John Lloyd - Resurrection Sunday
/"Share His-Story"
Sharing His Story: The Resurrection of Jesus
John 20
Pastor John Lloyd
April 1, 2018
The truth of Jesus’ resurrection proves God can do anything. It is life changing! Believing and trusting in Jesus is the first step in experiencing resurrection life. God blesses and rewards a lifestyle that shares His Resurrection.
Big Idea: Believing and sharing His Story changes my life here and forevermore.
I. Look carefully at the evidence of the resurrection of Jesus.
I Corinthians 15:1 Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.
John 20:5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, (John 20:7-8)
A. Prophets foretold it. Psalm 16:10, Hosea 6:2
B. Jesus promised it. (John 2:19, Matthew 20:19)
C. The Pharisees were afraid of it. (Matthew 27:62-66)
D. The disciples didn’t believe it at first. (John 20:9)
E. The disciples went from fleeing to proclaiming it. (Acts 2:24, 4:13)
Action: Take some time to examine the evidence of the resurrection. The resurrection is what separates Jesus from all other teachers.
II. Ask God to reveal the truth of the resurrection of Jesus.
John 20:18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her. John 20:27-28
“We need to remember that even the disciples/ first century people could not have conceived of this happening… they couldn’t help it, they had seen it. And it changed their lives. You know even if you don’t like what I am saying… you should want it to be true… because it means that there is more to this life than what we see. There will be justice for the poor, alleviating of hunger and disease, and caring for the environment.” Tim Keller
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
The resurrection proves Jesus is who he claimed to be.
Action: Ask God to reveal to you the Living Christ.
III. Let God’s peace enter your soul through faith.
John 20:19 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.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. (Romans 5:1, Philippians 4:7)
The resurrection of Jesus means the sacrifice of Jesus has been accepted, thus our sins have been forgiven.
I Corinthians 15:16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
Philippians 3:10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
"Christ did not come to do away with suffering; He did not come to explain it; He came to fill it with His presence." --Paul Claudel
John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Action: Give the things troubling you over to God.
IV. Share His Story with others.
John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
John 9:25 He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”
This world needs resurrection life. This world needs a living Christ. It doesn’t need just a moral teacher or a good person. It needs the Living Christ who can change our lives and the lives of those around us.
Romans 8:11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (Ephesians 1:19-20)
I Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Philippians 3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
I John 5:11And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I John 5:13
The tomb of Jesus Christ is empty because He resurrected and is alive forevermore.
John 11:26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Your death, burial, and resurrection humble me to ask for your forgiveness. I desire to live for you and turn from my own ways. You conquered death for me and I receive your free gift of eternal life. Help me live my life in close relationship with you. I believe in you and the power of the Resurrection!
Growth Group Questions for April 1, 2018
Opener: Discuss something you thought would bring you freedom but did not deliver. Talk about something you thought would bring bondage but actually brought freedom.
1. Read Ephesians 1:16-21. Describe in your own words what is happening here. Why is this important?
2. The doctrine of the resurrection was also at the heart of New Testament preaching. (Read Acts 2:31; 4:2, 4:33; 17:18, 32; 23:6&8; 24:15&21; 26:23) Why were the apostles so centered on this resurrection? What does this teach us?
3. Read Philippians 3:10. What are the two things Paul wants to know? How can knowing these two things help you in your walk with God?
4. Read I Corinthians 15:14 &17. Why is Paul sharing this with the Corinthians? What lessons can you take from this truth?
5. Consider the fact that no other religion is proven by the resurrection of its founder. Consider these seven proofs:
1.The resurrection was proclaimed as fact by the initial apostles (I Cor. 15:5-7). 2. The testimony of a converted skeptic. (I Cor. 15:8-11). 3. The proof of history (Acts 26:23&26). 4. The quality of the apostolic witnesses (Acts 12:2) 5. The number and quality of supportive witnesses (I Corinthians 15:5) 6. The startling transformation of the apostles (Acts 17:6). 7. The ongoing experience of the resurrected Jesus Christ (I was blind and now I see) Which one speaks to you the most and why?
6. Read Romans 6:4, 8:11. How does the resurrection of Jesus and access to His power bring freedom to our souls? What things can you do to help you access this power?
7. Read and pray Ephesians 1:17-19 for yourself, pray it for a friend or someone in your group. Why is this prayer so necessary and powerful? Why do we need wisdom, revelation and our eyes enlightened to know and believe these things?