The Tomb Is Empty — Hope Is Alive! (Easter Sermon) By Pastor Joseph Ondu

"He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." — Matthew 28:6 (NKJV)

Introduction:

Happy Easter, beloved!

Today, we gather not to mourn a dead Savior but to celebrate a risen King. The resurrection of Jesus is the greatest event in history, the very foundation of our faith, and the proof that death does not have the final word.

Easter is not just a holiday — it is a holy reminder that Jesus lives, and because He lives, we have hope, we have victory, and we have life.

1. The Reality of the Resurrection

The women came early in the morning to finish preparing Jesus' body. But when they arrived, the stone was rolled away, and the tomb was empty.

The angel declared, “He is not here, for He is risen.”

The resurrection is not a myth, not a fable, but a historical event backed by eyewitnesses (over 500 people saw Jesus after He rose — 1 Cor. 15:6).

The empty tomb confirms Jesus was who He said He was — the Son of God, the Messiah.

The resurrection is the ultimate proof of God's power over sin, death, and the grave.

2. The Power of the Empty Tomb

The tomb wasn’t empty for show — it was empty for our salvation.

a. The Resurrection Means Our Sins Are Forgiven

Romans 4:25 – “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”

If Christ had not risen, we’d still be in our sins (1 Cor. 15:17).

b. The Resurrection Means Death Has Been Defeated

1 Corinthians 15:55 – “O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?”

The grave could not hold Jesus — and now it cannot hold us!

c. The Resurrection Gives Us Living Hope

1 Peter 1:3 – “He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

Hope is not wishful thinking — it's confidence in what Jesus has already done.

3. The Message of Easter: Come and See, Go and Tell

“Come, see the place where the Lord lay… Go quickly and tell His disciples…” (Matt. 28:6–7)

Easter calls us to come and see — to experience the risen Christ personally.

Then, we are called to go and tell — to share the good news that Jesus is alive.

Like the women at the tomb, we are messengers of resurrection hope in a world full of fear, doubt, and death.

4. What Easter Means for Us Today

a. You Can Rise Above Your Past

Because Jesus rose, your past doesn’t define you — His grace does.

b. You Can Live with Confidence

The same power that raised Jesus is at work in you (Ephesians 1:19–20).

c. You Have a Future Beyond the Grave

Jesus said, “Because I live, you will live also.” (John 14:19)

Conclusion:

The stone was rolled away — not to let Jesus out, but to let us in.

To see that the tomb is empty.

To believe that death is defeated.

To know that hope is alive.

Let Easter be more than just a celebration — let it be a personal resurrection in your faith, your purpose, and your relationship with God.

Altar Call / Closing Prayer:

Today, if you’ve felt distant from God...

If you need a fresh start...

If you need resurrection power in your life...

Come to Jesus — the risen Savior is calling you.

Let us pray:

“Lord Jesus, thank You for the cross and thank You for the empty tomb. I believe You are alive. Come into my life, forgive my sins, and fill me with resurrection power. I declare today — You are my Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

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Whatsapp: Pastor Joseph Ondu +254722798889

God Bless you.