Sermon: “A Most Glorious Day: Surprised, Amazed & Overjoyed by the Resurrection of Christ”
Date: Monday April 9, 2012Posted in: Sermon Notes
A Most Glorious Day:
Surprised, Amazed & Overjoyed
by the Resurrection of Christ
Easter Sunday – 4/8/2012
Speaker: Pastor Steve Thomas
Luke Chapter 24
I. The disciples are ___________________ that the ____________________ is the ______________________ (Luke 24:1-12)
II. The disciples are _________________ that the ____________________ is the ______________________ (Luke 24:13-35)
III. The disciples are __________________ that the ___________________ is now _____________________________ (Luke 24:36-53)
Going Deeper
Use this section to go deeper with the material from the sermon, or for personal study, or for use with small groups.
1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 12-22
How is the resurrection of Christ fundamental to the Christian message? Could someone be a Christian and not believe the resurrection?
Today people talk about their experience as what legitimates their faith – how do experience and fact relate in the biblical gospel?
What are the ramifications to the Christian message of salvation in Christ if there was no resurrection?
If those are the ramifications to your faith without a resurrection, what is true of your faith since Jesus has been raised to new life?
Romans 6:1-14
Make a List: According to the passage – what was true of you? According to the passage – what is true of you?
What has happened to you in the resurrection of Christ?
Stop and consider this list… Where do you struggle in this list? How does this list encourage or challenge you? Take time to pray and ask God to help you grow in living what Christ has given to you.
Try writing a prayer based upon this passage including. How would you pray through this passage praising God, thanking God, and asking God?
List what commands or exhortations are given to you in this passage. Then, list the basis for these exhortations. On what basis are we to do what Paul instructs?
What could you offer yourself to as an “instrument of righteousness?”
What does it mean to be under grace? How has grace freed you from the rule of sin?
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Who Is This King of Glory?
4/1/2012
Speaker: Pastor Steve Thomas
Matt. 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12
Reflections on the identity of Jesus from the Triumphal Entry
Reflections on the heart of Jesus from the Triumphal Entry
Going Deeper
Use this section to go deeper with the material from the sermon, or for personal study, or for use with small groups.
The Gospel Story
This week, rather than provide study questions for one passage, take time to read the Gospel of Mark. If you are able, take the time to read it straight through a couple of times. Mark is the most concise of the gospel accounts containing only 14 chapters. Read the gospel not so much to study it in detail, but to hear the story again. The story of God’s redeeming work completed in Christ.
If you are in a small group, read the gospel together taking turns. After reading the gospel, have an open discussion about what you read.
When reading, feel free to look up cross-references, look up Old Testament quotations or allusions, and to ask questions of the text like: Which characters do I relate to in this story? What is Jesus trying to communicate about Himself in this story? Why did this account come after this account? What does this word mean? Take time, read, understand, and focus upon the central question: Who is Jesus?
Scripture Feeding Prayer
One of the best ways to grow in prayer is to integrate prayer with Scripture reading and study. So, as you read and reflect on the gospel of Mark, keep a piece of paper or notebook with you to track insights, ideas, questions, challenges, blessings and other reflections that you receive from reading God’s Word. Use these insights and thoughts to guide times of prayer.
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Date: Tuesday March 27, 2012Posted in: Sermon Notes
WHEN I SURVEY… THE EMPTY TOMB
Sermon 5: “The Resurrection and Prayer”
Rev. 1:9-18
3/25/2012
“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.”
Revelation 1:17 NIV
How does the resurrection of Jesus change prayer?
How could the resurrection of Jesus change prayer?
Going Deeper
Use this section to go deeper with the material from the sermon, or for personal study, or for use with small groups.
The Resurrection and Paul’s Prayers
This week study two of Paul’s prayers for first century congregations. While reading them pay attention to how Paul’s belief in the resurrection of Jesus is informing the content, tone, and purposes of the prayers.
Prayer One: Philippians 1:3-23
Prayer Two: Eph. 3:14-21
What were Paul’s goals in these two prayers? Are they surprising?
What do the prayers rest upon for success?
How do these prayers express values or priorities that rest upon the resurrection?
How would these prayers be absurd if the resurrection was not true?
Since the resurrection is true, how are these prayers profound?
Your Prayer Life
What are some of your struggles in cultivating your prayer life?
How would you characterize your prayers? Do they align with Paul’s? Where are they different?
How could your faith in the resurrection of Christ encourage you to pray?
If you were to think through the resurrection of Christ, and its many implications, how would you change your prayers?
Write a prayer… identify a situation you or a friend or family member are facing or think about our church, and write a prayer that is informed by the resurrection of Christ in regard to purpose, content, and tone. You can use Paul’s as a model but don’t copy it directly. Pray this and share it if appropriate. Watch for answers.
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