I Am: The Resurrection and The Life
Sunday, April 20th, 2025
Please Read
Main Claim: To see Jesus - as the Christ - brings life and resurrection because He is the resurrection and the life.
What does this claim mean?
Note the main characters in this passage - Jesus, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. (A minor character comes into play. This group is known as the Jews.) How do the characters bring out the meaning of this claim? What does this claim mean for those who have faith but waiver and say, “Jesus, you didn’t show up when I needed you.” Vv. 21,32. [Reference John 20:30-31]
The Meaning:
Jesus IS life. He doesn’t just give life. He doesn’t just give satisfaction. Jesus doesn’t merely give gifts. He is the gift. Jesus is life.
Jesus wept. He is compassionate. He doesn’t come with rebuke or correction when we waiver. He feels our brokenness and cares for us.
Jesus reveals. He manifests the glory of God.
Why does this claim matter?
This passage is relevant to every person on earth.
We all must consider who Jesus is. Help the group think on and talk about Jesus - namely His supremacy over life and death and how He reverses the effects of sin in this fallen world. JESUS DEALS WITH DEATH AND GIVES LIFE.
We all experience “dead times” when Jesus doesn’t seem to show up. List some “dead times” such as “the death” of a dream, a relationship, an expectation, etc. Help the group share some of these times with each other. This point may be a tender time. Prepare your heart in prayer and guide your group in wisdom.
We all need the life that Jesus brings to face the death we will all face. Aid the group to look at death as the last enemy who is defeated. Remember: For the believer, death is not a destination. It is a transition into glory. Help your group feel the power of Jesus’ victory.
How can we respond?
You can continue in disbelief. But why?
You can believe and have life!
Use these two types of responses to see if there is anyone in your Growth Group who needs salvation. Use these two types of responses to strengthen your people’s faith. They will never be left in the grave.
“If the grave is empty anything is possible.” Jason Wing
For Greater Discussion
Reflect on the series: I AM . . .
The bread of life (6:35)
The true vine (15:1)
Before Abraham was I AM (8:58)
The light of the world (8:12).
The way, the truth, and the life (14:6).
The good shepherd (10:11)
The resurrection and the life (11:25,26)
Throughout the series, what have you learned about Jesus? How has this knowledge about Him translated into knowing Him (i.e. enjoying Him with greater intimacy). Out of this joy in Jesus, how has the series helped you make Him known to your spouse, children, grandchildren, neighbor, co-worker, to your members in your growth group, etc.? We all are called to help people follow Jesus wholeheartedly by knowing Him and making Him known.
Quotable Quotes from Jason’s sermon with follow up questions.
Remember: Questions set conversations and lead to conclusions. Work on asking thoughtful questions for yourself and others that at times can only be answered by self-disclosure.
“Where He goes life goes.”
We who have life in His name go where He goes. What conversations does He take you into that are frightening? When you consider having these conversations, do you refuse to take initiative? This question may guide the conversation into relationships or places that we tend to avoid due to fear, resentment, apathy, etc. How will we offer “life indeed” to those who struggle believing? Who are discouraged? Who are enjoying the wrong things and activities in this life? Who show no signs of gospel curiosity?
“He gives the miracle of faith.”
Our privilege in life is to live out our life in Christ before others (Matt. 5:16). What are some good deeds you can do this week that will put Jesus’ love and life on display? Maybe your neighbor needs help cleaning up his yard. Maybe your children would enjoy a surprise from Dairy Queen. Perhaps someone at work could use your attention as they problem solve a difficulty. Maybe an elderly couple who live down the street would enjoy your company.
Remember: We are called to let our life in Jesus shine through good deeds. God’s sovereignty will work on the hearts.
“Just because something is immediately bad does not mean that it won’t be ultimately good.”
What has your hope in its grip? You may be anxious over the future. You find yourself losing the joy of the Lord. Your lifelong dream is threatened by illness or finances or relationships. How can the quote above help you rest in Jesus and His good plan for your life? (Rom.8:28, 32) When you begin to fret, how can the gospel of eternal life in the resurrection of Jesus Christ give comfort to you?
“If the grave is empty, anything is possible.”
How would you describe your prayer life? Consistent? Intermittent? Do you pray bold prayers (Eph. 3:20) or do you find yourself praying safe prayers? Do they sound like “ O God, who brought back from the dead your precious Son and my Sovereign Savior, grant that my son will come to faith! Change his heart from stoney into fleshly so that he will be susceptible to Your splendor. Oh God, grant a revival in my home and around my church that all who witness your works will find You irresistible. Grant repentance as I share good deeds and the Good News to my son.
OR, do your prayers sound vague and unable to measure His answers like “Dear heavenly Father, I ask you to do your will in this world. I pray that all your people over the entire world will be safe and sound. Please care for my family and friends; all who are sick and battle illness. I ask, if it be your will, that my son will be loved by you. And I ask this in Your name, amen.
Remember: The grave is empty. The Godman, the Messiah Jesus Himself who came to die for our sins and was triumphantly raised from the dead IS ALIVE. Pray specifically. Pray earnestly. What passages will you turn to that will fortify your faith in your prayers?
In light of Jesus’ claim, we either see Him as of no importance or of utter importance but we cannot view Him as being moderately important.”
Look over your calendar and budget. Do you find Jesus as of 1) no importance? 2) moderately important? 3) utterly important? To answer these types of questions, what rhythms in your life do you need to revisit? Would someone answer this question a certain way if they took a close look at how you live? If so, how would they answer the question for you? When Jason boldly looked at us on Sunday morning and said, “we cannot see Jesus as being moderately important. That is not an option in light of His self-disclosure”, what disciplines will we adjust or start back up that will manifest our faith that the resurrected Christ is of utter importance in my life? How will we lead or serve and influence our family to show that we believe Jesus is of utter importance?
To empower our faith-produced answers to the above questions, memorize and meditate upon the following benediction.
“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” ~ Hebrews 13:20-21
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