Youth Sermon: What Are the Odds?

The Deal with Easter

Here's the deal with Easter: God did something only He could do to pull off something only He could pull off.

We all mess up, right? Who here has ever snuck a cookie before dinner or maybe 'forgot' to do their chores? Yeah, I thought so. Well, the Bible says that every time we do something wrong, there's a price to pay. It's like getting grounded for breaking the rules. But here's the kicker: we can't possibly pay for all our mistakes. It's too much. So, God sent His Son, Jesus, to take the hit for us. Jesus took our punishment so we wouldn't have to be cut off from God forever.

You might be thinking, 'Why would God do that for us?' Well, the answer is simple: God loves us. He didn't want us to be cut off from Him. So, He sent Jesus to make a way for us to be forgiven and have a relationship with Him.

God did something only He could do to pull off something only He could pull off.

The Prophecy of Isaiah

But here's the crazy part: we wouldn't have believed this offer of forgiveness unless God did something wild to get our attention. That's where Jesus comes in. What Jesus did for us was historic, supernatural, and sacrificial. It was against all odds, even though it was predicted.

Hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth, this dude named Isaiah wrote about what Jesus would do. In Isaiah 53, he described Jesus' life, death, and resurrection with crazy accuracy. It's like he had a time machine or something.

Isaiah 53 talks about how Jesus would be successful and exalted, but also disfigured and rejected. It says He would bear our sicknesses and pains, and be punished for our sins. He would be pierced and crushed, but through His wounds, we would find healing. Jesus would be like a lamb led to the slaughter, silent and obedient. He would be taken away and buried, but He would rise again and see the light. By His sacrifice, He would justify many and intercede for us.

The Odds and The Plan

Now, imagine I made 12 random predictions about the future, like who's gonna win the next World Cup or the next American Idol. The chances of getting all 12 right would be super slim. But Isaiah made 24 predictions about Jesus, and every single one of them came true. The odds of that happening are mind-blowing.

Jesus' death wasn't a coincidence or an accident. It was part of God's plan all along. He knew that we needed a Savior, someone who could take away our sins and reconcile us to Him. And Jesus willingly took on that role. He suffered and died so that we could be forgiven and have eternal life.

Remembering the Sacrifice

So, as we get closer to Easter, let's remember the incredible sacrifice that Jesus made for us. Let's think about the prophecies that were fulfilled through His life, death, and resurrection. And let's share this amazing story with others, so they can experience the love and forgiveness of Jesus too.

Let's pray together.

Jesus, thank you for coming to earth and making a way for us to be forgiven. Thank you for your sacrifice and your love. Help us to understand how big what you did for us really is and to share this good news with others. In your name, we pray. Amen.

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. Why did Jesus have to die for our sins?

2. How does it make you feel to know that Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself for you?

3. What are some ways we can show our gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice?

4. How can we share the story of Jesus' sacrifice with others?

5. Why is it significant that the prophecies about Jesus came true?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Prophecy Fulfillment Ice-Breaker
• Group Activity: Isaiah 53 Scavenger Hunt
• Youth Challenge: Share the Good News Challenge