From Grave to Glory

John 11:25–26 NKJV

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

From Grave to Glory

INTRODUCTION — GRAVES DON’T GET THE FINAL WORD

A TOMBSTONE HAS TWO DATES — THE BIRTH DATE AND THE DATE OF DEATH — AND THOSE TWO DATES….ARE SEPARATED BY A DASH.

THAT DASH REPRESENTS OUR LIFE…..AND HOLDS THE ENTIRE STORY.

BUT I WANT TO EXPOUND ON THIS THOUGHT……..LISTEN…. FOR BELIEVERS, THERE’S A THIRD MOMENT: THE RESURRECTION. THE DASH DOESN’T TELL IT ALL — THE RESURRECTION REWRITES THE ENDING.

IT’S GOD’S DIVINE SEMICOLON WHERE THE WORLD PUT A PERIOD.

YOU SEE THAT SEMICOLON….MEANS THAT THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE…..THERE IS A CONTINUATION.

AND IF WE LISTEN CLOSELY, WE CAN STILL HEAR GOD SAY, “THE STORY’S NOT OVER.”

THIS RESURRECTION SUNDAY, WE DECLARE THAT GOD HAS THE POWER TO RESURRECT WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS DEAD — IN OUR HEARTS, IN OUR HOMES, AND IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

RESURRECTION IS NOT JUST SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED TO JESUS, BUT SOMETHING THAT KEEPS HAPPENING TO US. WE ARE A RESURRECTION PEOPLE.

CAN I KEEP IT REAL WITH YOU THIS MORNING?

AS KENDRICK LAMAR SAID, DURING HIS SUPER BOWL HALFTIME PERFORMANCE…..THEY NOT LIKE US……

FOR BLACK FOLKS, RESURRECTION ISN’T ABSTRACT THEOLOGY.

IT’S OUR LIVED EXPERIENCE.

WE ARE A PEOPLE WHO’VE BEEN DECLARED DEAD, DISMISSED, AND DISRESPECTED — AND YET WE KEEP RISING.

FROM GRAVE TO GLORY HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR RHYTHM.

WE WERE CHAINED BUT NOT CONQUERED.

LYNCHED BUT NOT LOST.

SILENCED BUT NOT STOPPED.

AND SO ON THIS DAY, WE REMEMBER: THE SAME GOD WHO RAISED JESUS ………..IS RAISING US STILL.

LET’S BE HONEST — SOME OF US WALKED IN HERE CARRYING THE WEIGHT OF GRAVES. A GRAVE OF DISAPPOINTMENT, WHERE YOUR PRAYERS FEEL UNANSWERED. A GRAVE OF SILENCE, WHERE GOD SEEMS DISTANT.

A GRAVE OF BURNOUT, WHERE MINISTRY OR LIFE HAS DRAINED YOU.

BUT RESURRECTION SUNDAY SPEAKS BACK TO EVERY GRAVE AND SAYS: 'YOU DON’T GET THE LAST WORD.' JESUS IS THE PUNCTUATION MARK AT THE END OF OUR PAIN — NOT A PERIOD, BUT AN EXCLAMATION POINT. HE SHOUTS INTO THE TOMB: 'LAZARUS, COME FORTH!' AND HE’S STILL SHOUTING TODAY.

I. THE GRAVE IS NOT THE END

“HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME, THOUGH HE MAY DIE, HE SHALL LIVE.” — JOHN 11:25 (NKJV)

“CAN THESE BONES LIVE?” — EZEKIEL 37:3 (NKJV)

JOHN’S GOSPEL REMINDS US THAT BELIEF IS THE GATEWAY TO LIFE BEYOND DEATH. BUT NOT JUST LIFE AFTER THIS WORLD — LIFE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS ONE. EZEKIEL SHOWS US THAT GOD'S QUESTION, “CAN THESE BONES LIVE?” IS MORE THAN RHETORICAL. IT’S AN INVITATION TO HOPE WHERE THERE SHOULD BE NONE.

GOD SPECIALIZES IN REVIVING WHAT’S DRIED UP, WHAT’S CUT OFF, WHAT’S SCATTERED. SOME OF US ARE STANDING IN A VALLEY OF DRY BONES IN OUR OWN LIVES — LOOKING AT THE REMNANTS OF A BROKEN RELATIONSHIP, THE ASHES OF A DREAM, OR THE BROKEN PIECES OF A VISION.

🛠️ PRACTICAL LIFE APPLICATION:

MAYBE THE GRAVE IN YOUR LIFE ISN’T A LITERAL DEATH — IT’S A DREAM DEFERRED. IT’S A MARRIAGE HANGING ON BY A THREAD. IT’S THAT JOB YOU LOST THAT YOU THOUGHT WOULD BE YOUR BREAKTHROUGH.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: THE PRESENCE OF A GRAVE DOESN’T MEAN THE ABSENCE OF GOD.

JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING LOOKS DEAD DOESN’T MEAN IT CAN’T LIVE AGAIN. GOD DOESN’T NEED IDEAL CIRCUMSTANCES TO WORK — HE JUST NEEDS AN INVITATION.

START WHERE YOU ARE. IF YOUR DREAM SEEMS BURIED, START DIGGING IT UP WITH PRAYER. WATER IT WITH FAITH. SPEAK OVER IT. CALL IT WHAT GOD CALLED IT, NOT WHAT THE ENEMY TRIED TO LABEL IT.

AND DON’T ISOLATE — REACH OUT TO PEOPLE WHO CAN REMIND YOU OF YOUR LAZARUS MOMENT.

SOMETIMES YOUR RESURRECTION NEEDS COMMUNITY TO HELP ROLL THE STONE AWAY.

KEEP SHOWING UP. KEEP TRUSTING. KEEP HOPING.

BECAUSE WHEN JESUS IS INVOLVED, EVEN A SEALED TOMB CAN BECOME A SACRED TESTIMONY.

IN LUKE 7:11–17, JESUS INTERRUPTS A FUNERAL IN THE TOWN OF NAIN. A WIDOW IS BURYING HER ONLY SON.

NO REQUEST WAS MADE.

NO PRAYER WAS OFFERED.

BUT COMPASSION MOVED CHRIST.

HE TOUCHES THE COFFIN, SPEAKS LIFE, AND THE BOY SITS UP.

THAT’S WHO HE IS — A GRAVE-INTERRUPTING GOD.

SOME OF US ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A FUNERAL FOR OUR FAITH — BUT JESUS IS ABOUT TO SHOW UP, UNINVITED, AND STOP THE BURIAL.

THAT ISSUE YOU ALREADY WRAPPED UP AND BURIED?

HE’S ABOUT TO UNWRAP IT.

THAT RELATIONSHIP YOU GAVE UP ON?

HE’S ABOUT TO BREATHE INTO IT.

THAT DREAM YOU FILED AWAY?

IT’S COMING BACK TO LIFE.

II. JESUS IS THE RESURRECTION

“I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE.” — JOHN 11:25 (NKJV)

” — PHILIPPIANS 3:10

“WE WERE BURIED WITH HIM...THAT JUST AS CHRIST WAS RAISED...WE ALSO SHOULD WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE.” — ROMANS 6:4

> *“JESUS SAID TO HER, ‘I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE. HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME, THOUGH HE MAY DIE, HE SHALL LIVE.’” — JOHN 11:25 (NKJV)*

### 🔥 THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION:

JESUS DOESN’T SAY, *“I BRING THE RESURRECTION”* OR *“I KNOW ABOUT THE RESURRECTION.”* HE SAYS, **“I AM THE RESURRECTION.”** THAT’S NOT JUST A CLAIM OF POWER — THAT’S A CLAIM OF IDENTITY.

IT MEANS RESURRECTION ISN’T A **FUTURE EVENT** OR A **THEOLOGICAL IDEA** — IT’S A **PERSON**. AND WHEN THAT PERSON STEPS INTO YOUR SITUATION, **WHAT WAS DEAD HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO LIVE.**

THIS IS WHERE OUR HOPE LIVES: NOT IN FORMULAS, NOT IN OUTCOMES, NOT IN PERFECT CONDITIONS — BUT IN **CHRIST HIMSELF**.

> 📖 *REVELATION 1:18* — “I AM HE WHO LIVES, AND WAS DEAD, AND BEHOLD, I AM ALIVE FOREVERMORE. AMEN. AND I HAVE THE KEYS OF HADES AND OF DEATH.”

IF HE HAS THE KEYS, THEN **DEATH IS NO LONGER A LOCKED DOOR.**

## 🛠️ PRACTICAL LIFE APPLICATION:

### 🗣️ SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US TODAY?

1. **YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT FOR A PERFECT SITUATION TO EXPERIENCE NEW LIFE.** 

   SOME PEOPLE ARE WAITING FOR THE STARS TO ALIGN: THE JOB, THE SPOUSE, THE HEALING, THE MONEY. BUT RESURRECTION ISN’T ABOUT HAVING IDEAL CONDITIONS. 

   **IT’S ABOUT KNOWING THE RESURRECTED ONE IS PRESENT WITH YOU IN THE MESS.**

2. **IF JESUS IS THE RESURRECTION, THEN STAYING CLOSE TO HIM REVIVES YOU.** 

   - WHEN YOUR ENERGY IS DEAD — GET NEAR JESUS. 

   - WHEN YOUR PEACE IS BURIED — GET NEAR JESUS. 

   - WHEN YOUR JOY IS ON LIFE SUPPORT — LEAN INTO JESUS.

   DON’T JUST GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS OF FAITH — **PURSUE THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST.**

3. **THIS IS GOOD NEWS FOR THE DISQUALIFIED.** 

   THE WORLD MAY SAY YOU’VE MESSED UP TOO BAD. 

   YOUR PAST MAY LOOK LIKE A TOMB. 

   BUT RESURRECTION DOESN’T REQUIRE A CLEAN RECORD — IT ONLY REQUIRES A **LISTENING EAR** AND **A WILLING HEART.**

   JESUS CALLED *LAZARUS* — A MAN WHO COULDN’T FIX HIMSELF. COULDN’T ROLL THE STONE. COULDN’T FREE HIS OWN BODY. 

   THAT’S GRACE — WHEN JESUS RAISES YOU BEFORE YOU CAN FIX YOURSELF.

4. **JESUS BEING THE RESURRECTION MEANS YOUR IDENTITY IS NOT YOUR FAILURE.** 

   YOUR WORST MISTAKE IS NOT YOUR DEFINITION. 

   YOUR MOST RECENT LOSS IS NOT YOUR LABEL. 

   JESUS GIVES YOU A NEW IDENTITY — *RESURRECTED. REDEEMED. RESTORED.*

### 🙏🏾 INVITATION TO REFLECT:

- WHAT IN YOUR LIFE HAVE YOU DECLARED DEAD THAT JESUS MIGHT BE CALLING “NOT DONE YET”?

- WHAT WOULD CHANGE IF YOU APPROACHED JESUS NOT AS A SPIRITUAL OPTION — BUT AS YOUR VERY **SOURCE OF LIFE**?

JESUS DOES NOT MERELY PERFORM RESURRECTION.

HE *IS* RESURRECTION.

THE POWER ISN’T IN THE TIMING — IT’S IN THE PERSON.

WHEN JESUS WALKS INTO A ROOM, HOPE WALKS IN.

WHEN JESUS CALLS A NAME, CHAINS BREAK.

WHEN JESUS SPEAKS, LIFE RETURNS.

THE BIBLE SAYS IN PHILIPPIANS 3…….“THAT I MAY KNOW HIM AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION”…IT REMINDS US THAT RESURRECTION ISN’T JUST AN EVENT TO ADMIRE, BUT A POWER TO *EXPERIENCE*.

PAUL DIDN’T JUST WANT TO KNOW CHRIST’S MIRACLES; HE WANTED TO SHARE IN HIS *RESURRECTION POWER*.

THAT MEANS THE ABILITY TO RISE AGAIN AND AGAIN.

RESURRECTION MEANS RESTORATION. IT MEANS THAT YOU CAN COME BACK FROM ANYTHING.

IN OTHER WORDS…..

ADDICTION DOESN’T HAVE THE FINAL SAY.

TRAUMA DOESN’T HAVE THE FINAL SAY.

RACISM, LOSS, AND GRIEF — NONE OF THESE GET THE LAST WORD.

JESUS DOES.

IN REVELATION 1:18, JESUS DECLARES: 'I AM HE WHO LIVES, AND WAS DEAD, AND BEHOLD, I AM ALIVE FOREVERMORE. AMEN. AND I HAVE THE KEYS OF HADES AND OF DEATH.'

THIS IS AUTHORITY.

KEYS MEAN OWNERSHIP.

AND THAT MEANS DEATH CAN’T LOCK WHAT JESUS INTENDS TO OPEN.

JESUS DIDN’T NEED ANYONE TO LET HIM OUT OF THE TOMB — HE WALKED OUT WITH POWER.

AND NOW HE WALKS INTO EVERY CLOSED, SEALED, LOCKED PLACE IN YOUR LIFE.

WHEN HE SPEAKS, GRAVES BREAK PROTOCOL.

STONES ROLL.

RIGOR MORTIS REVERSES.

BECAUSE THE RESURRECTION DOESN’T WAIT FOR CONDITIONS TO BE RIGHT — HE SHOWS UP AND MAKES THEM RIGHT.

### 🗣️ CLOSING THOUGHT FOR THIS POINT:

JESUS DOESN’T JUST GIVE LIFE — HE *IS* LIFE. 

IF HE IS IN YOU, THEN **RESURRECTION POWER IS IN YOU**. 

IF HE LIVES, THEN **YOU CAN RISE TOO — IN PURPOSE, IN PEACE, IN POWER.**

III. 👑 GLORY COMES AFTER THE GRAVE

“DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?” — JOHN 11:26

“TO GIVE THEM BEAUTY FOR ASHES, THE OIL OF JOY FOR MOURNING…” — ISAIAH 61:3

“FOR I CONSIDER THAT THE SUFFERINGS OF THIS PRESENT TIME ARE NOT WORTHY TO BE COMPARED WITH THE GLORY…” — ROMANS 8:18

JESUS ALLOWS LAZARUS TO DIE NOT BECAUSE HE IS ABSENT — BUT BECAUSE HE WANTS TO SHOW THE *GLORY* THAT COMES THROUGH GRIEF. THERE IS A TYPE OF GLORY THAT CANNOT BE BIRTHED IN COMFORT. IT IS ONLY BORN THROUGH THE GRAVE.

### 🔥 THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION:

JESUS ASKS MARTHA, *“DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?”* 

NOT “DO YOU UNDERSTAND THIS?” OR “CAN YOU EXPLAIN THIS THEOLOGICALLY?”

BUT — *“DO YOU BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL CAN STILL COME OUT OF WHAT LOOKS LIKE DEVASTATION?”*

THIS IS A DEEPLY LIBERATING QUESTION. BECAUSE IT ASKS US NOT TO *DENY THE GRAVE*, BUT TO TRUST THAT GOD IS ABLE TO **BRING GLORY OUT OF IT**.

IN ISAIAH 61, GOD SPEAKS TO AN EXILED, GRIEVING, OPPRESSED PEOPLE AND PROMISES A **DIVINE EXCHANGE**: 

- ASHES FOR BEAUTY 

- MOURNING FOR JOY 

- A SPIRIT OF HEAVINESS FOR A GARMENT OF PRAISE

GOD DOESN’T ERASE SUFFERING — GOD *TRANSFORMS* IT.

THE GLORY DOESN’T COME INSTEAD OF THE GRIEF — IT COMES *THROUGH* IT.

## 🛠️ PRACTICAL LIFE APPLICATION:

### 1. **YOUR GLORY STORY MAY START IN A GRAVEYARD.**

WE OFTEN THINK “GLORY” MEANS SHINING LIGHTS, APPLAUSE, AND RECOGNITION. 

BUT SOMETIMES, **GLORY COMES THROUGH GRIEF** — THROUGH THE THINGS THAT HURT US, HUMBLED US, OR LEFT US HEARTBROKEN.

THAT FAILED BUSINESS? GOD MIGHT USE IT TO BIRTH SOMETHING SUSTAINABLE AND COMMUNITY-ROOTED. 

THAT TOXIC RELATIONSHIP? IT MIGHT HAVE TAUGHT YOU YOUR WORTH AND BOUNDARIES. 

THAT SEASON OF DEPRESSION? IT MIGHT DEEPEN YOUR COMPASSION AND GIVE YOU MINISTRY THAT TOUCHES LIVES.

YOU DIDN’T ASK FOR THE GRAVE — BUT GOD CAN **GROW SOMETHING FROM IT**.

> 🌱 WHAT LOOKS BURIED MIGHT ACTUALLY BE *PLANTED*.

### 2. **YOUR SCARS CAN SHINE.**

IN *JOHN 20:27*, WHEN JESUS SHOWS UP RESURRECTED, HE STILL HAS HIS WOUNDS. 

HE TELLS THOMAS, “TOUCH THE HOLES IN MY HANDS.” WHY? BECAUSE **RESURRECTION DOESN’T ERASE THE EVIDENCE — IT REDEEMS IT.**

YOU MAY CARRY THE MEMORY OF TRAUMA, BUT NOW IT TESTIFIES. 

YOUR STRUGGLE CAN BECOME YOUR SERMON. 

YOUR LOSS CAN BECOME SOMEONE ELSE’S LIBERATION. 

**GLORY MEANS YOUR PAIN GETS A NEW PURPOSE.**

> YOU DON’T HAVE TO HIDE YOUR PAST TO HAVE A FUTURE.

### 3. **GOD WILL GET THE LAST WORD.**

*ROMANS 8:18* TELLS US THAT OUR CURRENT SUFFERINGS ARE NOT WORTHY TO BE COMPARED WITH THE GLORY THAT’S COMING. 

THAT MEANS:

- **SUFFERING ISN’T WASTED.** 

- **STRUGGLE ISN’T FOREVER.** 

- **GLORY IS GUARANTEED** FOR THOSE WHO TRUST THE PROCESS.

EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T FEEL IT, GOD IS STILL WRITING. 

**THE GRAVE IS JUST ONE CHAPTER — NOT THE WHOLE BOOK.**

> ✍🏾 *THE ENEMY MAY HAVE WRITTEN THE PAIN, BUT GOD HOLDS THE PEN THAT WRITES THE GLORY.*

### 🙏🏾 REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS FOR LIFE APPLICATION:

- WHERE IN YOUR LIFE DO YOU SEE ASHES — AND ARE YOU WILLING TO HAND THEM TO GOD IN EXCHANGE FOR BEAUTY?

- WHAT PAINFUL EXPERIENCE ARE YOU AFRAID TO REVISIT — THAT MIGHT JUST BECOME SOMEONE ELSE’S RESURRECTION ROAD?

- WHAT IF THE GRAVE YOU’RE STARING AT IS THE VERY PLACE WHERE GOD IS ABOUT TO SHOW OFF?

### 🗣️ FINAL WORD ON THIS POINT:

GLORY DOESN’T MEAN LIFE GETS EASIER — IT MEANS YOUR STORY GETS **ETERNAL WEIGHT**. 

SO HOLD ON. BELIEVE. TRUST. 

BECAUSE WHAT *STARTED* IN A GRAVE… 

**WILL END IN GLORY.**

IV. FROM DEATH TO DELIVERANCE

“LAZARUS, COME FORTH!” — JOHN 11:43

WHEN JESUS STOOD AT LAZARUS’S TOMB, HE DIDN’T WHISPER.

HE SHOUTED.

HE USED HIS VOICE TO CALL LIFE INTO DEATH.

JESUS CALLS *SPECIFICALLY* — HE DIDN’T JUST SAY, “RISE.”

HE SAID, “LAZARUS.” BECAUSE RESURRECTION IS PERSONAL.

GOD IS CALLING SOME OF YOU TODAY.

CALLING YOUR NAME IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR MESS.

IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR MISTAKES.

HE’S NOT ASHAMED OF YOUR TOMB — HE’S COMMANDING IT TO OPEN.

ISAIAH REMINDS US: GOD KNOWS YOUR NAME. “I HAVE CALLED YOU BY NAME; YOU ARE MINE.” — ISAIAH 43:1

YOU ARE NOT LOST IN THE CROWD.

YOU ARE NOT A NUMBER IN THE SYSTEM.

YOU ARE NOT JUST A PRODUCT OF TRAUMA.

YOU ARE KNOWN, LOVED, AND CALLED.

THE SAME POWER THAT CALLED LAZARUS IS CALLING YOU.

IT’S CALLING YOU OUT OF ADDICTION.

OUT OF DEPRESSION.

OUT OF FEAR.

OUT OF SILENCE.

OUT OF SHAME.

COME FORTH.

YOUR TOMB DOESN’T DEFINE YOU — YOUR TESTIMONY WILL.

SOME OF US ARE WRAPPED IN INVISIBLE GRAVE CLOTHES: GUILT, SHAME, DEPRESSION, FEAR, OR COMPARISON.

BUT JESUS SAYS, 'LOOSE HIM, AND LET HIM GO!'

GOD IS NOT JUST CALLING YOU OUT — HE’S CALLING YOU *FREE*.

V. CLOSING CELEBRATION — FROM GRAVE TO GLORY

“O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? O GRAVE, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?” — 1 CORINTHIANS 15:55

“BUT THANKS BE TO GOD, WHO GIVES US THE VICTORY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.” — 1 CORINTHIANS 15:57

“AND GOD WILL WIPE AWAY EVERY TEAR...THERE SHALL BE NO MORE DEATH…” — REVELATION 21:4

JESUS GOT UP — NOT JUST TO PROVE A POINT — BUT TO PASS THE POWER. THE SAME SPIRIT THAT RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD IS AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW TO QUICKEN YOUR BODY, RENEW YOUR HOPE, AND REIGNITE YOUR PURPOSE.

DEATH LOST. THE GRAVE LOST. THE DEVIL LOST. BUT CHRIST? HE WON. AND BECAUSE HE WON — YOU WIN TOO.

SAY IT WITH ME: FROM BURIAL TO BREAKTHROUGH. FROM TEARS TO TESTIMONY. FROM STRUGGLE TO STRENGTH. FROM GRAVE… TO GLORY!

GRAVE TO GLORY IS NOT A METAPHOR — IT’S A MOVEMENT. IT’S A RHYTHM IN BLACK HISTORY. IT’S A REALITY IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

AND NOW, JESUS STILL ASKS: “DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?” IF YOU DO, THE TOMB IS NOT YOUR HOME. IF YOU DO, THEN YOU WALK OUT TODAY NOT JUST ALIVE — BUT ALIVE WITH PURPOSE.

PRAYER: RESURRECTING GOD, THANK YOU THAT THE GRAVE CANNOT HOLD WHAT YOU HAVE SPOKEN OVER. CALL OUR NAMES AGAIN. LOOSE EVERY GRAVE CLOTH. LET OUR LIVES SHOUT: WE WENT FROM THE GRAVE… TO GLORY. IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.

WE DON’T JUST CELEBRATE THAT JESUS GOT UP — WE CELEBRATE THAT HE *TOOK US WITH HIM.* EPHESIANS 2:6 SAYS, 'AND RAISED US UP TOGETHER, AND MADE US SIT TOGETHER IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS.' THAT MEANS YOUR SEAT IS NOT IN THE GRAVE — IT’S IN GLORY.

LET ME DECLARE THIS PROPHETICALLY: YOU ARE RISING. RISING IN WISDOM. RISING IN PURPOSE. RISING IN YOUR CALLING. RISING ABOVE EVERY LABEL THEY PUT ON YOU. THE TOMB COULDN’T STOP HIM, AND IT WON’T STOP YOU.

TODAY, I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU TO BURY DOUBT AND RISE IN BELIEF.

BURY SHAME AND RISE IN JOY.

BURY FEAR AND RISE IN FAITH.

THIS IS NOT THE END OF YOUR STORY — THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF YOUR RESURRECTION.

FROM THE GRAVE… TO THE GLORY.

VI. CONCLUSION — THE SHOUT OF RESURRECTION

CAN I CLOSE THIS OUT LIKE I FEEL IT?

DEATH TRIED IT — BUT COULDN’T HOLD HIM.

THE TOMB TRIED IT — BUT COULDN’T KEEP HIM.

THE GRAVE TRIED IT — BUT GOT ROLLED AWAY!

HE GOT UP EARLY ONE SUNDAY MORNING — NOT CRAWLING, NOT LIMPING — BUT WITH ALL POWER IN HIS HANDS!

AND IF HE GOT UP — THEN DEPRESSION’S GOTTA BACK UP, SICKNESS GOTTA DRY UP, AND EVERY CHAIN GOTTA BREAK UP!

I DON’T KNOW WHAT TRIED TO BURY YOU, BUT SHOUT LIKE YOU’RE COMING OUT!

I DON’T KNOW WHAT TRIED TO HOLD YOU DOWN, BUT PRAISE LIKE THE STONE JUST ROLLED AWAY!

HE GOT UP, BECAUSE HE LIVES

HE GOT UP, BECAUSE HE LIVES

HE GOT UP, BECAUSE HE LIVES

AND SAINTS…..BECAUSE HE LIVES — YOU SHALL LIVE ALSO!

****************************************

IX. ALTAR CALL

IF YOU'RE IN THE ROOM OR WATCHING ONLINE AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’VE BEEN LIVING IN A TOMB — THIS IS YOUR MOMENT.

JESUS IS CALLING YOUR NAME. HE’S NOT WAITING FOR YOU TO BE PERFECT. HE’S NOT INTIMIDATED BY YOUR SMELL, YOUR SCARS, OR YOUR SILENCE.

COME FORTH. COME WITH YOUR GRAVE CLOTHES. COME WITH YOUR SHAME. COME WITH YOUR DOUBTS. JESUS SAYS, 'LIVE AGAIN.'

THIS ALTAR IS OPEN — NOT JUST FOR SALVATION, BUT FOR RESURRECTION. FOR RENEWAL. FOR REBIRTH.

LET THE CHURCH PRAY WITH YOU, CRY WITH YOU, AND CELEBRATE WITH YOU. BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS RISING!

X. BENEDICTION

MAY THE GOD WHO ROLLED THE STONE AWAY ROLL AWAY YOUR FEAR, YOUR DOUBT, AND YOUR PAIN.

MAY THE RISEN CHRIST BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO YOUR SPIRIT, STRENGTH INTO YOUR BONES, AND GLORY INTO YOUR STORY.

GO NOW, NOT AS THOSE AFRAID OF DEATH, BUT AS THOSE FULL OF RESURRECTION POWER. YOU’VE BEEN CALLED, RAISED, AND COMMISSIONED.

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT — WALK BOLDLY, LIVE FREELY, RISE FULLY. AMEN.