Easter Changes Everything
Easter Changes Everything!
John 20:10-16, 24-29 (NIV84) 10Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" 14"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." 16Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). … 24Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord! But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." 26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
The event of the resurrection changed the world.
The reality of the resurrection changes our lives.
Romans 8:11 (NLT) The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.
Ephesians 1:19-20 (NLV) I pray that you will know how great His power is for those who have put their trust in Him. It is the same power that raised Christ from the dead.
How do I get resurrection power?
Faith is the connector.
Faith is grabbing hold of the risen Christ so his resurrection power comes into my life and enables me to change.
1. Faith is the transfer of trust, not the creation of trust.
2. Faith is in Jesus, not religion.
3. Faith always means you drop your conditions.
Growing Deeper Together (Group Discussion Questions)
Use these points throughout the week as part of your quiet time, in your small group, or over coffee with a friend to help you apply what you learned in today’s message.
We’ve said, “Easter changes everything!” What are the things that you need to see changed in your life? Do you believe that Christ’s “resurrection power” is what you need to see those changes? Pray right now for God’s leadership over your life and his power in your life. It will change everything for you!
What evidence do you rely on for evidence that Jesus rose from the dead? What is the evidence that Jesus is alive in your life today?
How does Jesus deal with Thomas’ doubt (v.27)? What is significant about the way Thomas responds? How did your first confession of Christ’s lordship sound? What doubts or questions about God are you struggling with? What have you found helpful when dealing with doubt?
Shane talked about how we often approach God with conditions (I’ll believe when you. . . ). What conditions have you placed on God that are hindering your ability to trust in him? How can we pray with you to step forward in faith, knowing that he blesses those “who have not seen and yet have believed (v.29). Come to the Lounge so we can pray together or write your prayer on your Connection Card, and we’ll come alongside you in prayer this week.