How to Know That I Know | Easter Sunday | 04.05.26

·36 min·3 clips

Sam shares how his kids hid his wallet on April Fool's Day, then declares Easter is more than a holiday—it's a holy day.

The episode is an Easter Sunday sermon from Riverside Peoria, hosted by Sam, who leads the church. He opens with a warm welcome to visitors and shares a lighthearted story about his children hiding his wallet on April Fool's Day. Sam transitions to the significance of Easter as a holy day, stressing that it commemorates Jesus's crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. He cites 1 Corinthians 15:14 to argue that if Christ was not raised, Christian faith is useless, framing the resurrection as a literal, historical event. Sam poses the central question: how to know one believes in the resurrection beyond mere information, leading to personal transformation. He outlines three key points: first, acknowledging need for a Savior and that Savior is Jesus, illustrated by his own testimony of realizing this at age 19 through a friend's guidance. Second, having power over sin through Jesus, referencing Romans 6 and emphasizing repentance over apology. Third, living without fear of death because of new life in Jesus, supported by verses from 1 Peter, Philippians, and Colossians. Sam explains the three tenses of salvation—justification, sanctification, and glorification—tying them to resurrection belief. He discusses the concept of paradise from Luke 23, interpreting it as being with Jesus. The sermon concludes with an invitation for listeners to respond if they doubt their faith, encouraging them to come forward for prayer. Throughout, Sam uses personal stories, scriptural references, and practical applications to engage the audience.

As heard by us

A warm Easter sermon makes repentance a simple, memorable call to look back at Jesus.

Sam's Easter sermon asks whether resurrection faith stays in words or shows up in the shape of a changed life. He draws a clear line between apology and repentance: apology can leave someone headed the same way, while repentance means a changed mind and a full turn from sin.

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Why you'd press play

You get a coin-sized picture of repentance, with Easter reassurance for the part of you that wants to know your future is secure in Jesus.

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