April 20th, Sermon & Ministry Resources

"FROM DARKNESS TO DAWN" (John 20:1-18)

Lectionary Readings — Easter Sunday — April 20, 2025

Isaiah 65:17-25; Psalm 118:1-2,14-24; 1 Corinthians 15:19-26; John 20:1-18

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Call to Worship (based on John 20:1-18)

Leader: Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.

People: The tomb was empty, for Christ has risen!

Leader: But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying.

People: They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?"

Leader: She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him."

People: When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

Leader: Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?"

People: Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."

Leader: Jesus said to her, "Mary!"

People: She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" which means Teacher.

Leader: Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

People: Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord!"

All: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

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Opening Prayer (based on Isaiah 65:17-25)

Let us pray:

Gracious and loving God,

On this Easter morning, we gather with hearts full of wonder and gratitude. As the sun rises on this day of resurrection, we remember Your promise to create "new heavens and a new earth." Just as You rolled away the stone and raised Christ from the dead, You are constantly making all things new in our lives and in our world.

In this season of rebirth, help us to see the signs of Your restoration all around us—in the budding trees, in reconciled relationships, in hearts being healed, and in lives being transformed. Like Isaiah's vision where the wolf and lamb feed together, guide us toward Your peaceable kingdom where ancient hostilities are forgotten and harmony reigns.

Today we rejoice that death has been swallowed up in victory! We celebrate that the weeping and crying You promised to banish has been overcome in the empty tomb. May the joy of resurrection fill our hearts and overflow into a world still yearning for hope.

Plant within us the assurance that because Christ lives, we too shall live abundantly—not just in the life to come, but here and now as we build together, plant vineyards of justice, and enjoy the work of our hands according to Your purpose.

In the name of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

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Sermon Outline: [NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon].

[Note: All Scripture is taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.]

Sermon Outline: "FROM DARKNESS TO DAWN" (John 20:1-18)

Introduction:

• Welcome and Easter greeting

• Brief setting: "Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark..." (John 20:1)

• Theme: Mary Magdalene's journey from grief to joy mirrors our own spiritual journey

I. DESPAIR in the Darkness (vv. 1-2, 11)

• Mary comes while it's still dark - symbolism of darkness

• Her grief and confusion at the empty tomb

• The running to Peter and John - seeking answers in panic

• "But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb" (v. 11)

• Application: Acknowledging our own places of despair and darkness

II. DISCOVERY in the Dawn (vv. 12-14)

• Angels appearing where Jesus had been lying

• The gradual dawning - Jesus appears but isn't recognized immediately

• "She turned around and saw Jesus standing there" (v. 14)

• Application: How Christ often appears in our lives when we least expect it

III. DELIGHT in the Declaration (vv. 15-16)

• The moment of recognition: "Jesus said to her, 'Mary!'" (v. 16)

• Her joyful response: "Rabbouni!"

• The personal nature of Christ's call

• Application: Jesus knows us by name and calls to us personally

IV. DEPLOYMENT for Discipleship (vv. 17-18)

• "Go to my brothers and say to them..." (v. 17)

• Mary becomes the first resurrection witness and apostle

• "Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, 'I have seen the Lord!'" (v. 18)

• Application: We are all called to share the good news of resurrection

CONCLUSION

• Recap of the four D's: Despair, Discovery, Delight, Deployment

• Easter's invitation to move from darkness to dawn

• The ongoing reality of resurrection in our daily lives

Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers