This Easter sermon explores Jesus' declaration "I am the resurrection and the life" through the account of Lazarus's death and resurrection in John 11. The message emphasizes that Jesus is not merely one who provides resurrection as a future event—He Himself is the resurrection, the source and substance of eternal life. The sermon addresses how Jesus meets us in our sorrow and grief, demonstrating that He is bigger and better than we often think. Through the lens of Lazarus's story, we see that Jesus delayed His arrival intentionally so that God's glory would be fully revealed and people would believe in His deity. The message concludes with the truth that resurrection power is available now through union with Christ, transforming our lives today while securing our hope for bodily resurrection in the future. Christians have hope not just for resurrected bodies, but for a resurrected world—a new heavens and new earth cleansed from all evil and suffering.

Main Points:

- Jesus meets us in the sorrow of sin and death - He is not distant but draws near to comfort us in our grief and suffering.

- Jesus is the resurrection and the life - Eternal life is not just an event or a place; it's found in the person of Jesus Christ.

- Jesus is our hope for eternal life - Christians have hope for both a bodily resurrection and a transformed world, and this new life begins today.

Scripture Referenced:

John 11:1-44 (main passage); Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58; 2 Corinthians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:1-4; Galatians 2:20; John 17:3; John 10:10; John 3:1-8; Revelation 3:20

Community Group Guide:

Begin with Prayer

Begin by thanking God for bringing your group together and asking the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and reveal how He wants to work through each person present.

Discussion Questions

1) Read John 11:1-44 together. What stands out to you from this passage?

2) Martha confronted Jesus saying, 'if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' When have you questioned God's timing or presence during a difficult season, and how did that wrestling shape your faith?

3) Jesus wept at Lazarus's tomb even though He knew He was about to raise him from the dead. What does this reveal about how God relates to our suffering, and how should this impact the way we comfort others?

4) The sermon emphasizes that Jesus doesn't just give eternal life as a gift separate from Himself, but that He IS eternal life. How does this change your understanding of what it means to have a relationship with Christ?

5) The sermon ends with the question 'Do you believe this?' about Jesus being the resurrection and the life. What would it look like for you to move from intellectual acknowledgment to truly banking your entire life on the truth of the resurrection?

Personal Reflection and Practical Application

Choose one or more of the following to put into practice:

1) Bring Your Grief to Jesus: If you're experiencing loss, pain, or disappointment, spend time honestly bringing your questions and emotions to God in prayer. He can handle your wrestling.

2) Expand Your View of Jesus: Identify one area where you've been thinking too small about Jesus. Write down specific attributes of Christ that counter your limited view and meditate on them daily.

3) Live in Resurrection Power: Identify one destructive pattern, addiction, or "dead" area in your life. Confess it to a trusted believer and ask them to pray with you for Christ's resurrection power to bring new life.

4) Share Your Story: Like Jorge shared in both services, share with someone this week how Jesus has brought you from death to life—whether that's your salvation story or a specific area where He's brought transformation.

5) Examine Your Belief: Honestly evaluate whether you're truly trusting Jesus with your life or just giving intellectual acknowledgment. What would it look like to fully surrender one specific area to Him this week?

Worship Setlist:

Who Else; That’s My King; Behold the Lamb; What A Beautiful Name; You’ve Already Won; Because He Lives