Easter Sunday: Transformation

Happy Easter Everyone!! We are so glad to celebrate our Saviors resurrection with each of you!! Today we will be discussing How Jesus’ life, death and resurrection has transformer the world, but has also made it possible for our lives to be transformed! Pastor Manny and I will be tackling from questions this morning.

Matthew 28:18–20 “Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

Lets Pray!

Why Did Jesus Come Into The World?

-To best answer this question, we have to go back to very beginning.

-We were/are made in the Image of God. We were created to live in perfect unity with our Creator.

Read Genesis 1:22–28

-God ( Who is Triune “3in1” God The Father, Son & Holy Spirit) would go onto say this about what He had created. Genesis 1:31 “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good indeed.”

-We had everything we needed.. Yet we wanted more..God is good and give us free will, He lets us freely choose to love Him, or to not and live for ourselves.

-We decided we wanted to be God. Out of our selfishness and desire for more We chose to rebel again our Heavenly Father. We took God’s perfect creation and had corrupted it. Sin has now entered the picture.. Sin is breaking God's law/commands and rebelling against Him. Sin has brought about death, sickness, pain, hate, evil. All of which have impacted every single human to walk this earth.

Romans 3:10-18 informs us that we are all infected by this..

Read Romans 3:10–18

-But here is where the good news comes in and the answer to our question. From the moment we chose ourselves and our ways over our Creators. God and His love was not going to sit back and continue to watch sin and brokenness rip his creation away from Him

-Our God was already enacting a plan to bring His children back from the pits of sin.

-Jesus who is God in the flesh was and is the that plan.

Read John 1:1–5 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.”

Read John 3:16–18 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.”

-Jesus came for all humanity! Because of His deep love for us and to resolve the issues that we could not address on our own.

-We could never earn our way back to God, nor could we defeat sin. Someone greater had to do this. And this is exactly why Jesus came! He came to make a way where there was no way. He came to save us from our broken and sinful ways and restore us into a right relationship with the Father.

-Jesus tells us this profound reason why He came as well: Read Luke 5:31–32 “Jesus replied to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

-These words encapsulate the heart of Jesus' ministry and His mission on earth. He came not for the self-righteous or the morally upright, but for the broken, the hurting, and the lost. Like a compassionate physician, He reaches out to those who are spiritually sick and in need of healing.

-This statement reveals several important truths about Jesus' ministry:

-Jesus' primary motivation is compassion for the lost and the broken. He sees the spiritual sickness of humanity and is moved with compassion to offer healing and restoration.

-Jesus' invitation is open to all, regardless of their past or present condition. He welcomes sinners and outcasts into His presence, offering them forgiveness, acceptance, and new life.

-Jesus' ultimate goal is not just to heal physical ailments but to bring about spiritual transformation. He calls sinners to repentance, inviting them to turn away from their old ways and embrace a new life of faith and obedience to God.

-This is why we needed Jesus to come into His creation and to bring transformation to His creation….

How Does Jesus Transform Me?

Jesus’ life, death and resurrection has changed everything for us!

These 3 aspects of Jesus transform us:

The Life of Jesus:Jesus's life serves as a model for our own transformation. He walked in perfect obedience to the Father, showing us what it means to live a life of love, humility, and service. Consider the words of Ephesians 5:1–2“Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.”

The Death of Jesus:The death of Jesus on the cross is the ultimate expression of love and sacrifice. Through His death, we find forgiveness and redemption. Romans 5:8 beautifully captures this truth: “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus's sacrifice paves the way for our transformation by breaking the power of sin and offering us a new life in Him.

The Resurrection of Jesus: The resurrection of Jesus is the source of our hope and the assurance of our transformation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” Through His resurrection, Jesus conquered sin and death, and He offers us the same victory. His resurrection power enables us to live transformed lives, free from the bondage of sin and fear.

-Here are some of the ways he transforms us personally:

-He moves us From Death to Life:

Read Romans 6:4 “Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.”

This verse captures the essence of the Christian faith – the journey from death to life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through our identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, we are granted new life and the promise of eternal salvation.

Paul uses the imagery of baptism to illustrate this spiritual truth. Baptism symbolizes our participation in the death and burial of Jesus Christ, as we are immersed in water, representing our old selves being buried with Him. But just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so too are we raised to walk in newness of life.

This new life is not merely a continuation of the old, but a radical transformation. It is a life marked by forgiveness, redemption, and the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a life lived in intimate fellowship with God, empowered to live in obedience to His will and to fulfill the purpose He has for us.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just an event to be celebrated on Easter Sunday; it is the cornerstone of our faith and the source of our hope. It is through His resurrection that we are reconciled to God, liberated from the power of sin and death, and granted the privilege of eternal life with Him.

Death no longer holds its grip around our necks. While we still deal with death on this side of eternity we know because of Jesus victory over it, one day this unnatural part of the human story will be no more!

-He moves us from Bondage to Freedom :

Read John 8:34–36 “Jesus responded, “Truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in the household forever, but a son does remain forever. So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.”

Sin enslaves us, chaining us to its destructive patterns and separating us from the abundant life God intends for us.But Jesus offers a way out of this bondage.

Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus breaks the chains of sin and offers us true freedom – freedom from guilt, shame, and condemnation.

As we embrace Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are no longer slaves to sin but sons and daughters of God, welcomed into His household forever. His love sets us free to live in obedience to Him, to love others selflessly, and to experience the fullness of life that He promises.

-He moves us from Fear to Courage:

Read Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.”

Through His resurrection, Jesus conquers our fears and fills us with courage. Jesus tells us in Luke 12:32 “Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom.”

These words are a powerful reminder that we need not succumb to fear because God Himself is with us. He is our ever-present help in times of trouble, our source of strength when we feel weak, and our constant support as we navigate life's challenges.

When we trust in God's promises and cling to His presence, fear loses its grip on us, and courage takes its place. We can face each day with confidence, knowing that the Almighty God is by our side, guiding us, protecting us, and empowering us to overcome whatever obstacles may come our way.

So let us take heart and be courageous, for the God who holds the universe in His hands is also holding onto us with His righteous right hand. With Him as our strength and shield, we can walk boldly into the future, knowing that nothing can separate us from His love and care.

-He moves us from Brokenness to Wholeness:

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!”

This verse speaks to the profound reality of spiritual rebirth that occurs when we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers us forgiveness, redemption, and the promise of new life. Jesus heals our brokenness and restores us to wholeness. He makes us new creations, transforming our lives from the inside out, and filling us with His love and grace.

No matter how broken or wounded we may feel, when we come to Jesus and place our trust in Him, He begins a work of transformation within us. He takes our brokenness and makes us whole. He heals our wounds and restores our hearts. He replaces our old ways with His righteousness and fills us with His Spirit.

In Christ, we are no longer defined by our past mistakes or shortcomings. We are made new – new creations with a fresh start and a hopeful future. The broken pieces of our lives are redeemed and woven together into a beautiful tapestry of His grace and mercy.

let us embrace the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17 and walk in the fullness of the new life that Jesus offers. Let us leave behind our brokenness and step into the wholeness and abundance that can only be found in Him. As we abide in Christ, may His transforming power continue to work in us, making us more and more like Him each day.

-He moves us From Despair to Hope:

Read 1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”

This verse serves as a beacon of hope for all who find themselves in times of despair or uncertainty. It reminds us that no matter how bleak our circumstances may seem, we have a living hope – a hope that is anchored in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered sin and death, offering us the promise of new life and eternal hope. His victory over the grave assures us that there is nothing in this world that can ultimately defeat us. As believers, we have been given new birth into this living hope, and it sustains us through every trial and hardship we may face.

In Christ, despair is transformed into hope. Sorrow is replaced by joy. Darkness gives way to light. No matter what challenges or obstacles lie before us, we can cling to the hope that we have in Jesus Christ, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His promises and bring about redemption and restoration in our lives.

So let us fix our eyes on the risen Savior, who is the source of our hope and the anchor for our souls. May His resurrection power breathe new life into our hearts and fill us with unwavering confidence in His promises. And may we boldly proclaim, along with Peter, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," who has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

-He moves us from Selfishness to Selfless Love:

Read Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Through His resurrection, Jesus transforms our hearts of stone into hearts of love.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the profound change that occurs when we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ. Through His death on the cross, we are crucified with Him – our old self, with its selfish desires and ambitions, is put to death.

As Christ lives in us, His love becomes the driving force behind everything we do. No longer motivated by selfishness or self-interest, we are empowered to love others with the same sacrificial love that Christ demonstrated for us on the cross. Our lives are no longer centered on ourselves but on Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.

This transformation from selfishness to selfless love is not something we can achieve on our own. It is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ, who loved us so much that He willingly laid down His life for us.

-So How do we respond to all of this?

Announcements:

-130+ people came through the Good Friday Event! Thank you to all who came out and to those who served and help make it possible.

-First time guest receive a small gift.

-Offering/Giving, Online or in the black box.

-Wednesday Night Bible Study (at the building and on zoom @7pm)-Gospel Of John

-Thursday Night Prayer @6:45

-Local Church Conference after church on 4/14 as well as kids camp interest meeting

-Next Steps Class 4/21 (changed from 4/7)

-Starting Romans next Sunday……..Family Talk explanation.