Living in Light of His Return

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

April 5th Sermon, Day 5

Just as Jesus promised to rise and did, he has also promised to return. Yet if we're honest, many of us live as though he never said those words. We get so caught up in building our earthly kingdoms, accumulating possessions, and securing our comfort that we forget this world is not our final home. The same Jesus who kept his promise about resurrection will keep his promise about his return. This isn't just theological information - it's meant to transform how we live today.

When we truly remember that Jesus is coming again, it changes our priorities, our relationships, our use of time and resources. We stop looking for ultimate satisfaction in temporary things. We invest more in eternal relationships than earthly achievements. We hold our possessions lightly, knowing they're tools for kingdom purposes rather than treasures to hoard. We live with expectancy, preparing our hearts and helping others prepare theirs.

The empty tomb isn't just a once-a-year Easter story - it's a constant reminder of what's to come. Just as surely as that stone was rolled away and death was defeated, Jesus is coming again. This hope should fill us with joy, urgency, and purpose as we live each day in light of his promised return. Today, let the reality of his coming return shape how you love, serve, and hope.

Bible Verse

'On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 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? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. - Luke 24:1-8

Reflection Question

If you truly believed Jesus could return at any moment, what would you change about how you're living today?

Quote

If we truly remember that Jesus is coming again, it changes everything about how we live today.

Prayer

Jesus, help me live each day with the joyful expectation of your return. May this hope transform my priorities and fill me with purpose for your kingdom.

When Jesus Speaks, Reality Follows

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

April 5th Sermon, Day 4

The resurrection reveals something profound about Jesus: when he speaks, reality follows. He didn't just predict his death and resurrection as a possibility - he declared it as certainty, and exactly as he said, it happened. The empty tomb stands as eternal proof that Jesus' words carry the power to reshape reality itself.

This truth should transform how we read every promise Jesus made. When he says he will never leave us nor forsake us, that's not wishful thinking - that's reality being declared. When he promises that all things work together for good for those who love him, that's not optimistic hope - that's the way things actually are. When he assures us that he has overcome the world, that's not encouragement - that's fact. The resurrection validates everything Jesus said. It's not just an isolated miracle that happened once; it's proof that his words are trustworthy in every situation.

If he could speak life into death, if he could command a stone to roll away and a tomb to empty, then his promises about our daily struggles, our future hope, and our eternal destiny are absolutely reliable. Today, whatever Jesus has spoken over your life, whatever promises you're clinging to, remember that his words have the power to create the reality they describe. The same voice that called forth resurrection is speaking into your circumstances right now.

Bible Verse

'On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 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? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.- Luke 24:1-8

Reflection Question

How does knowing that Jesus' words have the power to reshape reality change the way you approach his promises in your life?

Quote

The resurrection reveals something powerful about Jesus. It reveals that if he said it, he's going to do it.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, increase my faith in the power of your words. Help me trust that what you have spoken over my life will surely come to pass.

The Power of Remembering

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

April 5th Sermon, Day 3

Everything changed for the women at the tomb in a single moment: "Then they remembered his words." That was the turning point. Not new information, not a dramatic revelation, but simply remembering what Jesus had already told them. In their grief and confusion, they had forgotten his clear promise that he would rise on the third day.

Remembering God's words has transformative power. When we recall what Jesus has said about his love for us, our circumstances don't seem as overwhelming. When we remember his promises about providing for our needs, anxiety begins to fade. When we bring to mind his assurance of forgiveness, guilt loses its grip on our hearts. The challenge is that remembering requires intentionality. In our fast-paced, distraction-filled world, we need to create space to recall God's promises.

This might mean starting each day by reading Scripture, keeping verses visible in our homes, or regularly gathering with others who can remind us of God's faithfulness. The women's experience teaches us that we don't always need something new from God - sometimes we need to remember what he's already said. His words spoken long ago are still true today, still powerful, still relevant to whatever we're facing. When we remember, everything can change in an instant.

Bible Verse

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 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? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. - Luke 24:1-8

Reflection Question

What specific promise or word from Jesus do you need to remember and hold onto today?

Quote

The turning point in the passage we read today was in verse 8, when it said, “Then they remembered his words.” That was the turning point for them, and that’s the turning point for us.

Prayer

Father, help me to be intentional about remembering your words and promises. When I'm tempted to forget, bring your truth back to my mind and heart.

Looking for Life in Dead Places

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

April 5th Sermon, Day 2

The angels' question to the women was both gentle and profound: "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" These women had come seeking Jesus in a tomb, but he wasn't there. They were looking for life in a place of death, hope in a place of endings.

How often do we make the same mistake? We search for fulfillment in our careers, thinking the next promotion will finally satisfy us. We chase financial security, believing enough money will bring peace. We seek our identity in others' approval, hoping their validation will make us feel worthy. We try to find control over our circumstances, thinking if we can just manage everything perfectly, we'll have the peace we crave. But these are all tombs - dead places that cannot give us the life we're truly seeking. They might provide temporary satisfaction, but they ultimately leave us empty, still searching, still restless.

The resurrection reminds us that Jesus is alive, and true life is found only in him. When we stop looking for life among dead things and turn our eyes to the living Christ, everything changes. Today, consider where you might be seeking life in places that cannot truly satisfy. The empty tomb declares that Jesus is alive and ready to meet your deepest needs.

Bible Verse

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 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? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. Luke 24:1-8

Reflection Question

What "dead things" have you been looking to for life, hope, or security instead of turning to the living Christ?

Quote

So often we look for hope in our achievements, or we look for security in our finances. We look for our identity in the approval of others, for peace, in our control. But for all those places, ultimately for us, they end up being tombs.

Prayer

Jesus, help me stop seeking life in things that cannot truly satisfy. Turn my heart toward you, the source of all life and hope.

When Life Overwhelms Our Faith

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

April 5th Sermon, Day 1

Picture the women walking to Jesus' tomb that Sunday morning, carrying spices to anoint his body. Their hearts were heavy with grief, their minds clouded by confusion. These weren't casual followers - they were devoted, faithful women who had courageously stayed when others scattered. Yet in their overwhelming sorrow, they had forgotten something crucial: Jesus had told them exactly what would happen.

We often find ourselves in similar places. Life hits us with unexpected challenges, disappointments, or losses, and suddenly the promises of God feel distant. We don't intentionally reject what Jesus has said, but the weight of our circumstances can make his words seem foggy or irrelevant. The bills pile up, relationships strain, health concerns mount, and we forget that our Savior has already spoken into these very situations.

These faithful women teach us that even devoted followers can lose sight of God's promises when overwhelmed. Their story isn't meant to shame us but to encourage us - if God could meet them in their forgetfulness and redirect their hearts, he can do the same for us. Today, whatever is weighing on your heart, remember that your circumstances don't change God's character or cancel his promises.

Bible Verse

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 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? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. Luke 24:1-8

Reflection Question

What overwhelming circumstances in your life right now might be causing you to forget God's promises?

Quote

We don't usually reject Jesus’ words outright. We can just forget them, especially when life gets a little overwhelming.

Prayer

Lord, when life feels overwhelming and your promises seem distant, help me remember your faithfulness. Give me the grace to trust your word even when my circumstances tell a different story.