Christ Lutheran Church ~ 04/05/2026 "Easter Sunday

Christ is risen — that reality shapes every element of worship, confession, and daily life. The resurrection functions as decisive proof that Jesus fulfilled his promises: forgiveness, life, peace, and victory over sin, death, and the devil. The empty tomb invites believers and seekers to “come and see” the truth already announced in the Gospel—an invitation echoed earlier in John’s narrative when followers were urged simply to come and see Jesus and then respond. Seeing the risen Christ stirs immediate action: encountering the proof produces testimony, quick sharing of the good news, and humble worship at Jesus’ feet.

The narrative links several biblical moments to the Easter event: Philip’s “come and see” to Nathanael, the Samaritan woman’s astonished witness after Jesus revealed her life, and the women at the tomb who find angels proclaiming, “He is not here; he has risen.” These scenes show a consistent pattern: encounter, recognition, proclamation, and devotion. The name of Jesus carries power — a brief, focused meditation on that name functions as prayer and confession, summoning confidence in God’s promises and the certainty of resurrection life.

Practical application appears throughout: confession and absolution reframe human brokenness in light of God’s mercy; the Nicene Creed and communal prayers ground belief in apostolic truth; the Lord’s Supper testifies to Christ’s bodily presence and the forgiveness given through his sacrifice. Testimony follows experience. When God acts visibly in a life—whether in provision, healing, or transformed suffering—the natural response becomes proclamation, not private possession.

The resurrection does not remain abstract; it reshapes everyday faith. It invites ongoing “coming and seeing” through Scripture, dialogue, and communal worship, then compels the community to go quickly and tell others so that more may encounter the risen Lord. The result roots worship in both deed and doctrine: proclaimed truth that moves hearts to worship and lives to witness. The risen Jesus promises to fulfill his many promises, and that fulfillment calls the church to live expectantly, courageously, and in joyful testimony.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. The name of Jesus matters A single, repeated invocation of Jesus concentrates faith into a living prayer. Focusing on the name draws attention to the person and work behind the title: resurrection, authority, and faithful presence. That practice trains the heart to rely on Christ’s power rather than human effort. [35:26]
• 2. Come and see the proof The empty tomb functions as an invitation to inspect the truth claimed about Christ. Encountering tangible evidence moves belief from hearsay to conviction and challenges skepticism with reality. This pattern urges honest investigation and openness to God’s workings in history. [37:58]
• 3. Good news compels testimony Personal experience of God’s action resists privatization; joy spills into speech and witness. Testimony validates doctrine by narrating concrete encounters where God turned peril into deliverance. Witness becomes the bridge between private faith and public proclamation. [42:21]
• 4. Encounter leads to worship Recognition of the risen Lord culminates in devotional response—holding fast, kneeling, praising. True knowledge of Jesus results not in abstract assent but in embodied worship that reorders priorities and affections. Worship proves the resurrection’s transformative effect on allegiance. [45:20]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [06:24] - Gospel: "Come and See"
• [07:38] - Announcements & Community Notes
• [15:36] - Easter Acclamation & Invocation
• [20:03] - Confession and Absolution
• [27:14] - Children's Talk: The First Easter
• [33:27] - Meditation on the Name of Jesus
• [37:58] - The Empty Tomb: "He is Risen"
• [41:06] - "Come and See" in John's Gospel
• [42:21] - Go Quickly and Tell: Witness
• [45:20] - Worship Response at the Tomb
• [57:59] - Nicene Creed
• [63:28] - Lord's Prayer & Communion
• [78:31] - Blessing and Sending

Bible reading: Matthew 28:1-10 (ESV)
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Observation questions

1. What specific instructions did the angel give to the women at the tomb?
2. What was the immediate reaction of the women after they heard the angel’s message and saw the empty tomb?
3. What was the women’s physical response when they encountered the risen Jesus? [45:20]
4. What are some of the different “come and see” moments from John’s Gospel that were mentioned? [38:42] [39:34]

Interpretation questions

1. Why is the empty tomb such a powerful piece of evidence for the truth of Jesus’ claims? [37:58]
2. The sermon mentioned that “the name of Jesus matters.” What is the significance of focusing on just the name “Jesus” in prayer? [35:26]
3. The pattern of “encounter, recognition, proclamation, and devotion” was described. Why does an encounter with the truth of Jesus naturally lead to telling others?
4. How does the resurrection prove that Jesus can fulfill all of his promises? [28:44]

Application questions

1. The angel’s invitation was to “come and see” the proof of the resurrection. What are some honest questions or doubts you have that you could bring to God and ask Him to help you “come and see” the truth for yourself?
2. The women responded to their encounter with “fear and great joy.” When was a time you experienced God’s power in your life—whether in provision, healing, or transformed suffering—that created a similar mix of awe and joy? [43:16]
3. The natural response to experiencing good news is to “go quickly and tell.” Who is one person in your life that you could share a story of God’s faithfulness with this week? [42:40]
4. The sermon described how simply meditating on the name “Jesus” can be a powerful prayer. What are some moments this week where you could pause and quietly focus on His name to center your heart on His power and presence? [35:05]
5. The women’s final response was to worship at Jesus’ feet. In what practical way—through song, prayer, or serving—could you express your worship to Jesus this week in light of His victory over sin and death? [45:20]
6. The resurrection is proof that God keeps His promises. What is one specific promise from God that you are needing to hold onto with greater confidence right now?