The Transforming Presence and Mission of the Risen Christ

Nov 09, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: The Transforming Presence of the Risen Christ

The presence of the risen Jesus brings a humble assurance of forgiveness, a peace that surpasses understanding, and a joy that cannot be taken away. Even though we may not see Jesus physically as the disciples did, we can still experience His transforming presence through the Holy Spirit and His Word. This presence enables us to admit our struggles and doubts honestly, to give thanks for forgiveness, and to experience deep joy even in difficult circumstances. When we respond in humility and truth to Christ’s presence, others begin to see evidence of His reality in our lives. [07:40]

John 20:19-23 (ESV)
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to honestly admit your struggles or doubts to Jesus and your community, trusting that His presence brings forgiveness and peace?

Day 2: Jesus Sends Us as Co-Missionaries with a New Identity

Jesus not only brings peace but also sends His followers out with a new identity and purpose. As the Father sent Jesus, so Jesus sends us—not as mere individuals, but as His witnesses and ambassadors, privileged to participate in God’s mission to the world. Our primary identity is not our profession or background, but as those sent by Christ to proclaim His love and salvation. This calling is greater than any earthly offer and is meant for every believer, not just a select few. [11:56]

John 20:21; John 3:16-17 (ESV)
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Reflection: What would it look like for you to embrace your identity as Christ’s ambassador today, and how might that change the way you interact with those around you?

Day 3: Empowered by the Holy Spirit for God’s Mission

The Holy Spirit is the essential gift Jesus gives to empower His church for mission. Just as God breathed life into Adam and the dry bones in Ezekiel’s vision, Jesus breathes the Spirit into His followers, making them new creations and equipping them to proclaim the gospel. The Spirit is not earned but received as a gift, enabling us to be witnesses, to live new lives, and to participate in God’s redemptive work. The church, enlivened by the Spirit, becomes the launching pad for God’s mission in the world. [18:56]

Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)
“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.”
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Reflection: Where do you sense God calling you to step out in faith, trusting the Holy Spirit to empower you beyond your own abilities?

Day 4: Proclaiming Forgiveness—Humanity’s Deepest Need

The fundamental problem facing humanity is sin, and the deepest need is forgiveness. Jesus entrusts His church with the message of forgiveness through faith in Him, making this the primary reason for the church’s existence. While acts of justice and mercy are important, they must never replace the proclamation of the gospel of forgiveness. If the church remains silent, the world remains unforgiven; therefore, we are called to boldly share the good news that forgiveness is available in Christ. [24:19]

Luke 24:46-47 (ESV)
And [Jesus] said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of Christ’s forgiveness, and how can you share it with them this week?

Day 5: Loving and Welcoming Those God Sends

The richness of the church is found in loving and serving the people God brings into our midst, regardless of their background or understanding. Every act of hospitality, faith, and service—no matter how small—contributes to the life and mission of the church. We are called to open our doors and hearts, loving our “VIPs” as Christ loved the church, making this our primary calling above all else. In doing so, we reflect the love and presence of Jesus to the world. [27:44]

Romans 15:7 (ESV)
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can show Christ-like love and welcome to someone God has brought into your community this week?

Sermon Summary

There is a joy that the world cannot offer, a joy that is rooted in the eternal presence of Jesus Christ. All other pleasures and satisfactions are fleeting, but the joy that comes from knowing Christ is unshakeable and enduring. When Jesus appeared to his disciples after the resurrection, he brought them a humble assurance of forgiveness, a peace that surpasses understanding, and a confidence in the reality of his risen life. This transformation was not just for those first disciples; it is available to all who encounter the living Christ through his Spirit and his Word. Even though we do not see him physically, his presence is just as real and transformative in our gatherings today.

Jesus’ love is practical and present. He not only forgives but also sends us out with his peace and purpose. The peace he gives is both vertical—peace with God—and horizontal—peace with one another. As forgiven people, we are called to forgive and to live in reconciled community. Jesus commissions us, not as mere followers, but as co-laborers in his mission. Our primary identity is not in our professions or backgrounds, but as witnesses and ambassadors of Christ. The mission he entrusts to us is nothing less than the salvation of the world, and it is a privilege, not a burden, to participate in this calling.

The power to fulfill this mission comes from the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus gives as a gift to all who believe. The Spirit is not an optional extra, but the very breath of new creation, empowering us to proclaim the gospel, to testify about Jesus, and to live transformed lives. The Spirit’s presence is what makes the church truly the church; without him, we are just a gathering of people. With him, we become the launching pad for God’s mission in the world.

At the heart of our calling is the proclamation of forgiveness. Sin is humanity’s deepest problem, and forgiveness through Christ is our greatest need. All the good works we do flow from this central message. As we open our doors and our hearts to those God sends, we become living witnesses to the reality of Christ’s love and grace. Our gatherings, no matter how small or ordinary, are made extraordinary by the presence of the risen Christ among us.

Key Takeaways

1. Joy and Peace Flow from Christ’s Presence True joy and peace are not found in circumstances or fleeting pleasures, but in the living presence of Jesus. When we encounter him, fear and anxiety are replaced by assurance and hope. This transformation is not a one-time event but an ongoing reality for those who gather in his name. [00:40]
2. Our Primary Identity Is in Christ’s Mission No matter our background or profession, our foremost identity is as witnesses and ambassadors of Jesus. This calling transcends all other labels and gives our lives eternal significance. We are not just invited to observe, but to participate in God’s redemptive work in the world. [11:25]
3. The Holy Spirit Empowers and Unites the Church The Spirit is the gift of the risen Christ, breathing new life and power into his people. It is the Spirit who enables us to proclaim the gospel, to live transformed lives, and to be the church in truth. Without the Spirit, our efforts are empty; with him, we are equipped for every good work. [16:41]
4. Forgiveness Is Humanity’s Deepest Need At the core of the gospel is the proclamation of forgiveness through Christ. While justice, equality, and compassion are important, they are not the foundation. Only forgiveness addresses the root of our brokenness and opens the way to true reconciliation with God and one another. [24:02]
5. Mission Is a Privilege, Not a Burden Being sent by Jesus is not a task to be endured, but a privilege to be embraced. The mission is woven into the very DNA of the church, and every believer is called to participate. As we open our lives to those God sends, we experience the richness of his love and the joy of serving together. [14:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:40] - The Transforming Presence of Christ
[01:19] - Experiencing the Risen Jesus Today
[03:04] - Jesus, the Giver of the Spirit
[04:12] - The Promise of the Holy Spirit
[05:28] - The Spirit’s Presence in Every Gathering
[06:11] - Honest Admission of Struggles and Doubts
[07:28] - Joy and Peace in Difficult Circumstances
[08:52] - Sent with Peace and Purpose
[11:25] - Our New Identity and Calling
[13:06] - The Global Scope of Mission
[16:41] - The Spirit’s Empowering Breath
[19:40] - The Spirit’s Role in Gospel Proclamation
[22:40] - Proclaiming Forgiveness as the Church’s Core
[25:15] - God Sends People to Our Community
[27:22] - Loving as Christ Loved the Church
[28:09] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading

John 20:19-23 (ESV)
> On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Acts 1:8 (ESV)
> 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.

Genesis 2:7 (ESV)
> Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

Observation Questions

In John 20:19-23, what are the first words Jesus says to his disciples when he appears to them after the resurrection? What does he do to show them who he is?
According to the sermon, what is the difference between the “vertical” and “horizontal” peace that Jesus gives? ([08:52])
In Acts 1:8, what does Jesus say will happen when the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples? What is the purpose of this empowerment?
How does the sermon describe the significance of Jesus breathing on the disciples? What Old Testament event does this echo? ([16:41])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus repeats the phrase “Peace be with you” when he appears to the disciples? What kind of peace is he offering them? ([08:52])
The sermon says our primary identity is as witnesses and ambassadors of Christ, not our jobs or backgrounds. What does it mean for someone’s main identity to be shaped by Christ’s mission? ([11:25])
The sermon mentions that the Holy Spirit is not an “optional extra” but the “very breath of new creation.” Why is the Spirit so essential for the church and for believers? ([16:41])
According to the sermon, why is forgiveness through Christ described as humanity’s deepest need, even more than justice or equality? ([24:02])

Application Questions

The sermon says that true joy and peace are found in the presence of Jesus, not in circumstances or temporary pleasures. What is one area of your life where you tend to look for joy or peace apart from Christ? How can you invite Jesus into that area this week? ([00:40])
Jesus sends his followers out with both peace and purpose. Is there a relationship or situation in your life where you need to seek peace or offer forgiveness to someone? What would it look like to take a step toward reconciliation? ([08:52])
The sermon challenges us to see our main identity as witnesses and ambassadors of Christ. How do you usually introduce yourself or think about your identity? What would change if you saw yourself first as Christ’s ambassador? ([11:25])
The Holy Spirit empowers us to live transformed lives and to share the gospel. Can you think of a time when you sensed the Spirit helping you do something you couldn’t do on your own? How can you rely more on the Spirit’s power in your daily life? ([16:41])
The mission Jesus gives is described as a privilege, not a burden. Do you ever feel like sharing your faith or serving others is a duty or a chore? What might help you see it as a privilege and a joy? ([14:42])
The sermon says that forgiveness is at the heart of the gospel and the church’s message. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive, or do you need to receive God’s forgiveness in a fresh way? What is one step you can take this week? ([24:02])
The sermon gives examples of God sending unexpected people into our community. Who has God brought into your life recently that you might be called to love or serve? How can you open your heart or home to them? ([25:15])

Sermon Clips

47s

#NewIdentityInChrist

“There is no calling. There is no job. There is no offer that is greater than this. There's three specific things that Jesus in sending them confers upon his co-mission. First, a new primary identity. You know, it doesn't matter. You're a fisherman. You're a tent maker. You belong to the household of Herod. You're a woman. You're a woman from whom seven demons have been cast out. Everybody gets to enjoy and be privileged to play. And their primary identity is as a witness and an ambassador of Christ.”

25s

#MissionIsOurNature

“May I suggest that in our world still, even in the church, we still identify primarily by our profession. I mean, the work that we do. But Jesus elevates to a much greater, greater calling. And not only that, he gives us a new primary, foremost purpose. And it is nothing smaller than salvation of the world.”

24s

#ReceiveTheHolySpirit

“Jesus died on the cross, but he entrusts the propagation of this life-saving message to you and to me, to his church. And so this gives them a new primary orientation and direction. Jesus, in Acts 1-7, says, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

38s

#NewCreationInChrist

“Let’s give Jesus our feet. You know, let’s give Jesus our feet. Let’s say to Jesus, Jesus, you direct my feet wherever you want it to go. If you want me to go to the people who bullied me in the past, my family that have caused so much pain in my life, places where I don’t want to go, even to my workplace. Lord, I just want to work there and make some money. God, giving God the direction and the orientation is just part of our new identity as his ambassadors.”

44s

#SpiritIsAGift

“Mission, Christian mission, isn’t a have-to. I think for many of us who grew up in the church, we kind of think, every time we hear a missionary speak, there’s a little bit of a guilt there, right? Something we have to, right? No, no, no, it’s a get-to. We are so privileged. I can’t imagine that Jesus involves us in his mission. It’s not a vocational specialty. You’ve got to go to seminary. You’ve got to have a certain personality and raise support and do this. No, no, no, no. The mission is every church’s nature. It’s woven into its DNA. And not an individual option. Some people do this, but it is our corporate calling together.”

18s

#ChurchOnAMission

“So, after having sent them, he says, he breathes on them and says, receive the Holy Spirit. Mind you, this is the only thing Jesus gives them. Because it is the only thing that is necessary to fulfill the mission, that is entrusted to us.”

43s

#ForgivenessIsOurNeed

“The Holy Spirit is the risen Christ's gift. I love that you don't have to earn the Spirit. You don't have to beg. You don't have to do something. You don't have to go to a special place. It is a gift. So Jesus says, receive. And it is a gift given to all who believe, as Pastor Paul mentioned last week. And it turns us into his church. See, church minus Christ is not the church. Church minus the Spirit is not the church. But the church, empowered and enabled and enlivened by the Spirit, becomes the launching pad for our participation in God's mission.”

27s

#ProclaimTheGospel

“You cannot be the church of Jesus Christ and not be sent out and launched into his mission. Think about that, guys. It isn't just for the missionaries that we support. The reason why we exist, the reason why we are his church, is so that we, collectively, supporting one another, can be launched into his mission.”

20s

“It's not because we're anything special. Because God is special. And our only stance is just open through the doors. And not through one person, but through the combined presence of all of us that God has brought together as a house church. We're seeing VIPs come into our midst.”

33s

“House church. Love your VIPs. Love your VIPs. Just as Christ loved the church gave himself for her. I pray that this becomes our primary calling above our jobs, even our family. Because richness of the family that I have, and I praise God, is that we together are serving and loving the people that God has sent to us as his church, as a household church.”

Ask a question about this sermon

Forest Community Church This sermon · AI assistant

What is the significance of Jesus breathing on believers?

How does the Holy Spirit empower Christian mission today?

What is the primary purpose of proclaiming forgiveness of sins?