The Cross and the Chaos Part 3: The Ressurection (Ebenezer; Phrases/Prompts)

Introduction

Attention:

Asking questions we’ve already been told the answer to.

The Problem of Evil (POE): “If God exists and He is good, why is there so much bad stuff in the world?”

Romans 6:8-10

Need:

Dealt with

How to deal

Result: freedom

Body

The Big Idea: Christ’s resurrection conquers evil.

The Question: How does Christ’s resurrection conquer evil?

1. Believers join-in

2. Death is uncrowned (6:9)

3. Life is forever (6:10)

Romans 6:8 (ESV)

8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

Explanation:

Ask: Why did we need to die with Christ?

Part of the problem

Inside us.

Ask: But what happens to the that is evil within a person when he/she accepts Christ?

It is defeated.

Still sin inside, but no longer rules us

Ask: Why is evil defeated within the person that accepts Christ?

Because “we’ve died with Him.”

If we die with Christ because of His death, why do we live with Him?

The Resurrection

Definitive Christian claim

A shared resurrection

Not know the answers, but experience.

“Already/not yet”

Illustration:

Sons of the Day

Christ’s resurrection: the answer to your unanswerable questions

Application:

How are you a part of the problem?

How does it make you feel to know that, if you are in Christ, the evil within you has died?

Have you joined Christ’s resurrection?

Are you allowing His resurrection power to continue to transform you?

Transition Statement: What makes it so powerful that believers join in Christ’s resurrection is that the resurrection is what Christ conquered death through.

The Big Idea: Christ’s resurrection conquers evil.

The Question: How does Christ’s resurrection conquer evil?

1. Believers join-in

2. Death is uncrowned

3. Life is forever

Romans 6:9 (ESV)

9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.

Explanation:

“We know”

Christianity formed overnight

Jesus died by crucifixion

His followers believed

Lives of Christ’s followers were radically changed (Martyrs)

What this shows us is that the resurrection proves something.

Ask: According to this verse, what does Christ’s resurrection prove?

Christ conquered death

Death conquered for us

“Death no longer has dominion over Him.”

Death is dethroned.

But what do death and the problem of evil have to do with each other?

Death = fruit of evil

Cut off

Question remains, but power doesn’t.

Don’t have to search

Illustration:

Conquered = graduate school

Application:

Have you been treating death as if it has authority over you?

Don’t have to feel guilty

Don’t have to keep sinning

How does this change your outlook on evil in the world?

What is it going to look like for you to be content in the midst of your questions?

Transition statement: Because Jesus put an end to death, life doesn’t have to have an end

The Big Idea: Christ’s resurrection conquers evil.

The Question: How does Christ’s resurrection conquer evil?

1. Believers join-in

2. Death is uncrowned

3. Life is forever

Romans 6:10 (ESV)

10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.

Explanation:

Ask: What did Jesus die to? (crucifixion)

Sin

Ask: What does Jesus live to? (resurrection)

God (His glory)

Died once = lives forever

Death: “Once and for all”

No “second fight” (FF Bruce)

Resurrection: “All for one”

Frees us from something and and to something.

From sin

To God’s glory

Ask: How does this statement connect back to the problem of evil?

From question and to answer.

Questions don’t own us

Owned by God’s glory and goodness

Illustration:

Early mornings

Eternity with answers exists.

Application:

How might the concept of eternal life impact the way that you view evil in the world?

Temporary question with an eternal solution

How does God’s glory give you hope?

What would it look like for you to fully embrace resurrected living?

Conclusion

Visualization

Here you stand with your questions

Now here you stand at the empty tomb

How will you respond?

Reiteration

If you have big questions, ask them in a way that is helpful to your faith.

Let’s pray.

PRAY

Small Group Questions

Scripture Review: Romans 6:8–10 (ESV)

8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.

What is it that makes the resurrection of Jesus so important for Christians?

Why can Christians be confidence that the resurrection of Jesus actually happened?

What about the resurrection and how it connects with the problem of evil interests you the most? Why?

How does the resurrection give you peace and hope?

In what ways in your life do you need the peace and hope that the resurrection provides?