For He Is Risen | Pastor Waldron

Nov 09, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: The Resurrection of Jesus: The Foundation of Our Faith

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pivotal event in all of human history, the message that the apostles spread throughout the world, and the foundation of our hope. The empty tomb stands as undeniable evidence that Jesus conquered death, never to die again, and that He is unique among all figures in history—God manifest in the flesh, sinless and victorious. Because He lives, the power of death is broken, and the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is available to all who believe, offering new life and the hope of eternal resurrection. [07:40]

Matthew 28:1-7 (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.”

Reflection: What does the empty tomb mean to you personally, and how does the reality of Jesus’ resurrection shape the way you face fear, doubt, or uncertainty today?

Day 2: The Power of the Resurrection: New Life for All

The resurrection is not just a historical fact but a present reality that offers transformation to every person. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now comes to live inside believers, reanimating our dead spirits and making us new creatures in Christ. This is the hope of glory: Christ in you. No matter your past or how good you think you are, all have sinned and need this resurrection power. Jesus is the only way to escape death and receive eternal life, and He desires that everyone would come to repentance and be saved. [10:30]

Romans 8:11 (ESV)
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to experience the resurrection power of Jesus today, and how can you invite His Spirit to bring new life to that place?

Day 3: The Message of the Apostles: Witnesses of the Risen Christ

From the earliest days of the church, the apostles boldly proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus as the heart of the gospel. They were eyewitnesses, willing to face persecution and even death because they knew Jesus was alive. This message was not just for their time but is still the hope for all people—Jew, Gentile, every nation. The resurrection is the proof that Jesus is the Savior, and through Him, we can be forgiven, set free from sin, and empowered to live in holiness. [15:10]

Acts 2:23-24, 32 (ESV)
This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of the resurrection, and how can you share your witness of Jesus’ power and love with them this week?

Day 4: Responding to God’s Call: Yielding, Not Resisting

God is drawing every person to Himself, but pride and resistance can keep us from responding to His Spirit. The call to salvation is personal and urgent—today is the day of salvation, and tomorrow is not promised. Yielding to God’s Spirit brings true freedom and blessing, while resisting hardens the heart. Each of us must choose to humble ourselves, surrender, and follow Jesus, regardless of what others around us do. [22:54]

2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV)
For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Reflection: Is there an area where you have been resisting God’s prompting? What would it look like to yield to Him today, even if no one else around you does?

Day 5: The Resurrection: The Seal of Our Salvation and Hope

The resurrection of Jesus is the seal that His sacrifice was accepted and that our faith is not in vain. Without the resurrection, there is no hope, no forgiveness, and no future. But because Jesus is risen, we can be confident that our sins are forgiven, our old life is gone, and we have the promise of eternal life with Him. This is the message we carry to the world: Jesus is alive, and through Him, anyone can be made new. [42:11]

1 Corinthians 15:13-17 (ESV)
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

Reflection: How does the assurance of Jesus’ resurrection give you hope for your future, and how can you live today in the confidence that your faith is not in vain?

Sermon Summary

Matthew 28 tells us of the dawn of the first day of the week, when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the tomb and found it empty. The angel’s words, “He is not here, for he is risen,” remain the most pivotal declaration in all of human history. The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event, but the very foundation of our hope, our faith, and our new life. Unlike any other figure in history, Jesus was sinless—death had no claim on Him. He did not simply return from the dead to die again, as others had, but rose never to die again, breaking the power of death for all who believe.

The empty tomb is not just a symbol; it is a reality that has never been refuted. No one has ever produced the body of Jesus. The resurrection is the message that the apostles carried to the ends of the earth, and it remains the message that transforms lives today. Through Adam’s sin, death entered the world, but through Christ’s resurrection, the power of death is broken. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us, to reanimate our dead spirits, to make us new creatures, and to give us the hope of eternal life.

Salvation is not about being good or religious; it is about humbling ourselves, admitting our need, and receiving the life that only Jesus can give. Pride and ignorance are the two great barriers that keep people from coming to Christ. God is drawing every person, but we must yield, not resist, the Spirit’s call. The resurrection is not just a doctrine to be believed, but a power to be experienced. It is the seal that the sacrifice of Calvary was accepted, and it is the promise that we, too, can walk in newness of life.

This is not a message to be hidden or reserved for a select few. It is for every person—regardless of background, religion, or past. The resurrection is the hope of the world, the answer to the sin problem, and the invitation to every heart. Let us not delay, not resist, but respond today to the risen Christ, and carry this message to all who need to hear.

Key Takeaways

1. The Resurrection Breaks the Power of Death Jesus’ resurrection was unique because He rose never to die again, breaking the power of death for all who believe. Death entered through Adam’s sin, but Christ’s victory means that death no longer has the final word. This is not just a future hope, but a present reality for those who receive His Spirit, as we are made alive in Him and set free from the fear and bondage of death. [05:44]
2. Salvation Requires Humility, Not Just Goodness Being a good or religious person is not enough; salvation requires us to humble ourselves, admit our sin, and receive Christ’s gift. Pride and ignorance are the main barriers that keep people from responding to God’s call. True spiritual life begins when we lay down our self-sufficiency and let Christ’s resurrection power transform us from within. [20:21]
3. Yielding to the Spirit Is Essential God draws every person, but He does not force Himself upon us. We must yield to the Spirit’s prompting, not resist or delay. The more we resist, the easier it becomes to harden our hearts. Spiritual maturity is marked by a willingness to surrender, regardless of what others do, and to follow God’s leading above all else. [24:47]
4. The Resurrection Is the Seal of Our Faith Without the resurrection, even the cross would be in vain. The resurrection is the seal that Christ’s sacrifice was accepted and that our faith is not empty. It is the foundation of our hope, the assurance of forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life. This truth must remain central in our hearts and in the message we share with the world. [41:30]
5. The Message Is for Everyone, Everywhere The resurrection is not a private truth, but the hope of all humanity. God desires every person—regardless of background or past—to be saved and transformed by this message. We are called to share this good news boldly, trusting that the same Spirit who raised Jesus will work in the hearts of those who hear. [12:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - The Women at the Tomb
[01:06] - The Angel’s Announcement
[01:43] - The Message That Changed History
[02:18] - Prayer for the Word to Take Root
[02:58] - The Empty Tomb: Evidence and Meaning
[04:19] - The Uniqueness of Jesus’ Resurrection
[05:44] - Death Defeated Once and for All
[07:05] - Jesus: The Sinless God-Man
[08:28] - The Universal Need for Salvation
[09:48] - The Power of the Resurrection for Us
[11:11] - The Spirit of Resurrection in Believers
[13:09] - The Apostolic Message Spreads
[17:44] - Old Testament Prophecy Fulfilled
[20:21] - Pride and Ignorance: Barriers to Grace
[24:47] - The Danger of Resisting the Spirit
[29:58] - Spiritual Maturity and Personal Surrender
[31:56] - The Resurrection: A Personal Application
[35:15] - Witnesses and the Power of Holiness
[41:30] - The Resurrection: The Seal of Salvation
[43:28] - Responding to the Risen Christ

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Power and Hope of the Resurrection

Bible Reading

Matthew 28:1-7 (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.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 13-17 (ESV)
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me...
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

Observation Questions

What did the angel say to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary when they arrived at the tomb? (Matthew 28:5-6)
According to 1 Corinthians 15, who were some of the people that Jesus appeared to after His resurrection?
In the sermon, what reasons were given for why Jesus’ resurrection was unique compared to others who had been raised from the dead? [05:44]
What evidence did the sermon mention that supports the reality of the empty tomb? [16:26]

Interpretation Questions

The angel’s words, “He is not here, for he is risen,” are called the most pivotal declaration in human history. Why is this statement so central to the Christian faith? [01:43]
The sermon says that Jesus’ resurrection broke the power of death for all who believe. What does it mean for death to “no longer have the final word” in a believer’s life? [05:44]
The message of the resurrection was not just for the apostles, but for everyone. Why do you think the apostles were so bold in sharing this message, even at great personal risk? [13:09]
The sermon mentions that pride and ignorance are the two main barriers to salvation. How do these barriers keep people from experiencing the power of the resurrection? [20:21]

Application Questions

The sermon says that salvation is not about being good or religious, but about humbling ourselves and admitting our need for Jesus. Is there an area in your life where pride or self-sufficiency is keeping you from fully surrendering to Christ? What would it look like to lay that down this week? [20:21]
The resurrection is described as a present reality, not just a future hope. In what ways do you need to experience the power of the resurrection in your daily life right now? Is there a specific struggle or fear where you need to trust Jesus’ victory over death? [05:44]
The sermon challenges us not to resist the Spirit’s call. Can you think of a time when you felt God prompting you to respond, but you hesitated or delayed? What made it hard to yield, and what could help you respond more quickly in the future? [24:47]
The message of the resurrection is for everyone, regardless of background or past. Is there someone in your life who needs to hear this hope? What is one practical step you can take this week to share the message of Jesus’ resurrection with them? [12:30]
The sermon says that spiritual maturity is marked by a willingness to surrender, even if others around us do not. Are you tempted to base your response to God on what others are doing? How can you focus on following God’s leading personally, regardless of the crowd? [29:58]
The resurrection is the seal that Christ’s sacrifice was accepted and that our faith is not empty. How does this truth affect your confidence in God’s forgiveness and your hope for eternal life? [41:30]
The empty tomb is a reality that has never been refuted. How does this historical fact strengthen your faith, and how might you use it in conversations with those who doubt? [16:26]

Sermon Clips

“Jesus rose from the dead. When you're in the Holy Land, there's a couple of different spots that they'll take you and say this is where the tomb of Jesus was. And one of the spots certainly looks like it's the place of the skull. Uh most scholars would say that's not it. But boy, if it's not it, it sure looks like it. But the one thing we do have, we have a missing body. There is no one who has ever said in those days or this day and said, "Well, we've got the body of Jesus." And because the body of Jesus, Jesus rose from the dead.”

“There was Roman soldiers that were guarding it. The tomb had been sealed. There was extremely heavy rock in front of it. Tons of rock, one rock in front of it. The tomb was reserved for the very wealthy. It was Joseph Arythea's tomb who also waited for the kingdom of God. And so, um, at some point during the night of that Saturday night before sunrise, the man Christ Jesus, spirit of God, reanimated that body of clay that had never sinned.”

“What was making this unique is that he was going to rise from the dead, never again to die. This was what made it unique. It wasn't just being raised from the dead. It was a resurrection. It meant he was never going to die again. And so, angel moves away the stone and out comes Jesus. The Roman soldiers are fainted because of the angel and the things surrounding it. And Jesus is now out of the grave. He's never going back.”

“He came the first time in weakness. He's coming the second time in strength. Came the first time in suffering. And he comes the second time in victory. And so Jesus is out of the tomb. He's gone from the tomb. There is an empty tomb in Jerusalem again as we mentioned to this day. And so Jesus is unique. He is the God man. He is the sinless God man. He is absolutely uh unique of all figures in human history.”

“He was God manifest in the flesh. He was the father in flesh. He was the logos in flesh. And so when Jesus came out of that tomb, what this symbolized is Jesus because he had never sinned, sin entered the world um through Adam's disobedience and transgression and death by sin. And so the sting of death is the law. So when Adam sinned, death came rushing into the world. Not just for humanity but the entire planet.”

“This is the reason the Bible says in Romans 8, the entire creation groans and travails together until now waiting for the redemption of the sons of God. You and I who have Messiah, the risen Messiah comes to live on the inside of us. Amen. Christ in you, the hope of glory. Amen. And so the risen Messiah comes and it reanimates our dead spirit. We're all dead in trespasses and sins.”

“All it takes to go to hell is to be born, live, and live a great life and be nice to everybody. Yes. And you go to hell because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. I don't discount being nice to people and and all of these type things. But some people say that's even subtleness that in a way some people do that in a way of pride to say, "Well, I don't need Jesus. I can make it into heaven some other way."”

“The only escape from hell, the only get out of hell free cart is Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the father except through him. There's one God, one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. So we looking at this incredible event. Jesus had never sinned but yet he got killed. 1 Corinthians 2 tells us whom the the princes of this world would have known. They would have never crucified the Lord of glory.”

“And because he died for us, as we were singing about what a mighty God we serve, he's fighting for us. Because he died for us. Well, then the power of death has been broken. Satan had held people captive for about 4,000 years through the power of death. And because of sin, the whole creation, the whole world was just in a total mess. And Jesus broke that. And now the power of the resurrection is on every person.”

“Everybody can be resurrected to walk in the newness of life. The same spirit that raised Jesus' body from the dead now can come and live on the inside of us. We can be again resurrected personally as a new creature in Christ. And then ultimately either if we're in the grave when Jesus comes or if we're walking around then we go to meet him in the air and when we see him we shall be like him.”

“This is our goal of life. This is our mission of life. Whether you're in the ministry or whether you're so-called not in the ministry, whatever the case is, that the key to life is we want everybody to be saved. We don't just hide this coin in a corner. We don't hide this bushel under, you know, this light under a bushel. We don't just hide it somewhere. But we want everybody to be saved. It is the will of God for everybody to be saved.”

“God's will that any should perish, but all should come to repentance. And so, because of this, we've got the keys to death and hell. And we can see people unlocked out of hell and taken into the kingdom of darkness, excuse me, the kingdom of light from the kingdom of darkness. They are delivered from the kingdom of darkness, translated into the kingdom of his dear son. And so I am so thankful that God has given this in a sense this power unto men that we can share the truth of God.”

“He wants every Hindu. He wants every Muslim. He wants every Buddhist. He wants every person of every other ilk, whatever they are, whether good person or religious person or false religious person or whatever, he wants everybody to be saved. And so this is really what the resurrection of Jesus Christ is all about. And this is the message the apostles spread all over the world. We need to keep our focus on the message, the message of the resurrection of Jesus.”

“Now, the Jews were expecting a Messiah to come and to deliver them from Roman yoke. Well, it was something far greater than that. It wasn't just the Romans. He came to deliver us from our sins, from the devil, from ultimate enemies. God did something far greater than delivering from a Roman yoke. And so in Acts chapter 2, beginning in verse 23 talking about Jesus, this is Peter with the 11 beside him and he's up preaching to the assembled crowd of thousands without a microphone.”

“He said, "Him, Jesus, being delivered by the determined counsel and fornowledge of God, you have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain." He's like, he didn't give them any whatever. He's like, this was a bad thing you did. And then verse 24, whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that he should be holding of it. Why? because only because of sin is their death. And so you had a sinless one that was perfect in every thought, every deed, everything that he ever did.”

“And he didn't deserve to die. So this is the reason it was not possible for death to because death was looking for something, but he couldn't find it in Jesus because there was nothing to grab hold of. He was perfectly sinless. And so then when we go to Acts 2:32, Acts 2:33, it says this, "Jesus have God raised up whereof we are all witnesses." And we're going to look at that in just a moment.”

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