LENT ONE2026 - EASTER SUNDAY / The Overcoming One

Devotional

Day 1: Dying to Self by Putting Sin to Death

The Christian life involves a daily practice of death, beginning with the mortification of our sinful nature. This is not a call to self-hatred, but a spiritual discipline of turning away from the patterns of the flesh that lead to destruction. It is an active, Spirit-empowered choice to repent and align our lives with God's holiness. Through this process, we embrace the life Christ offers, a life freed from the bondage of sin. This is the first step in identifying with the sacrifice of our Lord. [38:26]

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:13 ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific "deed of the body" or sinful pattern that the Spirit is prompting you to put to death this week? What would it look like to actively rely on the Spirit's strength, rather than your own willpower, to turn from it?

Day 2: Denying Self by Offering Our Bodies to God

A second way we practice death is through the discipline of fasting. This act of self-denial is a tangible offering of our whole selves to God. By temporarily depriving our bodies of food, we train our physical desires to submit to our spiritual hunger for God. It is a declaration that our ultimate satisfaction is found not in creation, but in the Creator. This act of worship reorients our lives around what is truly pleasing to Him. [39:01]

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1 ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life is God inviting you to practice self-denial, not as an end in itself, but to create more space to recognize your ultimate need for Him?

Day 3: Sharing Life by Giving to the Poor

Giving generously to those in need is a profound way to participate in the resurrected life of Christ. It is an act of faith that loosens our grip on material security and identifies us with the selfless love of our Savior. Just as Elijah gave his whole self for the widow of Zarephath, we are called to share our lives and resources with others. This practice is a living testimony that we serve a God who provides and brings life from death. [39:50]

And he said to her, “Give me your son.” And he took him from her arms and carried him up into the upper chamber where he lodged, and laid him on his own bed. And he cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son?” Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, let this child's life come into him again.” (1 Kings 17:19-21 ESV)

Reflection: How is God challenging you to move beyond mere charity to a deeper identification with those in need, perhaps by giving in a way that truly costs you something?

Day 4: Running Toward Christ in Community

In moments of deep grief and confusion, our instinct can be to withdraw and isolate ourselves. Yet, the path to healing often begins when we move toward our community of faith. Sharing our burdens with others who love Jesus allows them to help us seek Him. We are not meant to navigate the darkest valleys alone, but to run toward those who can point us back to the hope we have in Christ. [01:02:17]

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. (John 20:11 ESV)

Reflection: When you are feeling overwhelmed by grief or confusion, what is one practical step you can take to intentionally move toward your Christian community rather than away from it?

Day 5: Believing Before You Fully Understand

Faith often awakens not when we have all the answers, but when we choose to trust God even in our lack of understanding. Belief can come before full comprehension, as we see the evidence of God's work and respond in trust. The resurrection invites us into a relationship where we are known and called by name, even when we cannot see the full picture. We are called to believe the truth of who God is, even when our circumstances are unclear. [01:06:54]

Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. (John 20:8-9 ESV)

Reflection: Where in your life is God inviting you to trust in His character and His promises, even though you may not yet understand how He is working?

Sermon Summary

Three practices—repentance, fasting, and giving—form concrete ways to “practice death” so that resurrection life shapes daily living. Repentance functions as a deliberate turning away from personal sin, a spiritual mortification that aligns the inner life with Romans 8:13’s call to put to death bodily deeds. Fasting trains the body as a living sacrifice, shaping appetites and affections so the body can worship and serve rather than dominate spiritual direction (Romans 12:1). Giving to the poor enacts solidarity with the vulnerable and imagines resurrection as shared life, illustrated by Elijah’s identification with the widow and her son and the eventual sign of restored life.

The Eucharistic elements—bread and cup—stand as simple, powerful reminders that death and resurrection belong together: the broken body, the poured-out blood, and the risen Lord create a single economy of redemption. The empty tomb scene in John 20 models grief, pursuit, recognition, and witness. Mary Magdalene moves through darkness and confusion, runs to others, returns, and finally recognizes Jesus when he calls her by name; her movement models how sorrow can drive people toward community and how divine speech cuts through blindness to reveal new life.

The burial linens left behind present resurrection not as a reversal of history but as a transformed reality: life emerges without the bindings of death. Faith sometimes precedes full comprehension; John sees the grave clothes and believes even while understanding lags. Resurrection always issues in mission—sight of the risen Lord produces testimony and sending. The Easter call invites a response: to lay down sin, to discipline the body, to share resources, to move toward one another in grief, and to answer when the Risen One calls. A closing benediction from Hebrews frames resurrection as the foundation for equipped, good works carried out by God through renewed people.

Key Takeaways

1. Repentance as dying to self Repentance means active mortification of sin, not mere regret. It requires honest naming of what enslaves the heart and determined practices that reorient affections toward God. This death of self-power creates space for resurrection life to govern desire and decision. [38:26]
2. Fasting disciplines the bodily appetites Fasting trains the body to be an instrument of worship rather than the master of spirit. Regular denial cultivates patience, clarity, and dependence on God’s provision. Such training reshapes ethical choices and spiritual attention in ordinary rhythms. [39:01]
3. Giving embodies resurrection for others Generosity with resources enacts solidarity with the poor and anticipates a shared economy of new creation. Giving sacrifices the security of material comfort to demonstrate trust in God’s provision and God’s concern for the vulnerable. This practice locates the resurrection in communal, concrete mercy. [39:21]
4. Run toward others in grief Moving toward community during confusion counters isolation and opens avenues for truth and comfort. Mary’s running models urgency that chooses companionship and shared searching over solitary despair. Such movement invites God’s voice to be heard and sight to be restored. [62:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[37:44] - Three ways Christians practice death
[38:26] - Repentance: dying to self
[39:01] - Fasting as bodily training
[39:21] - Giving: sharing resurrection life
[41:59] - Communion: bread and cup explained
[46:40] - Resurrection seen from the other side
[54:57] - Learning faith by doing: bike story
[57:35] - Context: Easter and John 20
[59:35] - Mary at the empty tomb
[66:54] - Belief before full understanding
[69:31] - Witness: “I have seen the Lord”
[75:27] - Benediction and sending forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading: John 20:1-18 (ESV)

Observation questions

What was the emotional state of Mary Magdalene when she first arrived at the tomb, and what was her immediate action upon finding it empty? [01:00:00]
What details does John provide about the burial linens left inside the empty tomb, and how does this scene differ from when Lazarus was raised from the dead? [01:04:59]
According to the passage, what was the sequence of events that led Mary to finally recognize the risen Jesus?
What was the first thing Jesus told Mary to do after she recognized Him?

Interpretation questions

Why is it significant that Mary did not recognize Jesus at first, even when she was looking right at Him? What can this teach us about how grief and confusion can affect our ability to see God at work? [01:07:35]
The grave clothes were left behind in the tomb, neatly arranged. How does this detail point to a resurrection that is more than just a reversal of death, but a transformation into a new kind of life? [01:05:24]
John writes that he "saw and believed" even though he did not yet understand the Scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead. What does this suggest about the relationship between belief, understanding, and seeing evidence of God's work? [01:06:54]
Jesus tells Mary not to cling to Him because He has not yet ascended to the Father. How does this instruction shift Mary's (and our) relationship with the resurrected Jesus from a physical presence to a new reality?

Application questions

Repentance is described as an active "dying to self" and turning away from what enslaves the heart. [38:26] What is one specific, sinful pattern or desire that you feel God is calling you to put to death this week? What would it look like to actively turn from it and reorient your affection toward God?
Fasting trains the body to be an instrument of worship. [39:01] Is there a particular appetite or comfort (like food, media, or convenience) that you feel has too much control over your spirit? What would be a practical first step in denying that appetite to cultivate greater dependence on God?
Giving enacts solidarity with the vulnerable and trusts in God's provision. [39:21] How does your current use of resources (time, money, skills) demonstrate trust in God's care for the poor? Is there a way you could sacrifice a bit of your own security this week to tangibly share life with someone in need?
In moments of deep confusion or grief, the instinct is to run toward community, not away from it. [01:02:00] When you are overwhelmed, what typically keeps you from reaching out to others? Who is one person in your community you could commit to running toward, or being available for, when life feels dark?
Jesus called Mary by name, and that personal address cut through her blindness. [01:08:27] Where in your life do you need to hear Jesus call you by name today? What grief or circumstance might be preventing you from recognizing that He is near and speaking to you?
Resurrection always leads to witness. After encountering Jesus, Mary immediately ran to tell others. [01:09:31] What is one specific thing you have "seen" or experienced of the Lord that you could share with someone else this week as a testimony of His life-giving power?

Sermon Clips

Do you let the things that you do not yet fully understand stop you from trusting in God? Mary remains at the tomb weeping. She looks inside and sees angels, but grief blinds her to what is happening. She sees, but she does not recognize. The angels ask, why are you crying? Notice they don't say, stop crying. They ask why. [01:07:19] (42 seconds) #TrustBeyondUnderstanding

In seasons of compounded sorrow, our instincts may be isolation at arm's length away. But healing often begins when we move towards people who help us to seek Christ. How about you? When life feels overwhelming, do you tend to withdraw, or do you move towards others? Others who can help you to seek Jesus. Mary runs back. [01:02:42] (39 seconds) #RunTowardsCommunity

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LENT ONE2026 - EASTER SUNDAY / The Overcoming One | April 5, 2026