Hearing God’s Voice from His Word
James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word.
Psalm of the Day
Psalm 95:1-5 Come, let’s shout joyfully to the Lord, shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation! 2 Let’s enter his presence with thanksgiving; let’s shout triumphantly to him in song.
3 For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods.
4 The depths of the earth are in his hand, and the mountain peaks are his.
5 The sea is his; he made it. His hands formed the dry land.
Read the Entire Psalm
Praise God and Give thanks to Him. Everything belongs to Him. He is great and above all gods.
Scripture Reading
1 Corinthians 15:20-28 – Christian Standard Bible
Christ’s Resurrection Guarantees Ours
20 But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. 22 For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
23 But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at his coming, those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he abolishes all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he puts all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be abolished is death. 27 For God has put everything under his feet. Now when it says “everything” is put under him, it is obvious that he who puts everything under him is the exception. 28 When everything is subject to Christ, then the Son himself will also be subject to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Express thanks to God.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sin to you.
- Confess your sin to Him and receive forgiveness.
(1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.”) - Bring your personal requests to God.
(Psalm 62:8 “Pour out your heart before God”) - Pray for someone in your small group.
- Join with others from River and pray for those who do not know God. Ask God to help you see the lost people around you and have compassion for them. Ask God for opportunities to build trust. Ask God to give you opportunity to have gospel conversations.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
Christ Resurrection Guarantees Ours
In verses 20-28, Paul makes clear that because of Christ’s resurrection, we who have placed our trust in Christ are guaranteed our resurrection. Paul talks of Jesus as a “firstfruits” in verse 20 and again in v23. As you read this passage, pay attention to these verses. The Jews offered the firstfruits of every harvest to God. In making this offering, the rest of the harvest was made holy. Jesus was the first to be raised to life from the dead, never to die again. Paul wants us to know without a doubt that Jesus, the “firstfruit,” is our forerunner, the one who makes us holy, the proof of our resurrection to eternal life.
As you reflect on this truth, ask God to give you understanding and insight into your identity in Christ, who you are, where you came from, where you are going, and understanding God’s purpose for your life.