THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Ruins Funerals – Part 4
Springcreek Church | Senior Pastor Keith Stewart
March 31, 2024
#realspringcreekchurch #jesusruinsfunerals #resurrection #countdowntoeaster #easter #jesus #miracle #hope #transformation
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All month long we’ve been looking at the resurrection miracles in the gospels culminating on Easter with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. More than anything, this message will help you see why the resurrection matters, what it means for us today, and how hope for true transformation is possible because of what happened on Easter Sunday morning. This is a message that can change your life.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Paul wrote in the book of Ephesians…
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know… his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead… Ephesians 1.18-20
What does this verse mean to you? How have you experienced its truth? Bible prayers are some of the best prayers to pray for others. In your personal time with God, try praying this prayer for others you care about who are struggling, “I pray that eyes of Jim’s heart will be enlightened so that he might know…”
2. God shows up in the most broken places of our life to show us His grace. Then He frequently uses the very things for which we are most embarrassed and ashamed as our ministry – the way we touch and help others most. Have you found this to be true in your life? If so, in what ways has God most used you? How would you encourage someone who tried to keep their failures and stumbling secret?
3. Shane Claiborne, in his book The Irresistible Revolution, said it like this, “Christianity can be built around isolating ourselves from evildoers and sinners, creating a community of religious piety and moral purity. That’s the Christianity I grew up with. Christianity can also be built around joining with the broken sinners and evildoers of our world crying out to God, groaning for grace. That’s the Christianity I’ve fallen in love with.” Do you agree with this thought? If so, how have you seen this same truth lived out? If you don’t agree with what Shane Claiborne said, how is your view different?
4. Pastor Keith mentioned how the Bible is filled with the stories of main characters with messy problems. The Bible is a truth-telling book, even when it makes those lifted up as good examples as marred by imperfections. Who are some of the characters that display both strengths and weaknesses? Why do you think the Bible tells the truth about people even when it makes them look bad? Does this encourage you in your walk with the Lord or discourage you?
5. Paul says in Ephesians, “Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing Ephesians 2.7-10 (The Message).”
He even says this, “...He has made us accepted in the beloved Ephesians 1.6b (KJV). To be a Christ follower is to accept the truth we will never be good enough on our own. It means to accept His acceptance of us. How does one accept God’s acceptance of us?