Living Grace Foursquare Church
Easter Sunday: More than Amazing
Amazing! When’s the last time you were amazed? In awe? Lost for words? What could be more amazing than someone who was dead, but is now alive? The Bible records several stories of people being raised from the dead. It shows us that God who is Himself the Source of Life can give life to whoever He wants—in life and even after death. This Easter let’s celebrate the Risen Jesus and look back at others who experienced that great miracle. You shouldn’t have to look very far to see one raised from death to life! More than Amazing…. 1 Corinthians 15:20. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Locations & Times
Living Grace Foursquare Church
3646 N Rancho Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89130, USA
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
God who is Himself the Source of Life can give life to whoever He wants—even after death. Amazing.
Part 1: Resurrection in the Old Testament
🔹 The Widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17–24)
Elijah stays with a widow during famine.
Her son dies—she assumes judgment.
Elijah prays—God gives life.
God sees even the unseen—His mercy extends to Gentiles.
Jesus speaks of her faith in Luke 4:25
“In truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow”.
🔹 The Widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17–24)
Elijah stays with a widow during famine.
Her son dies—she assumes judgment.
Elijah prays—God gives life.
God sees even the unseen—His mercy extends to Gentiles.
Jesus speaks of her faith in Luke 4:25
“In truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow”.
🔹 Elisha’s Grave (2 Kings 13:20–21)
A dead man touches Elisha’s bones and lives.
Even in death, God’s power cannot be buried.
A dead man touches Elisha’s bones and lives.
Even in death, God’s power cannot be buried.
Part 2: Resurrection in the Ministry of Jesus
🔹 Widow’s Son at Nain (Luke 7:11–17)
Jesus’ compassion meets death.
1. Jesus came close and touched the coffin and spoke to the dead man: “Young man, I say to you, get up!” (Luke 17:14).
“Young man, I say to you, get up!” — and he does.
The crowd proclaims: “God has come to help His people!”
2. The mourning was turned to awe and praise: “God has come to help his people,” the people said (verse 16).
🔹 Widow’s Son at Nain (Luke 7:11–17)
Jesus’ compassion meets death.
1. Jesus came close and touched the coffin and spoke to the dead man: “Young man, I say to you, get up!” (Luke 17:14).
“Young man, I say to you, get up!” — and he does.
The crowd proclaims: “God has come to help His people!”
2. The mourning was turned to awe and praise: “God has come to help his people,” the people said (verse 16).
🔹 Lazarus (John 11)
Jesus delays—not for lack of love, but for greater glory.
“I am the resurrection and the life… Do you believe this?”
Lazarus comes out of the tomb—proof of Jesus’ power and promise.
Jesus delays—not for lack of love, but for greater glory.
“I am the resurrection and the life… Do you believe this?”
Lazarus comes out of the tomb—proof of Jesus’ power and promise.
Part 3: The Resurrection that Changes Everything
From Death to Life in Jerusalem (Matthew 27:50–53).
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud [agonized] voice, and gave up His spirit [voluntarily, sovereignly dismissing and releasing His spirit from His body in submission to His Father’s plan]. 51 And [at once] the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was [l]torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split apart. 52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints (God’s people) who had fallen asleep [in death] were raised [to life]; 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city (Jerusalem) and appeared to many people.
From Death to Life in Jerusalem (Matthew 27:50–53).
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud [agonized] voice, and gave up His spirit [voluntarily, sovereignly dismissing and releasing His spirit from His body in submission to His Father’s plan]. 51 And [at once] the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was [l]torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split apart. 52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints (God’s people) who had fallen asleep [in death] were raised [to life]; 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city (Jerusalem) and appeared to many people.
🔹 The Death and Resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 27:50–53; 1 Corinthians 15)
When Jesus died, the earth shook, graves opened.
When He rose, others rose too.
Jesus didn’t just bring life back—He defeated death forever.
When Jesus died, the earth shook, graves opened.
When He rose, others rose too.
Jesus didn’t just bring life back—He defeated death forever.
a. “Our religion is not based upon opinions, but upon facts. We hear persons sometimes saying, ‘Those are your views, and these are ours.’ Whatever your ‘views’ may be, is a small matter; what are the facts of the case?” (Spurgeon)
Jesus’ resurrection is the first permanent return to life; everyone else who had been raised to life died again.
a. Lazarus died twice; Jesus rose, to never die.
b. He is “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20).
a. Lazarus died twice; Jesus rose, to never die.
b. He is “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20).
The firstfruits were the first of the season's crops given by faithful Jewish people to God.
1. Paul's use means that Jesus was the first of the crop of "the dead" to be resurrected.
a. His was the prototype for what lies in store for you and I in the future (1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 John 3:2).
b. The harvest has only just begun.
c. As God raised Jesus back to life, He will raise-up all those who trust in Christ to life, as well, when the time comes.
2. Jesus’ resurrection justifies us (Romans 4:25)
3. It also guarantees our eternal life: “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19).
1. Paul's use means that Jesus was the first of the crop of "the dead" to be resurrected.
a. His was the prototype for what lies in store for you and I in the future (1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 John 3:2).
b. The harvest has only just begun.
c. As God raised Jesus back to life, He will raise-up all those who trust in Christ to life, as well, when the time comes.
2. Jesus’ resurrection justifies us (Romans 4:25)
3. It also guarantees our eternal life: “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19).
Part 4: What It Means Today
His resurrection is not just a past event—it’s a present reality!
His resurrection is not just a past event—it’s a present reality!
The Call to Faith and Action
“Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.’
That wasn’t just for Martha. That’s for you.
Maybe something in your life feels dead today—a dream, a relationship, hope, or even faith.
The same power that raised Jesus is still at work. He is still calling dead things to life.
Do you believe this?
Because if you do…then you’re not just hearing about resurrection—you’re stepping into it.”
“Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.’
That wasn’t just for Martha. That’s for you.
Maybe something in your life feels dead today—a dream, a relationship, hope, or even faith.
The same power that raised Jesus is still at work. He is still calling dead things to life.
Do you believe this?
Because if you do…then you’re not just hearing about resurrection—you’re stepping into it.”