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the full sermon here.
Preached by Pastor Mike Woodard
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We celebrated Easter by focusing on the cornerstone of our faith: the resurrection of Jesus. Scripture says our faith would be worthless without it—but because He rose from the dead, everything has changed. We have forgiveness, salvation, and a relationship with God, all because of the empty tomb.
The Cornerstone of Our Faith
Easter isn’t just another holiday. It’s the celebration of the moment that changed history forever. Jesus endured betrayal, flogging, a crown of thorns, and crucifixion—not because He had to, but because He chose to bear the weight of our sin. On the cross, He declared, “It is finished,” signaling that the final sacrifice had been made.
When He died, the temple veil was torn, showing that the separation between God and man was gone. Three days later, the stone was rolled away, and the tomb was empty. The risen Jesus is the foundation, the lifeblood, and the backbone of our faith.
The Power of the Empty Tomb
In John 20, we see eyewitnesses encounter the risen Christ. Mary Magdalene wept outside the tomb until Jesus spoke her name—and everything changed. Peter and John both ran to the tomb, arriving at different times, yet both experiencing the same miracle: Jesus was alive.
The resurrection shows us that it doesn’t matter how long it’s taken us to come to Jesus. Whether you feel late to the game or still figuring out faith, the tomb is still empty when you arrive. Hope, peace, and new life are available to everyone.
From Brokenness to Redemption
From the garden of Eden to the garden tomb, Scripture tells the story of God redeeming what was broken. Sin shattered the image of God in us, but through Christ, that image is restored. He brings order to chaos, peace to grief, and redemption to our brokenness.
But there’s one thing required of us: release. We can’t redeem ourselves—we have to hand our sin, pain, and burdens over to God. Just like a child gives a broken toy to their father to fix, we give our broken pieces to Jesus, trusting Him to make us whole.
Why Easter Still Matters
Easter reminds us that Jesus is alive, and because He is, everything changes:
Sin is forgiven. The cross was enough.
Hope is restored. No situation is too broken for God.
Relationship is possible. The gap between God and humanity has been bridged.
The resurrection is not just history—it’s an invitation. Whether you’ve been walking with God for years or today is your first step, the same truth stands: Jesus is alive, and His redemption is available for you.