Empty Tombs and Living Hope: Finding Power in Resurrection Truth

europe , africa and Asia and all across the world . We hope you enjoy this message today . Let's join Pastor Ryan now . I'm going to ask you to stand with me all over the house , if you would , today for the reading of God's Word . We're going to go to John 11 . We're going to read verses 20- 27 .

I want to say welcome to our live stream audience today , wherever you're watching from in the world . God bless you . We're so glad that you're with us and do us a big favor and click the share button and share this on your timeline today .

I also want to say it's great to have so many visitors and special guests with us and , yeah , amen , we appreciate everybody that's come to worship with us today . I want to say it's very great to have Miss Denise with us all the way from Poplar Bluff today . We love Miss Denise .

She was a faithful member here for almost 20 years and she moved to Poplar Bluff , but she came back to be with us today on Easter and we're so glad that she's here . And I'm also so happy to have my sister , Brianna here , all the way from Los Angeles , California . And to all of our visitors , God bless you , we're so glad you're here today .

This is what it says John 11: 20 . And don't be nervous , I don't have a long word , just a strong word , today . Okay . Then Martha , as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming , went and met him . But Mary sat still in the house John 11: 21 . Then said Martha unto Jesus Lord , if you would have been here , my brother would not have died .

But I know that even now , whatsoever you will ask of God , God will give it to you . Jesus said in John 11: 23 , your brother shall rise again . And Martha said unto him I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day . But Jesus said unto her listen to this verse 25 . Jesus said unto her I am the resurrection and the life .

Whoever believes in me though they were dead yet shall they live , and whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die . Do you believe this ? And she said unto him yes , lord , I believe that you are the Christ , the son of the living God which should come into the world . Amen .

Before you're seated , I want you to pray with me today and this is our thought just for the next few minutes why I believe in the resurrection and you should too . Amen , why I believe in the resurrection and why you should too . Let's pray right now , father , in the mighty name of Jesus . Thank you so much , lord , for our awesome time of worship today .

We've worshiped you in singing , we've worshiped you in giving Lord . Thank you for the photos that we were able to show of some of the ministries , lord , that we support in different parts of the world . And now , as we turn our hearts to the teaching and preaching of your word , I pray that you would speak to us in an undeniable way .

Lord , don't let anybody walk outside the doors of 36 East Main Street the same way that they came in Touch us , change us , transform us from the inside out .

Thank you , Jesus , that because you rose from the grave with all power and authority , and because you've given that power and authority unto us , we have the same spirit that raised you from the dead living on the inside of us .

It's a spirit of resurrection , life and power , and I pray , when we leave this place today , that we would go forth as witnesses of your resurrection , life and power , and that you would use us as your hands and feet in our world , that you would use us , lord , to shine your light into the darkness .

We love you and we say thank you in advance for the eternal difference that your word is going to make in every single one of us , not just in this room , but all who are watching online . In Jesus' name , Amen , God bless you . Use your seat one more time in his presence . Now I want to read today , just before we get into my opening illustration .

I really like Jimmy Swaggart's notes about John: 11 , and particularly verses 25 and verses 26 . He said unto her I am the resurrection and the life , my man , jimmy Swaggarton . You may love him or you may hate him , but it doesn't matter , because you don't have the microphone . Come on somebody .

I got the mic and so I love the swag , so let me just slip a little swag in on you here . Okay , this is what he says . He said in his notes . In effect , Jesus is saying Martha , look at me , you are looking at the resurrection and the life . Jimmy says this shows that resurrection and the life is not a mere doctrine but , in reality

, a person , the person of the Lord , Jesus Christ . And then he said whoever lives and believes in me , though they were dead yet , shall they live . This speaks of the coming resurrection of life , when all the sainted dead will rise , and that's found in 1 Thessalonians 4: 13- 18 . But then he says this whoever lives and believes in me shall never die .

Talking about , they will live eternally . And he said do you believe this ? And this is what I really want you to get today . Jimmy Swaggart says the resurrection is the end of death . Consequently , death has no more to do with the redeemed Somebody shout that to me . Consequently , death has no more to do with the redeemed . It has done all that it can do .

It is finished , amen . It is finished . The redeemed live in the imparted life that put an end to death . For them , the old life , its death and judgment , no longer exists . And I want you to think about that today . I want you to think about what the resurrection means for you and for me .

That because Jesus rose from the dead and because he said all power in heaven and earth is given unto me and I give that same power to you , paul the apostle said in Romans 8 , and I'm getting ahead of myself but he said in Romans 8 that if the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives on the inside of you , it will even quicken your mortal body .

I want you to think about that today . Jesus led captivity captive . That's what the great apostle said in another place and he gave gifts unto mankind . And today , you and I would have no reason to be here , we would have no reason to celebrate .

We would have no reason to be here , we would have no reason to celebrate , we would have no reason to rejoice if Jesus had stayed in the grave . But because he rose on the third day , you and I know that we don't just have hope for today .

As I said earlier in our service , in our prayer this morning at the end of worship , we don't just have hope for today and hope for tomorrow and hope for our future on earth . We have the hope of eternal life with him .

Come on , somebody , because of what he did when he conquered death , hell and the grave and I want you to think about that today , what that really means that the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives on the inside of you and me . He said I am the resurrection and the life , and we have that resurrection , life and power .

If you've received him as your personal Lord and savior , now look if you're here today or you're watching me online and you haven't received Jesus . Today's the day of salvation . Come on , somebody , today is your day to be saved .

All right , this is your day to open your heart and open your life and receive him as your personal Savior and Lord , because when you receive him by the Holy Spirit , he comes to live on the inside of us , and it's not a different spirit or a different anointing , it's that same resurrection , life and power that takes up residence in us . Somebody say amen .

Today I want you to listen to this True story , bro . True story , all right . Little Phillip , born with Down's Syndrome , attended a third grade Sunday school class with several eight-year-old boys and girls . Typical of that age . The children did not readily accept Phillip with his differences .

According to an article in Leadership Magazine , they had trouble allowing him to fit in and belong to the group . But because of a creative teacher , they began to care about Philip more and more and accept him as part of their little group , though they didn't accept him fully . The Sunday after Easter the teacher brought legs pantyhose containers .

Any of y'all know anything about legs pantyhose containers ? I used to love playing with those when I was a kid . I'd be like , hey , Mom , don't throw that in the trash , I want to play with that silver egg . Come on somebody . Y'all ain't saying nothing to me today up here .

I'm like let's make this the golden egg and you can put a hundred dollar bill in here . Mom and dad , they're like yeah , right , that can be the golden egg and you can have four quarters . Come on somebody , I go , you can have a hundred , all right , a hundred cents , right ? So anyway , I love playing with those .

I'm telling on myself , but that's all right . She brought in one of those big legs pantyhose containers , the kind that look like large silver eggs , each receiving one . The children . Apparently the Sunday school teacher had a lot of pantyhose . Come on somebody , each of these children receiving one .

They were told to go outside on that lovely spring day to find a symbol for new life and put it in the egg-like container . Back in the classroom they would share their new life symbols , opening the containers one by one in surprise fashion .

After running all over the church property in wild confusion , the students returned to the classroom and placed the containers on the table , surrounded by the children . The teacher began to open them one by one , and after each one , whether a flower . Open them one by one , and after each one , whether a

flower , a butterfly or a leaf , the class would ooh and ah , I love eight-year-old kids . Then one was opened , revealing nothing inside . The children exclaimed that's stupid , that's not fair . Somebody didn't do the assignment right . But then Philip spoke up . That's mine , that's mine , philip , you don't ever do things right .

One student yelled out there's nothing in there . Philip insisted I did so , do it . I did do it . It's empty . And the tomb was empty . Silence followed . From then on , philip became a full member of that class and they all accepted him wholeheartedly . Tragically , philip died not long afterward from an infection that most normal children would have shrugged off .

But at the funeral , this class of eight-year-olds marched up to the altar not with flowers , but with their Sunday school teacher , each one of them laying an empty pantyhose egg on the altar at his funeral . Ladies and gentlemen , I want you to think about this . Today , philip is not dead .

Little Philip , as precious as he was , is very much alive and well today , because of the resurrection I'm gonna say it again because he lives . Come on somebody we can't just face tomorrow . We have hope of eternal life . I tell people all the time Christians don't die .

I think I've done like 12 or 14 funerals since the beginning of this year because my buddy , todd Mann , his people keep calling me saying we've got some people without a pastor . Will you come do their funeral ? And I'm like are you kidding me ? Does a six-year-old kid like Disney World ? Come on in here .

Yeah , I'll come speak at their funeral because I love to share Jesus with people . You know what I tell people every time I'm there . I say listen , if you put your faith and trust in Jesus , Christians don't die , they just relocate . Come on somebody . Christians don't die because of the resurrection .

They graduate from life on earth to life forever with Jesus , which is far better than life on earth . Come on . There's no pain , there's no suffering , there's no sickness , there's no infections . For little Phillip , come on somebody . When Micah and I went to her granny's funeral this week and y'all pray for me , I'm taking it harder than Micah is Come on .

Micah was just sitting there at the funeral . I'm over there crying like man . I'm going to miss granny . You know Mike is like Ryan , could you get it together ? I'm like , no , this stinks man . You know I love granny . But when I went up by the casket man , she looked good laying in there .

She would have turned 104 on June 1st and one of the most incredible people I've ever met in my life , and I mean that I'm walking and I've been all over the place . All right , I'm walking by her casket and I stop and lean down and I smile and I didn't say goodbye , I said , granny , I'll see you later .

Amen , you beat me there , but hold on , I'm coming , amen . I'm on my way because we have hope beyond the grave . Ladies and gentlemen , brothers and sisters , because of the resurrection , and that's what I want you to wrap your spirit around today . And I've got to hurry , put on your Air Jordans and come fly with me .

Okay , I want you to wrap your spirit around this the resurrection is what separates Christianity from all the other religions of the world . There are religions . I mean , come on , I've been to India many times . Last time I was there , they arrested me , locked me up and then deported me . Come on , somebody . I ain't tried to go back since .

Glory to God , but when I was in India preaching , I remember they worship millions and millions of God's friends . They worship everything . They worship rats , they worship elephants , they worship cows , amen . There are religions all over the world . You know something that a lot of people are getting into . Jeremiah and I were talking about this .

Recently the New Age movement has like resurged in a crazy way . You know , back in the 70s and 80s and early 90s it was a big thing . Some people were worshiping rocks and stuff Come on somebody . But it's totally surging again .

There are religions , people believe all kinds of crazy stuff , but you know what separates Christianity from all the other religions of the world ? It's that Jesus is not dead today . Jesus is alive . Ladies and gentlemen , I said Jesus is alive and well . Today . He lives on the inside of us by the Holy Spirit .

He's seated at the right hand of the Father and when you go to his tomb , there's nothing there . I've said this a million times over the years here at the Great Center . I've said this all over the world , wherever I've gone to preach . If you go to the grave of Muhammad , you find a pile of dead dry bones . Come on somebody .

If you go to the grave of Buddha , you find a big , fat pile of dead dry bones . Are y'all with me today ? If you go to the grave of Jesus , there's nothing there because he isn't in the tomb . Amen , that's why . That's why I don't like . I'm just going to unbutton one . Don't get nervous , come on someone , I'm just , it's just one .

I was somewhere recently . This , this guy was , this guy was preaching . I went to hear this guy preach recently . He was a good preacher . He unbuttoned his top button . He's like is this okay ? I'm like no , it's not okay , put that away . No , I didn't do that . I was like come on , man , you know what I'm saying .

If you unbutton and one button is causing somebody to lust , you need to cast the devil out of them . Praise the Lord . All right , listen , I'm not going to pull Elvis on like , unbutton it down to here , don't be worried . Okay , no , seriously though , I'd you think about this with me today . I love , I love the worship we did today .

Didn't our worship team do a great job ? Give them a great big hand clap . They did a great job . I really appreciate them and you know what I love about them . They have talent , but it's not about talent . They have an anointing on their lives and they have a heart to worship . They're not here to perform for you , they're not here to put on a show .

They're here to lead us in worship . Amen , to usher us into the throne room , and they did a beautiful job of that . You know one of the things I love about worship today , though . I love that we sang old songs and new songs , amen , and everything in between we did . Lord , I Lift your Name on High , come on 1993 . Praise God .

I mean , we took it way back . We took it to the 90s , we took it to the 2000s . Okay , I love it , but you know one of the things I love about old gospel hymns there's a message in those songs . Y'all , I'm getting ready to get old hymnals and redback hymnals and just put them in all the chairs around here .

Some of y'all are like what are these frames on the bottom of chairs ? Well , you can put your Bible there if you want to , but we put those on there because we're about to put some redback hymnals . Pastor Ryan , are you old school like that ? Yeah , can't you tell by my light green jacket ? Come on somebody . No , look .

I love old gospel hymns , and some of my favorites are ones about the resurrection . I was thinking this morning when I woke up about that old hymn Up from the grave , he arose with a mighty triumph over his foes . He arose the victor of the dark domain , and he lives forever with his saints to reign . He arose . He arose , hallelujah , Christ arose .

I was thinking about that old song the other day and I jotted it down in my notes so I'd remember . He lives , he lives . Christ Jesus lives today . He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way . He lives , he lives salvation to impart . You ask me how I know he lives . He lives within my heart . Somebody give God praise .

If you believe that today , I need an organ and a black choir up here , deacon Harrington , to help me preach this , all right , look , I love what Miss Sandy sang today . Man , I love that song . My man , bill Gaither , wrote it . Bill Gaither's bad to the bone man , bad to the bone .

Jimmy Swagger posted the other day Bill Gaither came by to have coffee with him . They were sitting there . Somebody took a picture and I was like man , I'd give a million dollars to sit at that table with two living legends and just have both of them lay hands on me at the same time . I love Bill Gaither Because he lives . I can face tomorrow .

Because he lives , all fear is gone , because I know who holds my future and life is worth the living . Just because he lives . I believe that today . I believe that today ,

in one of his lighter moments , benjamin Franklin pinned his own epitaph . I love Ben Franklin , and not just because he's on the $100 bill . Come on somebody . Ben did not profess . Y'all aren't ready for me today . I've got two little babies and I'm running on like zero sleep okay , it could be dangerous and I've had four cups of coffee .

I might just start doing backflips down this side aisle . Praise the Lord . Mike was like I hope you rest well . Last night . I said I hope you rest well . I said it's okay if I don't , I'm just going to drink like five cups of coffee before we go to church . Praise the Lord . Listen to this .

In one of his lighter moments , benjamin Franklin penned his own epitaph . He didn't profess to be a born-again Christian , but it seems that he must have been influenced by Paul's teaching of the resurrection of the body , because this is what Ben Franklin wrote the body of B Franklin printer . Like the cover of an old book . I love this .

Its contents , torn out and stripped of its lettering and gilding , lies here , food for worms . But the work shall not be wholly lost , for it will be as he believed , to appear once more in a new and perfect edition , corrected and amended by the author . I like that , amen .

It shall appear once more in a new and more perfect edition , corrected and amended by the author , friends . This is why I believe Jesus rose from the dead , and I'm gonna close quickly today . This is why I believe Jesus rose from the dead and you should believe it too . If Jesus did not rise from the dead , the Christian faith is a foolish fantasy .

How many of y'all know that ? If Jesus did not rise from the dead , the Christian faith is a foolish fantasy ? However , if the resurrection of Christ did occur , it confirms his life , his message and his atoning work . It is the basis of our hope of life beyond the grave . As I've already said here today , Christ is alive and the evidence is overwhelming .

Here are just some of the reasons that we can be so sure . And I don't have time . I got scripture to back all this up and I might just post this on Facebook because I don't have time . Come on , somebody . Some of y'all got to go hunt eggs . Come on in here . What's up with a bunny that lays eggs ? I don't know . Help me somebody .

Look , some of y'all got to go to egg hunts and family barbecues . So I don't have time . I got scripture to back all this up . I don't have time to get in all the scripture , but I'm going to just give you these points right . Here are just some of the reasons that we can be so sure . Number one Jesus predicted his resurrection .

You can read about that in the Gospels Matthew 16: 21 , Mark 9: 9- 10 . John 2: 18- 22 . Number two the Old Testament prophesied the resurrection of Jesus . My man , David , said in Psalm 16: 10 , that you will not leave my soul in hell . Come on in here . Acts 2: 25- 31 , and Acts 13 . I'll speak of this . The Old Testament prophesied the resurrection .

Number three the tomb was empty and the grave clothes were vacant . If those who oppose Christ wished to silence his disciples , all they had to see John 20:3-9 . Let me do this . This is my shameless plug right now .

If you've never read the book Case for Christ by Lee Strobel , or if you've never , they turned it into a movie , come on , some of us still go to the movies . Help me somebody , pray for me . All right , I still watch movies . Glory to God . The Case for Christ is a phenomenal book . They turned it into a movie and it's an awesome movie .

You need to check that out . All they had to do was produce the body , but they couldn't do it . Number four many people saw the resurrected Christ . I want you to think about that . They looked on Jesus' face , they touched him , they heard his voice , they saw him eat . Come on . The angel said to Mary he is not here , he is risen .

Look at the place where they laid him . Come on . I like what one of the gospels says the angel said he is not here , he is risen . Just like he said he would . Amen . Many people saw the resurrected Christ . They looked on his face , they touched him , they heard his voice . They saw him eat .

You see it all throughout the gospels in Matthew 28 and Luke 24 , in John 20 , in Acts and 1 Corinthians . It talks about it . Many people saw the resurrected Christ . Number five the lives of the disciples . Why I believe in the resurrection and you should too . The lives of the disciples were revolutionized . Think about the apostle Peter .

When Jesus was about to die on the cross , I said last Sunday , on Palm Sunday , the late great Dr . BH Clendenin . He mentored me . He's in Heaven now . He always used to tell me he would say Ryan , the closer that Jesus got to the cross , the fewer there were who followed him .

And he said , son , the closer you get to the cross , sometimes , the fewer there will be that will follow you . And I thought , man , I wish you wouldn't have said that . Come on , no , seriously , it's the truth . The closer Jesus got to the cross , the fewer there were that followed him . Peter , I want you to think about this .

Peter was scared of a little servant girl . She said you're one of those Galileans , you're with Jesus . He said you blankety , blank and blank no , I'm not Jesus . He said you blankety , blank and blank no , I'm not . Come on in here . I don't know the man , I don't know what you're talking about . What are you saying ?

Whenever Jesus rose again from the dead , amen . And he led captivity captive , and he gave gifts to men and he said all power in heaven and earth is given unto me and I give that power unto you the lives of the disciples were revolutionized .

Peter went from cussing out a little servant girl , because he was scared , to standing up in front of a lot of the people that were responsible for Jesus being crucified . And Peter said y'all did this . But he said God raised him from the dead on the third day . Why ?

The resurrection revolutionized the early disciples , and the resurrection will revolutionize your life , your home , your family and your world , if you let it . The lives of the disciples were revolutionized . Though they fled and even denied Christ at the time of his arrest , they later feared no one in their proclamation of the risen Christ .

The resurrection was the central message of the early church , and the church grew with an unwavering conviction that Christ had risen and that he was the Lord of the church . Finally , today , men and women today testify that the power of the risen Christ has transformed their lives .

We know that Jesus is alive , not only because of the historical and biblical evidence , but also because he has miraculously touched so many lives throughout the entirety of the world . Why do I believe in the resurrection and why should you believe in it too ? Number 1: Jesus predicted his resurrection . The angel said it happened , just like he said .

Number 2: the Old Testament prophesied it . Number 3: the tomb was empty and the grave clothes were vacant . Number 4: many people , hundreds and hundreds of people , saw the resurrected Christ . Number 5: the lives of the disciples were revolutionized .

And Number 6: men and women all over the world today are still having their lives revolutionized by the most incredible person in the history of mankind . Well over , come on , just fasten your seatbelts and keep your arms and legs inside the chair at all times . We're going to bring this bad boy in for a crash landing , okay ?

Well , over 300 verses are concerned with the subject of Jesus' resurrection . In the New Testament I didn't stutter , preacher , did I hear you right ? You heard me right ? Over 300 verses are concerned with the subject of Jesus' resurrection .

In the New Testament , we are told that this event is a sign for unbelievers as well as the answer for the believer's doubt . God , I wish I had time to preach today . It serves as the guarantee that Jesus' teachings are true , and it is the center of the gospel itself .

Further , the resurrection is the impetus for evangelism , the key indication of the believer's daily power to live the Christian life , and it's the reason for the total commitment of our lives to Christ . The resurrection even addresses the fear of death .

Come on , I love what the Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 4 , when it says the trump will sound and the dead in Christ will rise . First and then we which who are alive and remain , shall be caught up in the air to meet the Lord , and so shall we ever be with the Lord . It deals , it deals .

It deals with the issue of the fear of death and it is related to the second coming of Jesus . Lastly , this event is a model of the Christian's resurrection from the dead

and provides a foretaste of heaven for the believer . Now I was like you're ready to end with my king ? Any of y'all that have ever been at the Grace Center for like more than a year know that every Easter , you know I don't like vain , meaningless traditions . Come on somebody , but I do Not . All traditions are bad . Help me somebody .

Not all traditions are bad . Today , somebody . Not all traditions are bad . Today I'm going to close with my king . Every year on Easter , I always close with a powerful , just a portion of the powerful message preached by the late , great Dr . SM Lockridge , and I will not be able to do it justice , but I'm going to share it with you anyway . And Dr .

Lockridge always had an organ , betty , and so that's part of the reason that I can't do it justice . But that's all right , we're going to do our best . Okay , listen , this is what I want you to wrap your speed around today .

If you forget everything else , the crazy white boy says remember this number one if you have surrendered your life to Christ , I'm gonna say this again if you have not surrendered your life to Christ , today's a day for you to do it . Heaven was not created for perfect people .

Heaven was made for people who put their faith and trust in Jesus and receive God's free gift of salvation through him . I'm a good person , I'm going to heaven . No , you're not , sweetheart . Heaven wasn't made for good people . Heaven was made for people who receive God's free gift of salvation through Jesus .

Jesus said in John 14: 6 , I am the way , I am the truth , I am the life . Nobody gets to heaven , nobody gets to the Father , except through me . That's so exclusive , pastor . That's so exclusive ? No , it's not .

Christianity is the most inclusive religion in the whole wide world , because Jesus says I don't care who you are , I don't care where you've been , I don't care what you've done done , I don't care how messed up you might be . Just come to me as you are and I'll change your life forever when you open the door of your heart to me and receive me .

It's not exclusive , it's inclusive . I'm the way , I'm the truth , I'm the life . Nobody gets to the Father except in me . Today is the day , friend , for you to surrender your all and surrender everything to him . And when you do that , the apostle Paul said , the same spirit Romans 8 , that raised Jesus up from the dead comes to live on the inside of you .

And it doesn't just quicken your spirit , it doesn't just make your spirit , man , feel better , it will even quicken your mortal body , because it's that same Holy Ghost , it's that same anointing , it's that same power , it's that same resurrection life that takes up residence in our souls . Come on .

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15 , I wish I had time to read it and I don't . But it says death is swallowed up in victory . Oh grave , where is your victory ? Oh death , where is your sting ? Come on . And then it says that the strength of sin is the law , but thanks be to God , which has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ .

Paul said in Romans 8 , what the law could not do , and that it was weak , God did by sending his own son Jesus . The law of the spirit of life that's in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death . Thanks be to God , which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ . Why ? Because resurrection , life and power swallowed up death .

And I'm going to say it again , on purpose . I love first y'all to read first Thessalonians . Read first Thessalonians man . Read 1 Thessalonians man . Read it . Chapter 4: 13- 18 . Read it . I don't have time to read right now . Read it on your own .

When the trumpet sound , the dead in Christ will rise first and we which are alive and remain shall be caught up in the air with them to meet the Lord . And so shall we ever be with the Lord . That's because of the resurrection . We have that hope today . We have that assurance today , because of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead .

He said I am the resurrection and the life . Whoever lives and believes in me shall never die , and that's why I'm grateful today as I close with . That's my king . That's why I'm grateful today as I close with . That's my king . That's why I'm grateful today . Oh , I'm grateful today . They don't have to be afraid of death , and neither do you .

The Bible says it's appointed unto mankind once to die , and after this the judgment . Hebrews 9: 27 . You know why I'm not afraid of that ? Because the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives on the inside of me . I've already got eternal life living within me .

If you know him , you've already got that eternal life living in you , and when I see him before him someday , all I have to say the devil's going to be there reading off a long list . Some of y'all are holy and you know it . God bless you . There's a long list of stuff that I've done .

Ladies and gentlemen , brothers and sisters , and you know what I'm going to say when the devil reads off that long list . It's all true , your honor , every last thing he may , oh , slew foot .

May have even missed a few , and I'm not going to bring them up , but I do want to say one thing the blood of your son , Jesus Christ , cleanses me from all my sin and unrighteousness . I plead the blood . How do you plead ? I plead the blood . Amen . I have hope beyond the grave . You have hope beyond the grave that we don't have to fear death .

For Christians , death is a fact , not a fear . Ron Sutton always used to tell me when I was a little boy . He would say Ryan , Christians are death's victors , not death's victims . Come on in here as much as I was being a big baby about granny going home to be with the Lord and I'm like is anybody else is upset about this ?

I am Everybody's just like chill , I'm not okay with this . I wanted her to live , to be like 110 . You know what I mean ? I was all excited . I was like granny's man . She's looking good and feeling good and doing good . She was like this , tall and weighed 87 pounds , soaking wet , with rocks in her pockets , but she was bad to the bone y'all .

That means she was good White people , come on . But I'm telling you I'm thankful today . I mean this . I'm thankful today as much as I miss Granny . I wouldn't bring her back if I could , because she wouldn't want to come back if she could . To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord .

Listen , friend , if you have a loved one that you've lost , that knew Christ and you're having trouble getting over it , come on , you need to just turn it over to the Lord and say thank you , that this isn't goodbye , I'll see you later because they're in a place that's beautiful . No more sorrow , no more tears , no more suffering , no more heartache .

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord . We have hope beyond the grave . I'm thankful for that . For Christians , death is a fact , not a fear . Christians are death's victors , not death's victims . Amen . I might feel sorry for myself today because Granny's gone . Come on somebody . I might feel sorry for Micah's family because Granny's gone .

You know who . I don't feel sorry for Granny because she's in the presence of the Lord because of resurrection , life and power . I got to shut up . I got to shut up . I got to shut up . Here we go . Several years ago I had the privilege of sharing that's my King on the stage with KJ52 .

Now a lot of y'all don't know who KJ 5-2 is , but I'm going to tell you KJ 5-2 was like my hero in the 90s when I was growing up and they called me and said hey , we wanted to know if you wanted to come preach a salvation message and we also need you to recite that's my King . I'm like by Dr . SM Lockridge . We're like , oh , you know what ?

I2 is one of the headlines . I'm like the KJ 5-2 ? What's it going to cost for you to come do this ? Pastor , son , if you let me hang out with KJ 5-2 in the green room , I'll do it for free . Come on somebody . And Johnny Osmond , I went to Union , Missouri , and I did it for free . I'm like taking selfies and stuff .

He's like Ryan , bro , I'll sign it for you . I was like all right , man , and then I had to go out and do this . I love this . This is so powerful . Dr Esselstyn Lockridge , this is what he said . Y'all stay with me . I'm done with this .

The Bible says Jesus is the king of the Jews , he's the king of Israel , he's the king of righteousness , he's the king of glory , he's the king of kings and the Lord of lords . That's my king . David says the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament show with his handiwork . No means of measure can define his limitless love .

No far-seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of his shoreless supply . No barriers can hinder him from pouring out his blessing . I love this . He's enduringly strong . He's entirely sincere . He's eternally steadfast . He's immortally graceful . He's imperially powerful . He's impartially merciful . That's my king . He's God's son . He's the center savior .

He's the centerpiece of civilization . He stands alone in himself . He's August , he's unique , he's unparalleled , he's unprecedented . He's supreme , he's preeminent . He's the loftiest idea in literature . He's the highest personality in philosophy . He's the supreme problem in higher criticism . He's the fundamental doctrine in true theology .

He's the cardinal necessity of spiritual religion . That's my king , I wonder . Do you know him ? He's the miracle of the age . He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call him . He's the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously . He supplies strength for the weak , he's available for the tempted and the tried .

He sympathizes and he saves , he guards and he guides . He heals the sick . He cleanses the lepers . He forgives sinners . He discharges debtors . He delivers the captives . He defends the feeble . He blesses the young . He serves the unfortunate . He regards the aged . He rewards the diligent . He beautifies the meek . Do you know him today ?

My King is the key of knowledge . He's the wellspring of wisdom . He's the doorway of deliverance . He's the pathway of peace . He's the roadway of righteousness . He's the highway of holiness . He's the gateway of glory . He's the master of the mighty . He's the captain of the conquerors . He's the head of the heroes . He's the leader of the legislators .

He's the overseer of the overcomers . He's the governor of governors . He's the prince of princes . He's the king of kings and he's the Lord of lords . Princes , he's the king of kings and he's the Lord of lords . That's my king . That's my king . His office is manifold . His promise is sure . His life is matchless . His goodness is limitless .

His mercy is everlasting . His love never

changes . His word is enough , his grace is sufficient , his reign is righteous , his yoke is easy and his burden is light . I wish I could describe him to you , but he's indescribable , he's incomprehensible , he's invincible , he's irresistible . I'm trying to tell you the heaven of heavens cannot contain him , let alone a man or woman . Explain him .

You can't get him out of your mind , you can't get him off of your hands . You can't outlive him and you can't live without him . The Pharisees couldn't stand him , but they found out . They couldn't stop him . Pilate couldn't find any fault in him , the witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree and Herod couldn't kill him . Death could not handle him .

The grave could not hold him . That's my King . That's my king . I wonder , do you know him today ? He always has been and he always will be . I'm talking about he had no predecessor and he'll have no successor . There was nobody before him and there'll be nobody after him . You can't impeach him and he's not going to resign . That's my King . That's my King .

Praise the Lord . That's my King . I want you to stand with me all over this house and give the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords , the risen Christ Jesus , all the praise , all the honor and all the glory , because he got up on the third day . He is the resurrection and the life . Whoever lives and believes in him shall never die .

But the question is do you believe this ? I want you to bow your heads with me . I'm out of time All over this room . I want you to bow your heads with me and everybody watching online . If you're watching me today and you said Pastor Ryan , I need to surrender my life to Christ . Maybe you've never prayed to make Jesus your personal Lord and Savior .

Or maybe you prayed a prayer at one time in your life , but you know that you walked away from him . He didn't walk away from you , but you walked away from him to pursue your own desires , to pursue your own wishes . And today you say you know what . I know .

There's no better day than Easter Resurrection Sunday to recommit myself and rededicate myself , and I want the worship team to come back and just play softly . And this is what I want to do today . I'm out of time and I'm going to do this differently . Some people won't like the way I do this , but that's all right .

I don't do altar calls the same way every time , with everybody bowing your head , nobody looking around , bow your head , close your eyes .

If you're here today and you say Pastor Ryan , I heard what you said about the resurrection , I heard what you said about Jesus , about who he is , and I know I need to commit myself , maybe for the first time , maybe you need to rededicate yourself to the Lord . I want to say to you today he loves you with all of his heart .

God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in Jesus should not perish but have everlasting life , for God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world , but that the world , through Jesus , might be saved .

What I want to ask you to do today you know in America we make a big emphasis on people's decision for Christ . Oh , we had 38 people raise their hands and come forward today on Easter . Hey , that's awesome . Praise God for that . But it's not about our decision .

Yes , it requires a decision on our part , but praying with people , leading people in a prayer , is just the first step . The choice is yours , friend . You can choose to just be here today , celebrate Jesus because it's Easter .

You can choose to pray a prayer with me if you want to , but that's all it'll ever be , unless you make the commitment that , hey , I'm really yielding myself and surrendering my all , and so I'm going to do something a little different today .

I don't do altar calls the same way all the time , but I want everybody in this room to repeat this after me and to pray with me , and I want you to mean it with all of your heart and I know many of you that are here today know the Lord , but I want you to pray it so we can pray it with one voice .

For those that need to pray this and those of you watching online , we've had many , many people over the years come to Christ through our live stream broadcast and I'm thankful for that .

And if you're watching and you say , pastor Ryan , I need Jesus today , he loves you , friend , and I want you to pray this prayer that we're getting ready to pray , I want you to mean it with all of your heart and I want you to know that today is the first day of the rest of your life . This can be a brand new beginning for you .

This can be a fresh start . This can be brand new beginning and a fresh start for you , and this is what I want us to do All over this house . I want you to say this out loud , repeat it after me , mean it with all of your heart . Dear Heavenly Father , I come to you in Jesus' name , lord , I'm sorry for all of my sins and I repent .

Today I open my heart . I invite you to come in , wash me and cleanse me . Be my heart . I invite you to come in , wash me and cleanse me . Be my Savior , be my Lord . I turn from my old ways . I choose to follow you , dear Jesus . I believe with my heart and I confess with my mouth . You are the son of God . You died on the cross .

God raised you from the dead on the third day . I surrender all to you . I give you my life . Devil , come on , say it like you , really mean it . Devil , you are not my God . I will not serve you . I renounce you and all the powers of darkness go from me now , in Jesus' mighty name .

Jesus , thank you for loving me , thank you for saving me , thank you for writing my name in your book of life . From this day forward , give me grace , give me strength to follow you for all of my days .

I trust you , Jesus , for all of my days I trust you , Jesus , and I thank you that because you rose again , I can have a fresh start , I can have a brand new beginning . I declare today Come on , say it like you mean it I declare today this is the first day of the rest of my life In Jesus' name . Amen and Amen .

Come on , give God praise all over this room . Come on , give him praise . Give him praise give him praise . Thank you again for joining us today . For Ryan Sutton Ministries , we truly hope this message has been a blessing to you .

If you'd like to contact Pastor Ryan Sutton at the Grace Center , you may do so by writing , PO Box 21 , Crystal City , Missouri , 63019 . Or you can call the office at 314-960-8308 . Or you can reach out to Pastor Ryan Sutton on the web by visiting wwwthegracecentercom

. Thank you again for joining us . God bless and we'll see you next time .