Join us as Ben Stuart uncovers the power of the resurrection. If the resurrection never happened, then nothing that we are doing matters. But if it did, then it changes everything and becomes the basis of our being.
Key Takeaway
We want to be a people who live a supernatural life, but the only way to do that is to recognize that our whole life is based on supernatural events. The resurrection is what proves everything that Jesus came to do, to turn God's wrath from us and to take on our sin, was accomplished, and because of that, we have hope for the future and the Holy Spirit in us now.
If we want to know how to live a supernatural life, we need to know what makes life supernatural.
If Jesus was not raised from the dead, then our entire lives and future are in vain. According to 1 Corinthians 15:4-6, we should be pitied. However, the whole substance of an unshakable life is around the reality of our lives rests on the resurrection. And it's true. Jesus Christ died, was buried, and was raised.
There is power in what God has done to you through His resurrection. Without the resurrection, you can live a decent, principled, and disciplined life, but the prayer is that you live a supernatural life.
What is God?
- He's love. John 4:8
- Truth. John 17:17
- Life, "Fons divinitatis", the "Divine fountainhead", Psalms 24:1, Colossians 1:15-16
- Purpose. Romans 11:36
Who are we?
- Made in the image of God. Genesis 1:27
- Created to love God. Mark 12:30
What's wrong with us?
- Romans 1:21, our foolish hearts went dark. Something broke in us when we broke faith in God. We are beautiful but broken.
- Romans 3:23, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
- Sin means we're not hitting the mark.
- We know there is good about us, but we're not what we are meant to be.
- Romans 6:23, the wages of sin is death.
- A wage is a payment. When we broke intimacy with the Author of Life, the payment was that we do not get life.
- Death is when we don't get to be in the realm of enjoyment of His personality.
What is the good news?
- John 3:16, for God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.
- Into our chaos, God sent His Son
- John 1:1-14, Hebrews 2:14-15, 4:15
- Jesus wasn't just sent to us; He lived like us and as us. He never sinned even though He was tempted.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21, for our sake He made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God.
- Romans 5:8, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Jesus made a way for us to be in right relationship with God.
How do we know what God did was enough? How do we know that His payment was sufficient?
- Jesus said He is the resurrection and the Life. John 11:25
- None of it matters if Jesus didn't rise from the dead. But the stone was rolled away! It's the resurrection that proves to us that if death was not the end for Him, then death is not the end for me.
- For it is by grace we were saved through faith, it is a gift of God, not of works so no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
- Grace- kindness you don't deserve.
- Saved- He got us out of a mess we couldn't get out of ourselves.
- Faith- the empty hand, I can't solve this, but I believe you can.
- Gift- the opposite of a wage.
- We're still a mess of sin, but we've been marked by the seal of the Holy Spirit, guaranteeing what is to come. Ephesians 1:13. He who began a good work in you will complete it. Philippians 1:6
What do you do with the Son?
- 1 John 5:11-13, if you have the Son, you have life. The reverse is true. So where are you in this process? What are you doing with Jesus? Anyone can claim to be anything, but when they back it up, you have to take them seriously. No one changed history more than Jesus.
God has made a way. Are you willing to go on the journey to cross it? There's no greater gift we could give you than to offer life in His name.
Discussion Questions
As we start this collection, what is your understanding of a supernatural life?
What does 1 Corinthians 15:4-6 say about us in our spiritual state?
What are some of the attributes of God that come to mind first when you think of Him?
Who are you? See Genesis 1:27 and Mark 12:30.
Sin is our problem and has separated us from God. What was the simple definition of sin that Ben gave?
What are the wages, or payment, for sin? See Romans 6:23.
What is the good news for us? See John 1:1-14, 3:16, Hebrews 2:14-15, 4:15.
How do we know that Jesus' payment for us was sufficient? Why is it all hinged on His resurrection?
According to Ephesians 2:8-9, how are we saved?
Who is Jesus to you in your life personally? What does He promise you? See 1 John 5:11-13.