Rediscovering the Power of the Resurrection

Devotional

Day 1: The Empty Tomb—Foundation of Our Faith

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the bedrock of the Christian faith, the event upon which everything else stands or falls. Without the empty tomb, there is no gospel, no hope, and no reason for the church to exist. The reality that Jesus rose from the dead is not just a story for Easter Sunday, but a truth that must be proclaimed and believed every day, for it is the source of our new life and the anchor of our hope. Let your faith be rekindled by the unchanging fact that the tomb is empty and Christ is alive. [39:11]

John 20:1-10 (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.

Reflection: How does the reality of the empty tomb shape your confidence and hope today, especially in the face of doubt or discouragement?

Day 2: The Gospel—God’s Message of Love and Life

The gospel is the good news that God loves us so much He sent His Son to die a sinner’s death, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. This message is not to be diluted or replaced by worldly wisdom, status, or prosperity. The gospel alone is the main ingredient of our faith, and when it is missing, our faith loses its true identity and power. Return to the simplicity and power of the gospel, letting it define your life and your church. [44:47]

John 3:16 (ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Reflection: In what ways have you allowed other priorities or messages to overshadow the simple truth of the gospel in your life?

Day 3: Faith Can Be Forged or Corrupted

Faith is not static; it can be forged strong through the gospel or corrupted by pride, status, and self-reliance. When we become too focused on our own achievements, education, or prosperity, we risk losing the childlike trust that the gospel calls us to. True faith is humble, dependent, and rooted in Christ’s finished work, not in our own accomplishments. Examine your heart and let God reforge your faith in Him alone. [48:47]

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (ESV)
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Reflection: What is one area where you have relied on your own strength or status instead of trusting in the power of God?

Day 4: Stop Looking for the Living Among the Dead

Many seek Jesus in the wrong places—status, prosperity, education, or worldly success—but He is not found among the dead things of this world. To encounter the risen Christ, you must look for Him among the living, in the community of faith, in acts of love, and in the power of His Spirit. Let go of searching for life in empty places and seek Jesus where He truly is—alive and active among His people. [54:08]

Luke 24:5-6 (ESV)
And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.”

Reflection: Where are you tempted to look for meaning or fulfillment apart from the living Christ, and how can you turn your focus back to Him today?

Day 5: Rekindling Faith—Return to the Heart of Worship

When we strip away titles, education, prosperity, and status, and focus on who God is and what He has done in Jesus Christ, we become candidates for a reignited faith. God calls us to forget ourselves and return to the heart of worship, where our faith is reforged in the presence of the risen Lord. Today, let your faith be rekindled by remembering the gospel and seeking Jesus above all else. [50:42]

Psalm 51:10-12 (ESV)
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can set aside distractions and return to the heart of worship, allowing God to rekindle your faith this week?

Sermon Summary

On this Resurrection Sunday, the focus turns to the very foundation of Christian faith: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Everything about the church—its identity, its mission, its hope—rests on this gospel truth. Yet, in a world overflowing with information and distractions, many have lost sight of this core message. The church, once a force for liberation, justice, and transformation, has in many ways drifted from its roots. As society has advanced in education, prosperity, and status, there’s been a subtle shift: faith has been replaced by self-sufficiency, and the gospel has been diluted or even neglected. The result is a faith that is often forged by culture and convenience, rather than by the living Christ.

The call is to return to the simplicity and power of the gospel. The empty tomb is not just a historical claim, but a living reality that must be proclaimed again and again. In a time when skepticism is rampant and the resurrection is dismissed as myth or fairy tale, it is vital to remind ourselves and others that Jesus is alive. The same doubts that plagued the first witnesses—questions about the empty tomb, accusations of confusion—are still present today. But the truth remains: the women did not go to the wrong tomb, and the living Christ is not to be found among the dead things of this world.

To find Jesus, one must look beyond titles, achievements, and material success. He is not discovered in prosperity, status, or education, but among those who are alive in faith. The invitation is to lay aside distractions and rediscover the risen Lord, to allow faith to be reforged and reignited by the reality of the resurrection. This is not just a call for new believers, but for all who have grown weary or complacent. The gospel is still the power of God for salvation, and it is time to let it shape our faith anew.

Key Takeaways

1. The resurrection of Jesus is the unshakable foundation of Christian faith, and everything else in the church flows from this truth. When the gospel is neglected or replaced with lesser messages, the church loses its identity and power. The call is to keep the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ at the center of all we believe and do. [43:05]
2. Throughout history, the church has been a catalyst for profound change—liberation from slavery, the birth of the civil rights movement, and more—because it was rooted in the gospel. When the church forgets its foundation and becomes entangled with worldly pursuits, it loses its prophetic voice and transformative power. We must remember where our strength and mission come from. [46:38]
3. Prosperity, education, and status can subtly erode genuine faith, leading to a “forged” or counterfeit faith that is more about self than about Christ. True faith is not measured by what we achieve or possess, but by our dependence on the living God and our embrace of the simple, powerful truths of the gospel. [48:47]
4. The empty tomb is not just a story to be told once a year, but a reality that must be proclaimed continually. In a world filled with skepticism and misinformation, it is essential to remind ourselves and others that Jesus is alive, and that this changes everything. Faith is strengthened by hearing and believing this truth again and again. [52:11]
5. To encounter the risen Christ, we must look beyond the dead things of this world—status, wealth, titles—and seek Him among the living. Jesus is found where faith is alive, where hearts are open, and where the gospel is cherished above all else. The invitation is to lay aside distractions and rediscover the living Lord in the midst of His people. [54:30]
** [54:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[39:11] - Introduction: A Different Kind of Resurrection Teaching
[39:31] - Reading John 20:1-10
[40:01] - Mary Magdalene’s Discovery and the Disciples’ Response
[41:17] - Theme: A Forged Faith
[42:47] - The Resurrection as the Bedrock of Faith
[43:27] - The Centrality of the Gospel Message
[45:12] - The Church’s Changing Identity Through History
[46:38] - The Church’s Role in Liberation and Justice
[48:08] - The Rise of Careerism and Corrupt Faith
[49:33] - The Decline of Faith Amidst Prosperity and Education
[50:07] - Rekindling Faith in the Gospel
[51:18] - Wrestling with Modern Faith and Doubt
[52:11] - The Importance of the Empty Tomb
[53:50] - Looking for the Living Among the Living
[54:30] - Where to Find Jesus Today

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 20:1-10 — (The account of Mary Magdalene discovering the empty tomb and the disciples’ response.)

Observation Questions

According to John 20:1-10, what did Mary Magdalene find when she arrived at the tomb early in the morning? What was her immediate reaction?
How did Peter and the other disciple respond when they heard Mary’s report about the empty tomb? What did they see when they arrived?
In the sermon, the pastor says, “everything about the church—its identity, its mission, its hope—rests on this gospel truth” of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. What examples did he give of how the church’s identity has changed over time? [[46:05]]
The sermon mentions that some people today think the resurrection is just a fairy tale or that the women went to the wrong tomb. What reasons does the pastor give to challenge these doubts? [[53:17]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does the pastor emphasize that the resurrection is not just a story to be told once a year, but a reality to be proclaimed continually? What does this mean for the church today? [[52:11]]
The sermon talks about how prosperity, education, and status can lead to a “forged” or counterfeit faith. In what ways can these things distract believers from the core message of the gospel? [[48:47]]
The pastor says, “To find Jesus, one must look beyond titles, achievements, and material success.” What does it look like to seek Jesus “among the living” rather than “among the dead things of this world”? [[54:30]]
The pastor mentions that the church has lost its prophetic voice and transformative power when it becomes entangled with worldly pursuits. What does it mean for the church to regain its strength and mission? [[46:38]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to “lay aside distractions and rediscover the risen Lord.” What are some specific distractions in your life right now that might be keeping you from focusing on Jesus? How can you set them aside this week? [[50:23]]
Have you ever found yourself measuring your faith by your achievements, education, or status? What would it look like to measure your faith by your dependence on the living Christ instead? [[48:47]]
The pastor says that faith can be “forged by culture and convenience, rather than by the living Christ.” Can you think of a time when your faith was shaped more by what was comfortable or popular than by the gospel? How did you recognize it, and what did you do? [[48:47]]
The empty tomb is described as a “living reality.” How can you remind yourself and others that Jesus is alive, especially when facing skepticism or doubt? [[52:11]]
The church has historically been a force for liberation and justice when rooted in the gospel. Are there ways you feel called to be part of God’s work for justice or transformation in your community? What is one step you could take this month? [[46:38]]
The sermon invites everyone, not just new believers, to have their faith “reforged and reignited.” Is there an area of your faith that feels weary or complacent? What would it look like to invite God to reignite that area? [[51:01]]
The pastor says, “Jesus is found where faith is alive, where hearts are open, and where the gospel is cherished above all else.” Who in your life models this kind of living faith? How can you learn from their example this week? [[54:30]]

Sermon Clips

If there is anyone who believes that what I'm about to say is strange, it's the new believer in Christ. If you've been around church for any length of time, you know that this story is the bedrock foundation of the Christian faith. That simply means everything about the church church rest on the death, the burial and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This truth, this fact is so paramount to the Christian faith that there was once upon a time that the preaching of the gospel message was not called preaching unless it mentioned in some way or another the death, the burial, and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:42:35]

It is this gospel message that has propelled the church to where it is to be who it is and to be what it is. If this gospel message it is this gospel me message out of which our faith is born. The question for us this morning on this resurrection Sunday 2025 is if this message is the foundation of our faith and we believe it, why are so many so faithless? I could say that some are faithless because of the absence of the gospel message in our preaching. [00:43:50]

I could say that some are faithless because of the information that is so readily available that seeks to discredit the gospel message. And let me say right here parathetically that the word gospel comes from the word that means God's spell. Yes, it conotes that God's message to us is that he loves us so much that he sent his son to die a sinner's death that whosoever would believe in him would not perish should not perish but have everlasting life. That is the gospel. Nothing more, nothing less. [00:44:27]

There's a lot of preaching today that does not include the gospel message. This has become a more prevalent approach to the preaching of God's word. And just as with anything you prepare without the main ingredient, it soon it soon assumes a new identity. church today does not have the same identity that it had when it landed on the shores of Africa. When John Mark took the gospel from Jerusalem to Africa, it had a different identity then that it has today. [00:45:18]

Church does not have the same identity that it had when it gave birth to the Alexandrian Library. A library that served as the cornerstone for many great civilizations for many centuries. Yes, even including Rome. The church does not have the same identity today that it had when it gave birth to the Roman papacy. Church does not have the same identity today that it had when it gave birth to the Reformation. [00:46:02]

church does not have the same identity today that it had when it opened the doors of freedom from the transatlantic slave trade that enslaved millions of Africans for over 400 years. And out of that cry of the church came a voice crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord. Amen. And God would raise up preachers and prophets in his church that would go before the kings of this world with a degra with a divine cry saying, "Let my people go." [00:46:31]

The church does not have the same identity that it had in the days of racism when she birthed the devotees of the civil rights movement to carry its message to the streets of America and the halls of Congress into the seat of power of the Oval Office with an eloquent c with an eloquent and divine cry saying do unto others as you would have others to do unto you. And as soon as the church did the heavy lifting and God set his people free, we began to enjoy the benefits of being free. [00:47:10]

We enjoyed the benefits of voting. We enjoyed the benefits of being educated. We enjoyed the benefits of the house of housing and the benefits of being respected as human beings. created in the image of God. When we got these benefits, it was not long before the church began to be hijacked by career seekers. Come on. Come on. Instead of the called seeker, that is we sought to be as an equal so bad we wanted to prove ourselves by taking on a model of the world so that we could feel as if we earned our right to be seated at the table of opportunity and prosperity. [00:47:44]

As this phenomenon grew, so did the forging of a corrupt faith. A corrupt faith began to be born when we got too smart. When we got too educated to believe in the simple truths of the words word of God. The more bank accounts grew, the less faith grew. Lord, the more educated we got, the less faith grew. Come on. I know that there are those out there who are saying, "Oh, he's just a preacher in a small country church. He don't know what he's talking about." But I know how to read. I know how to do research. [00:48:33]

Had to do many of much of it. And I do know how to add one and one together to get two. It don't take a rocket science to know that with the thousands upon thousands of dollars that's spent in seminary training thinking that we can serve, promote, and make the church progress, but yet there is a declining membership of the church for decades upon decades. That's right. That's right. Now, they don't it don't take a rocket scientist to see that we've gotten too big for the gospel message. Gotten too smart for the gospel message. [00:49:13]

As a result, the door of faith that brought us into the church is the same door of faith that has led people out of the church. My goal with you this morning on this resurrection Sunday is an effort to rekindle our faith in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes. And if I can just for a moment to to get you to forget about your title, forget about your education, forget about your prosperity, forget about your progress, forget about your status and position. [00:49:54]

forget about yourself and focus on who God is and what God has done in the person of Jesus Christ. You and I both might prove ourselves to be a perfect candidate to be reignited by the Lord Jesus Christ. As I sat down in my study, I wanted to have a conversation with the Lord and to pick his spirit as to what he was trying to tell us through the Apostle John as he as it relates to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:50:24]

I said to him, God's people's faith seemed has led them to a church and let them be your you have let them be your sons and daughter, but at the same time, their faith seems to have led them away from you. I said to God, I just believe that there's something in your gospel that has to forge, reforge, and refortify our faith. He said to me, "Preacher, I think you're on to something, but let me give you some helpful holy hints. The first thing you should tell them is that the tomb was empty." [00:50:59]

He said that there's so much social media out there. There's so much internet so so much internet information out there that has tainted their faith. He said they don't come to church because the fact that the beau come to church because the fact that the tomb was empty is not important to them. He says that's not important to them because they don't hear it that often. And now when they do hear it, they think in the back of their mind that that that that is just a fairy tale. [00:52:05]

He said that people doubt it today with the same excuses that they doubted it when it happened. They say things like the women went to the wrong tomb. And some people today are saying that if on resurrection morning nobody was in the tomb, maybe they went to the wrong tomb. He said, "Preacher, remind them that the women were fearful and trembling, which is not a sign of someone who has shown up at the wrong place." [00:52:39]

Tell them many of them are looking in the wrong tomb. Yes. Tell them Jesus is not found in prosperity. Tell them Jesus is not found in in in what kind of title or position they have. Tell them Jesus is not found in economic status. Tell them Jesus is not found in the kind of degree that they have. But tell them if they want to find Jesus, they have to see the living among the living. [00:54:01]

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