He Is Not Here, He Is Risen

In one paragraph

Pastor Carl preached on Easter Sunday from John 20:1-18, walking through the account of Mary Magdalene and the disciples at the empty tomb. He set the resurrection inside the larger story of the gospel, and he closed by calling anyone on the edge of belief not to wait. Carl opened by laying out what he called the gospel in simple terms: God created us in love and for relationship with him, our sin...

Read together

1. Matthew 28 Read aloud at the opening to announce the resurrection: the angel tells the women Jesus is not here, He is risen
2. 1 Peter 1:3-4 Quoted to describe the living hope and imperishable inheritance believers receive through the resurrection
3. John 20:1-18 The main sermon text, John's eyewitness account of the empty tomb and Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene
4. Luke 8 Referenced for background on Mary Magdalene, recording Jesus casting seven demons from her
5. John 14:19 Cited as Jesus' promise: because I live, you will also live
6. John 10 Jesus says the thief comes to steal and destroy but He came that we might have life abundantly, and also the good shepherd passage about sheep knowing his voice
7. 1 Corinthians 15 Paul's statement on first importance: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day with witnesses
8. Acts 17 Referenced as the passage Ray is preaching through, where Paul tells the Athenians about the resurrection
9. Romans 15 Used as the closing benediction about the God of hope filling believers with joy and peace

Talk about it

1. Carl shared his own story of trying to run from God and the peace and joy that came when he finally said, 'Alright, I believe this.' What has your own story looked like, and when did faith in Christ first click for you?
2. Carl pointed out that John described himself not by name but as 'the one whom Jesus loved,' saying that being loved by Jesus was his identity rather than his own name or reputation. How does that land with you, and how much does being loved by God actually shape how you see yourself day to day?
3. When John entered the tomb and saw the grave cloths lying there, the sermon describes a moment of spiritual comprehension, not just physical sight, where belief broke through. Have you had a moment like that, where something you already knew suddenly became something you truly understood? What brought it on?
4. Carl noted that Jesus appeared first to Mary, a woman with a troubled past, and gave her the task of carrying the resurrection message to the disciples. He described what Jesus is looking for as 'imperfect, humble, willing, obedient servants.' What does that say to you about who God uses, and where do you see yourself in that picture?
5. At the close of the sermon Carl mentioned the Athenians in Acts 17 who heard about the resurrection and said they would hear more about it later. He said if you are on the edge of belief, do not wait. Is there anything keeping you or someone you know at that edge right now, and what would it look like to press in?