Resurrection Sunday: Don't Settle for a Secondary Salvation!

Finding True Freedom: Looking Beyond Our Immediate Needs

Life has a way of creating gaps and leaving us longing for things we think will make everything better. Whether it's acceptance, financial security, better relationships, relief from struggles, or something as simple as the right pair of shoes, we often believe we know exactly what we need to fix our problems.

When What We Think We Need Isn't What We Really Need

Just like the religious leaders and crowds at Jesus' crucifixion, we can become so focused on what we think we need that we miss the bigger picture. The religious experts were looking for a conquering king to overthrow Rome, but they missed countless prophecies showing the Messiah would come to suffer and save in a much deeper way. Read through Psalm 22 and notice all the ways this points us to Jesus!

Why Do We Miss What's Most Important?

We often sacrifice long-term good for short-term gain. Like the religious leaders who were experts in scripture yet missed its true meaning, we can become blinded by our immediate desires and perceived needs. We look for a “secondary salvation” to be saved from something that isn’t the true issue.

Finding Freedom Through Proper Focus

True freedom comes when we shift our focus from our temporary problems to our relationship with Jesus. Whether dealing with:

1. Relationship struggles

2. Financial difficulties

3. Health issues

4. Future uncertainties

The key is remembering that these are temporary concerns compared to our eternal relationship with God.

Jesus' Promise About Our Needs

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus says "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." When we prioritize our relationship with God, He promises to take care of our other needs.

Life Application

This week, take your biggest current need or concern and bring it before Jesus with this challenge:

1. Ask Jesus "What do you think my greatest need is right now?"

2. Give Him time to answer - don't rush to fill in the blank

3. Discuss with Christian friends and seek their prayer support

4. Keep asking until you gain His perspective on your situation

Questions to reflect on:

1. What do I spend the most time worrying about or praying for?

2. Could this concern be distracting me from a deeper spiritual need?

3. How might my perspective change if I truly trusted God to handle my temporary problems

4. What steps can I take to seek God's kingdom first this week?

Gospeler: First Importance

Understanding the Resurrection: A Path to Faith

Introduction

Welcome to our weekly sermon summary! This week, Pastor Jeff delved into the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and how it serves as the cornerstone of our faith. Whether you missed the sermon or want a quick refresher, this summary will help you grasp the key points and apply them to your life.

How Do You Know When You're Winning?

**Questioning Success in Life and Faith**

Pastor Jeff began with a thought-provoking question: "How do you know when you're winning?" This question applies to various aspects of life, from sports to relationships, and even to our spiritual journey. In the context of our faith, winning is not about personal achievements but about spreading the gospel and helping others consider the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Scoreboard of the Church

**Measuring Success in Faith**

At Hope Summit, we measure our success through our five next steps: attending church regularly, serving, studying and praying, joining groups, and sharing Jesus. These steps are our scorecard, helping us track our spiritual growth and commitment to spreading the gospel.

The State of the American Church

**Facing the Reality**

Pastor Jeff shared some sobering statistics about the decline of Christianity in America. While these numbers can be discouraging, they serve as a wake-up call for us to be more proactive in sharing our faith. The American church may be struggling, but the global church is thriving, especially in regions like Africa and Latin America.

The Resurrection: The Cornerstone of Our Faith

**Why the Resurrection Matters**

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 emphasizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the most important aspect of our faith. Without the resurrection, our faith is futile, and we are still in our sins. The resurrection validates everything Jesus said and did, offering us the promise of eternal life.

Planting the Seed: The Role of a Gospeler

**Spreading the Gospel**

Being a gospeler means planting the seed of the gospel in people's hearts. The power to grow that seed lies with God, not us. Our role is to create opportunities for others to consider the resurrection and its impact on their lives.

Life Application

**Living Out the Sermon**

This week, challenge yourself to be a gospeler. Here are some questions to ponder:

1. **Who in your life needs to hear about the resurrection of Jesus Christ?**

2. **How can you create opportunities to share your faith with them?**

3. **Are you taking the five next steps at Hope Summit to grow in your faith and help others do the same?**

Conclusion

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith and the ultimate proof of God's promises. As gospelers, our mission is to spread this good news and help others consider its life-changing impact. Let's commit to planting the seed of the gospel and trust God to make it grow.

Thank you for joining us this week. We look forward to seeing you next Sunday for our special Missions Fest!