A COMEBACK FROM DEATH - Resurrection Sunday | Rev. Dr. Bankole Akinbinu | 4.5.2026

Devotional

Day 1: The Living Hope of a Risen Savior

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a historical event; it is the foundation of our present hope. Because He lives, we can face the uncertainties of life with a confident assurance that defies earthly logic. This living hope assures us that our circumstances do not have the final say. God’s power is greater than any problem, and His purpose will ultimately prevail for those who trust in Him. We serve a Savior who has conquered death itself. [48:54]

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life have you been relying solely on probability and past data, instead of trusting in the living hope found in Christ’s resurrection power?

Day 2: A Resurrection Perspective Changes Everything

A resurrection perspective redefines what we consider possible. It moves us from a mindset limited by human realism to one that is open to divine possibility. This viewpoint declares that no one is too broken to be mended and no situation is too far gone for God’s redemption. It challenges the notion that our past must dictate our future. With God, our current location does not have to limit our ultimate destination. [50:50]

And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” (John 11:34-37, ESV)

Reflection: Where in your life are you accepting a “realistic” outcome that God might want to challenge with a resurrection perspective? What would it look like to hope for His miraculous intervention there?

Day 3: Believing Without Fully Understanding

Faith in Christ does not require that we understand every aspect of His timing or methods. We can trust His character and His promise to work all things for our good and His glory, even when His ways are mysterious to us. The call is to believe in His power and love, not in our own comprehension. Our lack of understanding does not negate God’s perfect plan. [01:04:38]

But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?” (John 11:37, ESV)

Reflection: When has God’s timing or method in your life been difficult to understand? How can you choose to trust His character and purpose in that area even now?

Day 4: Inviting Jesus Into the Stinky Places

God calls us to remove the stones we use to hide our brokenness, shame, and pain. He is not repelled by the areas of our lives we consider too messy or unpleasant. Authentic healing and transformation begin when we stop masking our struggles and instead invite Christ into them. He desires to bring life into the very places we have sealed off. [01:07:10]

Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” (John 11:39, ESV)

Reflection: What is one “stinky” area of your heart or past that you have been trying to cover up or manage on your own, rather than inviting Jesus to bring His healing light into it?

Day 5: The Call to Come Forth and Be Loosed

Christ’s power calls us out of bondage and into new life. He speaks directly to our spirits, commanding us to come forth from whatever has held us captive. This is not a future promise but a present possibility. We are called to step into the freedom and purpose He has for us now, so that our lives can become a testimony that leads others to Him. [01:12:55]

When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” (John 11:43-44, ESV)

Reflection: To what specific area of bondage—be it a thought pattern, a fear, or a harmful habit—is Jesus speaking the command “come forth” to you today? What is one practical step you can take to walk in that freedom?

Sermon Summary

Jesus stands as the Christ of a comeback, defeating death, disarming Satan, and declaring a living hope that reshapes what counts as realistic. Resurrection proves that probability and past data do not determine what God can do; what seems irreversible can become reversible when God speaks life into dead situations. Lazarus becomes the emblem of that truth: dead four days, wrapped and buried, then called out to come forth—proof that no situation lies beyond divine intervention. Belief matters more than full understanding; faith often precedes explanation and honors God’s purposes even amid apparent delay.

A resurrection perspective reframes brokenness. Where history, habit, or pain insist that things cannot change, resurrection thinking asserts that no damage is final, no loss too great, and no pain must remain permanent. The call to “remove the stone” insists on honesty before God: healing begins when people stop masking sin, shame, or sorrow and allow God into the stinky, hidden places. Community also matters—Martha and Mary, friends, and witnesses participate in bringing the dead man to Jesus, showing that deliverance often occurs in the presence of others who point to Christ.

The narrative refuses the lie that people must get themselves together before approaching God. Instead, coming to Jesus happens precisely because of recognized brokenness, not because of perfected readiness. The invitation to “come forth” presses for immediate response: time to respond does not remain open indefinitely. When the living hope of the resurrection meets a surrendered heart, unbinding follows—freedom, restored purpose, testimony, and an outward witness that draws others to trust. The text urges a practical faith: believe Jesus as the resurrection, remove the stones of concealment, enter community, and respond now to the call to new life.

Key Takeaways

1. Think with a resurrection perspective Resurrection reframes what counts as possible. Where probability and historical patterns predict only decay, resurrection thinking opens the door to surprise, renewal, and unforeseeable restoration. Trusting this perspective shifts expectations from merely surviving to anticipating God’s restorative work. [49:17]
2. Let Jesus into stinky places Healing begins when concealment ends. Removing the stone means exposing the ugliness—addiction, shame, bitterness—so God can work where human fixes fail. True transformation often starts in the mess, not after pretending perfection. [67:10]
3. Believe even when sense fails Faith does not demand total understanding before obedience. Belief sometimes precedes explanation; trusting Jesus honors God’s sovereignty over time and circumstances. Holding to hope amid unanswered questions positions life for supernatural change. [60:43]
4. Come forth; don't delay surrender The invitation to come forth demands an immediate, not postponed, response. Delaying spiritual decisions treats eternal matters like daily conveniences; decisive surrender opens the way for unbinding, freedom, and ongoing witness. Community and altar response accelerate the turnaround from death to life. [83:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[20:59] - Resurrection Sunday Greeting
[23:54] - New Members & Community
[24:35] - March Missions Impact
[25:40] - Friendly Competition Results
[27:07] - Affordable Housing Assembly Invite
[28:32] - Giving and Gratitude
[40:40] - Prayer for Anointing
[41:44] - Reading: John 11 (Lazarus)
[43:05] - Christ of a Comeback
[46:27] - Realism vs Resurrection Thinking
[48:54] - Resurrection Defies Probability
[52:00] - Lazarus: “God is my helper”
[66:40] - Remove the Stone: Let God In
[75:41] - Call to Come Forth
[83:00] - Altar Invitation & Response
[85:55] - Benediction and Sending

Bible Study Guide

Based on the sermon summary and transcript provided, here is a Bible study discussion guide.

Bible Reading
John 11:34-44 (ESV)
And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”
Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Observation questions

What was the specific objection Martha raised when Jesus gave the command to remove the stone from Lazarus's tomb?
What are the three distinct actions Jesus takes in this passage to bring about Lazarus's restoration?
What details does the text provide about Lazarus's condition when he emerges from the tomb?
The sermon mentioned that "resurrection thinking opens the door to surprise, renewal, and unforeseeable restoration." [49:17] What in this passage defies the realistic expectations of everyone present?

Interpretation questions

Why do you think Jesus was "deeply moved" and wept, even though He knew He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead?
Martha's statement in verse 39 is based on factual, realistic observation. How does Jesus’s response to her redefine what is possible and shift the focus from human limitations to divine capability?
The act of unbinding Lazarus was left to the people. What might this suggest about the role of community in the process of a person's freedom and restoration after Jesus has done the miraculous work?
The sermon stated that "Belief matters more than full understanding; faith often precedes explanation." [01:00:43] How does the entire sequence of events in this story—from Jesus delaying His arrival to His prayer at the tomb—illustrate this principle?

Application questions

A resurrection perspective reframes what counts as possible, trusting God’s restorative work over historical patterns of decay. [49:17] What is one situation in your life, our community, or the world where you have accepted "realism" over resurrection hope? What would it look like to actively choose to believe God for a reversal in that area this week?
Healing begins when concealment ends. Removing the stone means exposing the ugliness—addiction, shame, bitterness—so God can work where human fixes fail. [01:07:10] What is one "stone" you have been keeping in place to hide a "stinky" area of your life from God and others? What is one practical, courageous step you can take this week to begin removing that stone in a safe, trusted relationship?
Faith does not demand total understanding before obedience. Trusting Jesus honors God’s sovereignty over time and circumstances, even amid unanswered questions. [01:00:43] Where are you currently waiting for God to "make it make sense" before you will obey or trust Him? How can you take a step of faith this week in that area, even without full understanding?
The invitation to come forth demands an immediate, not postponed, response. Decisive surrender opens the way for unbinding, freedom, and ongoing witness. [01:23:00] Is there a decision you have been delaying regarding your faith, a step of obedience, or connecting in community? What is holding you back, and what would it look like to stop delaying and respond to God’s call today?
The narrative refuses the lie that people must get themselves together before approaching God. We come precisely because of recognized brokenness, not perfected readiness. What area of your life have you been trying to "fix" on your own before you feel presentable enough to bring it to God? How can you shift your approach and come to Him exactly as you are this week?
When the living hope of the resurrection meets a surrendered heart, unbinding follows—freedom, restored purpose, testimony, and an outward witness that draws others to trust. Who in your life needs to hear a testimony of God’s power in your "Lazarus" situation? How can you share what God has done in a way that points them directly to Christ?

Sermon Clips

21s

#HeavenOrHell

“But this right here is about heaven and hell. This right here is about life and death. This right here is about freedom and bondage. It ain't a question about peanut butter and jelly. I'm asking you about Jesus.”

30s

#BrokenComeToJesus

“You don't come because you're together. You come because you recognize you're broken, and you can't get yourself together without his help. Yes. And so when I come, I come saying, Lord, I'm broken, but I believe that you're able to mend me. Lord, I'm broken, but I believe that you are able to heal me and restore me. And so right now, the Lord is saying, it's time for you to come forth. It's time for you to surrender.”

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A COMEBACK FROM DEATH - Resurrection Sunday | Rev. Dr. Bankole Akinbinu | 4.5.2026 | 12:15 PM