The Day Jesus Met Me

Sermon Title: "The Day Jesus Met Me"

Text: Matthew 28:1–10
Preacher: Alex Hogendoorn
Date: Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025

Summary Tagline:

"Resurrection isn’t just a claim to believe—it’s a person who meets us."

Message Summary:

Alex opened with a reflection on how we respond to news that feels too good to be true. Whether it comes from the internet, friends, or headlines—we often meet it with skepticism. The resurrection is that kind of news: too good not to want, but almost too good to trust. And yet, this is the message of Easter: Jesus is risen, and that changes everything.

The sermon explored how even the first witnesses—faithful women who went to the tomb—responded with both fear and great joy. They saw the angel. They heard the message. They encountered the empty tomb. And then, they met Jesus. This mix of belief and doubt, joy and fear, is at the heart of real faith. Alex explained that the resurrection isn’t just something to be proven historically (though it holds up under scrutiny)—it’s something to be experienced personally. Jesus doesn’t appear to everyone; he appears to those who believe, and he still meets people today.

This encounter leads to worship—not just once, but again and again. Even if we’ve walked with Jesus for years and feel distant, Easter is the invitation to meet him anew. Like the women at the tomb, we take hold of his feet and worship him. This is not just about knowing facts; it’s about being known by the risen Jesus who still calls our names.

Group Discussion Guide

Icebreaker Questions: (Choose One)

1. Have you ever heard something that felt “too good to be true”? What helped you decide whether to believe it?
2. What’s a time in your life when you felt both excitement and fear at the same time?

Read Matthew 28:1–10 together and discuss any questions that arise from the passage. Then use a few of these questions for further reflection.

Discussion Questions:

1. The women left the tomb with “fear and great joy.” Why do you think those two emotions are so often connected in moments of deep faith?
2. Jesus could have made a public appearance to all of Jerusalem—but he chose to reveal himself only to those who believed. What does this tell us about faith, trust, and relationship with God?
3. We often carry a “Western” mindset that wants indisputable proof. What’s the difference between needing evidence and meeting the risen Christ personally?
4. The sermon emphasized that Jesus meets us. For you, what does that look like? Have you had moments where you sensed his presence, guidance, or voice in your life?
5. Worship is the right response to meeting the risen Christ. What does it mean to “take hold of his feet” in your own discipleship journey?

For Further Study:

1. Matthew 28:1–10 – The resurrection and first appearance of Jesus.
2. John 20:24–29 – Doubting Thomas and the blessing of those who believe without seeing.
3. 1 Corinthians 15:3–8 – The earliest Christian confession of resurrection appearances.
4. Luke 24:13–35 – The road to Emmaus and the slow dawning of faith.
5. Romans 10:9–10 – Confessing and believing in the resurrection.
6. John 11:25–26 – “I am the resurrection and the life…”
7. Mark 16:8 – The fearful silence of the women in the earliest manuscript.
8. Hebrews 11:1 – Faith as the assurance of things not seen.
9. John 14:19 – “Because I live, you also will live.”
10. Philippians 3:10–11 – Knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection.

Gospel Connections

Let’s discuss how we can apply this message to our lives as we seek to make the following connections as we follow Jesus:

1. How does the resurrection shape your relationship with God—not just intellectually, but personally?
2. How can our church help people move from skeptical interest to genuine encounter with the risen Christ?
3. How can our group support one another in times of hesitation, when we want to believe but still doubt?
4. How can we bring the joy and hope of resurrection to our city in a way that helps people know they are seen, known, and loved.