Message by Pastor Daren Mehl | Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025
Opening Summary
On Easter Sunday, Pastor Daren taught on the profound reality of the New Covenant, inaugurated through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. He walked us through Christ’s final evening with the disciples—the foot washing, communion, and the new commandment to love. Emphasizing that the Old Covenant pointed toward Christ, he unfolded how Jesus, our High Priest, fulfilled the Law and ushered us into a new life of AGAPE love, Spirit-empowered unity, and intimate fellowship with God. This message calls us to live as transformed people—abiding in Christ, loving one another, and walking in resurrection power.
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the New Covenant made possible through the precious blood of Your Son. Jesus, thank You for demonstrating perfect obedience and love. We ask for Your grace to abide in You and obey Your commandment to AGAPE one another. Holy Spirit, guide us into truth, convict our hearts, and help us to live in unity as the body of Christ. May this time together deepen our understanding and awaken our hearts to walk as determined disciples. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Ice Breaker
Question: When was a time someone served you in a way that showed God’s love? How did it affect you?
Key Verses
(Life Group Leader Note: These verses were central to the message and are excellent for reading aloud in your group.)
- John 13:34–35 (NASB95)
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
(Used to introduce the New Covenant’s central command—AGAPE love.) - John 17:21 (NASB95)
“That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
(Used to emphasize unity in the Godhead and the Church as a witness to the world.) - Hebrews 8:6 (NASB95)
“But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry… the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.”
(Demonstrates the superiority of the New Covenant.) - Romans 8:1–2 (NASB95)
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”
(Reinforces the liberty and transformation offered through the Spirit in the New Covenant.)
Supporting Verses
(Life Group Leader Note: These add depth and support to the main ideas of the sermon.)
- Luke 22:19–20 – Communion and New Covenant established in Jesus’ blood.
- John 15:9–14 – Love as Christ loved; obedience through abiding.
- John 16:7–15 – The Holy Spirit’s role in conviction and truth.
- Romans 6:4–11 – Raised to new life through Christ.
- Colossians 3:1–4 – Setting our minds on things above.
Topics & Discussion
1. The Night Before Victory: Foot Washing & Communion
Scriptures: John 13:1–11; Luke 22:19–20
Jesus models humility and spiritual cleansing through foot washing and inaugurates the New Covenant through communion.
“This is important. Jesus is saying I desire to wash your feet… Jesus is saying you need to wash one another’s feet.”
Discussion Questions:
- What does foot washing symbolize spiritually and relationally?
- How does communion remind us of our covenant identity?
- Why does Jesus link love with these actions?
- What is the difference between spiritual cleansing and salvation?
- How can we practice “washing one another’s feet” today?
2. The Shadows Pass Away: The Law vs. Grace
Scriptures: Hebrews 8:5–6; Hebrews 10:1–4
The old covenant revealed sin but could not remove it; Jesus fulfilled it completely.
“The Law revealed sin, but Jesus is perfect… you now have an intercessor in heaven.”
Discussion Questions:
- Why could the Old Covenant never truly perfect us?
- How do you respond to the idea that Jesus is daily interceding for you?
- How should we relate to God’s Law today?
- What does it mean that the veil is torn?
- What shadows in your spiritual life are you still clinging to?
3. Jesus: High Priest of a Better Covenant
Scriptures: Hebrews 8:6–13; Hebrews 10:5–14; John 12:49–50
Jesus, through His obedience, mediates a better covenant enacted on better promises.
“God’s commandment is eternal life. When we obey Him, we enter life.”
Discussion Questions:
- How does Jesus’ obedience redefine what it means to follow God?
- Why is it important that Jesus only spoke what the Father told Him?
- What does it mean that God’s command leads to eternal life?
- How does this better covenant shape your confidence in salvation?
- How can you live out this priestly call in your daily life?
4. Abide in Me: The New Command of AGAPE Love
Scriptures: John 13:34–35; John 15:9–14; John 21:15–17
Jesus introduces AGAPE love—divine, self-giving love—and calls us to love as He has.
“Phileo is affection. Agape is divine love. The command is to AGAPE one another.”
Discussion Questions:
- What’s the difference between AGAPE and PHILEO?
- How does God empower us to love with AGAPE?
- In what ways is love the true test of discipleship?
- What does tending lambs and feeding sheep look like in our context?
- How does our love demonstrate that we belong to Jesus?
5. The Power of the Covenant: The Holy Spirit
Scriptures: John 16:7–15; Romans 8:1–11
The Holy Spirit enables conviction, truth, and sanctification.
“We are not powerless. The same Spirit that raised Jesus lives in you.”
Discussion Questions:
- What role does the Spirit play in your daily walk?
- How does the Spirit convict us of sin, righteousness, and judgment?
- What do you think it means to walk in the Spirit?
- How does the Spirit help us obey the New Covenant?
- How can we cultivate sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading?
6. The Resurrection Life: Living the New Covenant
Scriptures: Romans 6:4–11; Colossians 3:1–4
We are not only forgiven but raised to walk in newness of life.
“You are alive in Christ. You don’t just admire the resurrection—you live it.”
Discussion Questions:
- What does “walking in newness of life” look like for you?
- How does resurrection life change your view of sin and struggle?
- What does “no condemnation” mean practically?
- How are we called to set our minds on things above?
- What areas of your life need resurrection hope right now?
Group Prayer Points
- Ask God to help us abide in AGAPE love with one another.
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us into truth and convict us of sin lovingly.
- Pray that our fellowship as a group reflects the unity Jesus prayed for.
- Seek forgiveness for living under guilt or condemnation instead of grace.
- Pray for boldness to love and serve others as Christ did—washing feet in humility.
Challenge for the Week
Live in resurrection power this week by practicing one act of humble love for someone in your group or neighborhood. Reflect daily: Am I abiding in Christ’s AGAPE love today?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for sending Jesus, our perfect High Priest and Savior. Jesus, we praise You for Your love that laid down everything for us. Holy Spirit, we invite You to write these truths on our hearts. Help us to walk in Your love, obey with joy, and live in unity as Your people. Grant us joy and a hunger for Your Word, humble our hearts, and give us a teachable spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Daily Devotionals
Day 1 – Washed and Made Clean
Reflect on John 13. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet to teach us how to serve and forgive.
Challenge: Ask God to show you where your “feet” are dirty—what needs confession today?
Day 2 – The Law Fulfilled
Read Hebrews 10:1–14. Jesus fulfilled what the Law could not—our perfect redemption.
Challenge: Spend 5 minutes meditating on what it means to be cleansed once for all.
Day 3 – AGAPE in Action
Study John 15:9–14. AGAPE toward others is more than affection—it is obedience to God, sacrifice, and service.
Challenge: Who does the Holy Spirit lead you to AGAPE today in word or deed?
Day 4 – Life in the Spirit
Read Romans 8. Walking in the Spirit means surrender and transformation.
Challenge: Journal what flesh patterns you need to surrender today.
Day 5 – Raised with Christ
Read Colossians 3:1–4. New life begins in resurrection perspective.
Challenge: What “earthly things” do you need to set aside to fix your mind on Christ?
Additional Study for New Believers
Part 1: Read and Meditate On
- John 13; Hebrews 8; Romans 6
Write Short Reflections:
What does it mean to you that Jesus serves and saves?
Part 2: Study of Christian Thought
- Read “Basic Christianity” by John Stott (Free Online)
Why: Accessible overview of the gospel and Christ’s person.
Writing Assignment:
Write a paragraph on why Jesus had to die and rise again.
Part 3: Theological Reflection on AGAPE Love
- Read 1 Corinthians 13 alongside John 15
Why: Shows how biblical love differs from worldly love.
Writing Assignment:
List 5 ways you can practice AGAPE love this week.
Part 4: Prayer and Declaration Practice
Psalm: Read Psalm 103 aloud daily.
Prayer Practice: Confess sins to a brother or sister in Christ, ask for God’s love, declare Romans 8:1 aloud:
“There is now no condemnation for me, for I am in Christ Jesus!”
Additional Study for Mature Believers
Part 1: Read and Meditate On
- Hebrews 8–10; John 17; Romans 8
Write Reflections:
Write a one-paragraph theology of the New Covenant in your own words.
Part 2: Study of Christian Thought
- Read “The Pursuit of Holiness” by Jerry Bridges (Free Online) or The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul
Why: Deepens understanding of God’s justice and mercy in covenant.
Writing Assignment:
Summarize how God’s holiness relates to His love and our sanctification.
Part 3: Theological Reflection on the Spirit
- Read the Westminster Confession of Faith Ch. 18 (Assurance)
Why: Connects assurance with Spirit-empowered life.
Writing Assignment:
Write how Romans 8 supports our security and confidence in Christ.
Part 4: Prayer and Declaration Practice
Psalm: Pray through Psalm 51, asking for a clean heart.
Declaration:
“I have been raised with Christ. I set my mind on things above.”
Practice: Share what you’ve learned with someone this week.