I Have Seen the Lord | Herb | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

I Have Seen the Lord

Strong Tower Ministries • Apr 5, 2026 • 91 min

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

Summary

Having a personal experience with the risen Christ transforms a believer's posture, praise, and life trajectory beyond what status or human effort could ever accomplish. Through Mary Magdalene's encounter at the tomb, we see that Jesus draws close to us in our darkest grief, calls us individually by name, and invites us into family relationship with God. Family tradition and inherited religion cannot save us—each person must make their own decision to know and follow Jesus while they are living.

Themes

Resurrection PowerPersonal Relationship with GodGrace and RedemptionDirect Family Access to GodPersonal Testimony

Key Points

1.
Having a personal experience with God changes your entire posture and praise because you know what He has done for you individually.
2.
Human accomplishments, status, wealth, or degrees cannot substitute for a personal relationship and walk with God.
3.
God often allows situations to look bleak or fall apart so that He can catch them and build them back up for His glory.
4.
Jesus often draws near to us in our deepest moments of grief and confusion, even when tears and distress keep us from recognizing Him.
5.
When Jesus calls you personally by name, your spirit recognizes the voice of your Master regardless of your past background or mistakes.
6.
By referring to the disciples as His brothers and pointing to 'my Father and your Father,' Jesus granted believers direct family access to God.
7.
Jesus entrusted the first announcement of His resurrection to Mary Magdalene, giving her a divine assignment to proclaim what she had experienced.
8.
Inherited religion or the faith of family members cannot save you; salvation requires a personal relationship with Jesus Christ for yourself.

Sermon Moments

“No matter how many times I try to upgrade to Amazon Prime, I can't buy peace, joy, or power—that comes only from the God you serve.”

“In your darkest moment, Jesus is closer than you can ever imagine.”

“Even though she had a checkered past, Jesus still knew exactly who she was and called her by name.”

“When Mary heard her name spoken by Jesus, something in her spirit snapped to attention because the sheep know the Shepherd's voice.”

“Through the resurrection, Jesus called the disciples His 'brothers,' bringing every believer into direct family access with God the Father.”

“Jesus gave the first evangelistic assignment of the resurrection not to kings or religious leaders, but to Mary Magdalene.”

“You cannot make it off your grandmama's faith or your mama's religion; you must know the Lord for yourself.”

This Week

Take time this week to reflect on your personal history with God and list specific ways He has sustained and delivered you.

When facing a bleak situation, remind yourself that Jesus is draw near to you even when tears or confusion obscure His presence.

Practice listening for the Good Shepherd's personal voice in daily prayer and Scripture reading rather than following foreign distractions.

Approach God directly in prayer with confidence, knowing that Christ's resurrection granted you full access as a child in His family.

Share your personal testimony of what Jesus has done in your life with a friend, coworker, or neighbor this week.

Examine your personal faith to ensure it is rooted in a direct relationship with Jesus rather than relying on family tradition or religious routine.

Respond promptly to God's calling on your life today, recognizing that salvation must be chosen while you are still living.

Remember This

Inherited religion cannot save you; true salvation requires a personal relationship with the risen Lord who knows your name and brings you into God's family.

A Challenge for You

You can't make a decision for Jesus when you're dead and gone. That decision must happen while you're still living. On this resurrection Sunday, if you haven't accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, come to Him today.

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