Generational Covenant: Embracing Resurrection and Hope

Devotional

Day 1: The New Covenant—God’s Invitation to Family

God’s covenant through Jesus is not just an individual promise but an invitation for families, generations, and entire communities to be brought into His kingdom. Through the broken body and shed blood of Jesus, we are welcomed from orphanhood and wandering into the family of God, receiving an eternal inheritance and a place prepared for us. This covenant is a multi-generational embrace, extending God’s grace, forgiveness, and love to parents, children, and all who come in faith, restoring us to the fullness of belonging and purpose in Him. [33:25]

Luke 22:14-20 (ESV)
And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

Reflection: Who in your family or extended circle needs to experience the embrace of God’s covenant love today, and how can you intentionally include or pray for them as part of God’s family?

Day 2: Resurrection Hope—Jesus Turns Grief into Joy

When all seemed lost and grief overwhelmed the disciples, Jesus’ resurrection shattered the finality of death and brought hope where there was only despair. Mary Magdalene’s encounter at the empty tomb shows that even in our darkest moments, Jesus calls us by name, opening our eyes to His living presence and transforming our sorrow into joy. The resurrection is God’s answer to our deepest pain, assuring us that no situation is beyond His power to redeem and restore. [01:01:07]

John 20:1-18 (ESV)
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 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. Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

Reflection: In what area of your life are you experiencing grief or disappointment, and how might you listen for Jesus calling your name and bringing resurrection hope into that place?

Day 3: God’s Power Pattern—Death and Resurrection

God’s way is not always what we expect; He works through a pattern of death and resurrection, bringing life out of what seems lost or hopeless. Just as a seed must fall into the ground and die to bear fruit, so too must our dreams, plans, or even seasons of suffering be surrendered so that God’s greater purpose and harvest can emerge. This pattern is woven through all of Scripture and our lives, reminding us that no trial or loss is wasted when entrusted to God’s redeeming hands. [01:23:47]

John 12:24 (ESV)
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you sense God asking you to let go or surrender, trusting that He will bring new life and fruit from what feels like an ending?

Day 4: Enduring in the Valley—Don’t Quit Before the Harvest

Seasons of delay, disappointment, or apparent failure are not the end of God’s story for you; they are often the soil in which He plants seeds for a future harvest. Whether it’s a broken dream, a prolonged struggle, or a time of waiting, God’s promise is that if you do not give up, He will bring life and fruit in His perfect timing. Even when you don’t understand, your perseverance and faith in the valley prepare you—and sometimes the next generation—to receive God’s blessing and breakthrough. [01:28:36]

Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV)
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

Reflection: Where are you tempted to give up or lose hope, and what would it look like to remain steadfast and trust God to bring a harvest from your perseverance?

Day 5: Living with Resurrection Hope—Grieving with Faith

Because Jesus conquered sin and death, we do not grieve as those without hope; our sorrow is mingled with the assurance that resurrection life is at work, both now and in eternity. Even in seasons of loss or waiting, we can rejoice and worship, knowing that God’s promises are sure and that one day every tear will be wiped away. This hope empowers us to endure, to celebrate God’s faithfulness, and to look forward to the day when we will be raised with Christ in glory. [01:38:17]

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (ESV)
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Reflection: How can you encourage someone who is grieving or struggling today by sharing the hope of resurrection and the promise of God’s faithfulness?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered as families to remember and participate in the covenant Jesus established through His body and blood. This covenant is not just an individual invitation, but a generational promise—God’s heart is for families, for tribes, for nations, and for all who would come to Him. Through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection, we are brought out of darkness and orphanhood into the family of God, with an eternal inheritance that cannot be taken away. As we took communion, we asked God to pour out His grace and love not just on us, but on our children and generations to come, believing that His covenant is for all who believe.

We then turned to John 20, where Mary Magdalene, once tormented and now set free by Jesus, comes to the tomb in grief, only to find it empty. The disciples, confused and heartbroken, struggle to understand what has happened. Yet, in the midst of their pain and confusion, Jesus reveals Himself to Mary with a single word—her name. In that moment, her eyes are opened, and she becomes the first witness to the resurrection, entrusted with the message that death has been defeated and new life has begun.

John’s account draws a powerful parallel between the first garden, where a woman’s choice led to death, and this garden, where a woman’s testimony brings life. The curse is reversed; the angels who once barred the way now invite us in. Jesus’ resurrection is not just a historical event, but the pattern God uses to bring life out of death, hope out of despair, and restoration out of brokenness. This pattern—death and resurrection—is woven through all of Scripture and through our own lives. God often allows dreams, visions, and even relationships to go through seasons of death, not to harm us, but to bring forth a greater harvest than we could imagine.

We heard stories of ordinary and extraordinary people who endured loss, disappointment, and even death, only to see God bring resurrection and fruitfulness in ways they never expected. Whether in dramatic moments or in the quiet obediences of daily life, God’s power is at work in the pattern of death and resurrection. Our call is not to avoid the valley, but to trust God in it, knowing that He is always working for our good and His glory. Because Jesus rose, we have hope that every seed sown in tears will be raised in joy, and that one day, we too will share in His resurrection life.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Covenant Is Generational and Communal God’s promises are not just for individuals, but for families and generations. When He makes a covenant, He includes everyone—moms, dads, children, grandparents, and beyond. This means our faith is never just about us; it’s about the legacy we leave and the spiritual inheritance we pass on. Our prayers and faithfulness today can shape the destinies of those who come after us. [33:25]
2. Resurrection Power Reverses the Curse John’s account of Mary Magdalene in the garden is a deliberate echo of Eden. Where the first woman’s choice led to death, now a woman’s faith and testimony bring life. The angels who once blocked the way now invite us in, showing that Jesus’ resurrection undoes the curse and opens the way to true life. God delights in using the least likely and the overlooked to display His glory and reverse what the enemy meant for harm. [79:27]
3. The Pattern of Death and Resurrection Is God’s Way Throughout Scripture and history, God works through a pattern: death, then resurrection. Whether it’s the death of a dream, a season of loss, or even literal death, God allows what seems hopeless so that He can bring forth a greater harvest. Our natural minds resist this pattern, but faith means trusting that God’s ways are higher and that every “burial” is a setup for new life. [83:47]
4. Obedience in the Valley Prepares the Way for Breakthrough Often, the most significant resurrections come after seasons of hidden, costly obedience. Sometimes this means letting go of status, comfort, or our own plans to follow God’s leading. The fruit of these choices may not be seen immediately, but God is always at work, and what we sow in faith—even in tears—will bear fruit in His time. [96:18]
5. Our Hope Is Anchored in Christ’s Resurrection Because Jesus conquered sin and death, we have a hope that transcends every loss and disappointment. Even as we grieve, we do not grieve as those without hope. The promise of resurrection is not just for the end of time, but for every area of our lives where we trust God to bring life out of death. One day, we will be raised with Him, and every tear will be wiped away. [98:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:25] - Communion as Families: The Covenant of God
[34:12] - The Power of Jesus’ Blood and Freedom
[35:44] - Welcoming the Family of God
[59:08] - Setting the Scene: Grief and Unmet Expectations
[61:07] - Mary Magdalene at the Tomb
[63:02] - John’s Unique Focus: The First Day of the Week
[64:24] - The Impossible Made Possible: The Stone Rolled Away
[67:11] - Peter and John at the Tomb: Faith and Evidence
[69:48] - The Significance of the Linen Wrappings
[77:34] - Mary Encounters the Risen Jesus
[79:27] - Two Gardens: Reversal of the Curse
[81:03] - God’s Power Pattern: Death and Resurrection
[83:47] - The Seed Must Die to Bear Fruit
[87:57] - Personal Testimony: God’s Faithfulness in Loss
[90:34] - Stories of Resurrection from History
[94:59] - Death and Resurrection in Everyday Obedience
[98:17] - The Hope of Our Resurrection
[100:08] - Worship and Response: Trusting God in the Valley
[102:10] - Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 20:1-18 (ESV) — - Luke 22:14-20 (ESV)
- John 12:24 (ESV)
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

Observation Questions

In John 20:1-18, what details does John include about Mary Magdalene’s encounter at the tomb that are unique or emphasized compared to the other disciples?
According to Luke 22:14-20, what did Jesus say about the bread and the cup during the Last Supper, and what did He call the cup?
In John 12:24, what does Jesus say must happen to a grain of wheat for it to bear fruit? How does this image connect to the resurrection story?
What role do angels play in both the story of the resurrection and in the original story of the Garden of Eden, as described in the sermon?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon draws a parallel between the first garden (Eden) and the garden of the resurrection. What is the significance of Mary Magdalene being the first witness to the resurrection, especially considering her past and her status in society?
The pattern of “death and resurrection” is described as God’s way of bringing life out of loss or disappointment. Why do you think God often allows things to “die” before bringing new life?
The sermon mentions that God’s covenant is generational and communal, not just individual. How does this understanding of covenant affect the way we pray for and relate to our families and future generations?
The disciples and Mary struggled to recognize the resurrection at first. What does this reveal about human expectations and God’s ways?

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized that God’s promises are for families and generations, not just individuals. What is one specific way you can pray for or bless your family or future generations this week?
Mary Magdalene was chosen as the first witness to the resurrection, even though she was overlooked by society. Is there someone in your life who is often overlooked or underestimated? How can you encourage or include them this week?
The pattern of death and resurrection can show up in our lives as the loss of a dream, a relationship, or a season of disappointment. Is there an area in your life right now that feels like it’s “in the ground”? How can you trust God to bring new life from it?
The sermon shared stories of both dramatic and quiet, everyday obedience leading to breakthrough. Can you think of a time when you obeyed God in a small or hidden way? What was the result, and how did it shape your faith?
Jesus’ resurrection gives us hope that every seed sown in tears will be raised in joy. Is there a loss or disappointment you are grieving right now? How can you invite God into that grief and trust Him for resurrection?
The sermon mentioned letting go of status, comfort, or personal plans to follow God’s leading. Is there something you sense God asking you to let go of, even if it’s costly? What would it look like to take a step of obedience this week?
The hope of resurrection is not just for the end of time, but for every area of our lives. Where do you need to anchor your hope in Christ’s resurrection power right now?

Sermon Clips

In the first garden, in the garden of Eden, a woman believed the lie of the serpent. In the second garden, though, a woman believed the truth of the Savior. In the first garden, a woman took fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. And in the second, here in the garden of the empty tomb, a woman took fruit from the tree of life. [01:19:43] (21 seconds) #GodsPowerPatternOfFaith

In the first garden, a woman gave to a man fruit that brought death. But here in the second garden of Jesus's resurrection, a woman gives to men a testimony that brings life. This is so cool. Do you remember after Adam and Eve had to leave the garden, angels blocked the entrance so they couldn't come back in. Now it's the reverse. Now angels invite them in to come and see where he lay. [01:20:05] (24 seconds) #CrossBearingPathToGlory

Jesus, by his resurrection, has caused a reversal of everything, the curse and the death that came in through the first garden. And I'm going to send you a previously demonized woman who nobody trusts, and she's going to be the one to tell you. Everything's upside down now. Isn't that amazing? [01:20:38] (22 seconds) #LifeEmergesFromFaithfulEndurance

If you want to follow me, you're going to have to take up your cross, and you're going to have to step into my pattern. You're going to have to step into my father's pattern because he has a way of doing these things that man and woman cannot come up with because your thoughts are not my thoughts and your ways are not my ways. My thoughts and my ways are much higher than yours. [01:22:32] (24 seconds) #GodsWordBearsFruitInevitably

Every man and woman of faith has to go through the pattern of death and resurrection. There's no way around it. We don't get out of it. We don't like it. We like the resurrection part, but see, there's no resurrection without a death. There's no glory of God in resurrection until there's a sacrifice where a seed gets put in the ground. That's just God's way. [01:26:14] (21 seconds) #TrustingGodsTimingInDelay

This death-resurrection pattern shows up not only in dramatic ways, but also in the quiet obediences of ordinary life. 2 Corinthians 4:10 says, we're always carrying in the body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus might also be manifested. And often this looks like letting something precious die in order for God's greater purpose in life to manifest. [01:34:30] (30 seconds) #GloriousHopeInResurrection

``Because he has been raised, we will be raised. And because he has a glorified resurrection body, guess what? One day you're going to shed this earthly body, this shell, and you're going to take on his resurrection form. It's a glorified body that will never die. He'll wipe away every tear from your eyes. This is the glorious hope that we have because Jesus conquered sin and death. [01:38:36] (26 seconds)

We grieve, but we don't grieve those who have no hope because of the resurrection of Jesus. We grieve and we cry tears over the seed that's been sown and we water it with our tears. And then God gives the increase. God gives the resurrection. God brings life out of death and he does it his own way. Not what we expect, but what he, what he's determined in his own wisdom. I'm so thankful. [01:42:21] (27 seconds)

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