7 Easter Sermon Series Ideas

Preaching an Easter sermon series in the weeks leading up to Easter is crucial for preparing the hearts and minds of the congregation to fully appreciate and celebrate the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It provides an opportunity to delve deeply into the events leading up to Easter, such as Jesus' journey to the cross and His ultimate victory over death, allowing for a greater understanding of the biblical narrative and its relevance to our lives today.

This focused Easter sermon series encourages reflection, spiritual renewal, and growth in faith as believers are reminded of the core tenets of Christianity, and it helps create a sense of anticipation drawing the church family together in a shared journey toward celebrating Easter Sunday.

Since every church is unique, we've provided you with Easter sermon series ideas that can be customized to your church's community and your culture. Customize each series idea with visuals to match your church's style and have members share stories that relate to each top during your series leading up to Easter.

Check out our Easter Catalog to find the perfect visual for your Easter sermon series.

Easter sermon series ideas:

1. "Risen: The Power of Resurrection"  

Primary Scripture: Philippians 3:10-11 - "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead."

Secondary Scripture: Romans 6:4 - "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

The Key Concepts:

• Explore the transformative power of the resurrection and how it impacts our daily lives.

• Include sermons in your series on hope, renewal, and victory over death. 

Analogy: Just as a caterpillar undergoes a transformation to become a butterfly, the resurrection represents a fundamental change. The emergence from the chrysalis symbolizes the new life and hope that comes with the resurrection.

 

2. "Journey to the Cross" 

Primary Scripture: Matthew 16:24-26 - "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.'"

Secondary Scripture: Luke 9:51 - "As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem."

The Key Concepts:

• Walk through the events leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection.

• Each sermon can focus on different characters or events, such as Palm Sunday, the Last Supper, and Good Friday. 

Analogy: A marathon runner trains and prepares for a long journey, understanding the significance of each mile leading to the finish line. Similarly, each event leading to the cross was a critical step in fulfilling Jesus' purpose.

 

3. "Living the Resurrection"

Primary Scripture: Colossians 3:1-2 - "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." 

Secondary Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3 - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

The Key Concepts:

• Focus on how believers can live out the reality of the resurrection in their everyday lives.

• Topics can include forgiveness, new life, and living with eternal perspective. 

Analogy: Consider how solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, providing energy and life. The resurrection provides spiritual energy and power to live purposefully each day.

 

4. "Easter: Fulfillment of Promises" 

Primary Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

Secondary Scripture: Luke 24:44 - "He said to them, 'This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.'"

The Key Concepts:

• Examine how Jesus' resurrection fulfills Old Testament prophecies and God's promises to humanity.

• Highlight scriptures and prophecies that point to Jesus as the Messiah. 

Analogy: Think of a tree that bears fruit each season, fulfilling the promise of seeds planted long ago. The resurrection fulfills promises made in Scripture, bearing fruit in the form of salvation and hope.

 

5. "Redeemed and Restored"

Primary Scripture: Titus 3:5-6 - "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior." 

Secondary Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

The Key Concepts:

• Discuss themes of redemption, restoration, and reconciliation made available through the resurrection.

• Include personal stories or have church members present their own stories of transformation and grace.

Analogy: An artist restoring a damaged painting invests time and care to bring it back to its original beauty. Redemption through the resurrection restores our souls, making us whole and beautiful again.

 

6. "The Road to Emmaus: Recognizing Jesus Today" 

Primary Scripture: Luke 24:30-31 - "When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight." 

Secondary Scripture: John 20:29 - "Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'"

The Key Concepts:

• Focus on Luke 24:13-35, where Jesus appears to two disciples after His resurrection.

• Discuss how we can recognize Jesus in the world around us and grow our faith. 

Analogy: Like a lost traveler finding their way with the help of a guide, we often journey through life without recognizing the guidance around us. The resurrection helps us see Jesus as our guide and companion.

 

7. "The Empty Tomb: Embracing New Beginnings" 

Primary Scripture: Mark 16:6 - "'Don’t be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.'" 

Secondary Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 - "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

The Key Concepts:

• The symbolism of the empty tomb as a sign of new beginnings and fresh starts.

• Topics can include the removal of past burdens and the hope instilled by the resurrection.

Analogy: Just as a new day dawns after the night, bringing fresh possibilities, the empty tomb symbolizes new beginnings and opportunities to start afresh, leaving behind the darkness of the past.

 

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