Resurrection Sunday
Resurrecting Hope: Overview
John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD
Biblical Hope Defined
The confident expectation of the best outcome based upon the truth God’s word
And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.
Key Truth
Scientifically hope is a feeling but Biblically hope is a fact!
Psalm 62:5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Psalm 119:114 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.
Sermon in a Sentence
Lasting hope hinges on the truth of the resurrection
1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:1-25 1 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
1 Corinthians 6:14 And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead.
Our Hope Series Scripture and Prayer
Romans 5:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Friday? Who Was It Good For?
Elder Gary Nelson
April 18, 2025
Key Scripture
Romans 8:28 (AMP) - And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply
concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those
who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.
Sermon in a Sentence
Good Friday is only good (of benefit) to those who receive and accept God’s call and
then choose to live in alignment with his plan and purpose.
Key Terms
Love – unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: such as the
fatherly concern of God for humankind.
Good – something useful or beneficial
Called – summoned to a particular activity, employment, or office.
Plan – a method for achieving an end.
Anthropology – the science or study of human beings
Anthropological Study – 3 Classes of Humans on the earth at Christ’s
crucifixion
A. Class 1 – The God/Man - God himself taking on the form of a man was the only
unique human capable of averting God’s wrath and punishment due for
mankind’s sin.
John 1:1-2, 14 (NLT)
1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of
unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the
Father’s one and only Son.
2 Peter 1:17 (NLT) when he received honor and glory from God the Father.
The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved
Son, who brings me great joy.”
B. Class 2 – The World - Human beings who were not in an amicable
relationship with God.
Ephesians 2:16 (NLT) - Together as one body, Christ reconciled both
groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward
each other was put to death.
Romans 5:8 (NLT) - But God showed his great love for us by sending
Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
C. Class 3 – The Called - The family/community of persons who claim Jesus
Christ as both savior and Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:2 (NLT) - I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you
who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy
by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call
on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.
24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is
the power of God and the wisdom of God.
26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the
world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.
Life Application
1 Corinthians 1:30 (NLT) God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God
made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and
holy, and he freed us from sin.
So, let us reflect on this Good Friday and consider which of the 3 broad
anthropological classes we fit in. Then ask according to His word, does God love me?
Finally, let us examine if God, The Father has made provisions for me in the
redemptive plan he executed through Christ, The Son so that this can truly be a Good Friday for me.
Disclaimer: Everyone is entitled to their opinion. We believe and teach that the Bible is God’s Word — His opinion — and provides His instruction for how to live life under His rule (i.e., the Kingdom of God).
