Series Big Idea: "Focusing on the human quest for power, verses God’s sovereign reign"

Sermon Big: "Christ’s resurrection is the foundation of our faith, fulfillment of God’s promises, and the call to remember, believe and proclaim"

Key Scripture (Luke 24:1-12)

Is faith still reasonable in a world like ours? That’s the question many people are asking today. In the face of global challenges like wars, political unrest, church disillusionment, mental health struggles, and family conflicts, it’s natural to wonder how Christianity can still provide genuine hope. How can we still believe in victory when the pain seems so constant? How can we trust in God’s promises when so many things feel broken or unanswered?

For some, belief is difficult because life hasn’t gone how they expected. For others, it’s doubt rooted in disappointment with religion or church. And for many, it’s the question of whether any of this happened: Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Or are we hanging on to something sentimental just to cope?

Today, we turn to Luke 24:1–12, not to escape real questions but to confront them head-on. This passage isn’t just about an empty tomb. It’s not about blind faith. It’s about the full reality of what God promised, what Jesus accomplished, and what that means for us right now. And in these verses, we find a surprising answer to our modern doubts: Christ’s resurrection is not only the foundation of our faith, but also the fulfillment of God’s promises and the call to remember, believe, and proclaim.

I.         The Resurrection Fulfills God’s Promise and Vindicates Christ’s Identity (Luke 24:1–7)

Luke begins this way. “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared” (Luke 24:1 CSB). The women didn’t come expecting resurrection. They came expecting to honor death. They were grieving, broken, and unsure of what to do next. But death would not have the last word. Verse 2 tells us, “They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.” God had already been at work. What they thought was sealed by death had already been opened by sovereign hands. Verses 3 and 4 say, “They went in but did not find the body… and while they were perplexed, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes.” These were angels, and what they say changes everything.

“Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He is not here, but he has risen! Remember how he spoke to you…” (Luke 24:5–6 CSB). The women are invited to exchange their fear for faith, but the key to doing that is this: remember what Jesus said. Then, verse 7 brings it home: “It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day.” That phrase “it is necessary” runs like a crimson thread through Luke’s Gospel. Jesus didn’t suffer by accident. He rose by divine necessity. He fulfilled the mission from the Father, just as He said. The resurrection is not a divine fix to a failed plan, it is the crown of God's eternal plan, executed perfectly.

The angels aren’t just giving information, they’re providing interpretation. What the women see and what they now remember leads to transformation. Verse 8 says, “And they remembered his words.” It seems simple, but this is where faith begins, remembering His word. When we forget what He says, fear confuses us. But when we remember, everything starts to make sense. The cross wasn’t the end it was the means. The resurrection wasn’t surprising it was promised. And by remembering, they begin to believe.

II.         The Resurrection Invites Us to Remember, Believe, and Proclaim (Luke 24:8–12)

So, they go. Verse 9 says they return from the tomb and report to the Eleven and the rest. The first gospel preachers, the first resurrection proclaimers, are these faithful women. Yet, verse 11 tells us the apostles didn’t believe them. “These words seemed like nonsense.” That word “nonsense” carries the weight of dismissal, it’s as if the apostles scoffed at the report. The same men who would one day preach boldly about the resurrection first wrote it off. And in this, we see a vital truth: no one was expecting resurrection. Their initial disbelief is not an embarrassment it’s evidence. If the disciples weren’t primed to believe, it means their eventual faith came not from delusion but from undeniable revelation.

Then we come to Peter in verse 12. Though we know from John’s Gospel that he wasn’t alone, Luke spotlights him. Peter runs to the tomb, stoops low, and sees the linens. That’s all. No body. No angelic vision. Just cloths. But even that is enough to leave him amazed. Think about this: if the body had been stolen, the grave cloths would be gone or scattered. If Jesus had survived and escaped, they’d be torn or trashed. But instead, they’re undisturbed, set aside as if Jesus passed through them, not unwrapped, but resurrected. It's not just an absence of death it’s the presence of victory.

The empty tomb and folded clothes are bold declarations. Jesus has risen bodily. The King who suffered has now been vindicated. The One who died under cursed wrath now stands under crowned glory. Death has lost. Sin has been paid for. And the same power that raised Jesus from the grave is now available to all who trust in Him. That means your past doesn't define you. Your guilt doesn’t get the final word. God’s power is at work creating new hearts, healing brokenness, sustaining faith, and propelling mission.

And it all starts with remembering His words. "He is not here, but he has risen!" That’s not just Easter language. That is resurrection reality. Are you searching for the living among what's dead? Are you looking for life in control, success, pleasure, or religion? The tomb is empty. He's not here. He's risen and all who trust in Him are raised with Him. It compels your devotion. It doesn’t just promise life after death. It gives power for life before death. Jesus was not just raised. He reigns. And now He calls you to live like it's true.

Conclusion:

The resurrection of Jesus isn’t just something to admire it’s something to build your life on. It’s the foundation of our faith, the fulfillment of every promise God has made, and the call to remember, believe, and proclaim that Christ has truly risen.

If you came today wondering if this faith still makes sense in a confusing world, hear this: the empty tomb speaks clearly. Jesus is alive! His promises are true. And His power is available to you now. So, let’s not live looking for the living among the dead. Let’s live like the King is alive because He is.

Holman Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version Bible

King James Version Bible

Christian Standard Bible

Luke 24:1-12 Bibliography

Christian Standard Bible. Holman Bible Publishers, 2020, p. Lk 24:1–12.

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Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. Electronic ed., Victor Books, 1991, p. 674.

Luter, A. Boyd. “Luke.” CSB Study Bible: Notes, edited by Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax, Holman Bible Publishers, 2017, pp. 1658–59.

Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Crossway Bibles, 2008, p. 2012.

Barry, John D., et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Lexham Press, 2012, 2016, p. Lk 24:1–12.

Bock, Darrell L. “Luke.” Holman Concise Bible Commentary, edited by David S. Dockery, Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998, p. 458.

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Martin, John A. “Luke.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2, Victor Books, 1985, p. 263.

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Mangum, Douglas, editor. Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament. Lexham Press, 2020, p. Lk 24:1–12.

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Barker, Kenneth L. Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition: New Testament). Zondervan Publishing House, 1994, pp. 284–85.

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Stein, Robert H. Luke. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992, pp. 602–07.

Trites, Allison A., William J. Larkin. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Vol 12: The Gospel of Luke and Acts. Tyndale House Publishers, 2006, pp. 315–19.

Morris, Leon. Luke: An Introduction and Commentary. InterVarsity Press, 1988, pp. 351–55.

Anyabwile, Thabiti. Exalting Jesus in Luke. Holman Reference, 2018, pp. 351–55.

Phillips, John. Exploring the Gospel of Luke: An Expository Commentary. Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009, p. Lk 24:1–12.

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