Resurrected Gospel

Easter is coming
• We need to celebrate Easter this year more than ever
• The series is called resurrected – which implies something has died and is in need of resurrecting

The Gospel
1. The good news – We were created in perfection – given a choice –as relational beings
2. The bad news —We all have sinned and fallen short

A. We all die

Romans 3:22–26 (NIV) — 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Romans 5:12 (NIV) — 12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

B. The really bad news –we die twice
• There is a hell for those who reject God
• We live on after our bodies are dead – we are resurrected one way or another
• It means you rejected the good things God created
Revelation 20:11–15 (NIV) — 11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

C. The really, really good news!!! -God wants to save us
• He died for our sins if we would by faith receive Him – As Savior and Lord
o Romans 5:6–8 (NIV)
o Colossians 1:19–23 (NIV)

3. We all can know who is going where right now.

o Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
o Romans 6:1–8 (NIV)

Living a gospel life
1. We Seek His Will
2. Now as humans we take on His role for us – we go first into the fray with His message
A. To speak about what Jesus has done for me
B. To reconcile relationships
C. To become uncomfortable
• I am hearing things like: “Who are these people that are coming to our area?”
• I hear people are coming here looking for comfort and place to be at peace.
• We are a resurrected people who have been called to follow Jesus into His mission.
• I hear people saying “This church is too big.”
• We reach out to the lost world.
• We do what it takes to be Kingdom people with our children.
o Luke 9:23–26 (NIV)
o Philippians 3:17–21 (NIV) 2 Corinthians 5:18–21 (NIV)

Next steps
1. He went first –We respond to the gospel
2. Decide to be about His business – relationships with purpose
3. Join us in accepting Gods view of things and join us with Him to take on the mission
4. No stepping back –no giving in –as it pertains to the mission
Passages to consider: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Ephesians 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:14-20
Ice Breaker: Would you rather stand on the ledge of 60-story building or be at the bottom of the ocean in a submarine?
Sermon Reflection – What is something from the sermon you have been thinking about?

Questions to discuss:
1. Take a look at 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9,10. What do these passages tell us about Jesus, good news and bad news of the gospel?
2. What captivates your heart about the gospel? A) What is challenging about it?
3. How would you explain what Jesus did to someone genuinely curious about Jesus?
4. Read Ephesians 2:1-5; Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:14-20. Discuss what these passages reveal about what Jesus gives to us.
5. How have you experienced Jesus as your savior? A) What area in your life needs to be resurrected by Jesus? B) Who in your life is in need of knowing Jesus as Savior? What is your part in that journey?
6. Where is Jesus asking you to ‘go first’, to be salt and light? A) What help do you need to take that next step?