Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Easter Sunday Sermon: Risen Indeed!

Scripture: John 20:1–18; Matthew 28:1–10; 1 Corinthians 15:3–8, 20–22

John 20:1-18 WEB
Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. [2] Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!” [3] Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb. [4] They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. [5] Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he didn’t enter in. [6] Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying, [7] and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. [8] So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed. [9] For as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. [10] So the disciples went away again to their own homes. [11] But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, [12] and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. [13] They asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.” [14] When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus. [15] Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” [16] Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!” [17] Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” [18] Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.

Matthew 28:1-10 WEB
Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. [2] Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky and came and rolled away the stone from the door and sat on it. [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. [4] For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men. [5] The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified. [6] He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying. [7] Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” [8] They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word. [9] As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. [10] Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me.”

On this most glorious morning, we stand in the brilliance of resurrection light. The stone is rolled away. The tomb is empty. The grave clothes are folded. Death has been defeated, and Jesus Christ, the crucified one, is alive forevermore.

The story begins in darkness. John tells us that Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She came not expecting resurrection, but to mourn. To grieve. To weep over a broken heart and a buried hope. What she found instead was the first sign of new life—a stone rolled away. An empty tomb. And soon, a voice calling her name.

“Mary.” One word—and the world was changed. In that moment, she recognized her Lord. The one she had seen crucified now stood before her, alive. She became the first witness of resurrection, the first preacher of the good news: “I have seen the Lord!”

The resurrection of Jesus is not just a happy ending. It is the beginning of new creation. It is the vindication of everything He taught and claimed. It is the proof that sin has been paid for, death undone, and the door to eternal life opened wide.

The resurrection means that Jesus is not a martyr, but the Messiah. He is not a memory, but a living presence. He is not a victim, but a victor.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 WEB
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, [5] and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. [6] Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep. [7] Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, [8] and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 WEB
But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruit of those who are asleep. [21] For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by man. [22] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians that Christ’s resurrection is the “firstfruits” of those who have died. That means what happened to Jesus will one day happen to all who belong to Him. As in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. The resurrection is not just something we look back on—it is something we look forward to. Because He lives, we shall live also.

But Easter is not only a promise for the future; it is power for today. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is now at work in us. The resurrection changes everything:

• It changes our sorrow into joy.
• It changes our fear into courage.
• It changes our shame into freedom.
• It changes our death into life.

Whatever tomb you may feel trapped in today—whether it’s grief, guilt, doubt, or despair—know this: the stone has been rolled away. Christ is risen, and His resurrection is your resurrection too.

Let us not miss the personal nature of Easter. Jesus did not just rise in a general, symbolic way. He rose bodily, physically—and personally. He called Mary by name. He appeared to Thomas and showed him His wounds. He walked with the disciples to Emmaus. He met Peter on the shore and restored his calling. He comes to us, still, personally. He calls each of us by name.

And now, as resurrection people, we are called to go and tell. “Go and tell my brothers,” Jesus said. The good news is too good to keep to ourselves. We are witnesses now. Like Mary, like Peter, like Paul—we are messengers of hope in a world that still knows sorrow.

Application: How will you live as a resurrection person? How will you let the power of Easter shape your heart, your choices, your relationships? Let this day be more than a celebration—let it be a transformation. Step out of the grave. Walk into the light. Live in the joy of the risen Christ.

Prayer: Risen Lord, we praise You! You have conquered the grave and brought eternal life to light. Fill our hearts with resurrection joy. Help us to live as people of hope, proclaiming Your victory and walking in Your new life. Thank You for calling us by name. We are Yours—now and forever. Amen.

Benediction: May the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—by the blood of the eternal covenant, make you complete in everything good so that you may do His will. Go forth in joy, for Christ is risen. Go forth in hope, for death is defeated. Go forth in love, for the light has come. And may the blessing of the risen Lord be with you now and always. Amen.

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