We just came through the highpoint of the Church calendar, which is Easter: Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Have you ever thought about the importance of the resurrection to our faith?
Everything in Christianity, everything we do as a Church is all because we believe the resurrection is true and that it actually happened. And if the resurrection is true... that means that Jesus is ALIVE! And that faith has incredible implications that define everything we do.
For this seven week long series, we’re going to be exploring the motivations and characteristics of past and present disciples of Jesus Christ, and seek to understand how these were relevant both 2,000 years ago and today. Because if the resurrection is true, then what does it mean for people who believe it? How does the resurrection fill us with a new way of life that we could not have had without it?
The things that we're looking to fill us up in this world don't satisfy... but Jesus does.
This sermon argues that true purpose is found not in worldly success, but in knowing God, becoming like Him, and multiplying His grace in the world. This is achieved by remembering our cleansing from sin, resting in God's promises, and receiving His provision through Jesus Christ.
This sermon encourages Christians, as a new spiritual temple and holy priesthood, to live lives filled with God's presence by offering spiritual sacrifices of praise and service. Rooted in gratitude for Christ's ultimate sacrifice, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to use their unique gifts for the glory of God, the edification of the church, and the advancement of the gospel.
This sermon teaches that Christians can embrace trials not as hindrances, but as divine opportunities for refining their faith, which is made steadfast by its object, the unchanging Christ. Through looking to Jesus's own suffering, believers are comforted and empowered to process grief without resorting to self-pity, ultimately growing in character and experiencing God's goodness more deeply.
This sermon redefines Christian obedience as a joy-filled response to God's love, not a burdensome obligation, emphasizing that it is an act of free will that aligns one with God's character. By remembering their freedom in Christ and resting in His righteousness, believers are motivated to obey for the Lord's sake, thereby reflecting God's goodness to the world.
This sermon proclaims that a life of true fulfillment is found in embracing our identity as "elect exiles"—those who are unconditionally chosen by God and live as citizens of a heavenly kingdom in a fallen world. This identity is realized by allowing the Father to define us, the Spirit to change us, and the Son's blood to cover us, thereby freeing us from seeking significance in fleeting worldly things.
This sermon teaches that true purpose and fulfillment are found not in worldly success, but in living a life of holiness, which means being set apart for God's exclusive use and service. This pursuit is fueled by a grateful response to the gospel, knowing that believers have been redeemed by Christ's precious blood, which motivates a glad and willing obedience rooted in hope and reverent awe for God.
This sermon teaches that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central event of the Christian faith, providing believers with a new identity, a "living hope," and an imperishable inheritance. This profound truth calls us out of a search for meaning in worldly things and into God's grand redemptive story, empowering us to live a transformed life of generosity and forgiveness.
