Next Steps Begin at an Empty Tomb

Apr 5

Introduction

This past Sunday, we gathered to celebrate the three words that changed history: "He is risen". We looked at the account of the resurrection in Matthew 28 to understand that the empty tomb isn't just a historical event to remember, but the starting point for our own "next steps" in faith. Whether we are facing grief, doubt, or a season of waiting, the resurrection reminds us that God does His greatest work right when we assume everything is over.

Scripture

"Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.'" — Matthew 28:1–6 (NKJV)

What This Teaches Us

This passage teaches us that God is a God of disruption, overturning human expectations and even the finality of death. While the women came to the tomb with grief and the "silence of Saturday" in their hearts, God was busy doing something unlike anything in history. The stone wasn't rolled away to let Jesus out, but to let us look in and see that the grave could not contain Him.

It reveals that we often define what is "impossible" based on our own limited sight, but the resurrection stands as God’s declaration that nothing is impossible for Him. This matters because it means no relationship is too broken, no heart is too hard, and no life is too messed up for God to redeem. The empty tomb is not a "leap" away from evidence, but a response to the truth of a risen Savior who invites us to come, see, and then go and tell.

Key Takeaways

God works in the silence of our Saturdays. We often feel hopeless when God seems silent, much like the disciples felt the day after the crucifixion. However, that silence is often the precursor to God’s greatest work, showing us that our current "last chapter" is rarely the end of the story when God is involved.
The resurrection confirms everything Jesus said. If Christ had not risen, our faith would be empty and we would still be in our sins. Because He did rise, it validates His teachings, His power, and His promises, giving us a living hope that is grounded in historical fact rather than just a philosophical system.
Fear is replaced by an invitation to see. The angel told the women "do not be afraid" and invited them to examine the evidence for themselves. This teaches us that God doesn't ask for a blind leap of faith; He invites us to honestly look at who Jesus is and find that He has overcome the very things that terrify us most.
An empty tomb requires a personal response. The resurrection doesn't lead to passive belief; it leads to action. Once we realize Jesus is alive, we are commissioned to take our "next steps"—whether that is looking deeper into the evidence, surrendering our lives to His lordship, or sharing this news with someone else who needs hope.

Application: Living It Out Today

This week, let the reality of the empty tomb move you from a "closed book" mindset into a season of new steps:

Notice God at Work: Spend a few minutes each day looking for signs of "resurrection" in your life—places where God is bringing growth or peace out of a previously difficult situation.
A Relational Action: Identify one person in your life who is currently living in "the ashes of despair" and offer them a word of encouragement or tell them why you have hope.
One Small Step: Identify one area of your life you’ve been "afraid to peek in" or fully surrender to God, and take one small step of obedience in that area this week.

Reflection Question

What is the specific "next step" God is inviting me to take now that I know the grave is empty?

Invitation

We would love for you to experience the life and hope found only in Jesus.

Watch the full sermon on YouTube to hear more about the power of the empty tomb.
Join us in person next Sunday at Highland Hills as we continue to walk together in our new life in Christ.

Rachel Ferrell

Rachel Ferrell runs a real estate business in Southern Middle Tennessee, rooted in Tullahoma. She didn’t grow up here. She chose it. That matters, because she understands what it’s like to build a life, a network, and a sense of home from scratch.

She works with buyers and sellers locally, and she also trains real estate agents across the country on how to communicate clearly and use content to build real relationships. As a StoryBrand Guide and KWU Certified Trainer, she helps agents stop sounding like marketers and start sounding like humans.