We all experience doubts, fears and a longing for clarity. On Resurrection Sunday, Christ met His disciples right where they were—confused, troubled even doubting. Yet opening the Scriptures, He brought them understanding and a peace that only He can provide. Listen in as Senior Pastor David Rose shows how Christ alone gives true redemption from sin and offers a living hope through faith in His atoning death and resurrection. Whatever you’re facing today, hope really does start here at the feet of our risen Savior.

• Jesus knows Resurrection Sunday is filled with a variety of emotions.
• Jesus gives clarity so Resurrection Sunday is understandable.
• Jesus calls His followers to share the good news about this day.
• Jesus provides power for the mission of life.
• Jesus becomes the hope for life.

Next Week: Colossians 1:1-8

Further Study

• What specific Old Testament prophecies did Jesus explain “beginning with Moses and all the prophets” about himself to the disciples on the road to Emmaus? How do these point to Christ as our substitutionary atonement? (See Isaiah 52-53)
• Why was it necessary, according to Jesus, for the Messiah to suffer and die? What hope does His resurrection demonstrate about overcoming sin and death? (1 Cor. 15:3-8, 17-19)
• When did the disciples’ hearts truly “burn within them”? How can studying Scripture personally lead to this kind of conviction of Christ today? (See Romans 10:17)
• Read through Matthew 28. What commission did Jesus give the disciples before His ascension? How can we follow their example and witness to others around us? You might read Acts 1:8 and 1 Peter 3:15 for deeper context.
• How did Jesus demonstrate that He was not a “ghost” but had a resurrected, physical body? What hope does our resurrection in Christ promise? (1 Cor. 15:20, 35-44; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

The Gospel

The central message of Easter is the good news of the gospel. As Pastor David explained, Christ came to redeem us from our true enemies of sin, death and the devil. He fulfilled God’s plan through His suffering, death and resurrection, which was foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament Scriptures.
Scripture says that on the road to Emmaus, Jesus opened “the Scriptures…beginning with Moses and the prophets, He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself.” He helped the disciples understand that the Messiah had to suffer and rise again, so that through faith in Him, sinners can be forgiven and have new life.

Jesus declared to His followers, “repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all nations.” He proved the power of the gospel through His resurrection from the dead. Because Christ conquered sin and death, all who repent and trust in Him as Savior can have assurance of eternal life. Through faith in Christ alone, we are restored to relationship with God the Father.

The risen Lord still intercedes for us today at God’s right hand. By his Holy Spirit, He empowers all who believe to live as witnesses of this good news. If you’re a believer, our prayer is that you might lay hold of the sure hope in Christ’s death and resurrection for our sins, and share that hope with others. If you are not a believer, we would love to talk about it. Reach out to set up a time.

Blake Grundy explores the often overlooked innkeeper in Luke 2. Blake examined the decisions he made during one of the most crucial moments in history, and drew important parallels between his life and ours. The example of the innkeeper is a lesson on the importance of making room in our hearts and lives for Jesus.

Key Takeaways

• The innkeeper’s booming business during the census is a reminder of how life’s busyness can distract us from what God is doing right in front of us.
• The buried Bible teaches us to expect and recognize the work of God in our lives.
• The innkeeper’s mistake in not providing room for Mary and Joseph underlines the need to prioritize Christ in our lives.

In this Christmas sermon, Associate Pastor of Counseling Kevin Richard points to Christ as the true light, gift, and love that we we so desperately need.

Further Study

Read the Christmas story in Luke 2:8-20. What details stand out to you? How was the glory of God displayed here? Read about the Magi’s visit in Matthew 2:1-12. Why do you think God led them to Jesus? What can we learn from their gifts?