I was racing to the Emergency Room…

If you will allow me to be real and transparent, it felt over.

I thank God every day that my son was revived.

And I also know some families do not get that outcome. 

I’m sharing this story because I know what it feels like… when it feels too late.

Welcome to Easter at Redemption Church. We are glad you are here.

You heard one of the darkest stories of my life. I know We all have dark stories.

Stories where it felt too late.

Your stories may be present…

It feels too late.

“Too late” starts deciding

Too late does not just describe how you feel. It starts deciding what you do.

You stop trying.
You stop asking for help.
You stop praying with expectation.
You stop believing anything can change.

And that’s the problem with too late – it sounds like a conclusion.
The end of the story…
“Game over man… game over…”

But Easter is not game over…
The resurrection shows us that Jesus does not do dead ends.

Let’s go to John 20 to learn about the 1st Easter.

John 20 says Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark.

She was not headed to Church service, but a tomb.
She was not rejoicing, but morning.

The first Easter morning – and nobody is expecting a miracle.

Nobody woke up thinking today is the day everything changes.
Nobody showed up with faith that, Jesus is about to rise.

It felt over. Mary was coming to visit a dead body.

Mary sees the stone rolled away.
“Praise the Lord Jesus is alive…” Nope

She sees the empty tomb.
“God is so faithful…”  Nope

She even sees two angels sitting where Jesus had been laid.
“She cries ‘they stole Jesus’ body.”

John 20:11-13 (NIV)
11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 
12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”

NOTICE THIS…
Mary is experiencing the Resurrection Story but does even realize it… because “TOO LATE” was making her decisions. 

Stone rolled away. Empty tomb. Two angels… 

And she is still in grief. Still confused. Still assuming the worst.

The Easter story was not driven by strong faith.
It was driven by a strong Savior.

This is not a story where everybody believed perfectly and then Jesus rose.
Jesus rose while they were still doubting.

Still grieving, confused, assuming it was over.

So if your faith is shaky today, hear me clearly.
You are in the right place.

If you came in barely believing, you are in the same story.
If you came in worn out, skeptical, disappointed, or numb…

Because the resurrection does not start with their faith.
It starts with His power.

Back to John 20

14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

It is starting to get ridiculous.
She sees the resurrected Lord… still nothing.

15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

So Mary is looking at Jesus… and her best guess is landscaper.

The resurrection story had already begun.
Mary had a front row seat.
But she still thought it was over.

God could be moving.
Doors could be opening.
Hope could be closer than we think.

When “too late” has been making your decisions, you do not interpret life through resurrection.
You interpret everything through loss.

I have a question for us.

When does the resurrection start for Mary?

Evidence? No.
Stone rolled away. Tomb empty.

Supernatural? No.
Two angels.

Here is when the resurrection starts for Mary.

John 20:16 (NIV)
16 Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, Rabboni (which means Teacher).

That’s the moment.

Not when the tomb is empty.
Not when the angels show up.
Not even when Jesus is standing right in front of her.

The resurrection becomes real for her when Jesus makes it personal.
When He says her name.

That is what I want people to hear today.

Resurrection is not just an event you hear about.
It is a Savior who knows you.
And calls you by name.

Happy Easter… but here is the truth.

You do not need another Easter sermon.
You do not need another song.
You do not need another religious gathering.

You need to hear His voice.
Hear His Voice

Because the resurrection did not become real to Mary when the tomb was empty.
It became real when Jesus called her name.

Practice 1: Make room
You cannot hear a voice you never make space for.
This week: Five minutes. One prayer: Jesus, I am listening. Then sit in silence.

Practice 2: Get specific
General prayers rarely touch specific pain.
This week: Name the one place that feels too late. Pray: Jesus, speak life here.

Practice 3: Hear Him with people
God often uses community to turn the volume up.
This week: Don’t carry this alone. Ask for prayer. Get with people. That’s how Jesus brings life back.

What if it is NOT TOO LATE?
This is what life looks like on the other side of too late.

People start hearing Jesus again.
-stop pretending they are fine.
-stop suffering in silence.
-start taking one step at a time toward life.

Homes start to change.
Anxiety does not get the steering wheel.
Debt is faced with wisdom and support.
Relationships get honest.
Faith comes back online.

Resurrection Life can start for you right now.

CALL TO ACTION – RESPOND TO HIS VOICE

Jesus is alive. Do you feel him reaching out to you?  Here’s what we’re asking you to do. 

1) COME FOR PRAYER

If you need prayer for anything – anxiety, grief, addiction, marriage, finances, health – come forward when we open the response moment.
Do not leave carrying it alone.

2) SAY YES TO JESUS

If today is your day to follow Jesus – for the first time, or for the first time in a long time – come forward and tell someone on our team. We want to pray with you and help you take the next step.

And maybe you are not ready to come forward…

3) TAKE A CLEAR NEXT STEP BEFORE YOU LEAVE

If you are not ready to come forward, use the connection card. Check one box before you leave:

Turn it in today. We will follow up.