A Message for Graduates and Everyone - 2025

My youngest child is graduating from high school.  
Graduation is an exciting milestone. You’re stepping into your own life—making choices, living your values, deciding who you want to be. And while this message is for our graduates, it’s also for all of us, because we’re all charting our path or recalibrating our direction from time to time.

I’m 51 now. I may feel the aches of age, but I still remember sitting where our graduates are—on the edge of something new. The year I graduated high school was also the year I started dating my wife. That one decision shaped so much of who I am today. Moments like graduation set us on paths that echo for a lifetime.

Don’t Be a Fool
In Luke 12:13-21, Jesus shares a parable about a rich man who stored up his wealth and planned to “eat, drink, and be merry,” not realizing his life would end that very night. Jesus warns, “A person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Graduates, and anyone just getting started: you may not have much money yet, and that’s okay. What matters most is that you walk with God. Even when it feels like you’re on your own, your family, your church, and your Lord are with you.

The rich man’s mistake wasn’t success, it was selfishness. He forgot about the people who helped him during hard times. When he had plenty, he thought only of himself. Jesus reminds us: life is not measured by what we own. When our time comes, we leave it all behind. What lasts is our relationship with God and how we loved others.

Be Generous
Proverbs 11:25 says, “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”

As you begin your adult life, practice generosity. One powerful way to do that is through tithing—giving 10% of your income to God through the church.

Start while you have little. If you earn $10, giving $1 may not seem like much, but it forms a habit. Later, when you're blessed with more, you’ll already be a faithful giver. Tithing not only supports your church—it strengthens your trust in God and keeps your heart focused on His Kingdom, not just your own success.

Tithing helps you guard against greed and reminds you: "It’s not all about me." It’s a spiritual discipline that builds your faith and blesses your church, your community, and your soul.

Trust God
The years right after high school are the most formative of your life. You’ll make decisions about school, career, relationships, maybe even parenthood. You’ll need God’s guidance like never before.

Sadly, these are also the years when many people drift away from the church. I urge you—don’t drift. Dig in. Stay connected to God and His people.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” That’s a promise for graduates—and for all of us.

When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down in-person worship in 2020, our church worried how we’d survive. But God proved faithful. People gave generously. We even ended the next two years with a surplus. Rather than store it away, we launched Operation Mercy Drops, giving monthly $1,000 grants to people in need. God has used it to bless many—and to bless us for giving.

You never know how much good can come from trusting God, being faithful, and giving generously.

Recalibrate
In the book One Man’s Wilderness, a man living off the grid in Alaska realized his watch had drifted off time. He had to recalibrate. Sometimes, we do too.

Maybe you had clear goals when you were young. Are you still on the right path? Have you drifted? A little drift over time can lead far off course. Take time to pause, pray, and ask God to get you back on track.

And if you’ve never done it before, today’s a perfect day to say yes to Jesus and follow Him.

Whether you’re just starting out or years down the road, the message is the same:
Build a rich relationship with God, be generous, and trust the Lord in all you do.

Two Very Different Stories | A Sermon from Matthew 28:11-20

Introduction
Today is Mother’s Day — and I think we all know, when it comes to parenting, moms just do it better. They’ve got that mix of patience, wisdom, and unconditional love that’s hard to match.
They’re the ones who bandage scraped knees, remember every permission slip, and somehow manage to find your lost shoe when you're already late.

Now, dads—we try. But let’s be honest, our parenting instincts don’t always hit the mark like a mother’s does.  In fact, that reminds me of a story… 

Little Billy was always getting into trouble — at home and at school.
His mom was at her wit’s end.  One day, the school called.
The voice on the line said, “Mrs. Johnson, your son’s been telling lies.”
She hung her head in frustration, not knowing what to say.
Her husband calmly took the phone and said, “Who is this?”
The school repeated, “Your son’s been telling lies.”
The dad paused and said, “Well, tell him he’s doing a great job—because we don’t even have kids!”

Now that’s one way to tell a story—but it’s not exactly the truth, is it?
And in today’s Scripture, we’re going to look at two very different stories that came out of the same event—the resurrection of Jesus.
One story is rooted in lies and fear.  The other is grounded in truth and faith.
And the question for all of us this morning is:  Which story are we living?

Matthew 28:11-20
¹¹ As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. ¹² A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. ¹³ They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ ¹⁴ If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” ¹⁵ So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

¹⁸ Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,^[b] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Two Very Different Stories
I’m struck right off the bat in this passage by the clear contrast between these two stories.

The Soldiers:	The Disciples:
Lived to spread a lie	Died to tell with truth
Were paid to cover up	Were commissioned to go proclaim
Acted out of fear and greed	Responded with worship and obedience
Story was bought and empty	Story was costly and full of hope

How do we know the soldiers’ story was a lie?  One reason is: In the Roman military, falling asleep on duty or failing a guard assignment was often punishable by death. This was a well-known and strict rule to ensure discipline and accountability. If the soldiers had actually allowed the body to be stolen, they would have faced execution — yet they remained alive.  Why?  Because someone had to live to tell the lie.  If they were executed, there would have been no supposed "eyewitnesses" to tell the lie that the body was stolen.

Now contrast that to the Disciples experience.  They died to tell the Truth.  While the soldiers were paid money to tell the lie, the disciples gave their lives to tell the truth.

Peter was crucified upside down in Rome.
James (son of Zebedee) was beheaded by sword in Jerusalem.
Andrew was on an X-shaped cross in Greece.
Philip was crucified or possibly stoned in Phrygia.
Bartholomew was flayed alive and beheaded in Armenia.
Matthew was stabbed with a spear in Ethiopia.
Thomas was speared to death in India.
James was stoned to death in Jerusalem.
Thaddaeus was clubbed to death in Persia.
Simon the Zealot was sawed in half in Persia.
John was the only disciple to die a natural death. He was exiled to Patmos, then later died in Ephesus.

Each one paid for telling the truth with their lives. People don’t give their lives willingly for a lie.
They are much more likely to lie in order to save their lives—like the soldiers at the tomb.

Cover Up or Boldly Proclaim
The story of Jesus’ resurrection was a threat to the religious leaders and the Roman authorities.
Christ’s ultimate miracle showed His Heavenly Kingdom was more powerful than any kingdom or authority on earth.  If this news got out, people would turn against the Romans and the religion of Jerusalem.

So they had to cover it up.  It must’ve really burned them up—having to hand over hush money to soldiers they would’ve rather executed them on the spot.

In contrast, Jesus commissioned the disciples to go and boldly proclaim the truth to the world. It wasn’t easy—and it cost them dearly. But there’s peace in telling the truth. Truth carries its own reward: a clear conscience, a steady heart, and the joy of walking in step with God. 
And there’s the reward of belonging to the eternal, unshakable Kingdom of God—knowing that nothing this world offers can compare, and nothing it throws at you can truly harm you, because your life is secure in Jesus Christ.

Fear or Faith
The soldiers acted out of fear.   Their lives were at stake and Roman executions were brutal (just look what they did to Jesus).  When faced with the choice to tell the truth and be tortured and killed or to take a bribe to spread a lie, they took the easy road. I wonder what happened to them?  The Bible doesn’t say (and there are no strong, widely accepted church traditions about their fate either).
Matthew makes sure to say their lie was still circulating at the time he wrote his Gospel (several decades after the fact), showing how persistent and powerful misinformation can be.

But their lies could not overcome the power of God’s truth, because the disciples acted in faith.
They believed that Jesus had truly risen from the grave, and they courageously devoted their lives to obeying His commission to spread the Good News.  And history reveals this simple yet powerful reality: faith conquers fear, truth outlasts deception, and the light of the resurrection continues to shine—generation after generation—through those who dare to believe and obey.

Which is Your Story?
At the end of Matthew’s Gospel, we see two very different stories.  One was bought—a lie crafted to hide the truth. It was cheap in value, but costly in consequence.  It was a story rooted in fear, told to preserve power, and it ultimately led nowhere.

The other story was costly—not just in gold, but in obedience, sacrifice, and faith.  The disciples didn’t gain wealth or and easy life from their story.  What they gained was purpose, peace, and the promise of eternal life.  Their story is still being told, because it’s filled with hope—the kind that changes lives and lights up a dark world.

So what do we do with that?  Because every one of us will face the same kind of choice:
Will we cling to what’s easy, safe, and self-serving,
or will we step into the truth, even when it costs us something?

We live in a world full of false stories—stories that tell us to compromise, to cut corners, to live for ourselves.  But Jesus calls us to something better.  He calls us to live in the light, to walk in the truth, to be people of integrity, courage, and hope.

So here’s the challenge:  Which story are you living? 
Is your life being shaped by what’s bought and empty,
or by what’s costly and full of eternal hope?

Choose the story that lasts.  Choose the story that’s true.
Choose to follow Jesus—the Risen One—wherever He leads.

A Methodist's Reflection on the Pope

I was recently asked by a member of my church share some thoughts about the pope of the Roman Catholic Church from my perspective.  As a Global Methodist pastor, I do not fall under the pope's authority, nor do I subscribe to many of the Roman Catholic Church's teachings about papal authority or infallibility (or many other doctrines of that Christian denomination).  However, since the pope is an important leader in the wider Christian community, which includes 1.406 billion people (roughly 50% of Christians in the world), the pope and the RCC does mater to me and all Christians (regardless of denominational affiliation).  So, here is some information and reflections about the pope that may be helpful.

Understanding the Pope from a Global Methodist Church Perspective

The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC), considered by Catholics to be the successor to the Apostle Peter. According to Roman Catholic belief, Jesus gave Peter a unique role of leadership (Matthew 16:18-19), and this role continues through the papacy. The Pope leads the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, defines doctrine, and serves as a symbol of unity for over a billion Catholics.

When a pope dies or resigns as Pope Frances did on April 21, the Roman Catholic Church begins a process called a conclave. All eligible cardinals gather in the Vatican, pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and vote in secret until a new pope is chosen. This process emphasizes spiritual discernment and the unity of the Church under apostolic leadership.

What Do Global Methodists Believe About the Pope?

The GMC respects Roman Catholics as fellow Christians and acknowledges the historic and global role of the papacy. However, we do not believe that any one person—pope or otherwise—holds divine authority over the universal Church. We affirm that Jesus Christ alone is the head of the Church (Colossians 1:18), and our authority for doctrine and practice comes from Scripture, not from a human office.

Unlike Roman Catholics, we do not view the Pope as infallible. We also believe in the priesthood of all believers and connectional leadership, not a hierarchical structure centered in a single figure.

How Can Global Methodists Pray for the Roman Catholic Church?

As a people committed to Christian unity and the global mission of Jesus, we encourage all GMC members to pray that the Holy Spirit would guide the Roman Catholic Church in its selection of a new pope. We can pray for:

• God’s wisdom and peace to fill the hearts of the cardinals.
• The new pope to be a faithful follower of Jesus and a bridge-builder among all Christians.
• Continued cooperation and dialogue between Catholic and Protestant churches.

Why Does This Matter to Us?

The pope is a prominent global Christian leader whose voice influences moral, social, and theological conversations worldwide. While we have differences, we share with Catholics many foundational beliefs: the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus, the resurrection, and the call to love God and neighbor. Praying for their discernment honors Christ’s prayer in John 17 “that they may all be one.”

Chart Comparing Global Methodist and Roman Catholic Beliefs

Belief/Practice	Global Methodist Church (GMC)	Roman Catholic Church (RCC)
Authority	Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura); interpreted through the Wesleyan Quadrilateral (Scripture, Tradition, Reason, Experience)	Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium (teaching authority of the Pope and bishops)
Church Leadership	Connectional model; bishops and clergy under mutual accountability	Hierarchical model; Pope is the supreme head of the global Church
The Pope	Respected as a global Christian leader, but not authoritative or infallible	Believed to be the successor of Peter, with infallibility in official doctrinal teachings
Sacraments	Two: Baptism and Holy Communion (as means of grace)	Seven: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, Matrimony
Salvation	By grace through faith, leading to sanctification and holiness	By grace through faith, expressed through sacraments and good works
Baptism	Infant and believer’s baptism both practiced; sign of covenant grace	Usually infant baptism; seen as necessary for salvation
Holy Communion	Open to all who believe in Christ	Typically closed; reserved for practicing Catholics in a state of grace
What Happens in Communion	Jesus is spiritually present; Communion is a means of grace, not a re-sacrifice	Believed to be the literal Body and Blood of Christ (transubstantiation); a re-presentation of Christ’s one sacrifice
View of Mary and Saints	Honored as faithful examples; not prayed to	Venerated; intercessory prayers to Mary and the saints are common
Goal of Christian Life	Holiness of heart and life; entire sanctification	Communion with God through sanctifying grace and participation in Church sacraments
Role of Laity	Vital to ministry; encouraged in leadership and mission	Important, but more hierarchical roles defined by ordination
Role of Women in Ministry	Women can serve at all levels, including as ordained clergy	Women may serve in many ministries, but not as priests or bishops
Scripture and Interpretation	Bible is supreme authority; interpreted with tradition, reason, and experience	Bible plus sacred tradition interpreted by Magisterium
Confession and Forgiveness	Confession often public or personal; assurance given by Scripture and community	Sacrament of Reconciliation with a priest; priest grants absolution

 

The Walk to Emaus Story | A Sermon on Luke 24:13-34

Introduction
Roughly seven miles west, northwest of Jerusalem lies a quiet little town with a funny name—Emmaus. The town itself no longer exists, but its name has lived on for over 2,000 years because of one unforgettable walk.

Two disciples, still reeling from the trauma of Jesus' death and the confusion of reports about an empty tomb, were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus—a journey that would have taken about two to three hours on foot. As they walked, a stranger joined them. They didn’t recognize Him. They poured out their hearts—their sadness, their doubts, their shattered hopes—and the stranger listened. Then, He began to speak, and their hearts burned within them as He explained the Scriptures.

Their story about the resurrection comes to us from Luke 24:13-34.  And it’s important to us, because many of us walk through life just like those two disciples: burdened, confused, heartbroken... and unaware that Jesus is right there beside us. Today’s message is an invitation to open our eyes, to recognize the Risen Christ is walking with us.

Luke 24:13-34
¹³ That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles^[a] from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. ¹⁶ But God kept them from recognizing him.

¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. ¹⁸ Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”

¹⁹ “What things?” Jesus asked.

“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. ²⁰ But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. ²¹ We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.

²² “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. ²³ They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! ²⁴ Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”

²⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. ²⁶ Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” ²⁷ Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

²⁸ By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, ²⁹ but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. ³⁰ As they sat down to eat,^[b] he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. ³¹ Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

³² They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” ³³ And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, ³⁴ who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.^[c]”

When Things Seem Out of Control
The first thing I notice about this conversation is how to the disciples it seemed things were out of control.  They said, “our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him…” as if God had no control over it, as if these evil people thwarted God’s plan.  “We had hoped he was the messiah, but…”

No one can ever thwart God’s plan.  God is always in control.  And in fact, the resurrected Jesus chides the disciples.  “You foolish people!” He said. “You find it so hard to believe…”  And He goes on to show how the crucifixion was all part of God’s plan, how He knew it would happen beforehand. 

When things seem out of control in your life, have a little faith.  Trust God.  God is in control.  If you are trying to walk with Him, He will use even the awful things in your life for His glory and your good.  So have faith and hang in there.  When things seem out of control, God may be up to something BIG!

The Writings of Moses and the Prophets
The disciples still didn’t know it was Jesus walking with them as He taught them from the Bible how the death and resurrection of Jesus clearly predicted the Messiah.  What the disciples saw as proof that Jesus wasn’t the Messiah, the Scriptures showed were proof that Jesus absolutely was the Messiah, the Son of God!

I should point out that the Bible Jesus taught from was the Old Testament.  The New Testament didn’t yet exist.  The Gospels and all the letters of the New Testament hadn’t been written yet.  But the Bible Jesus used, and the disciples read at the time, was the Old Testament:  "the writings of Moses and all the prophets…”

Why am I telling you this?  Well, because there are a lot of Christians today who shy away from the Old Testament.  We often prefer the New Testament because it’s a bit easier to understand and we like it’s tone of forgiveness and reconciliation (whereas the Old Testament sometimes seems more wrathful and hard to understand).  Some church leaders today even goes so far as to try to write off the Old Testament as outdated or unnecessary or obsolete.  But for Jesus, our Lord, this was clearly not the case.  For Jesus, the Old Testament was the Word of God and it clearly pointed to Jesus and explained what the Christians of His day needed to know about Christ.

So, I would encourage you to give equal value to the Old Testament.  We need to read it, know it, and understand it.  We believe all Scripture—Old and New Testament—is relevant and points us to Jesus and the way of salvation.

They Begged Him to Stay
The last thing I want to point out is how the disciples begged Jesus to stay.  I love that the Scriptures say they begged Him to stay.  It shows how much they longed to know more about God’s Kingdom.

Now, most of us are not begging for more teaching from the Bible.  In fact, right now many of you are begging me in your mind, “Alright, wrap it up preacher!  It’s time for lunch!”  But these disciples longed for the truth.  And this mysterious person with them (that they still didn’t know was Jesus) was clearly teaching the Scripture’s truth about Jesus.  And they longed for more.  “Don’t leave!  Don’t go on your way!  Stay with us and teach us more!”  And so Jesus stayed with them.

Oh that we would have the same longing for Jesus’ truth in our lives today!  Would you beg Jesus to stay with you today?

The Truth is, Jesus is here.  Jesus is not in the dead.  He’s alive.  And He’s been walking with you all along the way.  And He’s here in the sanctuary with us now.  And He’s waiting for you at the altar this morning as we break the bread and drink the wine.  He wants to kneel with you and pray with you.  May you long to meet with Him here as we celebrate the sacrament of communion.  And may your hearts burn within you as he talks to you and may your eyes be opened so you can see Him walking with you all along the way every day.

Stories of the Resurrection | A Sermon from Matthew 28:1-10

Introduction
Imagine how powerful it must have been—to hear, firsthand, the stories about the empty tomb…

to listen as eyewitnesses told how they met the risen Jesus face to face… to share in the amazement, the confusion, the hope, and the joy.

The resurrection of Jesus is not just one moment in time—it’s a living reality that changed everything. And the early followers of Christ didn’t keep it quiet. They told their stories. Again and again. Around dinner tables. Around campfires. In whispered prayers and loud celebrations.

Over the next several weeks, we’re going to step into those stories.  We’re going to listen in, walk alongside them, and soak in the wonder of the Resurrection—not just as history, but as a life-changing truth that still speaks to us today.

Each week, we’ll hear a different story of the Resurrection.  Each one offers a fresh glimpse of the Risen Jesus.  Each one teaches us what it means to be faithful followers today — in a world that still needs hope, still needs grace, still needs Him.

So I invite you — not just for today — but for the next seven weeks:
Come hear the Stories of the Resurrection. 
Come discover what God wants to show you through them.
Come experience the Risen Lord for yourself.

Matthew 28:1-10
¹ Early on Sunday morning,^[a] as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

² Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. ³ His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. ⁴ The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

⁵ Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. ⁷ And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

⁸ The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. ⁹ And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

The Frightening Events at the Tomb
The two Marys came to the tomb that morning with a heavy task.  They weren’t coming to celebrate. They weren’t coming with hope.  They were coming to do what love and duty demanded—to properly prepare Jesus' body for burial.  (His body was laid to rest hastily without the proper honors because of the Sabbath.)

But what they found was anything but quiet or peaceful.  First, the ground shook with a violent earthquake. Can you imagine it?  Not just a little rumble—the kind of shaking that rattles your bones and makes your heart jump into your throat. It was powerful enough to roll away the stone in front of Jesus’ tomb, a stone as heavy as a car.

And if that wasn’t enough, they saw something even more terrifying — an angel of the Lord, brilliant and blinding like lightning.  This wasn’t a sweet, chubby baby angel from a Christmas card.  This was a heavenly warrior, radiant with the raw power of God.

The Roman soldiers — fighters trained to face death head on — were so overwhelmed that they fainted as if they were dead. The sight of God's messenger knocked them out cold on the ground.

If the soldiers reacted that way, just think how terrifying it must have been for two grieving women standing there alone.

And yet, they stayed.  Even in their fear, even when the ground trembled and the heavens split open, they stayed.  And because they stayed, they saw something no one else saw: the beginning of the greatest hope the world has ever known.

When fear shakes your world and everything feels overwhelming, will you run?
or will you stay and trust that God is about to do something amazing?

The Angel’s Message: He Is Risen
As amazing as it is to see an angel, this story is not about the angel.  It’s something much more!  The angel had a job—a mission from heaven.  He was sent to deliver a message to anyone faithful and bold enough to come near the tomb.

The angel declared:
"Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." (Matthew 28:5-6)

What a moment!  The tomb wasn't just empty because someone moved the body.
It was empty because Jesus was alive — just as He promised.

The angel even invited them to see for themselves:  "Come and see the place where he lay."

Right there before their eyes was firsthand proof — offered to faithful hearts willing to seek.

But the angel didn’t stop there.  He gave them a mission and a message of their own:
"Go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’”

The women were the first to be entrusted with the news that changed the world.  And they weren’t supposed to keep it to themselves.  They were called to go and tell—to bring light and hope to others who were still hiding in fear and sorrow.

How have you experienced the Risen Christ in your own life?  When has He met you in a moment of fear, sorrow, or confusion—and shown you that He is alive and with you?

When you experience the hope of the risen Jesus, do you keep it to yourself—or are you willing to go and share it with others who need to hear it?

Just like the women at the tomb, you don’t have to have all the answers or a perfect plan.
You simply have to be willing to go and tell—to carry the good news that Jesus is alive, and He is waiting for all who will seek Him.

Meeting Jesus on the Way
The women didn’t waste a moment.
Matthew says they "hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy." (Matthew 28:8)
Think about that. 
They were still trembling, still trying to process everything they had seen and heard.
But even in their fear, even with their hearts racing, they obeyed.  They ran to tell the others.

And that’s when it happened…  Jesus met them on the way.
They didn’t have to make it all the way to Galilee.
They didn’t have to wait until everything made sense. 
They simply obeyed and Jesus showed up.

He appeared to them personally.  He let them fall at His feet and worship.
And again, He reassured them: "Do not be afraid."
Then He sent them on with the same mission:
"Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

Here’s the beautiful truth:
When we step out in obedience, even when we’re afraid, even when we don’t fully understand,
Jesus meets us on the way.  He comes close.  He comforts us.  He guides us.
He strengthens and equips us for the journey ahead.

Where might Jesus be waiting to meet you—not at the end of your journey, but
right here, right now, as you take your next step of faith?

Closing
The two Marys came to the tomb expecting death.  Instead, they found life.
They came weighed down with sorrow.  Instead, they left running with joy.

They didn't have all the answers yet.  They didn’t have it all figured out.
But they knew one thing — Jesus was alive.  And that changed everything.

Today, we are just like them.  We come with our doubts, our fears, and our brokenness.
But if we are willing to seek Jesus—even when the ground shakes and the world feels uncertain —He will meet us on the way.  He will remind us:  "Do not be afraid."

And He will send us—not just to sit still and wonder—but to go and tell.
So as we leave today, remember this:  The tomb is empty.  Jesus is alive.
And He is calling you to go and share that hope with a world that desperately needs it.

Closing Hymn – “Surely The Presence Of The Lord Is In This Place” #306
Today, we have the priveledge of welcoming 2 new members into our church family.
John and Tina-Marie Shultz come to us, transferring their membership from
Tomoka UMC, in Ormond Beach, FL.  Let’s stand and sing Surely the Presence of the Lord is in This Place as they make their way down to the front of the church.

John and Tina-Marie Schultz join the church…

Benediction
You have seen the empty tomb!
You have heard the good news!
Now go…
Go in courage, in hope, and in joy…
to tell the world that Jesus is risen!
And be sure of this:  He will meet you on the way.

 

Christ is Risen - What Now? | A Sermon for Easter

Introduction
We are celebrating the risen Lord! Our Easter cantata tells the whole story—beginning with Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem. The crowds were excited, but they misunderstood His mission. They thought He came as a conquering king to overthrow the Romans and reward the “good” people of Jerusalem.

But as the week unfolded, they realized something deeper—there are no “good” people. We are all dead in our sins and in need of rescue. Jesus came not just to fix a political problem, but to lift us out of our spiritual grave. He died on the cross to save us, and on Sunday, He rose again—defeating sin and death once and for all.

The Resurrection Makes a Difference
Let’s look at Romans 6:4 - “For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.”

The resurrection isn’t just something that happened to Jesus—it’s something that happens in us. When we follow Christ, we die to our old self and are raised to new life.  That new life doesn’t begin after death—it begins now. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

Jesus takes off our old grave clothes—the sin, the shame, the brokenness—and clothes us in righteousness, purpose, and hope. Just like many of us put on new clothes on Easter, we put on a new life in Christ.

A New Heart and a New Way
In the Old Testament, God promised to take away our hearts of stone and give us hearts of flesh—hearts that want to follow Him. That’s what happens when we walk with Jesus. He begins to change our desires, our values, and our relationships.

And the kingdom of heaven? It’s not far off in the future. It’s not just for after we die. It’s here and now. Every time we love what Jesus loves, every time we show compassion, we get a glimpse of heaven on earth.

And it’s for everyone—not just the people of Jerusalem or Israel, but the Gentiles, the Romans, and even the people we struggle with today. When Jesus changes our hearts, we begin to see others the way He sees them.

We Need Each Other
Hebrews 10:25 reminds us: “Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.”

Jesus didn’t do ministry alone. He gathered a group of twelve very different people—some of whom would’ve hated each other before they met Him—and He made them a family.

That’s what the church is: a family of faith. We don’t always agree. We’re not always alike. But we’re meant to grow together, encourage one another, and live as a resurrection people together.

An Invitation to New Life
If you’re visiting today, I’m so glad you’re here. You are always welcome at Pleasant Grove Methodist Church. Every Sunday is a little Easter, a chance to worship the risen Lord and grow together.

If you’ve been attending for a while, maybe today is the day to go deeper—join a small group, get involved in a Bible study, or find a way to serve. We grow best when we grow together.

And if you’ve never been baptized or joined a church, maybe today is your day to say yes to that next step of faith. Jesus is calling us out of the grave and into a living, breathing relationship with Him.

Wherever God is calling you, don’t walk alone. The church is where we live out the power of the resurrection together. And if Pleasant Grove is where God is planting you, we would be honored to walk that journey with you.