If You Know, You Know (Sermon Only)

Main message: Resurrection is not only a past event but a present, revolutionary power that sustains us in a "Good Friday" world — it heals minds, enables us to rise again from oppression and suffering, and calls us into intimate relationship and solidarity with Christ. Knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection gives people hope, resilience, and the courage to suffer with others for justice.

Key points:

• There is an all-out "war on our mental health"; suffering, anxiety and fear are real, but resurrection brings peace, hope and healing now.
• "That I may know him and the power of his resurrection" (Philippians 3:10) stresses intimacy with Christ as a sustaining connection in crisis.
• Resurrection power is revolutionary — an uprising/rebellion against oppression that enables bouncing back and resisting injustice.
• Participation in Christ’s sufferings means solidarity with the oppressed; Christ’s suffering was solidarity, not a call to accept abuse.
• Biblical and historical examples (Paul writing joyfully from prison, Harriet Jacobs and Harriet Tubman) illustrate living an "Easter faith" in a Good Friday world.

Scriptures mentioned: Philippians 3:10; Philippians 1:6, 1:12, 1:21; Philippians 2:5; Philippians 4:4-7, 4:11-13, 4:19