Why the Resurrection Changes Everything

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction

In the depths of night, when the world lies in stillness and shadows, the promise of dawn is our certain hope. This anticipation of the light piercing the darkness parallels the hope of the Resurrection we find in Christ. On the eve of His crucifixion, the world witnessed the greatest darkness, and His disciples thought that all hope was lost, but the story was far from over.

Today is Easter, we’re here to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We’re going to talk about why the Resurrection changes everything. If Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead, we wouldn’t be sitting here today, and our world would be drastically different than it is as well.

John 11:25-26 (ESV) 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?”

These verses encourage us that because of Jesus, death need not be the end, and darkness does not have the final word for those who believe. The Resurrection assures us that life triumphs over death and hope over despair. It reminds us that faith in Christ anchors us beyond the grave.

2 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV) For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The light of God that raised Jesus from the dead shines into and drives out the darkness in our lives today. This same divine power is at work within every believer. The Resurrection is not distant or abstract; it is present and personal.

Romans 6:4 (ESV) We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

The light and hope of the Resurrection is not just for eternity, but also for the here and now. We, as believers, have been raised with Christ, and we can walk today in newness of life. This transformative power of the Resurrection is what we celebrate today.

Not only has Jesus risen from the dead, but all of us as believers rise with Him. Today, we affirm and proclaim that the Resurrection of Jesus changes everything. It turns our deepest night into glorious dawn, our sorrow into joy, and our mortality into the promise of eternal life.

So this morning, whatever you’re going through, join with me as we journey from the darkness of the tomb to the brilliance of the risen Son. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith. It has altered the course of history and the fabric of our lives.

The Resurrection is much more than a historical event, which it was. It’s a catalyst that changes everything and can be applied to each of our lives. Because Jesus lives, everything changes for those who believe.

The Resurrection Confirms God’s Promises

Matthew 16:21 (ESV) From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

Jesus was not only a teacher during His earthly ministry; He was also the greatest prophet. Jesus prophesied that He would be killed by the Jewish leaders but would be raised from the dead on the third day. This was a prophetic promise to Jesus’ disciples, which they, however, forgot.

The disciples did not believe that Jesus would be crucified. And when He was, they were devastated and didn’t remember or expect Him to rise from the dead. But God always keeps His promises.

When the women disciples came to the tomb of Jesus early in the morning to anoint Jesus’ body, they were met by an angel. What they expected to be a place of death became the announcement of life.

Matthew 28:5-6 (ESV) 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.

The angel gave them the news that the tomb was empty. Not because someone had stolen the body, but because He had risen from the dead, just as He had promised. The angel invited the women in to see the empty tomb, and there was no body there, only the grave clothes.

Living With Confidence in God’s Faithfulness

So let’s think a little more deeply about why the Resurrection confirms God’s promises. I believe this prophetic promise of Jesus was the most impossible promise in the Bible. Not only did Jesus promise that He Himself would rise from the dead, but this resurrection was not a resurrection to life only to later die again.

The resurrection of Jesus on that first Easter was a resurrection to a body that would never die again. It was a body with both physical and spiritual characteristics, an eternal body. If God kept this most impossible of promises, then He will be faithful to keep every promise in His Word for you as well.

In fact, the greatest promise for us is the one we read earlier this morning. Jesus promised that “everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” Jesus was not promising that we would never die physically, but that one day we would be raised from the dead, just like He was.

We would be raised into glorified eternal bodies with eternal life, never to die again. The Resurrection confirms God’s promises. Because of this, we can trust Him fully with our future.

The Resurrection Renews Our Hope

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

This verse is saying that we don’t have to wait for Jesus’ return to reap the blessings of the Resurrection. When someone believes and commits their life to Jesus, he is a new creation. The old you, the one dead in your sins, has been put to death.

The new you, the new creation, is who you are now, someone who follows Jesus. This change is immediate and profound. It is the beginning of a new life shaped by hope.

1 Peter 1:3 (ESV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

This transformation from sinner to saint is called being born again. When we believe in Jesus, we are born spiritually into a living hope. This happens through the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

You see, the Resurrection is the bedrock of the Christian faith. Without the Resurrection, we would have no hope. It would make no sense to believe in Jesus because His prophecies would not have come to pass.

And He wouldn’t be alive. It makes no sense to try to follow a dead man, as all other religions besides Christianity do. The Resurrection gives us living hope during this life and for the next.

2 Corinthians 4:14 (ESV) knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.

God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. One day, when Jesus returns, those who have died as believers will also be raised to life and brought into the presence of Jesus forever. The Resurrection gives us hope both for this life and the next.

Allowing God to Restore Hope in Every Area

This Easter, there may be areas of your life in which you need renewed hope. These are areas where the outlook looks dark and where you don’t know the answer to move forward. God wants to renew your hope this morning and let the light of His hope shine into those areas.

You may be struggling to have hope in relationships, health, finances, or other areas. God has a plan and a way forward, and He desires to give you hope today. The God who raised Jesus from the dead can shine His light into your life in your areas of concern.

Take those concerns to Him in prayer. Ask others in the church family to pray with and for you. As you take those steps, God will renew your hope and help you walk out of the darkness of the situation into the sunshine of His love.

The Resurrection Empowers Our Witness

Matthew 28:18 (ESV) And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Jesus spoke these words just after He rose from the dead. Not only was Jesus alive again, but God had now given Him all authority in heaven and on earth after conquering death. There is nothing in your life or on this planet that is any match for Jesus’ power and authority.

Jesus now used this authority to give a command to every believer. His authority is not distant but shared with His people. It empowers us to live and serve boldly.

Matthew 28:19 (ESV) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Each of us is to go and make disciples of those around us. To make a disciple is to help someone believe in Jesus and be water baptized. We are able to go and accomplish this task because Jesus shares His authority and power with us.

Specifically, we receive the power of the Holy Spirit to be witnesses when we are Spirit baptized. After Jesus was resurrected and ascended into heaven, He poured out the power of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost for every believer to receive.

Matthew 28:20 (ESV) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The additional command in this verse is to teach these disciples to obey everything that Jesus has commanded us through His Word. Finally, Jesus ends these instructions with a wonderful promise. He promises to be with each believer always through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Stepping Boldly Into Your God-Given Mission

This command of Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20 is often called the Great Commission. It is our primary purpose in life. Yes, there are many other purposes, such as worship, fellowship, discipleship, and ministry, but we will be doing all those things in eternity.

The one thing that we can only do before Jesus returns is to be a witness to see others saved and discipled. Everyone is called to be a witness through the power unleashed at the Resurrection. Because Jesus lives, we are sent.

This year we have introduced the Five Friends Focus. We encourage everyone to write down a list of five friends who are not saved or are not part of a biblical church. Pray for your five friends daily and ask God to give you opportunities to be a witness to them.

Then obey what He tells you to do with and for them. The Resurrection empowers our witness. As we step out in obedience, God works through us to change lives.

Conclusion

Just as the dawn ushers in a new beautiful day, so the Resurrection of Jesus ushers in a new reality for us all. It changes everything. In fact, we could talk about what the Resurrection changes for another dozen messages and still not cover everything about it.

It changes everything from the core of our being to the breath of our existence. The fear of death, the weight of sin, the sting of despair, and the lack of purpose are all washed away in the light of His victory over the grave. What once held us captive no longer has power over us.

We began talking about a world enveloped in darkness and ended with the emergence of an unfading light. In the same way, our lives, once shrouded by the shadow of sin, are now bathed in the glow of the Resurrection. This light now defines who we are.

My prayer is that the truth of this day will resonate deep within us. Let the hope of the Resurrection change you, renew you, and propel you into a life that radiates the love and power of Jesus. As we leave this place, let us carry the light of dawn within us.

Let it be our guide, our comfort, and our strength. And let us share this light with every person still waiting for dawn. Until the knowledge of the glory of the Lord covers the earth as the waters cover the sea.

📘 Continue the Journey

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