Sermon Application

Paul says, "Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, THEN SHALL COME TO PASS the saying this is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 'O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But THANKS BE TO GOD, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

1. How does the certain future of your final resurrection affect your actual life? Describe. How much do you think about it? We often talk about living in light of eternity, but do you? As a group consider texts of Scripture that can help one another think more deeply about our future.

2. The Christian's current 'life of faith' is good (far better than unbelief) but not ultimate. It is fraught with difficulties. In the future we won't have to live by faith but we will see Jesus as he is! What are some of your current difficulties as you walk this life of faith? Sufferings you're enduring by faith? Sins you're fighting by faith? How does your final resurrection inform your fight?

3. When that great hour comes when everyone will hear Jesus' voice, which will be a cry of command for ALL to rise, some will be raised to a resurrection of life and others to a resurrection of judgment. How does God's judgment affect the way you think about your own life now (how seriously you take your sin, how much you seek fellowship with the Lord, how much you seek the fame of Jesus' name, etc)? How does it affect the way you think about unbelievers in your life?

4. One of the aspects of our final resurrection that Pastor Ryan shared was that it will be personal/relational. There will be no conflict, no bitterness, no disunity in the new heavens and new earth! At the same time, the Christian is called to strive to live in community in a manner that reflects the nature of our future relationships. Is there anyone in your life right now that you need to reconcile with? Anyone you need to forgive? Anyone you need to see rightly? What will you do this week to change this?

May the Lord grant us grace to look with sure and certain hope to our final resurrection as we fix our eyes on the risen Lord Jesus!

Sermon Application

This sermon, we were reminded that self-righteousness will keep you from faith in Jesus Christ. It is impossible to come to Christ while you continue trying to establish a righteousness of your own. Though they had a zeal for God, Israel foolishly continued trying to establish their own righteousness according to the law and, so, stumbled over the stumbling stone. Spend a few minutes reviewing the sermon and then discuss the following:

1. Describe ways you're currently trying to establish a righteousness of your own. Are you walking through life trying to prove your righteousness to yourself, to others, and/or to God? How?

2. Reflecting back on the sermon, what were some of the clues Pastor Ryan gave to indicate that you might be struggling with self-righteousness?

3. Are you currently angry with God because you feel he should be blessing your life based on your perceived (self-)righteousness? Do you feel like God is being stingy in comparison to how much you've tried to obey Him? Describe.

4. From Romans 10:1-4, what does it mean to submit to God's righteousness?

5. In Romans 10:1 Paul says, "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them (Israel) is that they may be saved." Specifically name unbelievers in your life who need to hear about the gift of Christ's righteousness. What plans do you have to share this with them this week? Spend a few minutes praying for them and for the Lord to open up opportunities to share this glorious truth with them.

Sermon Application

1. We can never hear the gospel enough. And, as Christians, we are always in need of remembering the height from which we've all fallen. Take a few minutes to review the actual Christian gospel. What is it? What is it not?

2. What is humanity's worse problem? Do you ever actually shout out praise to the Lord (privately and/or publicly) for taking care of your worse problem? What prevents you from doing this?

3. Have you found yourself frustrated that unbelievers are not interested in the attaining a right standing with God? From this, have you ever concluded that it's just not worth sharing the gospel with unbelievers? Explain, giving real examples where possible. How does this morning's sermon help in this frustration? What should you do when unbelievers are not interested in the gospel?

4. How can you, believer, plot to advance the kingdom of God? Spend some time helping one another think of ways you can plot, as individual Christians in the world, to advance the kingdom. Where do you "fit" into the advance of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus? Is there a Bible study in your neighborhood/workplace/friend group? Is there a ministry you can start? Perhaps 2-3 of you can plot together!