about their expectations that morning? (Luke 24:1; [49:33])
How did the women react when they saw the empty tomb and the angels? What message did the angels give them? (Luke 24:4-7; [49:33])
According to the sermon, what did the women do immediately after their encounter at the tomb, and how was their message received by the disciples? (Luke 24:9-11; [49:33])
In Romans 12:1, what does Paul say is the “true and proper worship” for believers?

Interpretation Questions

The women’s plans and resources were upended by the resurrection. What does this reveal about how encountering the risen Jesus can disrupt our own plans and expectations? ([49:33])
The angels asked, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” What are some “dead places” people look for life today, and why is it so tempting to keep searching there? ([01:06:00])
The sermon described how the resurrection reinterprets our past, even our painful memories. How might seeing your story through the lens of Christ’s victory change the way you view your own history? ([01:10:01])
The women’s testimony was met with disbelief, even by those closest to them. What does this suggest about the challenges of sharing our faith and the reality of transformation with others? ([01:23:55])

Application Questions

The sermon said, “Faith in Jesus is not about adding Him to our existing lives or beliefs, but about a total transformation.” Is there an area of your life where you’ve just “added Jesus to the shelf” instead of letting Him clear the shelf? What would it look like to let Him transform that area? ([43:39])
The women at the tomb gave everything they had, not knowing how things would work out. What is one area where following Jesus has cost you something—time, resources, comfort, or relationships? How did you respond, and what did you learn? ([01:00:20])
The sermon talked about “new plans and dependence”—that God’s plans are often too big for us to accomplish alone. Is there something you sense God calling you to that feels too big for you? Who could you invite to help, and how can you depend on God more in this? ([01:03:40])
The resurrection changes how we see our past. Is there a painful memory or season in your life that you need to invite Jesus to reinterpret? How might you begin to see God’s hand at work in that part of your story? ([01:10:01])
The women were given a new mission: to go and tell. Who in your life needs to hear about the hope and transformation you’ve experienced in Jesus? What’s one step you can take this week to share your story with them? ([01:23:55])
The sermon mentioned that living out the reality of the resurrection will sometimes be met with misunderstanding or disbelief, even from those closest to us. How do you handle it when your faith is misunderstood or dismissed? What helps you persevere? ([01:23:55])
As we move from Easter toward Pentecost, the invitation is to let Jesus reveal Himself in the “in-between”—in our doubts, wonder, and questions. Where are you in the “in-between” right now, and how can you invite Jesus to meet you there? ([01:31:20])

Sermon Clips

I think new life comes with new planning. You're going to have new things to think about. New things that were never on your radar. There's no way in the world that moving tombstones had ever factored into their life plans. Like, where are you going to go to college? What kind of wedding do you want to have? Where do you want to live after you're married? And how do you move tombstones? [01:03:19] (21 seconds) Edit Clip

Following Jesus comes with all new planning, I knew I still needed a better plan, but if your life with Jesus doesn't have you in situations where you're going, I don't really have a plan for this, then you have to wonder if you're just dragging his little bar of soap with you, or are you following him where he's going, and honestly, like these women, your new plan shouldn't be stuff that you can do, and that's a tough one, they couldn't roll a tombstone away, they needed help, they needed God's help, they needed other people to come and help, and our plan should be that way, the things that God is putting in my heart, I'm going to need people, I'm going to need the Holy Spirit, I'm going to need help. [01:09:59] (40 seconds) Edit Clip

If you can accomplish your plans alone, those are not God's plans, if you can do it by yourself, those are not God's plans, God's plans should require you to reach out to God's people, to reach out to him for help, God's plans should be too big for you, post Easter plans, resurrection plans should require more than you. [01:10:56] (23 seconds) Edit Clip

I look back now and that season literally shaped my spiritual life and my relationship with the bible a job that i hated it but I wouldn't be who I am today without it. So was it a good period or was it a bad? I don't know but God has totally changed my memories of that. That is now basically the time that I dove into the scripture for the first time and I found that God has rewritten that. [01:15:21] (30 seconds) Edit Clip

One of the greatest evidences of the resurrection is the fact that the disciples went from a bunch of ordinary scared people who scattered the second Jesus got arrested. These guys are basically cowards, but I don't even like calling them cowards because most of us would have done the same thing. Like you see Jesus get arrested and start getting beaten, you're like, I might have been wrong about this whole thing because this doesn't feel like Messiah at all. [01:21:23] (28 seconds) Edit Clip

And somehow something happened to these guys that they went from those kind of people to people who ultimately not only gave their lives but their deaths, horrible deaths to the cause. Something transformed them completely to different people. [01:22:10] (20 seconds) Edit Clip

When we really sit down and take stock of what Easter actually means, what the defeat of sin and death actually means, and we accept that it comes with new expenses, we're going to spend our lives and our resources and our energy on something different. There's a cost. [01:24:46] (19 seconds) Edit Clip

If Jesus is really alive and he, and he is, then he's at the center of everything. There's simply nothing bigger or more important than him. Everything is about him. He's the most, he's what is important and we must bend everything around that. Our very existence, our very reality. So how do we respond to this? [01:28:39] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

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