He Lives: The Good News of the Resurrection

In one paragraph

This was a Monday night gathering at First Baptist Jackson working through the Gospel of John. The pastor led the group through John chapter 20, the resurrection account, reading the full chapter and then opening the floor for conversation. The thread running through the whole evening was the personal, individual way Jesus meets people, and what it means to carry that good news outward. The...

Read together

1. John 20:1-31 main text read aloud in full as the sermon passage
2. John 6:35 cited as the source for the statement that our work is to believe in Jesus' finished work
3. 1 John 5:12 quoted to show that whoever has the Son has life
4. John 16:33 quoted as Jesus saying on earth you will have trials and sorrows but take heart because he has overcome the world
5. John 10 referenced for the good shepherd calling his sheep by name and them recognizing his voice
6. John 14 referenced as where Jesus prepared the disciples for the coming of the Holy Spirit
7. John 16 referenced as where Jesus spoke of the advocate and helper, and also where a congregation member noted Jesus told disciples there were more things he wished to tell them
8. Mark 2 cited in the healing of the paralytic where religious leaders ask who can forgive sins but God alone
9. Acts 10 cited as Peter testifying that everyone who believes in Jesus will have sins forgiven through his name
10. Ephesians 5 congregation member cited Paul saying be imitators of God
11. 1 Peter 1:8 quoted as a closing benediction about loving and trusting Jesus without having seen him and rejoicing with inexpressible joy

Talk about it

1. Pastor Nathan read that Mary recognized Jesus the moment he said her name. What does that moment tell us about how Jesus relates to each of us personally, and what does it suggest about how we learn to recognize his voice?
2. When Jesus appeared to his disciples after they had abandoned him, his first words were 'Peace be with you.' Why do you think he led with that rather than addressing what they had done, and what would it look like for us to lead our relationships with others the same way?
3. Pastor Nathan said our work is to believe in Jesus' finished work, and that the disciples' mission and ours is simply to proclaim that Jesus forgives sins. What gets in the way of us doing that, and what makes it easier?
4. Several people shared that Jesus met Mary, the disciples, and Thomas each in a completely different way. Can you think of a time when God met you right where you were, in a way that felt personal rather than general?
5. One person in the group shared that a friend said he liked Christianity but not Christians. In light of what was said tonight about Jesus leading with grace and peace, what is one concrete thing we could do differently in how we carry this message to the people around us?