From Darkness to Dawn - Embracing the Risen Life

Duration: 25-30 minutes Scripture: John 20:1-18, Romans 6:3-11 Theme: Experiencing the transformative power of Christ's resurrection in our daily lives

Introduction (3-4 minutes)

"He is risen!"

Good morning, church family! What a glorious day to celebrate together! Easter morning carries a special kind of light. It's the light that broke through the darkest moment in history—when death itself was defeated and our Savior stepped out of the tomb.

Today, we're not just remembering a historical event two thousand years ago. We're celebrating a living reality that changes everything about who we are and how we live. The resurrection isn't a distant fact; it's the power that transforms our everyday lives.

In John 20, we find Mary Magdalene standing outside the tomb in the darkness before dawn. She came expecting death, but encountered life instead. Let's read this powerful account together.

Scripture Reading (2-3 minutes)

John 20:1–18 MEV

Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb while it was still dark and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she came running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have put Him.” So Peter came out with the other disciple and they went toward the tomb. They both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. Stooping down and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying. Yet he did not enter. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went inside the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the cloth that was around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but wrapped in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came first to the tomb, went in also. He saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. But Mary stood outside at the tomb weeping. As she wept, she stooped down and looked into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have put Him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 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 put Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father. But go to My brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that He had said these things to her.

Message (16-18 minutes)

1. From Death to Life: The Resurrection Reality

The tomb was empty—not because someone stole Jesus' body, but because death could not hold Him! Christ's resurrection wasn't just a spiritual event but also a physical and historical one. The grave clothes were there, but Jesus was gone. The stone was rolled away, not to let Jesus out, but to let witnesses in.

Romans 6:9 MEV

knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death has no further dominion over Him.

Ephesians 1:19–20 MEV

and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He performed in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places,

But what does this mean for us? Everything! The resurrection isn't just something we believe happened—we participate in it through the Holy Spirit.

That's the beautiful thing about Easter. Mary came to the tomb in darkness, in grief, in hopelessness—but she left as the first evangelist, the first to proclaim "I have seen the Lord!" That same transformation is available to each of us today.

2. Recognized by Name: The Personal Nature of Resurrection Power

Did you notice the turning point in Mary's encounter with Jesus? It wasn't when she saw the empty tomb or Jesus standing there. The moment everything changed was when Jesus spoke her name: "Mary."

John 20:16 MEV

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

In that instant, grief turned to joy. Confusion turned to clarity. Death turned to life.

Jesus doesn't just offer general salvation to humanity—He provides personal resurrection for you. He knows your name. He knows your struggles. He knows exactly what darkness you're facing this morning.

In...

Isaiah 43:1 MEV

But now, thus says the Lord who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

The resurrection means Jesus is alive to speak your name today. Whether you're here for the hundredth Easter or your very first one, He's calling you personally into a relationship with Him.

When the Spirit of God fills our lives, we experience that same recognition...

Romans 8:16 MEV

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirits that we are the children of God,

The Holy Spirit makes the resurrection personal—He brings the power of Easter into our individual lives.

[Brief interactive moment: Invite the congregation to close their eyes and imagine Jesus speaking their name, calling them from whatever tomb they're experiencing into new life.]

3. Living the Resurrected Life: From Belief to Experience

Once Mary recognized Jesus, she couldn't keep it to herself. "I have seen the Lord!" became her testimony. And that's the natural response to truly encountering the risen Christ.

The apostle Paul explains this in...

Romans 6:4 MEV

Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Romans 8:11 MEV

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit that lives in you.

2 Corinthians 5:17 MEV

Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new.

The resurrection isn't just a belief to hold—it's a power to experience! We access the same power that raised Jesus from the dead through the Holy Spirit.

What does the resurrected life look like? It looks like:

Freedom from sin through the Holy Spirit's empowerment

Healing that demonstrates God's power is still active today

Hope that persists even through life's darkest valleys

A bold witness who shares the good news with a desperate world

Spirit-filled living that produces the fruit of love, joy, and peace

The resurrection means we don't just survive our challenges—we triumph through them by the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead.

4. COMMUNION: REMEMBERING HIS SACRIFICE AND RESURRECTION

Servers pass elements through the congregation

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 MEV

I have received of the Lord that which I delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night in which He was betrayed, took bread. When He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take and eat. This is My body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”

Blessing over the bread (body broken for us)

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 MEV

In the same manner, He took the cup after He had supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

Blessing over the cup (blood shed for our redemption)

Altar Call

This Easter morning, I want to ask: Where do you need resurrection power? Are you standing like Mary in the darkness, weeping outside what seems like a tomb of broken dreams, damaged relationships, or overwhelming challenges? Jesus is calling your name today. The power that broke death's grip is now available through the Holy Spirit. This isn't just a nice story—it's the reality that changes everything. [Transition to invitation] I want to invite you to respond to the risen Christ this morning:

Today is your resurrection day if you've never given your life to Jesus. Through faith in Him, you can pass from death to life.

If you know Jesus but you're facing a situation that feels like death—a relationship, an addiction, a health crisis, or financial strain—the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit is available to you today.

Perhaps you need a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit to live the resurrected life with power and purpose.

Let's stand together. As the worship team leads us, I invite you to come forward for prayer. Just as Mary encountered Jesus in that garden, you can experience Him here. Closing Prayer [After praying with those who respond, close with a prayer for everyone] Father, we thank You for the empty tomb. We praise You for the resurrection power that's still changing lives today. By Your Holy Spirit, help us to live as resurrection people—filled with Your power, walking in Your freedom, and sharing the good news that Jesus is alive. For those who came forward today, we pray that this Easter would mark a new beginning. Renew our wonder at the empty tomb and our passion for living the resurrected life. We go from this place proclaiming with Mary, "We have seen the Lord!" In the name of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. He is risen!