Why Do We Need An Empty Tomb? The table where it all happened: John 13-17 Why do we need a cross? Romans 3:16-17, 3:23, 5:8-10, 6:23 The of God needed to be shown. The of God needed to be met. Our needed to be with. Why do we need an empty tomb? Romans 5:6-11, 8:5-9, Galatians 2:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Philippians 2:12-13, Colossians 3:3-4, Ephesians 3:16-19 The Cross VS. The Empty Tomb The Cross: Was a claim to The Empty Tomb: Backed up The Cross: Is about The Empty Tomb: Is about The Cross: Is Jesus’ for me The Empty Tomb: Is Jesus’ in me The Cross: Changes my The Empty Tomb: Changes my The Cross: Changes where The Empty Tomb: Changes who The Cross: Forgave my The Empty Tomb: Gives me sin The Cross: Is a decision The Empty Tomb: Is a decision The Cross: Gets me out of and into The Empty Tomb: Gets God out of and into The Cross: Allows me to become a The Empty Tomb: Allows me to be the I’ve become Jesus gave His life , to take my life , so He could live His life . ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Support Our Ministry If you found this message beneficial and you would like to help continue our ministries, we would be grateful for your support. Go to northcoastchurch.com/give ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Weekly Digital Bulletin The Digital Bulletin can be found at myncc.info ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Life Group Study Questions For the week of April 4, 2021 HAS YOUR GROUP SIGNED UP FOR A PROJECT? Our church-wide community service effort, Serve Your City, is right around the corner! There is a wide variety of ways to serve, whether you’re looking for something hands-on, outdoors, in-person, at home or on campus, with just a few people or a large group! For help finding a way to serve, visit: northcoastcommunityservice.org/serve-your-city/. WELCOME TO THE SPRING QUARTER OF LIFE GROUPS This week we kick off our Spring Life Group Quarter. Your first meeting is designed to give you time to get acquainted and connect with each other, as well as time to discuss how to make your Life Group meetings great! To prepare for your first meeting, take some time to focus on the questions below and be prepared to share your answers with the group. Have a great meeting! Online Groups - If your group is meeting online, your leaders will be sending you the link for your group. Use this link for help on meeting with your group online: lifegroups.northcoastchurch.com/pro-tips/ GETTING TO KNOW YOU This past weekend we celebrated Easter. When you were growing up, did you have any Easter traditions? Has your viewpoint of Easter changed over time? If so, how? As you think about the next eight weeks, what is one thing you hope to get out of your Life Group experience this quarter? Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or something that caught your attention, challenged or confused you? DIGGING DEEPER In the Easter message, we were challenged to live a risen life. As a follower of Jesus, it can be difficult to understand what a risen life looks like practically. Thankfully, the Apostle Paul gives us a tangible picture of living life through the Spirit. As you read Romans 8:1-11, take note of any differences between living in the Spirit and living in our sinful nature. Romans 8:1-11 New International Version (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Based on what you read, was there anything challenging or confusing for you? If so, explain. What could be some possible reasons Paul started this passage talking about the controlling of our minds? As you look back on your life with Christ, is there something that has helped you keep your mind focused on Jesus? Can you think of a time when you chose to follow your own desires versus the Spirit? If you had to go back and do that situation over again, what would you do differently? Chris asked us this weekend if we would rather have Jesus present with us or the Spirit living in us. It may seem like a loaded question, but there are many benefits to having the Spirit living within us. Read the passages below and take note of any benefits of having the Spirit living within us. Romans 8:12-17 New International Version (NIV) 12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Galatians 5:16-26 New International Version (NIV) 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. John 14:25-27 New International Version (NIV) 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Which of these benefits seem most meaningful for you? If you were encouraging someone to tap into the Spirit living within them, what advice would you give them? TAKING IT HOME Which point from this weekend’s message or Life Group study is most important for you to remember? Can you think of one area you want to grow in when it comes to living in the Spirit? Ask your group to pray for you in that area this week. THE PURPOSE OF LIFE GROUPS Life Groups exist to promote spiritual maturity and personal growth through meaningful Christian relationships and the study of God’s Word. (Romans 8:29 & Hebrews 10:24-25). Here’s how it will happen: **SHARE ** Each week we’ll take time to share what is happening in our lives. At first this sharing will include planned “sharing questions.” But after the first few weeks, it will become more informal and personal as we feel more comfortable. STUDY Each week we’ll study a section from God’s Word that relates to the previous weekend’s sermon or an appropriate personal growth topic. Our goal is to learn how to live out our Christianity in everyday life. SUPPORT Each week we’ll learn how to take care of one another as Christ commanded (John 15:9-13). This care can take many forms, such as prayer, encouragement, listening, challenging one another and meeting real needs. SERVE Spiritual growth is fostered not only by what we gain through the support and input of others, but also through service to others. The role each of us fills is important to the health of the church and for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the community in which we live (Ephesians 4:11-16). Throughout the quarter, it is our hope that you can find and/or be affirmed in the ways God has designed you to serve and make a difference in God’s Kingdom.