Easter 2025: Walking with the Risen Christ

Introduction: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus

Today, we gather to celebrate the greatest event in history—the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

His life was unlike any other. He walked among us, teaching with authority, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and loving the outcasts. He came proclaiming the Kingdom of God, calling people to repentance, and revealing the heart of the Father. Yet, despite His perfect love, He was betrayed, arrested, falsely accused, and crucified.

On that dark day, the world believed it had seen the end of Jesus. His body was placed in a tomb, and a stone was rolled over the entrance. Hope seemed lost.

But then, on the third day, the stone was rolled away, the grave was empty, and Jesus was alive! The resurrection was not just an event; it was the ultimate revelation that Jesus is who He said He is—Lord of all, the conqueror of sin and death.

Luke 24:13–24 NIV

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

The Life-Changing Walk with Jesus

On the very day of the resurrection, two disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus, a seven-mile journey from Jerusalem. They were confused, disheartened, and struggling to make sense of all that had happened.

They had heard reports that the tomb was empty, but they could not comprehend what it truly meant.

Then, Jesus Himself came near and walked with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.

He asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" With sorrow in their voices, they recounted the events of the past days—the crucifixion, the dashed hopes, and the rumors of an empty tomb.

Their words reveal a common struggle: they knew about Jesus, they believed in His teachings, but they had not yet encountered the risen Lord in a way that transformed their hearts.

It is one thing to know about Jesus; it is another to walk with Him.

Faith Is Not Just a Doctrine—It’s a Relationship

Faith is not just a doctrine it is a relationship.

Bruce Larson and Lloyd Ogilvie wrote, “The events of Easter cannot be reduced to a creed or philosophy. We are not asked to believe the doctrine of the Resurrection. We are asked to meet this person raised from the dead. In faith, we move from belief in a doctrine to knowledge of a person. Ultimate truth is a person. We can say as these two believers did, ‘We met Him; He is alive.’”

This is the heart of our faith. Christianity is not merely about affirming theological truths, though those are important.

It is about walking with the living Christ.

These disciples on the road to Emmaus had their eyes opened when Jesus broke the bread with them. Suddenly, they recognized Him—not just as a great teacher or prophet, but as their risen Lord.

The resurrection is not just an event we acknowledge; it is an invitation to walk with Jesus daily.

Walking with God: A Biblical Theme

From the very beginning, Scripture reveals that God desires to walk with His people:

In Genesis, we read that God walked in the garden with Adam and Eve.

Enoch “walked with God, and he was no more” (Genesis 5:24).

God told Abraham, “Walk before me, and be blameless” (Genesis 17:1).

The Psalms speak of walking in God’s ways and trusting in Him.

Jesus called His disciples to walk with Him, to follow Him.

This theme culminates in the resurrection.

Through Christ, we are invited into the ultimate walk—with the living, reigning King.

He is not a distant historical figure. He is present, walking with us through every season of life.

What Is Jesus Doing? And How Can We Be Part of It?

Larson and Ogilvie: “What are You doing, Jesus? And how can I be part of it?” The King is with us, the constant in the equation of life.

If Jesus is alive, then He is at work today. He is moving in our lives, in our families, in our church, and in our world. The question we must ask is, “Lord, what are You doing? And how can I walk with You in it?”

Walking with Jesus means:

Seeking Him in prayer and Scripture, allowing Him to open our eyes to His presence.

Trusting Him even when we don’t understand, just as the Emmaus disciples did before their moment of recognition.

Sharing the good news, just as they ran back to Jerusalem to tell others, “We have seen the Lord!”

Next Steps: He Is Alive—Walk with Him!

The road to Emmaus reminds us that Easter is not just about an empty tomb; it is about a living Savior who walks with us.

Just as He met those two disciples in their confusion, He meets us in our doubts, our fears, and our uncertainties.

He walks beside us, guiding us, speaking truth, and revealing Himself in unexpected ways.

The question for each of us today is this: Have you moved beyond believing in the doctrine of the resurrection to truly walking with the risen Christ?

May our hearts burn within us as we recognize His presence, and may we run to tell the world, "We have met Him; He is alive!"

Amen.

Bibliography

Larson, Bruce, and Lloyd J. Ogilvie. Luke. Vol. 26 of The Preacher’s Commentary Series. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1983.

YouTube

Title: Walking with the Risen Christ | Easter Sermon on Luke 24:13-24

Description: Join us for this powerful Easter sermon, Walking with the Risen Christ, as we explore Luke 24:13-24 and the life-changing encounter on the road to Emmaus. Easter is more than just a doctrine to believe—it’s an invitation to walk with the living Jesus.

In this message, we’ll reflect on: 🔹 The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ 🔹 The transformational journey of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus 🔹 How faith moves beyond belief in doctrine to a personal relationship with Christ 🔹 The biblical theme of walking with God throughout Scripture 🔹 How we can recognize Jesus in our daily lives and walk with Him today

As Bruce Larson and Lloyd Ogilvie wrote, “The events of Easter cannot be reduced to a creed or philosophy. We are not asked to believe the doctrine of the Resurrection. We are asked to meet this person raised from the dead.”

Are you walking with the risen Christ? Let this sermon encourage you to encounter Him in a real and personal way!

📖 Scripture: Luke 24:13-24 📍 Learn More: [Your Church Website or Social Links] 📩 Stay Connected: Follow us on Facebook & Instagram: 🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaughlinChurch 🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laughlincommunitychurch/

🙏 If this message blesses you, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe!

#EasterSermon #Resurrection #WalkWithJesus #Faith #Luke24 #HeIsRisen

Notes

Walking with the Risen Christ Easter Sermon Notes | Luke 24:13-24

Introduction: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus

Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life, teaching about the Kingdom of God.

He was crucified, died, and was buried.

On the third day, He rose from the dead, defeating sin and death!

The resurrection is not just an event to believe but an invitation to walk with the living Christ.

Reflection Question: How does the resurrection personally impact your faith?

A Life-Changing Walk (Luke 24:13-24)

Two disciples were walking to Emmaus, struggling to understand recent events.

Jesus joined them, but they did not recognize Him.

He asked, “What are you discussing as you walk along?”

Their eyes were opened when He broke bread with them.

Key Insight: Faith is not just about believing in a doctrine but encountering a person—Jesus Christ.

Reflection Question: Have you ever felt like God was walking with you, even if you didn’t recognize Him at first?

Walking with God: A Biblical Theme

Genesis: God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden.

Enoch “walked with God” (Genesis 5:24).

Abraham was called to “walk before God” (Genesis 17:1).

The Psalms speak of walking in God’s ways.

Jesus called His disciples to follow Him and walk in faith.

Reflection Question: What does it mean for you to walk with Jesus daily?

What Is Jesus Doing? How Can We Be Part of It?

Jesus is alive and active today.

We should ask, “What are You doing, Jesus? And how can I be part of it?”

Walking with Jesus means:

Seeking Him in prayer and Scripture.

Trusting Him even when we don’t understand.

Sharing His good news with others.

Reflection Question: How can you be more intentional about walking with Jesus this week?

Conclusion: He Is Alive—Walk with Him!

Easter is not just about the empty tomb—it’s about encountering the risen Jesus.

Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we can say, “We have met Him; He is alive!”

Will you walk with Him today?

Final Reflection: What step will you take today to draw closer to Jesus?

Prayer: Lord, open our eyes to recognize You in our daily lives. Help us to walk with You, trust in You, and share Your good news with the world. Amen.

Bible Study

Bible Study: Walking with the Risen Christ A 3-Day Study on Luke 24:13-24

Day 1: Recognizing Jesus in Our Journey

Read: Luke 24:13-16, John 10:27-28

The two disciples were walking and discussing recent events, yet they did not recognize Jesus when He joined them. Sometimes, we too fail to see Jesus in our lives because we are focused on our worries and disappointments.

Key Word Study:

Syzyteō (συζητέω) – translated as “discussing” (Luke 24:15). This Greek word means to debate or reason intensely, showing their deep confusion and struggle to understand what happened.

Reflection:

Have you ever been so caught up in your struggles that you failed to see Jesus working in your life?

How can you become more aware of His presence in your daily walk?

Prayer: Ask God to open your eyes to recognize His presence in both ordinary and extraordinary moments.

Day 2: Walking with God Throughout Scripture

Read: Luke 24:17-24, Genesis 5:24, Micah 6:8

Walking with God is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. From Enoch, who "walked with God," to Micah’s call to "walk humbly," we see that faith is a journey, not just a belief.

Key Word Study:

Halak (הָלַךְ) – Hebrew for "walk" (Genesis 5:24). This word implies a continual movement and lifestyle of being in step with God.

Reflection:

What does it mean to walk with God in your daily life?

What steps can you take to align your walk with God’s direction?

Action Step: Spend intentional time with God today—whether through prayer, worship, or serving someone in need.

Day 3: Meeting the Risen Christ

Read: Luke 24:25-31, Philippians 3:10-11

Jesus explained the Scriptures to them, yet it was in the breaking of bread that their eyes were fully opened. Faith moves beyond doctrine—it is about knowing Christ personally.

Key Word Study:

Epiginōskō (ἐπιγινώσκω) – Greek for "recognize" (Luke 24:31). This word means to know fully, not just intellectually, but experientially.

Reflection:

How has your faith moved from knowing about Jesus to truly knowing Him?

What practices help you encounter Jesus personally?

Challenge: As you prepare for next week’s sermon, ask, "What is Jesus doing, and how can I be part of it?" Take one step of faith this week in response to that question.

Final Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to recognize You, open my heart to receive You, and guide my steps to walk with You daily. Amen.

This study helps apply the Easter sermon, deepens biblical understanding, and prepares hearts for the next message. Let me know if you need any modifications!