But If He Did | Rich Wilkerson Jr. | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

But If He Did

Rich Wilkerson Jr.

VOUS Church • Apr 21, 2025 • 46 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this Easter message, Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr. teaches from 1 Peter 1:3-9 on how the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything for a believer's life. When we realize that Christ rose from the grave, our past sin and shame are lifted, our present pain finds refining purpose, and our future is secured for eternity. Rather than living trapped in fear or carrying unnecessary burdens, believers can walk daily in a vibrant living hope and inexpressible joy.

Themes

Resurrection PowerLiving HopePurifying FaithGrace and RestorationEternal InheritanceJoy in Suffering

Pastor's Points

1.

Hope isn't dead, it's living.

2.

My pain isn't pointless, it's proving.

3.

My future isn't fragile, it's forever.

Key Points

1.
Hope isn't dead, it's living; because Jesus rose from the dead, believers are given new birth into an active, pulsing expectation of God's redemption.
2.
My pain isn't pointless, it's proving; trials do not mean God is punishing you, but serve to refine and purify faith like gold in a furnace.
3.
My future isn't fragile, it's forever; God securely protects an imperishable inheritance in heaven that darkness can never steal or hijack.
4.
God does not cancel flawed believers who stumble or fail; He calls them, restores them, and builds His church through them by His grace.
5.
The entire foundation of Christianity hinges on the physical resurrection of Jesus, without which faith is useless and guilt remains.
6.
Carrying past guilt and shame is like standing on a broken scale; Jesus went to the cross to forgive our sins and bear the heavy weight for us.
7.
Spiritual strength and genuine faith are not developed in moments of comfort, but through remaining faithful in times of conflict.

Sermon Moments

“Yet somehow in this, Jesus does not cancel Peter. He calls Peter.”

“The burial place became the birthplace... The tomb becomes a womb.”

“Good news. Jesus Christ came to break the scale. And he came to say, 'I will carry that which you cannot carry.'”

“You don't double team a benchwarmer... When you start following Jesus, you get into the game of faith and you tend to double team playmakers.”

“Faith does not get developed in comfort. It gets developed in conflict.”

“What God protects, hell can't hijack.”

“Jesus says, 'You did the damage, but I'm going to pay the debt.' He wasn't just forgiving you or healing you, but He can restore you.”

This Week

Stop relying on personal self-effort or religious performance and place your complete trust in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Lay down the heavy weight of past guilt, shame, and condemnation, accepting that Jesus died to bear the burdens you were never meant to carry.

Reframe present struggles and spiritual conflict as refining fires that purify your faith rather than signs of God's punishment or abandonment.

Shift your daily focus away from temporary, fading worldly treasures to the secure eternal inheritance God keeps for you in heaven.

Encourage your heart during painful seasons with the truth that present suffering lasts only 'a little while' compared to eternal glory.

Choose to walk by faith in the unseen Savior rather than by sight, allowing His promises to anchor your perspective.

Cultivate daily inexpressible joy by resting in the certainty of Christ's salvation rather than letting daily circumstances dictate your heart.

Remember This

Because Jesus Christ physically resurrected from the dead, your past is forgiven, your present pain has divine purpose, and your future is eternally secure.

A Challenge for You

If He did resurrect, it changes everything about your life. You can't walk the same, you can't talk the same, and you can't think the same. Walk by faith, open the eyes of your heart, and worship Him with joy until He returns.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.