Sermon Based Curriculum
Sermon Date: April 4, 2010
Sermon Title: Dead No More
Sermon Text: John 20:1-10
Small Group Text: John 20:1-15
Introduction
THE PASSIONATE PURSUIT OF JESUS LEADS TO A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE MYSTERY SURROUNDING HIM AND CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.
When have you ever loved someone – even though you didn’t know them real well? Though it seems a little backwards, that’s often how it happens. There’s just something about a person we like or love – even though the relationship isn’t all figured out. In fact, it’s after we commit to loving them that we really begin to explore and probe the “mystery” surrounding them. Consequently, the relationship deepens as their relevance in our life becomes more certain. It’s the same in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Some people are put off by the profound mysteries surrounding Him. But if a person waits until all the unknowns are resolved and all questions answered, that person will probably never know (never mind, love…) Jesus. On the other hand, just like our other personal relationships – a commitment to love Jesus and then to explore the mystery that surrounds him leads to a further understanding of His relevance in our lives. This truth is portrayed in the original Easter story (John 20:1-10) where their love for Christ enabled several of his disciples to see with the “eyes of their hearts” into one of the greatest mysteries of all time: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And eventually, they were able to discover the relevance of this marvelous event, not only for their own lives, but for the whole world. Perhaps that’s how we need to progress in our spiritual lives: 1) passionately pursue Jesus with all our heart (Mark 12:30), 2) constantly explore the mystery of Christ (Acts 17:11; Ephesians 1:16-20; 1 Peter 1:10-12), 3) and only then begin to know and understand the relevance of the Son of God who “loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” – Ephesians 5:2 (See also Job 19:25; Romans 8:38-39; 1 John 4:13; 5:13)
Discussion
Read John 20:1-15 1. What compelled a few of Jesus’ followers to visit the grave so hurriedly that first Easter morning? A passionate (intense) love and devotion for Jesus caused them to race to the tomb.
2. Even though, time and again, Jesus had prophesied about his resurrection from the dead (e.g., Matt. 12:39-41; Luke 24:25,26,46), his disciples missed the point. Read John 20:1-2 & 10-15. What seemed to be the most obvious explanation for the disappearance of Jesus’ body from the tomb? Foul play: presumably, someone had stolen the corpse. 3. Review John 20:3-7. Motivated by love and passion for Christ, Peter and John explored the mystery surrounding Jesus’ absence from the tomb. What evidence did they uncover that would suggest “no foul play?” Jesus apparently passed through the layers of linen wrappings used in the preparation of His body since the shape and position of grave cloths within the tomb indicated no one had moved or stolen His corpse. The burial cloth used to secure Jesus’ head was neatly laid – separate from the linen.
4. Review John 20:8. A love and passion for Christ propelled these disciples to the tomb that first Easter morning. As they explored the mystery surrounding him, what was the glorious result of their passion and exploration? They were enlightened relative to the magnificent mystery of Jesus’ resurrection and they “believed.”
5. Review 20:9 to answer this challenging question: Obviously, their “belief” was not the end of the story. What greater “mysteries” needed to be explored? Though they received insight into the resurrection of Christ, they did not yet understand all the theological implications of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection within the context of the whole Bible. The gospel message (good news) was further revealed to them as their passion for Christ compelled them to probe the mysteries of the person and ministry of Christ. The outcome of their investigation? The book of Acts and all the Epistles of the New
Application
Testament!
1. Read two prayers from the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:9 and Ephesians 1:17-23. Then ask yourself: “Am I waiting to follow Christ until all my questions are figured out? Or does my love and passion for Jesus drive me to probe and explore the great mysteries surrounding His relevance for my life today? If you’re not passionately exploring Christ’s relevance for your life, what’s the reason: Doubt? Lethargy? Fear? Something else? 2. What is one thing you could do to move toward a more passionate love for Jesus Christ? Or, if you already love him, what is one way you could begin to “explore” more deeply the mysteries surrounding him in order to discover his relevance for your life?