Sunday's Message: Good News for a Change - The Resurrection Can Change Our Faith

We live in a world where there seems to be a lot of bad news. In fact, there are times when it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all those things that seem to tap our strength and drain our spirits. But as we move through Easter and remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there’s good news. And if we allow it, this good news can change us in some very profound ways.

For six weeks, we’ll focus on these changes during our worship service. In other words, we’ll talk about how the resurrection can change us in six ways. We’ll follow the following schedule:

• April 24 – The Resurrection Can Change Our Faith
• May 1 – The Resurrection Can Change Our Expectations 
• May 8 – The Resurrection Can Change Our Values 
• May 15 – The Resurrection Can Change Our Relationships 
• May 22 – The Resurrection Can Change Our Response 
• May 29 – The Resurrection Can Change Our Message 

During the first message, we considered how the resurrection of Jesus Christ can change our faith. A copy and recording of this message is below:

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I don’t know about y’all, but last Sunday, man, I had a great time. I mean, outside of the weather, which could have been better, I think the service was wonderful, with the choir and the baptism and the communion and of course the piano solo. As a matter of fact, I think last week’s service was one of the best with which I’ve ever been involved. And so, thank you.

And you know, because of that, I’m glad we’re starting a new series this morning focused on what we celebrated last week. You see, during the next six weeks, which just so happens to be the time between Easter and Pentecost, we’re going to focus on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and specifically, how the resurrection can change us. For example, this morning, we’re going to talk about how the resurrection can change our faith and next week, how it can change our expectations. On May 8th, we’ll look at how the resurrection can change our values followed by how it can change our relationships. And then, we’ll tie things up by looking at how the resurrection can change our response and then how it can change our message. Now, that’s what we’re going to be doing over the next six weeks. In other words, we’re going to do what the Apostle Paul commanded his young protege, Timothy, to do when he wrote, “Keep your mind on Jesus Christ! He was from the family of David and was raised from death, just as my good news says.” [2 Timothy 2:8, CEV] You see, we’re going to look at the good news for a change.

And like I said a minute ago, we’re going to start by focusing on how the resurrection can change our faith, and I’m talking about how it can help us better understand the one in whom we’ve put our trust. Now that’s what we’ll be doing this morning. And as you’ve already seen, and this will be the case throughout the series, we won’t start with a scripture reading up front, because we’re really focusing on a topic, not a passage. Instead, we’ll be looking at scripture throughout the message to shape our thoughts and conclusions. And you know, when we apply this approach to our topic this morning, I think the resurrection can change our faith by reminding us of two very important characteristics of God. Now let me explain what I’m talking about.

You see, first, I believe the resurrection can change our faith, you know, our understanding of God, by reminding us that our God has authority, authority over the universe he made, including us. And I’ll tell you, when you consider what this authority is all about, through the resurrection, I think, he shows it in two very definite ways. 

I mean, for one, I believe the resurrection clearly shows that God has power,  power even over death, and that’s part of his authority. In other words, God has control over the one thing none of us can avoid, and I’m not talking about taxes. God has power over death. Now, do y’all remember what we read about last week? When those women went into the empty tomb, the two young men said, “Why are you looking in the place of the dead for someone who is alive? Jesus isn’t here! He has been raised from death.” [Luke 24:5b-6a, CEV] Let me say it again, “He has been raised from death.” And who did it? Who causes Jesus to rise? Man, that’s easy, isn’t it? Simply put, Jesus was raised from death by God. And I’ll tell you, that’s the exact same thing Paul told the Corinthians. He wrote:

I told you the most important part of the message exactly as it was told to me. This part is:

Christ died for our sins,

    as the Scriptures say.

He was buried,

    and three days later

he was raised to life,

    as the Scriptures say. [1 Corinthians 15:3-4, CEV]

And so, God has power even over death. And that’s one way the resurrection shows his authority. 

And two, he also has a plan, you know, a plan for us, and I’m talking about for us, his children. Now that’s part of his authority, too. You see, in light of the resurrection, there’s absolutely no question what God wants us to do. In other words, we know his will for all those living on the other side of the empty tomb. And we can find exactly what that is by reading what risen Christ told his disciples to do. For example, this is what he said in Matthew:

Jesus came to them and said:

I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world. [Matthew 28:18-20, CEV]

And according to Luke,

Jesus said to them, “You don’t need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.” [Acts 1:7-8, CEV]

And finally, in the Gospel of John,

When Jesus and his disciples had finished eating, he asked, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than the others do?” 

Simon Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know I do!”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus said.

Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you!”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus told him.

Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus had asked him three times if he loved him. So he told Jesus, “Lord, you know everything. 

You know I love you.”

Jesus replied, “Feed my sheep.” [John 21:15-17, CEV]

You see, the resurrection reminds us that God has the power and God has a plan. Why? Because God has authority.

And I’ll tell you, I think that’s something we need to remember, and let me tell you why. From time-to-time, I think we all feel a little bit helpless, you know, when it seems as though things are sort of spinning out of control and life involves dealing with fires that we didn’t start and that we sure can’t seem to put out. And I also think there are times when we all feel a little bit confused, not quite sure about what we should be doing, much less how it should be done. In other words, I believe there are times when frankly, we desperately need the kind of help and direction that only someone with authority can offer. And I’ll tell you, that’s why I think it’s important for us to remember that the resurrection shows that God has both the power over creation and a plan for us. You see, our God has authority. And he’s the one we trust, and that’s the first way the resurrection can change our faith.

And second, it can also remind us that our God shows love, love to us. I mean, even though both his commands and expectations are clear and we live in a world where behavior should have consequences and often does, God still loves us. It’s like Paul wrote to the Ephesians: I pray that you and all God’s people will understand what is called wide or long or high or deep. I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is. [Ephesians 3:18-19, CEV] It’s like a minister told me forty years ago; that I was going to have to live with the fact that God loves me. And you know what, I believe he does. And I’ll tell you, I think we can see two dimensions of that love in the resurrection.

I mean, for one, when you get right down to it, the resurrection is really about forgiveness, you know reconciliation. In other words, it enables men and women who may have drifted away for whatever reason, even those who’ve done things that may have caused them to feel separated from God, it enables them to experience genuine forgiveness, because the risen Jesus not only forgives them, he also invites them back into the fold. And I believe we see this in the resurrection. I mean, just think about what Peter and the other disciples did right before the crucifixion. Remember, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. And as to rest, according to the Evangelist Mark, when he was arrested, “All of Jesus’ disciples ran off and left him.” [Mark 14:50, CEV] You see, at the end, I think you could say the disciples were a big disappointment. And yet, again in the Gospel of Mark, when the women were at the empty tomb, this was what they were told:

“Don’t be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus from Nazareth, who was nailed to a cross. God has raised him to life, and he isn’t here. You can see the place where they put his body. Now go and tell his disciples, and especially Peter, that he will go ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you.” [Mark 16:6b-7, CEV]

You see, after he’d been raised, Jesus forgave those who’d let him down. And I think that’s one way the resurrection reminds us of God’s love.

And two, I believe it also points to generosity, and right now I’m talking about a gift that God has freely given to us, right here and right now. And I think we can see this in that story from the Gospel of John about Jesus causing Lazarus to rise from the dead. Just listen to what the Evangelist John wrote:

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.” [John 11:20-27, NRSV]

You see, Jesus is the resurrection, and I believe this gift of new life is another reminder of God’s love. 

And just like we said when we were talking about authority, I think it’s also important for us to remember this love. I mean, let’s get real, sometimes it sure seems as though we’re living in a love-starved world, one in which we’re told to question the sincerity of compassion and to assume that mercy generally comes from ulterior motives. In other words, love just isn’t to be trusted, at least that’s what we’re often told; therefore, we really shouldn’t be surprised that a lot of people end up feeling alone and scared. But for them, man, the resurrection can represent good news, because it can remind them, it can remind us that, maybe even in spite of ourselves, we’ve been forgiven by and reconciled to God, something that will only make a difference when we accept it. But even more than just that, we’ve been given a gift, something that we can claim right now and that will shape our expectations as we move into the future, something we’ll talk about next week. You see, that’s why I think it’s important to remember that the resurrection shows that Christ offers forgiveness and demonstrates generosity to us. You see, along with having authority, our God shows love. Man, he’s the one we trust, and that’s the second way the resurrection can change our faith.

Now, like I said a little while ago, I thought our service last week was outstanding. And during the next six weeks, we’re going to take that Easter focus and consider how it can change us as followers of Jesus Christ. And this morning, we started by looking at how the resurrection can change our faith by reminding us that God has both authority and that he shows love. And next week, we’ll consider how the same event, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, can also change our expectations, our next message as we continue to explore this good news for a change.