EASTER SUNDAY 2025 | Providence Church

Follow Along with the Message

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.

Luke 4:18-19

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

    because he has anointed me

    to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

    and recovery of sight for the blind,

to set the oppressed free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him.  He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.

1. If you could go back in time and spend time with anyone, who would it be?  Discuss one question you would ask of Jesus if you had the opportunity to be with him during the time from his baptism to his sacrifice on the cross.
2. Read Luke 4:18-19 and discuss how you would answer a skeptic who says that Jesus never claimed to be the Son of God.  What other scripture passages come to mind that would help to answer that skeptic?
3. Phil shared examples from Jesus’ life where people who encountered him encountered freedom.  Which of these stories do you identify with the most?  Take turns sharing a past or current example from your life where you have experienced the freedom that Jesus offers.
1. Peter when he was called – Freedom from Inadequacy / Luke 5:1-11
2. The Disciples on the Sea – The Presence of God in the Midst of Fear / Luke 8:22-25
3. The Ten Lepers –Freedom from Physical Suffering and Isolation / Luke 17:11-19
4. The Rich Young Ruler – Freedom from Pride and Self-Reliance / Luke 18:18-23
5. The Woman at the Well – Freedom from Shame and Judgment / John 4:1-42
6. Barabbas – Freedom from Condemnation and Death / Matthew 27:15-26
4. Read Isaiah 53:4-5 and Romans 8:11 
1. Do you live each day focused on the truth that Jesus took on the bondage and punishment we earned through sin, and also gives to us “resurrection power” through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit?  If not, why not?
5. Consider reading one chapter from the Gospel of John each day for the next 21 days and starting each day with this prayer of surrender:

Jesus Is Enough: A Prayer of Surrender and Resurrection Hope

“Jesus, I give You my sin—thank You for forgiving me through the cross.

(Pause)

I give You my heart—fill it with Your resurrection power and transform me from within.

(Pause)

I give You my life—let Your will be done in me, through me, and for Your glory.

You are enough. You are my freedom. You are my hope. Amen.”