Recap:
The Sound of Resurrection – Easter Sunday Message
This morning, as I was driving into church—something happened. Not every week, but every now and then, I sense God drop something into my heart. And today was one of those rare, sacred moments. I had a different intro planned. But I felt like God was asking me to speak straight to some hearts in this room about Silent Saturday.
We talk a lot about Good Friday. We celebrate Resurrection Sunday. But we skip over Saturday. That in-between space. That 24-hour window when everything went quiet. God wasn’t speaking. The disciples were scattered. The world felt shattered. And for many of you—that’s exactly where you are right now. You’re in a Silent Saturday season.
Like Mary at the tomb—early in the morning, still dark, still weeping—some of you are waiting in your own darkness. You’re hurt. You’re confused. You’re holding onto pain and you’re not even sure what you’re hoping for. But I want to tell you: Silent Saturday is not the end of the story.
Because the sound of resurrection? It begins not with thunder or trumpet—but with a whisper. One word. A name. “Mary.” And maybe this morning, God’s whispering your name.
You see, Mary had a past. Scripture says Jesus cast seven demons out of her. We don’t know the details, but we know she carried brokenness, addiction, trauma, maybe shame. But Jesus saw her. Loved her. Redeemed her. And when everyone else left the tomb, Mary stayed. Because when you’ve been set free, you cling to the one who freed you.
Some of you are here today and you feel the weight of shame, of regret, of mistakes that haunt you. The enemy’s been whispering lies to you—“You’re dirty. You’re unworthy. You know what you did.” But hear me: God knows your sin, but He calls you by your name. That’s the sound of resurrection.
It’s not shame. It’s not condemnation. It’s not “what’s wrong with you?” It’s grace. Jesus doesn’t shame Mary—He speaks gently: “Mary.” He doesn’t shame the disciples—He walks through locked doors and says “Peace be with you.” Because grace always speaks first.
And listen, if you’re here and you’re not even sure what you believe—maybe someone dragged you here—can I just say, I’m so glad you’re here. Would you dare to hold on to the possibility… that this whole thing might be true? That resurrection might be real? That hope might be for you?
The resurrection isn’t just a story—it’s a sound that still echoes. And it’s not just Mary’s sound. It’s not just the angels saying “He is not here, He is risen.” It’s not just Thomas falling to his knees saying, “My Lord and my God.” It’s not even just the rumble of the earth when the stone rolled away.
It’s also the sound of a trumpet—a sound still to come.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:52, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” You have a shelf life—just like that 1 to 2 day old milk in the fridge that you think about drinking. But, resurrection means that’s not the end. Your perishable body will be changed. No more sickness. No more pain. No more death. That’s the sound of resurrection: death defeated, life restored.
Back in Numbers 10, God told Moses to make two silver trumpets. One for assembling the people. One for breaking camp. And when enemies attacked? They were to blow the trumpet—and God would remember and rescue them.
The last trumpet will blow, and God will rescue us from the final enemy—death itself. And in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye—you will be changed.
That’s not just theology. That’s hope. That’s why we shout on Easter. That’s why we say, “He is risen!” Come on, say it with me—He is risen indeed!
You see, every Easter we’re not just remembering—we’re rehearsing for our future. For home. That’s the final sound of resurrection—the sound of home. Revelation says, “Look! God’s home is now among His people… He will wipe every tear… No more death or sorrow or pain.”
And because of that truth—because of resurrection—you live differently now. Paul says, “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, because your labor is not in vain.”
You love those who hurt you. You forgive those who betrayed you. You speak truth when it’s unpopular. You carry peace into chaotic places. Because the sound of resurrection is heard through your life.
So the question is—what sound are you making?
Is it fear? Is it bitterness? Or is it the melody of resurrection—hope, joy, peace, forgiveness?
And if today, you’re here and you know you’re far from God—if you want the sound of resurrection in your own heart—Jesus is calling your name. He’s not asking you to clean yourself up first. He just says come.
If that’s you—say yes. Say, “Jesus, I believe. I trust you. I surrender.”
Group Questions:
Icebreaker Questions:
- Describe a memorable Easter moment or tradition from your childhood.
- If you could pick one sound to wake up to every morning, what would it be and why?
Discussion Questions
1. Silent Saturday Moments
“You’re in a Silent Saturday season.”
- Can you describe a time in your life that felt like a “Silent Saturday”? What made it feel that way?
- How do you usually respond when God feels silent—emotionally, spiritually, or practically?
- What did this message teach you about waiting in the silence?
2. Mary’s Redemption
“Jesus doesn’t shame her—He calls her by name.”
- Why do you think Mary stayed at the tomb when the others left?
- How does her story challenge the way we see people with broken pasts?
- Have you ever felt like God whispered your name when you felt the most unworthy? What happened?
3. Resurrection’s Whisper
“The sound of resurrection begins with a whisper… a name.”
- The message contrasted the sound of thunder or trumpets with a whisper. What’s the significance of God choosing a whisper?
- How can we better tune our ears to hear God’s whisper today?
- What names has the enemy tried to call you? What name is Jesus speaking over you instead?
4. The Trumpet Call
“You have a shelf life… but you will be changed.”
- What does the “last trumpet” mean to you in light of eternity?
- How does the promise of resurrection give hope in the face of death, sickness, or loss?
- How might your life look different if you really believed that death has already been defeated?
5. Living the Sound
“What sound are you making?”
- What “sound” is coming from your life right now—hope or heaviness, bitterness or peace?
- What’s one way you can “rehearse resurrection” this week in your everyday life?
- Is there someone in your life who needs to hear the sound of resurrection through you?
Application & Prayer:
- Is there something specific you need to surrender to Jesus today—maybe a burden, a regret, or a struggle with belief?
- Share how your small group can pray for you as you seek to respond to the whisper of Jesus calling your name.2