Sermon Study Guide

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Jesus Is Alive! Easter 2018 Revelation 21:1-7

April 1, 2018 BIG IDEA We celebrate the truth that the Lamb is alive! He provides a glorious future. It is a future beyond anything we can imagine. My challenge to you is to thoughtfully embrace the Lamb. Become a child of God. You can be alive forever!

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE Context: The resurrection of Jesus defeated the final enemy and will lead to the renewal of all things. He will provide a beautiful and wonderful eternal home for those that have been gifted with eternal life through belief in him. Luke 24:1-6a recounts the resurrection event. Revelation 21:1-7 is the future hope for the believer. Luke 24:1-6a 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, 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! Revelation 21:1-7 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither

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shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son

MAIN IDEAS       

Last week, on what is now traditional Palm Sunday, Jesus and his disciples came to Bethphage from Jericho. Jesus asked two of his disciples to find a colt that he could use to ride into Jerusalem. The words “The Lord needs them” signified that he is the Lord, King, and Messiah. His reign extends beyond this earth. Revelation 5 helps us to see a future time when saints and angels are enthralled with worship. We can find joy by submitting to this amazing Lamb That Was Slain! On Good Friday, we celebrated the Lord’s Supper together in honor of the Lamb that became the final sacrifice for sin. Today we celebrate. Jesus is Alive! And you can be alive forever by believing in him. Salvation comes through faith. This could be the start of a whole new life.

DISCUSSION & APPLICATION 1. Followers of Jesus Will Live in a New Heaven and Earth Revelation 21:1 – Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

Scholars argue as to whether this will be a restoration of our current cosmos or something completely other. No matter. We will one day live in a renewed creation with Christ. It will be amazing! a. Have you thought about what heaven will be like? What thoughts come to mind? What does the Bible say?

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b. Why does God need to restore the heavens and earth? How does the resurrection help him do this?

2. Followers of Jesus Will Live in a New City Revelation 21:2 - And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

A bride is beautifully adorned on her wedding day and so will be this new city where believers will dwell for all time. a. Talk about the “Groom-Bride” motif in scripture. Where is it used? How do you think it plays into the creation of this new city?

b. Does this bring hope to the Twin Cities? How?

3. Followers of Jesus Will Be Forever in His Presence Revelation 21:3 - And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. John 14:2 - In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

Not only will we gain an amazing eternal dwelling place, but we will be with Jesus! a. What will it be like to be with Christ? What do you think he’ll say to you?

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b. Are you ready for that day? Do you have some misgivings? Why?

4. Followers of Jesus Receive Living Water Through Faith Revelation 21:5-7 - And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

a. What meeting did Jesus have in which he offered eternal water?

b. Have you told someone lately about this amazing gift?

5. Now is Your Time Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 10:9 – If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

a. Jesus is calling you to him. He is calling you to new depth, or a relationship with him for the first time. Will you accept this offer and live forever?

b. If you have just made the decision to follow Jesus or have questions about what it means to be a believer in Jesus, we encourage you to talk with your community group leader, a pastor, or a Christian friend.

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PRAY Dear Lord, thank you for the offer of eternal life. You are so good. The thought of living with you forever in a renewed creation is amazing. It all happened because you rose from the dead. You are alive. I trust you. I love you. Amen.

DIG DEEPER For further study this week: 

“Ridgewood Devotionals” at www.myrwc.org

NEXT WEEK’S BIG IDEA A new series in Colossians: “Together for Christ!”

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