Easter Worship & Contemporary Praise (3)

In one paragraph

Ray preached an Easter message from John 20, walking through the resurrection appearances and asking the congregation to consider which of five scenarios describes where they are with Jesus right now. The thread running through all of it was that believing in the risen Christ brings peace, purpose and power. It was a direct invitation, especially to anyone who has drifted, been hurt, or never...

Read together

1. Matthew 28:5-7 angel's message to the women at the tomb, opened the sermon
2. John 20:1-2 Mary Magdalene finds the stone rolled away and runs to Peter and John
3. John 20:3-8 Peter and John race to the tomb and John sees and believes
4. John 20:11-16 Mary weeps at the tomb, sees angels, and Jesus calls her by name
5. John 20:17-18 Jesus tells Mary not to cling to him and sends her to tell the disciples
6. John 20:19-22 Jesus appears to the locked-room disciples, offers peace, gives purpose and breathes the Holy Spirit
7. John 20:24-28 Thomas doubts and then believes when Jesus invites him to touch his wounds
8. John 20:29 blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed
9. John 20:23 authority to forgive or withhold forgiveness of sins
10. John 20:30-31 John's stated purpose for writing his gospel, that readers may believe and have life
11. Romans 8:11 the Spirit who raised Jesus will also give life to mortal bodies
12. Acts 1:8 you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes and be witnesses to the ends of the earth
13. Ephesians 1:18-23 spoken as the benediction, the immeasurable greatness of God's power that raised Christ and placed all things under his feet

Talk about it

1. Ray described five scenarios for people who might show up on Easter Sunday. Which of those scenarios felt most honest to where you are right now, and why?
2. Ray pointed out that Mary Magdalene was the first person Jesus appeared to after the resurrection, and that when she told the disciples, they did not believe her. What does it say to you that Jesus chose her to carry that news first?
3. When Jesus appeared to the disciples locked in that room, the first thing he said was 'peace be with you,' not a word of rebuke for abandoning him. What does that tell you about how Jesus deals with people who have failed him?
4. Thomas said he would never believe unless he could touch the wounds himself, and Jesus showed up and let him do exactly that. Has there been a time when you felt you needed something specific from God before you could trust him, and how did that resolve?
5. Ray read John's own stated purpose for writing his gospel: 'these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.' What is one thing that still makes belief feel difficult for you, or for someone you care about?