Easter 2026

What is your response to the Resurrection?

Introduction

Good morning! Happy Resurrection Day. What an amazing day to celebrate a risen Savior. As I was praying about what to preach on this morning, the text options are obvious. However, my prayer was for God to show me the sermon that I needed to hear because there are times the Resurrection story does not leave me in wonder. God answered my prayer and showed me that there is hope within the Resurrection that guides us throughout our life.

Prayer

Hook-Different Emotions at end of Championship games

Like in a major championship game, the Resurrection was a monumental event. After the fact, there were many responses to the news and events. We are going to read the accounts in the gospel of John and a few verses in Matthew to see the different responses.

Scripture- John 20:1-18,24-29 and Matthew 28:11-15

The responses of the people

Women: Fear to Faith

At first, the women responded with fear because they did not know where the body was. Remember, no one had rose from the dead before in this manner! After comforting words from the angels, they began to believe and share with the other disciples.

Disciples: Speculation to Excitement

The other disciples heard the women’s and doubted. Peter and John ran ahead. They didn’t believe the women because they weren’t trustworthy, but like the women, no one came back from the dead.

Pharisees and Romans: Denial to Cover-Up

The Roman soldiers were afraid because of two things. First, the tomb was rolled away. Second, they abandoned their post which was punishable up to death. The Pharisees wanted to keep the news hidden and told the Roman soldiers to lie

Transitional Phrase: How we respond to the Resurrection shows the condition of our heart

MAIN POINT: THE RESURRECTION COMPELS A RESPONSE

Even almost 2000 years later, the Resurrection of Christ brings others to respond.

There are people in our world that still deny the Resurrection of Jesus. Yet, there are four reasons that prove the Resurrection occurred.

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Resurrection of Jesus the Christ

First, the story of the empty tomb is found in all four Gospels and is implicit in the early church’s proclamation of the resurrection. How could they preach the bodily resurrection of Jesus if everyone in Jerusalem knew that His body was still in the tomb? Second, it is difficult to believe that the early church would have fabricated the story of the resurrection and then made women the first witnesses to the empty tomb and the resurrection, since women were not considered reliable witnesses in Jewish culture (illustrated by the disciple’s response to them). Third, something incredible must have taken place on that Sunday to cause Jewish believers to begin worshiping on the first day of the week instead of the Sabbath (

As Christians, we should respond with hope because of the Resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:13–15 “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain, and so is your faith. Moreover, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified wrongly about God that he raised up Christ—whom he did not raise up, if in fact the dead are not raised.”

If Jesus did not raise from the dead, then there is no hope for us. All of the things we do regarding church is meaningless without the Resurrection.

However, Jesus rose again, so we have hope!!

There is hope in every aspect of our lives.

The Resurrection brings hope to:

Our Families

When family members struggle with illness or a difficult time, lean into the hope of the Resurrection. You might feel helpless or anxious about their future.

Start a tradition of prayer as a family. Share verses from the Bible that speak of God’s promises in times of trouble, such as Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.”.

Not only can this encourage those who are struggling, but it can also strengthen your family bonds as you collectively trust in God’s ability to bring life and healing even in hard times.

Our Communities

In a world often saturated with negativity, choose to emanate the hope found in the Resurrection. If you encounter discouragement in the news or in social settings, interact positively with those around you. We should be sharing the message of hope and love through our actions. Your commitment to serve and uplift can shine brightly, reminding others of the hope offered to us through the Resurrection. SHARE YOUR STORY

Our Church

If you find yourself feeling stagnant in your faith within the church, the Resurrection can reignite your passion for spiritual growth. Participate in a small group focusing on the implications of the Resurrection on personal faith and discipleship.

Commit to sharing personal testimonies and watching God work in your life, encouraging one another to step outside your comfort zones. By actively engaging with others and sharing how Jesus’s resurrection impacts your daily life, you’ll foster a vibrant community centered around hope and transformation.

The World

The Resurrection wasn’t just an event in a history. It changed history because the early Church was persecuted because they proclaimed the Resurrection. Remember, the Pharisees and Priests wanted to keep the Resurrection quiet, so they did whatever they needed to prevent word from getting out.

But God made a way through the persecution for word to spread. Now, the Church is a worldwide family that is growing and reaching places beyond what the disciples reached.

Our part in the world having hope because of the Resurrection can be:

Praying for churches to be planted across the world. Pray for the planters, missionaries, and followers in the countries.

Partnering through giving to the ChurchForward Mission fund to support church plants and missionaries.

Share the Gospel and hope of the Resurrection.

The Resurrection compels us to respond. How will you respond?

With Fear? With Faith? With Speculation? With Excitement?