Sermon Outline for April 17, 2022
EASTER: The Resurrection and the Life
Four Implications of the Resurrection:
- We can trust all that Jesus said and did
- We can know that forgiveness of sins is possible
- We have assurance that Christians will be resurrected and live with God for eternity
- We can experience new life today
Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 15:14, 17—If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. . . . 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
Luke 24:5-7—“Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’”
2 Corinthians 5:14-18—For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he [i.e., Christ] died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. . . . 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation
Questions for Discussion:
- Of the four ‘implications of the resurrection’ listed above, which one do you most resonate with and why? Which ‘implication’ is the hardest for you to trust or live out?
- When you think of the benefits of being a Christian, do you think primarily of life after death (i.e., heaven), or you do think primarily of new life here-and-now? Why do you think this is the case?
- How often during the course of the year do you think about and contemplate the resurrection of Jesus?
- Is there something Jesus said or did that is hard for you to believe or trust? How might the resurrection of Jesus shape your understanding?
- What are other possible implications of the resurrection that are not listed here?
Sending Word:
Ephesians 2:4-7—But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.