Third Sunday of Easter - Our Transformed Lives

Our faith in Jesus allows us to experience the joy of a transformed life.

Experiencing joy and transforming our lives is a life-time process that requires effort and commitment. Here are some common tips that can help you experience joy and transform your life:

1. Cultivate gratitude: Gratitude is an important practice that can help us appreciate the present moment and the things we have in life. Take a few moments every day to reflect on the things you are grateful for, no matter how small they may seem. 2. Practice self-care: Taking care of ourselves is crucial for our well-being. This can include things like getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, and taking time to relax and unwind. 3. Build meaningful relationships: Connecting with others and building strong relationships can bring us joy and a sense of belonging. Make an effort to connect with others and build meaningful relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. 4. Pursue your passions: Pursuing the things that bring us joy and fulfillment can transform our lives. Identify your passions and make time for them, whether it’s taking up a new hobby, learning a new skill, or pursuing a new career. 5. Embrace change: Change is a natural part of life, and learning to embrace it can help us grow and transform. Be open to new experiences and opportunities, and be willing to step out of your comfort zone.

Remember that experiencing joy and transforming our lives is a journey, and it takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself, and don’t be afraid to seek support and guidance from others along the way.

I want to talk to you about the joy of a transformed life that comes through our faith in Jesus Christ. When we believe in Jesus, we are saved from the power of sin and death. We are set free to live a life of joy and hope. Jesus is alive, and He offers us a life that is transformed by His love and grace.

The Bible tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Sin separates us from God, and it leads to death. But the good news is that Jesus came to save us from our sins. He died on the cross and rose again on the third day, defeating sin and death once and for all. Through faith in Jesus, we are reconciled to God, and we have eternal life.

This is the foundation of our faith, and it is the source of our joy and hope. When we put our trust in Jesus, we no longer have to live in fear of the future or in the bondage of sin. We are free to live a life that is transformed by His love and grace. We can experience the joy of knowing that we are loved by God and that we have a purpose in this world.

But our faith in Jesus is not just about being saved from sin and death. It is also about living a life that reflects His love and grace. The Bible tells us that we are called to be holy, just as God is holy (1 Peter 1:16). This means that we are called to live a life that is set apart for God's purposes. We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

When we live a holy life, we reflect Christ's love to the world around us. We become the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). We bring hope and joy to those who are lost and in need of a Savior. We show them the love of Christ through our words and our actions.

So, my friends, let us hold fast to our faith in Jesus Christ. Let us believe in Him and be saved from the power of sin and death. Let us experience the joy of a transformed life that comes through His love and grace. And let us live a holy life, reflecting Christ's love to the world around us.

As we read in Psalm 116:1-4, “I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.” When we put our faith in Jesus, we experience the joy of a transformed life.

Believing in Jesus means that we are saved from the power of sin and death. We are set free from the bondage of sin that once held us captive, and we are given the gift of eternal life. This is not something that we can earn or achieve on our own; it is a gift of God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

When we receive this gift of salvation, our lives are transformed. We no longer live for ourselves but for the glory of God. Our hearts are filled with gratitude and love for what Jesus has done for us, and we want to share this message of hope with others.

Through our faith in Jesus, we are also given the power to overcome the challenges and trials that we face in life. We are no longer alone, but we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, guiding and empowering us to live a life that is pleasing to God.

As we continue to walk in faith, we will experience the fruit of the Spirit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the marks of a transformed life, and they bring glory to God.

In Luke 24:13-35, we read about two disciples who were walking on the road to Emmaus, discussing the events that had recently taken place in Jerusalem. As they were walking, a stranger joined them and asked them what they were talking about. They were surprised that the stranger had not heard about the crucifixion of Jesus and how he had been buried. As they continued walking and talking, the stranger began to explain the Scriptures to them, revealing how everything that had happened was part of God's plan. As they arrived at their destination, the two disciples invited the stranger to stay with them for the night. As he broke bread with them, their eyes were opened, and they recognized that the stranger was, in fact, Jesus. The disciples' encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus is a reminder that Jesus is alive, and he offers us a life of joy and hope. Our faith in him allows us to experience the transformation that he brings into our lives. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are made new, and we become a new creation in Christ.

As we look at the world around us, we see so much pain, suffering, and despair. But as followers of Christ, we have a different perspective. We know that in the midst of all the chaos and darkness, there is a light that shines brightly. That light is Jesus Christ, and he brings us hope and joy in the midst of our trials and tribulations.

When we put our faith in Jesus, we are no longer slaves to sin and death. Instead, we are free to live a life filled with joy, peace, and purpose. Our faith in Jesus allows us to experience the transformation that he brings into our lives. We are no longer who we used to be, but we are now children of God, and we have been given a new identity in Christ.

In 1 Peter 1:17-23, we read that since we call on a Father who judges each person's work impartially, we are to live out our time as foreigners here in reverent fear. What does it mean to live as foreigners in this world? It means that we are not to conform to the ways of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).

Living as foreigners in this world means that we are called to live a holy life, set apart for God's purposes. We are to be different from the world around us, reflecting the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Our lives are to be a living testimony to the transformative power of our faith in Him.

As we live out our faith in Christ, we are called to reflect His love to those around us. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves, to be kind and compassionate, and to show grace and mercy to those who have wronged us. We are to forgive as we have been forgiven and to seek reconciliation where there is brokenness.

Living a transformed life in Christ is not always easy. It requires us to die to our old selves and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24). But the joy that comes from living a transformed life is worth it. It is a joy that comes from knowing that we are living out God's purposes for our lives, that we are reflecting His love to the world around us, and that we are making a difference in the lives of those around us.

We must remember that Jesus is the only way to true joy and transformation. In Acts 2:36-41, we are reminded of the importance of repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. We must accept Jesus into our lives and turn away from our old ways of living. When we do this, we allow Jesus to transform our lives and fill us with His love and grace.

Living a holy life is also an important aspect of our faith in Jesus. In 1 Peter 1:17-23, we are called to live as foreigners in this world, in reverent fear of our Heavenly Father. We must strive to reflect the love of Jesus in all that we do, knowing that our actions and attitudes are a reflection of our faith. As we live out our transformed lives, we must also share the good news of Jesus with others. In Psalm 116:12-19, we see the importance of fulfilling our vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people. We must be examples of His love and grace, spreading His message of hope and redemption to those around us.

My friends, I urge you to accept Jesus into your life and experience the joy of a transformed life. Embrace His love and grace, and strive to live a holy life that reflects His love. Share His message with others, and be an example of His love and grace to all those around you.

Heavenly Father, We come before you with grateful hearts, thanking you for the gift of faith in Jesus that allows us to experience the joy of a transformed life. We love you because you have heard our cry for mercy and have saved us from the power of sin and death. Lord, we acknowledge that Jesus is alive and offers us a life of joy and hope. As we reflect on the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we ask that you reveal yourself to us in our daily lives, that we may recognize your presence and experience your transformative power. Help us to live holy lives, reflecting Christ's love in all that we do. May we be reminded of Peter's call to live as foreigners here in reverent fear, calling on you to judge our works impartially. Lord, we pray that those who have not yet accepted Jesus into their lives may be moved to do so, that they may experience the joy of a transformed life. May they hear the call to repent and be baptized, for the forgiveness of their sins. Finally, we ask that you empower us to spread the good news of Jesus and be examples of his love to the world. As we fulfill our vows to you in the presence of all your people, may your light shine through us and draw others to you. We pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.