Sermon Questions John20:1-18

1. The Berlin Wall and the Resurrection:
   • How does the analogy of the Berlin Wall’s fall help us understand the significance of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?
   • In what ways do both events symbolize freedom and new beginnings?
2. The Role of Mary Magdalene:
   • What can we learn from Mary Magdalene’s reaction to the empty tomb and her encounter with the risen Christ?
   • How does her experience illustrate the themes of love, faith, and recognition in the context of the Resurrection?
3. Understanding the Resurrection:
   • How does the sermon explain the significance of the Resurrection in terms of covenant theology and God’s promises?
   • What does the Resurrection mean for Christians in terms of justification and new life, as explained through the Heidelberg Catechism?
4. The Empty Tomb and Reformed Theology:
   • How does the sermon connect the empty tomb to the concepts of God’s sovereignty and effectual calling?
   • In what ways does the sermon use the Three Forms of Unity to deepen our understanding of the Resurrection?
5. The First Day of the Week:
   • Why is the timing of the Resurrection on the first day of the week significant in the context of new creation and the Lord’s Day?
   • How does this timing influence the practice of Christian worship on Sundays?
6. Personal Application:
   • How can we, like Mary, become witnesses of the Resurrection in our daily lives?
   • What does it mean to live in the “newness of life” that the Resurrection promises?
7. The Sovereignty of God:
   • How does the sermon emphasize the role of God’s sovereignty in the Resurrection and in our salvation?
   • What comfort and assurance can we draw from the understanding that salvation is entirely the work of God?