Sermon preview, week of April 15, 2025
Remembering Resurrection
This Sunday’s order
- Sunday
- Reading
- Luke 24:1-12
- Preaching
- Kendall Ellis
This is a sermon preview and event overview for Holy Week and Easter 2025.
The readingLuke 24:1-12
"In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, 'Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you...'"
-Excerpt from Luke 24:1-12; 36-49
Read Luke 24:1-12
1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them. 5As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee: 7‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’” 8Then they remembered His words. 9And when they returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11But their words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. 12Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. And after bending down and seeing only the linen cloths, he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
Berean Standard Bible, public domain
The women & Peter discover the resurrection, but no Jesus is in sight. Later, when Jesus appears to the disciples, they wrongly assume he is a ghost.
Jesus could have revealed his power and might. He could have performed one of the types of miracles that he had been known for. But what Jesus does instead is surprising. Jesus reveals his very humanity to the disciples. Jesus shook off death, but chose to keep and show his scars. Jesus is hungry and wants to eat. It's through Jesus' life that he empowers the disciples to proclaim the gospel so that others may know that he lives.
Luke's gospel emphasizes remembrance. Jesus taught them how the Old Testament scriptures foretold the Messiah. And now the disciples had lived this good news: that Jesus came to earth, suffered, died, and was raised in three days so that they may all have life. A good life with God that is as big and grand as resurrection, and as beautifully human as healed scars and dinner around a table. Sometimes when we encounter Christ, we treat him like a ghost-a stranger, something too mystical for us. Perhaps when faith feels impossible, we don't need a miracle. The miracle has already happened through Jesus Christ. We need only to "remember" who Jesus is and what he has done.
FBCM looks forward to remembering resurrection with you this Holy Week and Easter! Below is a list of opportunities to gather together and remember in worship this week.
Good Friday Service of Shadows
Friday, April 18, 7:00PM
Join us for worship at FBCM as we remember the death of our Lord. During this service, we will remember the events of Holy Week, leading to Jesus' death on the cross. Guided by John's gospel and prayer, the lights will be dimmed until the Light of the World goes dark.
Easter Sunday Celebration
Sunday, April 20
Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! FBCM will have a full day of celebrating our risen Lord and Savior!
- 8:30 AM - Sunrise Prayer & Floral Cross - FBCM Pavilion
- 9:30 AM - Carry-In Breakfast - Fellowship Hall
- 10:45 AM - Easter Worship Gathering (with Baptisms & Children's Church) - Sanctuary
- Immediately After Worship - Easter Egg Hunt with the YWCA - The Youth and Pastor Kendall will hide eggs quickly immediately after worship. Families can take 5 minutes to gather children 5th grade and younger from their classes and meet Mrs. Jenny Durke at the front of the sanctuary. She will lead families to the egg hunt location next door at the playground.
Easter Open House
Saturday, April 26, 1:00-5:00PM at the Pastor's House
Everyone is invited to the third annual Pastors’ Open House as we continue to celebrate Easter together. Register on Church Center to sign up for a time slot to visit between 1-5PM!
