Spiritual Growth Resources
Topic: Resurrection

The Carmichael SDA Church is providing spiritual growth resources for individuals, couples, families, and small groups as an extension during this pandemic for a church that is scattered like salt and to indeed be salty; to be light and receive another infusion of power. Pick and choose from these resources for your spiritual growth, whether it’s during your time of personal devotions or family worship or small group gathering. The 10 options include:

Last week we took another look at baptism. Have you noticed the close link between baptism and resurrection? A person’s baptism symbolizes death—going all the way under the water—as well as resurrection—coming up out of the water to a new life, as Scripture names it: “newness of life.” The fascination with the resurrection has to do with life itself. Resurrection regains a life that had previously been lost.

The focus this week includes two parts. 1) The resurrection of Jesus Christ and 2) our own resurrection. Christ’s resurrection makes Christianity possible. It challenges those who don’t believe to consider it. The apostle Paul wrote that if Christ hadn’t been resurrected, our faith becomes a sham (1 Corinthians 5:17).  If Christ did not resurrect, death hasn’t been conquered and we remain under its dominion.

Our resurrection has two dimensions: 1) as part of our conversion and 2) after our physical death. Paul compares our new life experience to a resurrection (Romans 6:4). The second dimension confronts us with the reality that will all die physically, and all will be resurrected before Jesus in the future (John 5:29).

This week will invite you to go deeper into what Jesus’ resurrection means for our present life and future life.

Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The events of the week lead to the transformation of the Passover meal into what has become known as “The Lord’s Supper” or “The Last Supper.” Following that meal, Christ led his disciples to the familiar place of prayer—the Garden of Gethsemane. But this is where Judas and the temple mob police arrested Jesus.

Friday must be the saddest day of all as Jesus is tried, convicted, and crucified (all in one day). His death was necessary and it was part of the plan of salvation. Yet, we must not forget that the resurrection was even more necessary. Without the his resurrection, Christ’s death would just be that—his death.  

The last days in Egypt for Israel were preceded by the blood of a lamb being painted on the doorposts. This symbol resulted in the angel of death “passing over” that house rather than killing the firstborn son. While this tenth plague showed the domination of Yahweh over Pharaoh’s gods, the result was the Israelites’ freedom to leave their Egyptian slavery. What good would it have been for the lamb to be slain, but then stay in Egypt when you could leave the bondage and head for the Promised Land? Leaving Egypt and crossing the Red Sea was, in a real sense, their resurrection into a new life—a new chapter in their history.

We’ve covered the steps Israel went through in Egypt: death, baptism (in the Red Sea) and now resurrection (leaving Egypt for good). On a personal level, when we accept Jesus’ death on our behalf we have accepted the Good Friday event, but we must not get stuck on Friday. We can’t even trust in our baptism. There must be a resurrection, a new life.

As important as Friday was, Sunday remains equally necessary. Without Sunday, Friday would not be enough. But without Friday, Sunday wouldn’t be possible.  For us, without repentance and forgiveness, new life for us isn’t possible either. And seeking forgiveness without seeking newness of life is like Jesus dying and not being resurrected.

In this week’s study let’s look at the importance and significance of the resurrection in light of the cross. We will again study Romans 6:3-11 but look closer at the significance of the resurrection in light of the last 3 studies.

Read Romans 6:3-11

A. Never been close to dying.
B. I was shaken up at the moment and shortly afterwards, but it didn’t have much impact.
C. I took life more seriously; life is fragile.
D. I thanked God and it helped me draw closer to him.
E. Other.

A. I was so excited to give my life to Christ and life a new life.
B. I am still growing and learning how to live this new life.
C. I realized that baptism is just part of the process of growing spiritually.
D. I felt it was literally a life and death situation if I didn’t get baptized and now I fell alive
E. Other.

A. I consider it more like “living like Jesus”
B. I can’t necessarily die like Jesus but I sure can resurrect like him.
C. I can’t die like Jesus or resurrect like Jesus unless I have God in my life helping me along the way.
D. This is a hard concept to understand.
E. Other.

A. I have hope for those who have died or for myself if I die before Jesus comes.
B. I really haven’t thought much about it.
C. The power to raise Jesus from the dead is available for me.
E. Death doesn’t have the final word.
F. Other.

A. I’ve always wanted a “new life,” like a start over
B. I am able to accept God’s forgiveness and accept that he loves me and that he has plans to prosper me.
C. I like new things.
D. Newness of life isn’t just offered once. It’s always available.
E. Other.

A. I have a hard time accepting this.
B. I just accept it because it’s in the Bible.
C. I share Paul’s conviction because I have live it.
D. When I look back and see an old me and now I see a new me
E. Other.

A. I don’t like being told I must do something.
B. If I follow Paul’s logic then it makes sense.
C. Dying to sin is a must but I need more help
D. It’s a must that I fully embrace and accept.
E. I’m glad there’s a must to consider myself ALIVE to God.
F. Other.

Paul’s writes to the Christians in Ephesus and tells them that he is always giving thanks to God for them. He also says that he remembers them in his prayers. His prayer for the Ephesians is that they have:

1. Spirit of Wisdom and Knowledge.
2. The eyes of their heart be opened to see what God has called us to and our great inheritance.
3. To have an awareness of the power that is available to us.  

To have an idea of the kind of power available to us, Paul makes reference to the power that was demonstrated by raising Jesus from the dead. The power of God to raise the dead is the same power God has towards us.
You can repeat this prayer and make it a personal prayer and you can also make a prayer for your family, your small group, your neighborhood and for your Carmichael church family.

Ephesians 1:15   For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Select from these questions, or let them prompt your own questions. You can reflect on these by yourself, or discuss them with another person or group of people.

1. Do you believe Christ was resurrected? Why or why not?
2. Can you believe in Jesus but not in the resurrection?
3.When Christ returns, would you rather be alive or be resurrected from the dead?
4. What do you make of the two resurrections mentioned in Revelation 20:5-6?
5. Read Matthew 27:52-53 and discuss the “many saints” who were resurrected with Jesus. 
6. Whose response to the resurrection do you identify with more—Peter who ran to the tomb or Thomas who wouldn’t believe until he saw with his own eyes?
7. What are examples of things Jesus said that didn’t make sense to the disciples until after the resurrection (like John 2:19-21)?
8. What are examples of spiritual things that only make sense because of the resurrection.
9. Why did Jesus feel forsaken on the cross if he knew he would be resurrected? (Matthew 27:46)
10. If you were the Roman soldiers at the tomb, would you believe in the resurrection?
11. If you were the religious leaders, why wouldn’t you believe the eyewitness report the soldiers at the tomb gave them?
12. If you had seen the resurrected Jesus, what would it take to stop you from talking about it/him?
13. What does it take for you to start talking about the resurrected Jesus?
14. Jesus repeatedly told his disciples he would be killed and then would rise from the dead. Why were they taken by surprise when both of these happened?
15. Why is it hard to believe some of Christ’s surprises?

Great teachers of the past like Confucius and Socrates have had their followers and promoters. Books have been written and classes taught about their wisdom and their abilities to apply these ideas. They wanted to make the world a better place.

We are followers and disciples of another great Teacher. Jesus lived thousands of years ago. He taught his own followers the great divine principles of life. He healed the sick. He raised people from the dead. He brought hope to all of Israel and surrounding areas. The difference is that Jesus isn’t dead. As the hymn goes, “We serve a risen Savior.” His book (the Bible) tells us the story. It gives us the wisdom and the knowledge. Since he is alive, he gives us the power to live out the truths he has given us through his Word.

No one can ask any questions to the Great Teachers of old. On the other hand we can talk to God and believe God speaks to us  through his word. We are inspired through His spirit. All of this is possible because Jesus was resurrected. The big difference is that Jesus is God.

When Jesus was resurrected, the religious leaders accused the disciples of stealing Christ’s body. This was the only way for the Jewish leaders to explain how Jesus’ body could be missing in spite of the Roman soldiers work to guard the tomb. For the religious leaders, resurrection wasn’t possible. But if it did really happen, it would be the most powerful message to convince people that Jesus was the Messiah. Those who wanted Jesus dead thought that would put an end to Christ’s ministry and his movement. That would have been true had Jesus stayed in the grave.

The book of Acts demonstrates repeatedly that the preaching of Jesus and his resurrection was the most powerful witness.

Acts 1:22—In choosing Judas’ replacement, it had to be someone who had been a witness to his resurrection.
Acts 2:31-33—Part of Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost.
Acts 4:2, 33—Preaching about the resurrection annoyed the apostles opponents.
Acts 17:18, 32—People find it hard to believe while others are fascinated by it.
Acts 23:6, 8—Point of contention among Sadducees and Pharisees.
Acts 24:15, 21—Part of Paul’s final words. Paul asserts that he is on trial because of his preaching of the resurrection.

The resurrection was the #1 issue. Paul’s apologetic to defend his conversion and the reason for his faith was: the reality of the resurrection. It wouldn’t make sense to believe in Jesus without also believing in his resurrection (see 1 Corinthians 15).

As you share with others this week, ask them what they think of the resurrection. You will probably get many different responses.

1. Share what the resurrection means to you.
2. Share what the resurrection means for the world.
3. Ask the other person what they think the resurrection means for them. 

Paul is sharing his testimony in the letter to the Philippians. He talks about having, what many would consider, a successful life in the past. But he says that it was all garbage when compared to what he has now. Knowing Jesus and the power of his resurrection was worth giving it all up. It was worth. 
You are invited to keep Paul’s words in your head, heart and hand this week by repeating these words and committing them to memory.
Philippians 3:10-11 “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”

Enjoy the variety of music that speaks of God's Presence

I feel like there’s needs to be a resurrection at my home every single morning. You see, my son Caleb sleeps like he’s dead. I’m serious! Once he’s asleep, I can go into his room and turn on all the lights, play loud music, vacuum, sing, one time I even played a trumpet right up next to  his face. And do you know what happened?

Nothing. Not a sound, not even a movement came from him. That’s how hard he sleeps.

One time, his younger siblings were having a screaming, yelling fight right beneath his bunk bed, and he didn’t even know it. I felt like maybe I better slide a finger under his jaw and check his pulse, just to make sure his heart was still beating and he was alive. He sure was, but you wouldn’t have known it by looking at him. Caleb sleeps like he might just be dead. So, as you can imagine, waking Caleb up for school each day is HARD. I wish I didn’t have to be the one to do it.

I remember going to a schoolmate’s funeral when I was in second grade. He fell and hit his head on a rock while playing football, and even though the helicopter came to get him within minutes, he never woke up again. He died much too young. We were all so sad and so broken-hearted as we huddled together at that funeral, and I remember wishing I could just wake him up. Or just turn back time, before the football game, and make everything end up differently. But instead, there we were, crying at his funeral. I wished it had happened to some other kid in some other school. I wished we didn’t have to be the ones to do it.

Most of us learn from a very young age, that death is a part of life on this sinful earth. We wish we could bring our loved ones back. We wish we could turn back time and spend one more day, one more hour with them. I bet that’s exactly how Jesus’ closest friends felt on the day He died. They wished they could wake him up! They wished they could go back in time. Instead they were preparing his body in strips of linen for the tomb. I bet they wished they didn’t have to be the ones to do it.

But what they didn’t see just ahead, just two days away, was something beautiful, wonderful, and so miraculous. Jesus rose from the dead, fully alive and fully himself - what an amazing sight that must have been! This is what we call the resurrection. And because Jesus didn’t stay asleep, because He didn’t stay dead, because Jesus triumphed over death once and for all - we get to look forward to the resurrection of ALL the people who loved Jesus on that great and glorious day when He comes back.

Some people sleep like the dead. Some people who have died are sleeping until Jesus comes. But all people who love Jesus will be raised back to life when he comes to take us home. And all together, the living and the dead who’ve loved Jesus throughout all time, will meet the Lord in the air, and be with Him forever. You can be sure that this time I’m wishing we ARE the ones who get to do it.

Family Talk Time:

1. It’s Easter - the time of year we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. How do you think his friends felt when He died? How did they feel when He came back to life?
2. Why does it matter so much that Jesus didn’t stay dead?
3. What does Jesus’ resurrection mean to my life, and your life? Is it just a nice story with a happy ending, or is it something more?
4. What is the best way our family can celebrate Jesus being alive today? What is the best way we can thank Him for what she did for us?