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God's Kingdom: Risen King (Easter Day 2021)

Author
The Rev'd Adam Lowe
Published
Sun 04 Apr 2021
Episode Link
https://share.transistor.fm/s/dd1b05ef

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the tenth sermon in our series on God’s Kingdom and also our message for Easter Day. This sermon is ‘Risen King’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Luke 24

Download the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Next Steps this Week

BIBLE READING: Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words.

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: How can you both demonstrate and tell others about the peace that Jesus brings on your frontlines this week?

WARM-UP

  1. Did you do anything different to celebrate Easter this year? How was it?

  2. What was most significant, or helpful, in your celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection this year?

READ Luke 23:26-49

  1. How does verse 34 point to Jesus’ ultimate purpose? How has it been fulfilled?

  2. What was the irony in the mocking of Jesus, “he saved others, let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah the Chosen One”? Do you think we can ever mock Jesus with our lives?

  3. How do the responses of the two criminals hanging alongside Jesus contrast? What is amazing about the insight that the criminal shows about the nature of Jesus’ Kingdom?

  4. What is significant about darkness coming over the land? How about the curtain being torn in two?

  5. All throughout the Gospel of Luke people have been confused about who Jesus is. Do you have confidence about who Jesus is? What is your response to this?

READ Luke 24:1-12

  1. Other than Jesus’ resurrection, what is the most outrageous claim you have ever heard?

  2. What is the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection? (Try to brainstorm as a group.)

  3. How is Jesus’ resurrection the defeat of death and the beginning of life? When will death be destroyed?

  4. What’s significant about the declaration of the messengers in verses 5-7? Why do you you think the women were afraid? Why did Jesus’ words then make sense?

  5. How does Jesus’ resurrection secure our future? As we trust in Jesus, what sort of future do we have?

  6. How does Jesus’ resurrection change how you live today? In priorities, trouble, and joy?

  7. The disciples were not “poised on the brink of belief”, but utterly sceptical. It took some of them time to believe. What changed their hearts and minds? Who do you know that is sceptical? How can you invite them to ‘come and see’?

  8. The women go and tell all they had seen. How is this a great model for us? Who can you tell this week?

APPLY:  What is something about your Easter that you could share with someone on your frontline this week? Who could you invite to Alpha?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the Good News of Easter. Thank you for your phenomenal love poured out for us, and for your defeat of sin and death. Help us to never take the Gospel for granted but to revel in it, proclaim it, and be transformed and renewed in it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

GOING DEEPER

On Your Frontline This Week: Who on your frontline could you invite to Alpha?

Listen, Watch, and Read:

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

  • OUTLINE: for Series with key verses, big ideas, and reflection questions:
    https://bit.ly/39w5Ggk

  • FOR FAMILIES: Download the St Bart’s Kids Lego Devotional Guide: https://bit.ly/2YrP3Mf

  • WEBSITE: “Gospel of the Kingdom of God” by the Bible Project: https://bit.ly/2NFP2SJ

  • BOOK: “Goldsworthy Trilogy: Gospel & Kingdom, Gospel & Wisdom, the Gospel in Revelation” by Graeme Goldsworthy

  • BOOK: “Luke for Everyone” by Tom Wright

  • Course: “The Bible Overview” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course).
    https://bit.ly/3pGDVH7 (We’ll also be offering this in Term 3 of 2021 at St Bart’s.)

WITH CHILDREN

Grow as Families

Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.

Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray

High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions

Kids’ Talk: Watch...

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