Embracing New Beginnings Through Christ's Resurrection

Devotional

Day 1: When Endings Become God’s New Beginnings

Life often feels like it reaches a hard stop—loss, disappointment, or shattered dreams can seem like final chapters. Yet, the resurrection of Jesus reveals that what looks like an ending is actually the starting point of something new. God’s power transforms despair into hope and invites you to step forward with renewed purpose. When you feel finished, remember that God is just beginning to work in your life, calling you to rise and move ahead with confidence. This truth encourages you to see endings not as dead ends but as fertile ground for God’s new work. [24:05]

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Reflection: What is one “ending” in your life that you can begin to see as a new beginning through God’s resurrection power? How might you take a first step toward embracing that new chapter today?

Day 2: Encountering God in the Unexpected and Vulnerable

The women who came to Jesus’ tomb expected to find death and finality, but instead found an empty grave and a living hope. God often meets us not in the places we plan or expect, but in moments of brokenness, confusion, and vulnerability. When life feels uncertain or your expectations are shattered, God’s presence can surprise you with fresh hope and direction. You are invited to seek Jesus beyond familiar places and routines, trusting that He goes ahead of you even when the path is unclear. [36:41]

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19)

Reflection: Where in your life might God be inviting you to look beyond the familiar and expect His presence in unexpected places? How can you cultivate openness to His surprises today?

Day 3: Living in the Tension of Fear and Joy

Faith is not the absence of fear or doubt but the courage to move forward despite them. Like the women who left the tomb trembling yet filled with joy, you are called to embrace the tension between uncertainty and hope. God honors your honest emotions and invites you to bring your fears alongside your faith. This tension is a sacred space where God’s presence transforms anxiety into courage and doubt into trust. You don’t have to have all the answers to step into the next season God has for you. [40:07]

“The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: ‘The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.’” (Exodus 15:2)

Reflection: What fear or doubt are you holding onto that you can bring honestly before God today? How might you invite God to transform that fear into a step of courageous joy?

Day 4: Embracing the “Next” with Faith and Creativity

Every resurrection moment invites you into a “next” — a new calling, opportunity, or chapter that God has prepared. Instead of fearing the unknown, you are encouraged to embrace it with faith, creativity, and openness. The future is not a place of dread but a canvas where God’s promises unfold and where you are invited to thrive and make a difference. Trust that God’s presence accompanies you into this new season, empowering you to live with hope and purpose. [47:10]

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Reflection: What is one “next” step or opportunity in your life that you have been hesitant to embrace? How can you invite God’s creativity and courage to lead you forward today?

Day 5: Walking Together, Empowered by Christ’s Presence

The journey of faith is never meant to be walked alone. Jesus promises His continual presence, and you are called to walk alongside others in community. Supporting and encouraging one another strengthens your faith and equips you to shine Christ’s light in your families, workplaces, and neighborhoods. The resurrection assures you that God’s victory is shared, and you are never alone. Together, you can face tomorrow with confidence, knowing that the power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in you. [56:52]

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Reflection: Who in your community needs your encouragement or support today? How can you intentionally walk alongside someone in their journey of faith this week?

Sermon Summary

Summary (300-500 words):

He is risen! On this Easter morning, we gather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the very foundation of our hope and faith. The resurrection is not just a historical event to be remembered, but a living reality that shapes our journey today. Throughout Lent, we have asked, “Are we there yet?”—a question that echoes through the seasons of our lives, especially in moments when we feel lost, broken, or at the end of our strength. Life often brings us to places where we feel there is no way forward, where loss, disappointment, or shattered dreams seem final. Yet, the resurrection proclaims that what looks like the end is, in fact, a new beginning.

The story of the women at the tomb reminds us that God often meets us in the places we least expect. They came with broken expectations, ready to anoint a dead body, but instead encountered an empty tomb and a message of hope: “He is not here; He is risen.” The resurrection is not the end of the journey, but the launch of a new chapter. We are called not to linger at the tombs of our disappointments, but to “go”—to step into the new life Christ has prepared for us.

This new life is not without its tensions. Like the women who left the tomb with both fear and great joy, we too are called to embrace the “next” God has for us, even when it is unknown or daunting. The resurrection empowers us to live in the tension of doubt and faith, fear and joy, trusting that Christ goes ahead of us. Our “next” is not to be feared, but embraced with creativity, courage, and hope, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.

We are reminded that our journey is not solitary. Jesus promises to be with us always, and we are called to walk together as a community, supporting one another as we go and make disciples, shining the light of Christ in our world. The resurrection assures us that we can face tomorrow, that our future is secure in God’s hands, and that life is worth living because He lives. As we set out from this place, may we rise in victory, knowing that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us, calling us to new life, new purpose, and unending hope.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Resurrection Transforms Endings into Beginnings What appears to be the end—whether it’s loss, disappointment, or shattered dreams—is often the very place where God begins something new. The resurrection of Jesus is not just the climax of our faith, but the launchpad for a new life in Christ. When we feel finished, God is just getting started, inviting us to set out again with hope. [24:05]
2. God Meets Us in Unexpected Places The women came to the tomb expecting to find Jesus among the dead, but instead encountered an empty grave and a living hope. Often, God reveals Himself in the places and moments we least expect—amidst our vulnerability, our brokenness, and even our confusion. We are called to seek Jesus not only in the familiar, but also in the unexpected, trusting that He goes ahead of us. [36:41]
3. Embrace the Tension of Fear and Joy The journey of faith is not about having all the answers or being free from fear. Like the women who left the tomb with both fear and great joy, we are invited to live in the beautiful tension of doubt and trust. God honors our honest emotions and calls us to move forward, knowing that His presence transforms our anxiety into courage and our uncertainty into joy. [40:07]
4. Your “Next” Is Not to Be Feared, But Embraced Every resurrection moment ushers us into a “next”—a new chapter, a new calling, a new opportunity. Rather than fearing the unknown, we are encouraged to embrace it with faith, creativity, and openness. The future is not something to dread, but a space where God’s promises unfold and where we are invited to thrive and make a difference. [47:10]
5. We Journey Together, Empowered by Christ’s Presence Discipleship is not a solo endeavor. Jesus promises to be with us always, and we are called to walk together as a community, supporting and encouraging one another. As we go into our families, workplaces, and neighborhoods, we do so with the assurance that God’s victory is ours, and that we are never alone on the journey. [56:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:10] - Easter Greetings and Opening Praise
[05:30] - Reflecting on the Journey: “Are We There Yet?”
[10:45] - When Life Feels Like the End
[15:20] - The Hope of Resurrection
[20:22] - The Women at the Tomb
[24:05] - The Resurrection: Not the End, But the Beginning
[30:17] - Recognizing the Gift of Shattered Expectations
[36:41] - Finding Jesus in Unexpected Places
[40:07] - Embracing Your “Next”
[47:10] - The Call to Go and Make Disciples
[54:09] - “Because He Lives” – Song and Reflection
[56:52] - Invitation to New Life and Prayer
[73:49] - Announcements and Fellowship
[79:58] - Closing Song: “Victory in Jesus” and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20 (NIV) — (The story of the women at the tomb, the angel’s message, and the Great Commission)

Observation Questions

What did the women expect to find when they went to the tomb, and what did they actually experience? (Matthew 28:1-6)
What instructions did the angel give to the women after they discovered the empty tomb? (Matthew 28:7)
How did the women feel as they left the tomb, and what did they do next? (Matthew 28:8)
According to the sermon, what is the significance of the word “go” in the resurrection story? [[24:05]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose to reveal the resurrection first to women who were grieving and not to the disciples or religious leaders? What does this say about how God meets us in our brokenness? [[24:05]]
The women left the tomb with both fear and great joy. What does it mean to live in the “tension” of fear and joy as a follower of Jesus? [[40:07]]
The angel and Jesus both tell the women and disciples to “go.” Why is it important that the resurrection leads to action and not just celebration? [[24:05]]
Jesus promises to be with his followers “to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). How does this promise shape the way we face the unknown or our “next” steps in life? [[56:52]]

Application Questions

The sermon said, “What looks like the end is, in fact, a new beginning.” Can you think of a time in your life when you thought something was over, but God brought something new out of it? How did you respond? [[24:05]]
The women found Jesus in an unexpected place. Where in your life right now do you need to look for God’s presence in a place or situation you wouldn’t normally expect? [[36:41]]
The women left the tomb with both fear and joy. Is there an area of your life where you feel both afraid and hopeful about the future? How can you invite God into that tension this week? [[40:07]]
The sermon challenged us to “embrace the next” God has for us, not to fear it. What is one “next” step you sense God calling you to take, even if it feels uncertain or scary? [[47:10]]
Jesus calls us to “go and make disciples.” Who is one person in your life you can encourage or share your faith with this week? What might that look like? [[47:10]]
The pastor reminded us that we don’t journey alone—Jesus is with us, and we have each other. How can you support someone in your small group or church family who might be struggling right now? [[56:52]]
The resurrection means we can face tomorrow with hope. What is one practical way you can remind yourself of this hope when you feel discouraged or overwhelmed? [[54:09]]

Sermon Clips

the resurrection of jesus reminds us that death is not the end it is not where we arrive jesus was raised and there is more to the story after the sabbath day the scripture says that our dawn on the first day of the week mary magdalene and the other mary went to look at the tomb there was a violent earthquake because the king of kings an angel of the lord came and from heaven and going to the tomb rolled back the stone and did what and sat on it the appearance of the angel was like lightning like ruth read for us believe for this morning and his clothes were as white as snow i wanted to have a very white white dress but my my my whiteness is not as white as the color of the angel the angel's color was as white as snow the gods were so much afraid is is is Thank you. [00:24:05] (84 seconds) Edit Clip

through the resurrection of jesus there is new life and eternal life beyond the here and the now and this is our source of hope even for the most painful parts of our life [00:27:27] (23 seconds) Edit Clip

today what we are going to grasp today is this that the death and the resurrection is the climax of christianity the death and the resurrection is the final of christianity without the death and the resurrection of jesus then you and i will not be here without the death and the resurrection of jesus when we lose our loved ones we have no hope because jesus was the first fruit of the resurrection and if he lives and he rose again then even though this life is not the end there is an afterlife that is the hope of the resurrection do i have witness at all this morning you [00:28:56] (53 seconds) Edit Clip

sometimes god is in the places we least expected him sometimes we will find jesus in the vulnerable among us sometimes we will find jesus in that little child that has special need you will find jesus in that child sometimes we will find jesus in the places we least expected jesus to be sometimes we will find jesus in that son or daughter that has gone away and that has gone away from home sometimes we will find jesus in the least so so so so so [00:37:26] (50 seconds) Edit Clip

the resurrection of this great fruit story is the beginning of a new chapter the women left the tomb with fear and great joy into their next chapter they hurried afraid and filled with joy this is the the call of the call of the believer to live in tension in this beautiful tension that we are called to live both in doubt and joy this morning if you came to church this morning and you are wearing so sure of this easter that we are celebrating this morning if you you feel like the level of your faith is going down god got you because when god sent the people to go he said go you are afraid but go with joy [00:40:17] (64 seconds) Edit Clip

the fear is there the anxiety is there and god and god bears your fears and your anxiety the fact that sometimes you don't believe the fact that sometimes you are so much afraid of even what god can do in your life does not mean you are a christian you are still a child of god the the life of the life of the believer is to live within the tension of both the fear and the joy live within the tension of asking god to go ahead of us and even though sometimes we don't know how tomorrow will will come we don't know how the next day will work out we don't know how things will work out in the future we know who holds the future we know we have a god who never fails we know we have god that is the call of the believer embrace your next when jesus calls us at the resurrection he's not just calling us to enjoy is calling us to go and [00:41:22] (67 seconds) Edit Clip

do i have some young people in the congregation today your next is not drifting your next is i i think this is a new language for young people your next is to be dripping with the love of jesus your next is to be dripping with joy and peace your next is to walk in the power of the lord hallelujah that is the story of easter and the good news is this that you don't have to do this alone you don't have to be a disciple alone when you set out again to go to the place god has called you don't have to be do it alone god promised to be with us he said behold i will be with you even to the end of the age you don't have to do this alone god said i will hold your back god said i will be with you even to the end of the age you don't have to do this discipleship life alone there are believers that god said in community we can be together amen [00:50:59] (84 seconds) Edit Clip

guess what the life of the believer is a life of victory amen you are going into your next as we go to the places god has called us into our families into our work spaces into our day -to -day life as we set out again please know that god has already given you victory amen if he raised up jesus from the dead then you are rising again say i am rising again or say i am rising again and i have victory in jesus amen please lift up your hands towards heaven let us receive blessing from above and now may the lord of all hosts unto him that is able to keep us blameless unto him that has granted us victory may the god of heaven give us victory on every side may the grace of our lord jesus christ the love of the living god and the seed fellowship of god's holy spirit in this spring and in this year the year i heard may he grant us perfect peace in jesus name amen shalom peace and love to you oh we love you thank you so much for coming out amen please we are all going to the long let's have fellowship time church is done fellowship begins amen amen [01:21:48] (112 seconds) Edit Clip

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