Sermon: Resurrection Sunday - Gather Fruit for Eternal Life

 

Summary

In this season of blessing and fruitfulness, we are reminded that Jesus is alive—not just as a figure of history, but as the living Lord who continues to move, heal, and call us today. From my earliest memories, I have seen the reality of God through healing, miracles, and the unmistakable voice of the Lord. Even as a child, God called me out of darkness and into His light, teaching me the true nature of sin and the freedom that comes from repentance. These personal encounters have shaped my faith, making it impossible for me to doubt the living presence of Jesus.

As we reflect on the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, we see how He intentionally crossed boundaries—cultural, religious, and social—to bring hope to the most marginalized. Contrary to common assumptions, the Samaritan woman was not an outcast because of immorality, but rather a tragic figure marked by loss and misfortune. Jesus chose her, the one with the least power and status, to reveal Himself as the Messiah. Her encounter with Jesus transformed her from a symbol of tragedy into a bearer of hope, and her testimony led her entire village to seek the truth for themselves.

This is the season of first fruits, a time when the fields are white for harvest. Jesus calls us to lift our eyes and see the opportunities around us—not just among those who are like us, but especially among those we might overlook or even avoid. The work of sowing and reaping is not ours alone; we enter into the labor of others, and it is the Holy Spirit who brings people to Himself. Our role is to share our story, our encounter with the living Jesus, and trust that God is already at work in the hearts of those around us.

We are challenged to move beyond our fears and prejudices, to be a community that both sows and harvests, and to support one another as we share the good news. The power of our testimony is not in eloquence or argument, but in the authenticity of our experience with Jesus. As we step into this season, may we be ready to participate in the ongoing work of God, trusting that He is alive and active, bringing life, healing, and hope to all.

Key Takeaways

- The reality of Jesus’ resurrection is not just a doctrine to believe, but a living truth to experience. Personal encounters with God—through healing, provision, and the unmistakable voice of the Spirit—anchor our faith in His ongoing presence and power. These experiences become the foundation that sustains us through doubt and challenge. [01:42]

- Jesus intentionally seeks out those who are marginalized, misunderstood, or considered cursed by society. The story of the Samaritan woman reveals that God’s grace is not limited by our cultural or religious boundaries; He chooses the least likely to carry His message of hope. Our own stories of brokenness can become powerful testimonies of transformation when touched by Jesus. [19:16]

- The harvest Jesus speaks of is both immediate and ongoing. There are seasons of first fruits and seasons of fullness, and we are called to participate in both. We often reap where others have sown, and our labor is part of a much larger story that God is writing across generations and communities. [24:24]

- Sharing the gospel is not about having all the answers or winning arguments, but about authentically sharing our encounter with Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the one who draws people to Himself; our role is to bear witness to what we have seen and heard. Even our weaknesses and uncertainties can be used by God to reveal His truth. [29:20]

- As a community, we are called to both sow and harvest, supporting one another in the work of evangelism. This requires humility, openness, and a willingness to learn from each other’s experiences. By creating space for honest conversation and prayer, we become a people ready for the ongoing movement of the Holy Spirit in and through us. [32:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:42] - Jesus Is Alive: A Season of Blessing
[01:42] - Personal Encounters with God’s Reality
[03:48] - Hearing God’s Call as a Child
[05:13] - Understanding Sin and Repentance
[06:39] - Overcoming Fear and Practicing Worship
[08:01] - Community and the Call to Destiny
[09:39] - Encountering Jesus: A Vision of the Living Lord
[11:37] - Jesus Is Alive Today: The Work of the Holy Spirit
[12:37] - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman: Breaking Boundaries
[15:36] - Cultural Context: The True Story of the Samaritan Woman
[19:16] - From Tragedy to Testimony: The Power of Encounter
[22:22] - The Fields Are White: Understanding the Harvest
[24:24] - Seasons of Sowing and Reaping
[25:38] - Challenging Prejudice: The Gospel for All
[27:32] - The Call to Share Our Story
[32:35] - Becoming a Community Ready for Harvest
[34:54] - Group Discussion and Application
[01:10:47] - Final Blessing and Sending

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Jesus Is Alive—A Season of Blessing and Harvest

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### Bible Reading

John 4:1-42
(Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well)

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### Observation Questions

1. In the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman, what boundaries did Jesus cross to speak with her? (cultural, religious, social) ([14:15])
2. According to the sermon, what was the real reason the Samaritan woman was seen as a tragic figure in her community? ([18:29])
3. What does Jesus say about the harvest and the work of sowing and reaping in John 4:34-38? How does He describe the timing and the workers? ([22:22])
4. What was the response of the Samaritan woman after her encounter with Jesus, and how did her village react? ([19:37])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus chose to reveal Himself as the Messiah to someone with so little power and status, like the Samaritan woman? What does this say about God’s priorities? ([19:16])
2. The sermon mentions that the power of our testimony is not in eloquence but in authenticity. Why might authentic stories be more powerful than arguments when sharing about Jesus? ([29:20])
3. Jesus says, “One sows and another reaps.” What does it mean for us to enter into the labor of others, and how does this shape our view of evangelism? ([22:39])
4. The pastor shared personal stories of encountering God’s reality through healing and the voice of the Spirit. How do personal experiences with God help anchor faith during times of doubt? ([01:42])

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### Application Questions

1. The pastor shared about hearing God’s call as a child and being led out of darkness. Can you remember a time when you felt God calling you or leading you out of something? What was that like for you? ([03:48])
2. Jesus intentionally sought out someone who was overlooked and even avoided by others. Who in your life might be “on the margins” or easy to overlook? What is one step you could take to reach out to them this week? ([14:15])
3. The sermon challenges us to move beyond our fears and prejudices. Are there any groups or individuals you find it hard to approach with the gospel? What is one fear or prejudice you want to ask God to help you overcome? ([25:38])
4. The Samaritan woman’s story of brokenness became a testimony of hope. Is there a part of your own story that you have been hesitant to share? How might God use your story to encourage someone else? ([19:16])
5. Jesus said the fields are white for harvest and called His followers to see the opportunities around them. Where do you see “fields” in your own life that might be ready for harvest? (workplace, family, neighborhood, etc.) ([22:22])
6. The pastor said, “Sharing the gospel is not about having all the answers, but about authentically sharing our encounter with Jesus.” What is one simple way you could share your story with someone this month? ([29:20])
7. As a community, we are called to both sow and harvest. What is one practical idea our group could try to support each other in sharing the good news or welcoming new people? ([32:35])

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Close in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to help you see where He is already at work and to give you courage to share your story and love those around you.

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus is Alive—A Living Encounter with the Risen Lord
The reality of Jesus’ resurrection is not just a historical fact but a living truth that transforms lives today. Many have experienced His healing, provision, and presence in deeply personal ways, making it impossible to doubt that He is alive and active. When you encounter Jesus, whether through answered prayer, miraculous provision, or a sense of His calling, it becomes a foundation for unshakeable faith. This living relationship is what sustains believers through every season, reminding us that Jesus is not only the Savior of the past but the Lord of the present and future. [11:18]

Luke 24:5-6 (ESV)
And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee…”

Reflection: When have you experienced Jesus’ presence or provision in a way that made His reality undeniable to you? How can you share that story with someone this week?


Day 2: The Samaritan Woman—Jesus Seeks the Outcast and Reveals Hope
Jesus intentionally sought out the Samaritan woman, a person considered cursed and marginalized, to reveal Himself as the Messiah. He broke through cultural barriers and human prejudices to bring hope and transformation to someone who felt rejected and alone. Her encounter with Jesus turned her shame into a testimony of life and hope, showing that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love and purpose. Jesus chooses the least likely to carry His message, reminding us that our brokenness can become the very place where His glory is revealed. [19:37]

John 4:25-26 (ESV)
The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

Reflection: Who in your life might feel overlooked or unworthy? How can you reach out to them with the hope and acceptance that Jesus offers?


Day 3: The Fields Are White for Harvest—Recognizing the Season of God’s Work
Jesus teaches that the spiritual harvest is ready now, urging His followers to open their eyes to the opportunities around them. The work of sowing and reaping is ongoing, and God invites us to participate in gathering fruit for eternal life. Sometimes we reap where others have sown, and sometimes we sow for a future harvest, but in every season, God is at work preparing hearts. Recognizing the season means being attentive to the Spirit’s leading and ready to respond to the needs and opportunities God places before us. [22:22]

John 4:34-38 (ESV)
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”

Reflection: Where do you see “fields” in your life that are ready for harvest? What is one step you can take today to join in God’s work, either by sowing or reaping?


Day 4: Your Story Matters—Sharing the Testimony of Jesus in You
You don’t need to have all the answers or be a great preacher to share the gospel; your personal story of encountering Jesus is powerful. The Samaritan woman simply shared what Jesus had done for her, and it led others to seek Him for themselves. God uses ordinary people and their honest testimonies to draw others to Himself. Trust that the Holy Spirit will use your story, no matter how simple or broken it may seem, to reveal the truth and hope of Jesus to those around you. [29:20]

Revelation 12:11 (ESV)
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

Reflection: What is one part of your story with Jesus that you can share with someone this week? Who might need to hear it?


Day 5: Sowing and Reaping Together—Embracing Community in God’s Mission
God calls us not only as individuals but as a community to sow and reap together in His harvest. Some plant seeds, others water, and still others gather the fruit, but all are part of God’s work. We are invited to support one another, share ideas, and encourage each other as we reach out to those God has prepared. By working together, we can welcome more people into God’s family and see lives transformed by the gospel. Let us be a church that is both welcoming and active, always ready to sow and to harvest as the Spirit leads. [32:35]

1 Corinthians 3:6-9 (ESV)
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.

Reflection: How can you partner with others in your church community to both sow and reap in God’s harvest? What is one practical way you can encourage or support someone else in sharing the gospel this week?