Easter 2016: "Consider Jesus" with Craig Groeschel - Life.Church

Consider Jesus

Scripture References

Primary text

• John 14:6
• Mark 2:16-17
• Romans 3:22

Other references

• Acts 3:15
• 2 Corinthians 4:4

Overview

On Easter weekend Pastor Craig asked one piercing question: “What does it take to be made right with God?” In a culture that says all spiritual roads lead to the same place, Jesus makes an exclusive claim—He alone is the way. Craig invited every listener to set aside church labels and even Christian failures and simply consider Jesus: His ministry to the broken, His resurrection from the grave, and His eternal message of grace received by faith.

Context

Life.Church celebrated the launch of its 25th physical location and joined millions of believers worldwide in remembering the resurrection. The sermon purposefully addressed both long-time churchgoers and guests who seldom think about God until death forces the issue.

Main Points

Religious Pluralism vs. Jesus’ Exclusive Claim

• Modern tolerance says, “All religions are basically the same.”
• Surface comparisons show major world faiths differ drastically in their view of God, sin, and salvation.
• Jesus breaks the pluralistic pattern:

  “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

• Because He claimed exclusivity, conversation becomes tense whenever His name is mentioned, even though His historical existence and moral teaching are widely admired.

The Ministry of Jesus

• Jesus gravitated toward the very people religion pushed away—“sinners and tax collectors” (Mark 2).
  Religious leaders: “Why does He eat with them?”
  Jesus: “It’s not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick… I have come to call sinners.”
• His miracles displayed divine compassion and power: giving sight, hearing, food, freedom from demons, even life to the dead; detractors never refuted the events, only their source.

• Story: Teddy & Tanya’s marriage, nearly destroyed by serial infidelity, was restored through LifeGroup support; they now mentor other couples.
• Story: Dylan, a little boy with a confirmed rare disease, was suddenly healed during an ambulance ride; the paramedic who witnessed the change came to Christ.
• Story: Han, a self-proclaimed atheist, volunteered in community outreach, encountered Christ’s love, and publicly surrendered to Jesus.
• Pastor Craig’s testimony: from lying, theft, and extreme partying—including passing out on a curb—to radical transformation after praying alone on a softball field.

The Resurrection of Jesus

• Jesus’ sinless life and sacrificial death were validated when the tomb was found empty three days later.
• Peter preached, “You killed the author of life, but God raised Him from the dead. We are witnesses of this” (Acts 3:15).
• Alternative explanations (stolen body, Roman plot) collapse under scrutiny; the disciples’ martyrdom reveals they died for what they saw, not for a lie.
  Thomas the doubter took the gospel to India and was martyred rather than deny the risen Christ.

The Eternal Message of Jesus

• Religion says, “Work hard, maybe God will love you.” Relationship says, “Because God loves me, I want to obey.”
• Scripture’s verdict: “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ, and this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are” (Romans 3:22).
• Salvation is not earned by moral effort, church attendance, or avoiding cuss words on the golf course; it is received by trusting the finished work of Christ.

Key Truths

• Jesus came for people who admit they are spiritually sick, not for those who pretend they are healthy.
• The empty tomb is the hinge of Christian faith; if Christ rose, His claim to be the only way stands.
• Real change is possible—Jesus still turns addicts, adulterers, atheists, and hypocrites into new creations.
• Being “right with God” is a gift received through faith, never a reward for good performance.
• Religion focuses on what you do; the gospel announces what Jesus already did.

Response

• Abandon the myth that all religions are the same; evaluate Jesus’ unique claim.
• Admit your need—stop polishing a religious image and come as one who is sick and needs a doctor.
• Place your full trust in the risen Christ rather than in personal goodness or spiritual résumé.
• Share Christ’s love visibly; let skeptical friends “see before they believe.”
• Pray persistently for loved ones blinded to the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Closing

Craig concluded that if a man predicts His own death and resurrection, then pulls it off, the only logical response is total surrender. Many in the room did just that, trading old lives for new in Christ.

“My life is not my own—today I give it to You.”

Prayer

“Heavenly Father, forgive me of all my sins.
I give my life to You.
Fill me with Your Spirit so I can follow You and serve You for the rest of my life.
Thank You for new life; now You have mine.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”