Empty promises that fulfill

I. The empty cross bought our forgiveness

* The women saw the three blood-stained crosses standing empty!

1. For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18; See Colossians 2:13b, 14).

2. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father? (John 10:17, 18).

II. The empty tomb offers us eternal life

* The women found the stone rolled away from the empty tomb!

1. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ?Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.? And they remembered His words (Luke 24:4?8).

2. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).

III. The empty grave clohes is our new identity

* The disciples entered the tomb and found the linen wrappings!

  1. The two were running together; and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first; and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. And so Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered the tomb; and he *saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the face-cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed (John 20:4?8).
  2. I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?? (Luke 18:8).
  3. Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming (1 John 2:28).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, April 5th, 2026.

Life Group Flow and Discussion Questions

Empty promises that fulfill

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Explore creative ways that your group can share the gospel message of Christ's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection that brings new identity for those who trust Him.

Getting Started:

  1. What are some empty promises the world tries to sell people? How does the empty cross, the empty tomb and the empty grave clothes bring fulfillment to believers?
  2. How do you think most people view Easter? What are some of the main distractions in our world to the true meaning of Jesus? resurrection?

Discussing Truths:

  1. If someone asked you about the hope within you (1 Peter 3:15), how would you explain the simple, yet profound message of the gospel to them?
  2. In our culture of isolation and fear, how does genuine faith replace unhealthy fear?
  3. Why is the resurrection of Jesus so important (1 Corinthians 15:12-20)?
  4. When did you place your trust in Jesus? Who was the person that most influenced you to receive Christ?
  5. Are you enjoying fulfillment in your life? What does the "living hope" from the resurrection look like as recorded in (1 Peter 1:3)?
  6. Why do you think Jesus instituted Communion as a holy sacrament for us to visibly celebrate His sacrificial death and resurrection?
  7. How is the incarnation of Christ, where God takes a human body? such an important aspect of our redemption story and central to Communion celebration (Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 2:14, 15, 17; 4:15, 16; 1 Peter 2:24)?
  8. What is the difference between our positional forgiveness through Jesus (1 John 1:7) and our experiential forgiveness through confession (1 John 1:9)?

Now What? Application:

  1. Is there any "old baggage" that you need to be emancipated from like shedding grave clothes?
  2. How will you walk in the power of our Lord's resurrection (Romans 1:4-6; Acts 1:8)?