Christ is Risen!
Now What?
A 4-week Bible and Faith Study for after Easter
Nick Campbell
Easter is the great holiday of Christ’s victory over sin and death. Churches are filled, music soars, and the good news is gladly heard. But like a parade that has passed by, the crowd disperses after the event and many of them are off looking for the next diversion.
Shouldn’t the resurrection of Jesus have a greater impact on us? And while we may feel that it should, we often don’t know why it should, or in what ways it should.
Over these four weeks, we will look at how the resurrection of Jesus should impact our lives through the lenses of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral.
First, we will look at the “scripture” of the resurrection, found in the Gospel of Luke, and how the resurrection affected those closest to Jesus.
Second, we will try to “experience” the emotion of the resurrection, using the
hymns of Charles Wesley.
Third, we will look at the “tradition” of the resurrection, using selections from the Forty Four Standard Sermon of the Methodist Connection. For this study, I will be using the summaries as found in “Condensed Sermon Soup,” my paragraph-by-paragraph summary of these sermons.
Fourth, we will be invited to share the “reason” of the resurrection, and how it informs our lives as disciples. How we bring together our scriptures, traditions, and experiences as Christians defines how we will live out our discipleship.
Christ is Risen! Now What?
Week 1
Looking for the living among the dead
“The Morning of the Resurrection” 1877, Edward Coley Burne-Jones
The Scripture of the Resurrection
Luke 24:1-5
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they went in, they did not find the body. 4While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5The women were terrified and bowed 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, but has risen.”
Questions to consider:
What were the expectations of those who went to the tomb?
What did they find when they arrived at the tomb?
How did they feel about finding an empty tomb?
Who were the two men who appeared in the tomb?
What was the reaction of those who went to the tomb when the men appeared?
What did the two men say?
How is this “good news”?
The Experience of the Resurrection
'Tis finished! the Messiah dies, cut off for sins, but not his own.
Accomplished is the sacrifice, the great redeeming work is done.
The veil is rent; in Christ alone the living way to heaven is seen;
the middle wall is broken down, and all the world may enter in.
'Tis finished! All my guilt and pain, I want no sacrifice beside;
for me, for me the Lamb is slain; 'tis finished! I am justified.
The reign of sin and death is o'er, and all may live from sin set free;
Satan hath lost his mortal power; 'tis swallowed up in victory.
Questions to consider:
What is the moment being described in this hymn?
What is the “mood” of each verse?
How does the mood change?
What is the reason for the “darker” moods?
What is the reason for the “brighter” moods?
The Tradition of the Resurrection
Sermon 3. Awake, Thou That Sleepest
Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give thee light. Ephesians 5:14
Charles Wesley
Part 3 The Promise made to those who awake
Paragraph 1No matter who you are, if you seek God’s face, you will arise and shine,
for the light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen in you.
Paragraph 2God is light, and is given to every awakened sinner, and Christ will dwell
within.
Paragraph 3We are called to be the habitation of Christ, so that we may be saints here.
Paragraph 4The Spirit of Christ is the great gift of God.
Paragraph 5We are the living witnesses that we have been forgiven by God through Jesus Christ, and that we will be sanctified.
Paragraph 6This “experimental knowledge” is true Christianity, and without this
experience of receiving Christ, we are not Christian.
Questions to consider:
Is this sermon’s interest in Jesus pre- or post-resurrection?
Who benefits from Christ being risen from the dead?
Where may we expect to find the Risen Christ?
What is “experimental knowledge”?
Why is “experimental knowledge” important?
The Reasoning of the Resurrection
When have we “gone to the tomb” to show our respect for the sacrifice of Jesus?
How have we been disappointed that Jesus was not where we thought he should be?
What is “terrifying” about the good news that Jesus is risen from the dead?
Where do we look for Jesus?
Christ is Risen! Now What?
Week 2
Recognizing that Jesus walks with us
“The Journey to Emmaus,” by Robert Zund
The Scripture of the Resurrection
Luke 24: 13-35
13Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” 25Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. 28As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Questions to consider:
When were the two on the road to Emmaus walking?
How far did they hope to get away from the actions in Jerusalem?
What were they talking about on their journey?
How did they feel as they were walking?
Who joined them in their journey?
What did Jesus say to them on the road?
Were the two on the road convinced by Jesus’ use of scripture?
When did the two on the road recognize Jesus as the risen Lord?
What was their response to this recognition?
The Experience of the Resurrection
O Thou who this mysterious bread didst in Emmaus break,
return, herewith our souls to feed and to thy followers speak.
Unseal the volume of thy grace, apply the gospel word;
open our eyes to see thy face, our hearts to know the Lord.
Of thee communing still, we mourn till thou the veil remove;
talk with us, and our hearts shall burn with flames of fervent love.
Enkindle now the heavenly zeal, and make thy mercy known,
and give our pardoned souls to feel that God and love are one.
Questions to consider:
Who is “Thou” referred to in the hymn?
Is the voice of the hymn pre- or post-resurrection?
What is being asked of Jesus in this hymn?
For whom is this request made?
What is the “veil” that is to be removed?
What does the “strangely warmed heart” feel?
The Tradition of the Resurrection
Sermon 39: The New Birth
Ye must be born again.
John 3:7
Paragraph 4Before a child is born, he has eyes but cannot see; ears, but cannot hear,
unless it is a very imperfect sensing of the outer world. It is only after the
child is born that he can begin to really see and hear the world into which
he is born. So it is for our spiritual birth! We were made to experience
the spiritual life, but until we are born into that life, we have at best a very
imperfect sensing of the spiritual world. He may be a living man, but he is a dead Christian. But when he is born again, born into the spiritual life, the light shines in the darkness, and the promises of God are fulfilled.
Paragraph 5What is the nature of the new birth? It is that great change that God works
in the soul, raising it from the death of sin into the life of righteousness. It
is the renewal of the moral image of God in righteousness and true
holiness, revealed when the love of the world is changed into the love of God; when pride changes to humility; when passion changes into meekness; when hatred, envy, and malice change into sincere, tender, disinterested love for all. It is the change from the earthly, sensual, and devilish mind into the mind that was in Christ Jesus.
Part 3To what end is being born again necessary?
Paragraph 1The new birth is necessary for holiness, for holiness is not a bare external
religion of outward duties, but the moral image of God stamped upon our
hearts. It is the mind of Jesus, and it consists of all the heavenly affections
and tempers mingled together in one. It implies a continual, thankful love
towards God, and this love empowers us to love every child of man. It
implies living blamelessly before others in our thoughts, words, and work, as a continual sacrifice that honors Christ. There is no holiness without the renewal, the change, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paragraph 2The new birth is necessary for eternal salvation. We flatter ourselves if we
think we can live in our sin until our last breath and then live with God;
yet this is the broad way that many believe! They count on being
harmless, or virtuous, or honest, or moral – or on their use of the means of
grace! Holiness is necessary for glory, and the new birth is necessary for
holiness.
Paragraph 3The new birth is necessary for true happiness, for we cannot be truly
happy if we are not holy – if we are not in relationship with God. Unholy
tempers create a present hell in us, and even the softer passions unleashed
can create a thousand times more pain than pleasure. These passions will
reign over us, until we are born again.
Questions to consider:
How does being “born again” differ from the world’s understanding of being “spiritual”?
What is the distinction between “being awake” and “being born”?
What are the changes that come from being born again?
What are the three reasons being born again is necessary?
The Reasoning of the Resurrection
Is there evidence in my life that I am “born again”?
What is that evidence?
Is there evidence in my life that I am still “asleep”?
What is that evidence?
What is “disinterested love”?
What would “disinterested love” look like in my setting/church/community?
Am I living evidence of this “disinterested love”?
If yes, how? If not, why not?
Christ is Risen! Now What?
Week 3
Moving from dreams to reality
Photo illustration, Coventry Central Hall, The Methodist Church
The Scripture of the Resurrection
Luke 24:36-43
36While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate in their presence.
Questions to consider:
What were the disciples doing before Jesus stood among them?
Why were the disciples startled and terrified, if they have been discussing the witness of the two from Emmaus?
What proof does Jesus offer to the disciples?
Did the physical proof lead to the disciples believing Jesus was raised from the dead?
The Experience of the Resurrection
Jesus, thine all victorious love shed in my heart abroad;
then shall my feet no longer rove, rooted and fixed in God.
O that in me the sacred fire might now begin to glow;
burn up the dross of base desire and make the mountains flow!
O that it now from heaven might fall and all my sins consume!
Come, Holy Ghost, for thee I call, Spirit of burning, come!
Refining fire, go through my heart, illuminate my soul;
scatter thy life through every part and sanctify the whole.
Questions to consider:
What is the greatest proof of Jesus’ resurrection?
What keeps this “proof” from being shared with others?
What do we need in order to be able to share this “proof” that Jesus is risen?
The Tradition of the Resurrection
Sermon 14: The Marks of the New Birth
So is every one that is born of the Spirit.
John 3:8
Part 1The mark of faith
Paragraph 1In several places the scripture tells us that we are children of God by faith.
Paragraph 2This is not a speculative faith, or an assent that Jesus is the Christ or to the
other tenets of our creeds, for even devils believe this to be true.
Paragraph 3A true and living faith is an assent and a disposition of the heart given to
us by God. It is a confidence in God that through the merits of Jesus
Christ our sins are forgiven and we are reconciled to the favor of God. This faith comes after we know we have sinned, and that it is through Christ only that we can be saved.
Paragraph 4An immediate and constant fruit of this confidence is power over sin, both
inward and outward, since we are dead to sin and alive to God through the
grace of Jesus Christ.
Paragraph 5The letters of John affirm this power over sin given to those who are sons
of God, though some have tried to moderate John by adding a word not in
scripture – that whoever is born of God does not sin habitually. This
negates the plain meaning, and may bring a plague upon those who would
rob the scripture of its godly power.
Paragraph 6Let John interpret his own words: Whoever abides in Christ sins not,
whoever sins has not seen him, neither known him. Let no one deceive
you, for many will endeavor to persuade you that you may be unrighteous,
that you may commit sin and yet be children of God. He that commits sin
is of the devil; whoever is born of God does not commit sin.
Paragraph 7Another fruit of living faith is peace, which was promised by Jesus, that
passes all understanding, and stands against all the powers of hell, and
earth cannot shake.
Questions to consider:
What is a “disposition of the heart”?
Does the disposition of the heart matter when a “wrong” action is committed?
Does the disposition of the heart matter if a “right” action is not committed?
What is the test for the disposition of the heart?
How is “unrighteousness” different from making a mistake or falling short?
The Reasoning of the Resurrection
What is the difference between “imitating” Jesus, and allowing the Spirit of Christ to work through us?
What are the marks of a Christian?