Your April 7th, Sermon & Ministry Resources

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Lectionary Readings — Second Sunday of Easter — April 7, 2024

Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 133; 1 John 1:1-2:2; John 20:19-31

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Call to Worship (based on John 20:19-31)

Leader: On this day, we gather to worship in the presence of our risen Lord, who appeared to His disciples, saying, "Peace be with you."

People: As the Father has sent Jesus, so He sends us. Let us come together in His peace and be empowered by His Spirit.

Leader: Like Thomas, who doubted and believed, we come with our own uncertainties and faith.

People: We declare, "My Lord and my God!" recognizing Jesus as our risen Savior and the foundation of our faith.

Leader: Jesus showed His hands and side, offering proof of His resurrection and the depth of His love for us.

People: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.

Leader: Let us worship the God of peace, the Risen Christ, whose presence dispels our fears and strengthens our faith.

People: With hearts full of joy, we come to worship and to witness the truth of His resurrection, declaring the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

All: Amen. Let us worship God in spirit and truth, embracing the peace and assurance He offers to us through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Risen Savior.

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Opening Prayer (based on 1 John 1:1-2:2)

Let us pray,

Eternal God, we approach Your throne of grace, mindful of the message declared by John in his first letter, recounting the Word of life made manifest among us. He speaks of what was seen, heard, and touched—the very life of Jesus, Your Son, made tangible in our world. Through these sacred testimonies, we encounter the living truth of Christ, drawing us into deep fellowship with You and each other.

Lord, in Your light, we see our shadows and acknowledge our sins. We often stumble in darkness, veering away from Your path. Yet, Your faithfulness shines bright, promising forgiveness and purification from all unrighteousness through Jesus, our advocate and propitiation.

As we come together in worship, fill us with the joy of fellowship that John spoke of, a fellowship with You and with Your Son, Jesus Christ. Empower us to live out this truth, reflecting Your love and righteousness in our daily walk.

We thank You for the assurance and advocacy we have in Christ, who not only covers our sins but also intercedes for all of us. May our worship today be a reflection of the eternal life You have revealed to us, an offering of gratitude and commitment to Your ways.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer, we pray. Amen.

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Sermon Outline: [NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon].

Sermon Outline: Encounters with the Risen Christ — John 20:19-31

Introduction:

Explore the setting of the disciples post-resurrection, emphasizing the fear, doubt, and eventual transformation they experienced through Jesus' appearances.

I. Peace Proclaimed (John 20:19-20)

Point: Jesus enters the disciples' place of fear and proclaims peace, shifting their terror to tranquility.

Application: Consider how Christ’s peace transforms our own fears and uncertainties, especially in times of turmoil and doubt.

II. Proof Provided (John 20:20-21)

Point: Jesus presents His wounds as undeniable proof of His resurrection, converting skepticism into belief.

Application: Reflect on the significance of the resurrection evidence in our lives and how it strengthens our faith during periods of skepticism and searching.

III. Purpose Propelled (John 20:22-23)

Point: Jesus empowers and commissions His disciples, redirecting their aimlessness into a clear mission.

Application: Assess how we are embracing and living out our God-given mission, especially in recognizing the Holy Spirit's role in guiding and empowering our daily actions.

IV. Persistence in Presence and Proof (John 20:24-29)

Point: Thomas' journey from doubt to faith, upon encountering the risen Christ, illustrates the enduring nature of Jesus' presence and the transformative impact of firsthand experience with Him.

Application: Encourage personal reflection on how persistent engagement with the living Christ transforms our doubts into declarations of faith and how continuous reliance on the tangible proofs of His presence fortifies our spiritual journey.

Conclusion:

The journey from fear and doubt to peace, belief, and purpose, as depicted in John 20:19-31, mirrors our own spiritual journeys. It underscores the enduring presence of the risen Christ and His transformative impact on our lives.

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your peace that calms our fears, Your proof that strengthens our faith, and Your purpose that directs our lives. Help us, like the disciples and Thomas, to move from doubt to declaration, from confusion to clarity, and from fear to fulfillment in Your presence. May the reality of Your resurrection continually transform our hearts and minds, leading us to live confidently and courageously as Your witnesses in the world. In Your holy and resurrected name, we pray, Amen.

Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers