Easter Sunrise Service 2025

Easter Sunrise Message “He Knows My Name” 2025

Text: John 20:1–18

Introduction

==It’s early. The sun is just rising. The birds are waking. And here we are — joining the rhythm of that very first Easter morning.

==But this morning isn’t just about watching the sky change.

== It’s about hearts changing, because Jesus didn’t stay in the tomb.

== On the first day of the week, in the stillness of the dawn, a woman named Mary came to grieve… and left with a mission, a miracle, and a message that changed the world.

== Let’s hear it from John 20:1–18 — the story of the first witness to the resurrection.

John 20:1–18 ESV

1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes. 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

Point 1: Resurrection Hope Often Begins in the Dark

“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb…” – John 20:1

== Mary came brokenhearted, not expecting joy but bringing her sorrow.

== She didn’t come with Easter songs — she came to finish a burial.

== But resurrection often meets us in our darkest hours. Before the sun rose in the sky, the Son of God had already risen from the grave.

== God doesn’t wait for you to get your life sorted out before He shows up — He meets you in the grief, the confusion, the silence.

Application:

== If you’re coming into this Easter with heaviness or heartache — you’re in the right place.

== Don’t fake joy — bring your honest sorrow, like Mary did. Jesus meets us in the dark.

== God does some of His best work before the sun comes up.

Point 2: Jesus Reveals Himself Personally

“She turned toward him and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus…” – John 20:14

== Mary is talking to Jesus — but doesn’t recognize Him.

== Why? Because her expectations were still locked in death.

== She didn’t think resurrection was even possible.

== But Jesus doesn’t scold her.

== He speaks gently. And then He says one word that changes everything:

“Mary.”

== He calls her by name. And in that moment, she sees Him clearly for who he is.

== Jesus doesn’t rise from the grave to give you a theology lesson. He rises to give you relationship. He knows your name.

Application:

== Have you been walking through life with Jesus nearby — but unrecognized?

== Jesus doesn’t just save crowds — He calls individuals. He’s calling you by name.

== Let Easter become personal — not just a historical event, but a living encounter.

Point 3: The Risen Christ Gives Us a Mission

“Go instead to my brothers and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father…” – John 20:17

==Jesus didn’t just come back to life — He came back with a purpose: to send us.

== He entrusts the greatest message in human history to a woman who just moments earlier was weeping in the dark.

== She doesn’t have to get a theology degree or clean herself up. Jesus says:

“Go. Tell.”

== That’s grace in action.

== Jesus doesn’t just rescue us — He releases us to carry His hope into the world.

Application:

== You don’t have to be perfect to be useful to Jesus — you just have to be willing.

== This Easter, ask: Who can I “go and tell”? Who in my life needs hope?

== Your story, like Mary’s, might just be the first resurrection someone else sees.

Conclusion: “He Knows My Name”

Easter begins in the dark. It brings light. It calls us by name. And it sends us with a mission.

Mary came expecting to mourn a dead Savior. She left having seen the Lord.

This morning, as the sun rises, know this: Jesus is alive. He knows your name. And He’s calling you to come alive in Him.

The tomb is empty. The promise is full. And your story isn’t over — it’s just beginning.

Closing Prayer:

Risen Lord Jesus, Thank You for meeting us in our sorrow. Thank You for calling us by name. And thank You for entrusting us with the joy of Your resurrection. Help us go and tell the world that You are alive, and that grace has the final word. In Your beautiful name, Amen.