Red Rocks Church Weekend Messages

Episode: Easter 2026: He Is Risen!

Date: April 4, 2026
Host/Speaker: Red Rocks Church (Lead Pastor and others)

Episode Overview

This Easter message centers on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, celebrated as the event that changes everything for believers. The episode weaves biblical narratives about trees—using them as metaphors for sin, redemption, and eternal hope—while extending an open invitation to experience God’s forgiveness, freedom from shame, and fullness of life. The teaching is authentic, relatable, and rooted in personal experience, aiming to make the message of Easter deeply practical for both newcomers and committed Christians.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Easter’s Significance: He Is Risen!

• Celebration of Resurrection: The service begins by celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, which is proclaimed as the pivotal moment in Christian faith.
  • [03:06] “The last three words of it—spoiler alert—He has risen. Okay, if you didn't know, I was going to tell you anyways. When I get to ‘He has risen,’ can we go bananas? Can we go crazy? Every single location.” (Speaker A)

2. A Welcoming, Real Community

• Imperfect People, Perfect God: The church positions itself as a welcoming community for all, emphasizing authenticity over performance or religious ritual.
  • [05:00] “We are just a bunch of messed up, imperfect people...but we love to get together like this and pursue a perfect God.” (Speaker A)
• Invitation to Belong: Listeners, especially newcomers, are encouraged not to view Easter as a “one-stop shop” event but as an opportunity to keep engaging with church community and allow God to change their lives.

3. Two Men, Two Trees, Two Choices

• Biblical Framework: The core of the teaching contrasts Adam’s decision at the "first tree" (Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil) which brought sin, shame, and death, with Jesus’ decision at the "second tree" (the Cross), which brings forgiveness, freedom, and life.
  • [10:50] “These two verses talk to us about how sin got here, what the consequences of that sin are, what God's plan is to do about it... Two men who make two decisions at two trees. And these two decisions are going to change the world in two drastically different directions.” (Speaker A)
• Scripture Focus: Romans 5:18-19, Acts 10:39, Genesis 2, and 1 Peter 2:24 are explored to connect sin’s origin, its consequences, and Christ’s redemptive act.

4. Relatable Storytelling

• A Personal Story about “Bad Decisions at Trees”: The pastor recounts a humorous and vivid college story of a friend (“Z Man”) making a reckless leap from a rooftop into a tree, tying it into the larger biblical narrative of choices and consequences.
  • [18:06] “He jumps off this roof. And guys, he looked like a superhero. He grabs this tree. Made it. He jumped all the way over, grabs the tree. We're freaking out... then just three stories, and we just hear—thud.” (Speaker A)
• Transition to Genesis Narrative: This story sets up the significance of Adam’s choice, demonstrating the relational and spiritual fallout of sinful decisions.

5. The Entrance of Shame, Sin, and Death

• Shame as a Barrier: Before the Fall, Adam and Eve experienced no shame; after sin, shame is immediate and pervasive, preventing closeness with God.
  • [28:15] “Before sin came into the world, they had no shame...not just between them, but no shame with God.” (Speaker A)
  • [32:12] “They hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Why'd they hide? Shame.” (Speaker A)
• Satan’s Lie: The message highlights how shame is weaponized by Satan, both in the Garden and today, to keep people from God and community.

6. The Consequence and Gift: Sin, Death, and Eternal Life

• Separation from God: Sin is defined as bringing both spiritual death (separation from God) and shame into the world.
  • [38:31] “The wages of sin is death...But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, quoted)
• Christ’s Redemptive Work: The cross is presented as the ‘second tree’ where Jesus pays for sin—not ignoring it, but bearing it.
  • [41:38] “Sin may have entered the world on the first tree through Adam, but sin was conquered for the world on the second tree through Jesus.” (Speaker A)

7. Receiving the Gift: Faith, Forgiveness, and Freedom

• How to Respond: Listeners are told that forgiveness is received by faith in Jesus, not by works or merit.
  • [45:20] “How do we receive this gift? If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (Speaker A)
• No Condemnation: Believers are urged to reject shame, as Christ’s sacrifice assures them of new life and right standing with God.
  • [50:01] “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1, quoted)
  • [52:07] “Sometimes I do this. I won't even indict you, okay? I will hold on to shame in a way that God's going, I don't even see that anymore. Why are you holding onto it?” (Speaker A)

8. Personal Vulnerability and Pastoral Encouragement

• Stories of Feeling Inadequate: The pastor shares candid struggles with inadequacy, shame, and self-condemnation even as a church leader.
  • [1:04:26] “I'm exhausted—non stop—trying, even at this pastor thing, I feel like I'm trying with my heart and my soul, and then I read one email that reminds me I'm not enough again...” (Speaker A)
• The Invitation: “Don’t live under the shame of the first tree when you can walk in the freedom of the second tree.” (Speaker A, [56:05])

9. The Third Tree: Consummation in Heaven

• Genesis to Revelation: The Bible is presented as bookended by the Tree of Life—in Eden and in eternity (Revelation 22)—with the cross as the bridge that brings believers from the first to the last.
  • [1:09:29] “Our whole story starts with a tree...and God's plan is to get us to be in heaven with him for eternity, where the Tree of Life will be again, and we won't lose that one.” (Speaker A)
• The Bridge: “Jesus, when He came, he came to build the bridge between the first tree and the last. And so he went to the second tree...” (Speaker A, [1:11:40])

10. Altar Call: Responding to Jesus' Offer

• Two Invitations:
  1. For those battling shame and feelings of insufficiency, to ask Jesus for strength to leave those behind (raise hand).
  2. For those wanting to receive Christ for the first time and assurance of eternal life (raise hand).
  • [1:15:15] “God, would you set me free from shame and the feeling like I'm not enough and I never will be?” (Speaker A)
  • [1:17:50] “I want forgiveness of my sins. I want to make sure I'm going to heaven forever. If that's you, raise your hand. I'm just gonna say a prayer for you.” (Speaker A)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [03:06] “He has risen. Somebody make some noise. Thank you, Jesus.” (Speaker A)
• [05:00] “We are just a bunch of messed up, imperfect people...but we love to get together like this and pursue a perfect God.” (Speaker A)
• [41:38] “Sin may have entered the world on the first tree through Adam, but sin was conquered for the world on the second tree through Jesus.” (Speaker A)
• [56:05] “Don’t you dare live under the shame of the first tree when you can walk in the freedom of the second tree.” (Speaker A)
• [1:09:29] “Our whole story starts with a tree where a bad decision was made...And God's plan is to get us to be in heaven with him for eternity, where the Tree of Life will be again, and we won't lose that one.” (Speaker A)
• [1:11:40] “Jesus, when He came, he came to build the bridge between the first tree and the last. And so he went to the second tree and he said, I'll give you my everything, but you will have to choose me.” (Speaker A)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [00:05] – Easter welcome & invocation prayer
• [03:06] – Public reading of the resurrection account; group celebration
• [05:00] – Emphasis on church as a community for imperfect people
• [10:50] – Introduction of “two men, two decisions, two trees” framework
• [18:06] – Personal story about “Z Man” and a bad decision at a tree
• [28:15] – Examination of shame as the first consequence of sin
• [38:31] – The cost of sin: spiritual death and its antidote
• [45:20] – How to receive forgiveness: putting faith in Jesus
• [50:01] – The reality of no condemnation in Christ
• [56:05] – Direct encouragement: choose freedom in Christ
• [1:04:26] – Pastoral transparency about shame and inadequacy
• [1:09:29] – Explanation of “three trees”—Genesis, Cross, Revelation
• [1:11:40] – Jesus as the bridge between brokenness and eternal life
• [1:15:15] – Altar call: freedom from shame
• [1:17:50] – Altar call: invitation to receive Christ
• [End] – Encouragement to worship and reminder of God’s presence

Summary Tone and Final Reflection

The teaching is hopeful, gracious, and practical—speaking to both faith-seekers and long-time believers. It draws on humor, vulnerability, personal stories, and robust scripture. The key theme: Because Jesus is risen, you are invited to trade shame for freedom, sin for forgiveness, and death for true life—now and forever.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This Easter message at Red Rocks Church boldly weaves the biblical drama of “three trees”—Eden, Calvary, and eternity—into your everyday struggles with shame, regret, or feeling ‘not enough.’ The invitation is open: as you are, you’re welcomed into a story of redemption where Jesus’ resurrection covers your past and opens a future rich with purpose, belonging, and unshakeable hope.