Sermon Summary
This Easter Sunday, Pastor Chris shared the good news of the resurrection of Jesus. He explained how Christianity is the only major religion that celebrates a resurrected Savior who defeated death on behalf of all mankind. How do you respond to the resurrection of Christ? Does it fill you with hope? By dying in our place, the risen Christ paid the price for our sin and made a way for us to live with Him in eternity. This Easter, let this incredible truth fill you with joy, freedom, and hope.
John 11:25–26 (ESV) 25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (ESV)
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
Evidence for the Resurrection
1. Execution of Jesus
2. Empty tomb
3. Eyewitness experiences
1 Corinthians 15:5–8 (ESV)
5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
4. The explosion of the early church
Because of the resurrection, you can have:
1. Freedom from your past.
Romans 4:25 (ESV)
25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
2. Power in the present.
Ephesians 1:18–20 (ESV)
18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
3. Hope for the future.
1 Corinthians 15:53–55 (ESV)
53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
This Hope for the Future is a…
1. A Living Hope
1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
2. A Lasting Hope
1 Peter 1:3–4 (ESV)
to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
3. A Loving Hope
John 3:16 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV)
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Discussion Questions
- What is your heart response to the resurrection of Jesus?
- What are the 4 areas of evidence for the resurrection of Christ?
- Pastor Chris shared 3 things we can have because of Christ’s resurrection. Which of the three are you most thankful for and why?
- How did Pastor Chris define hope? Answer honestly: do you wake up each morning with hope? If you struggle to do so, why?
Application Questions
- This week, meditate on the reality that Jesus is your lasting hope and that He will not change His mind about you. How does this truth impact your faith?
- Have you put your hope in Jesus? If you’re lacking hope in your life, get prayer with your mentor this week, asking Christ to fill you with His hope.