Podcast Summary: Times Square Church – Sermons
Episode: “3 Experiences At The Same Place”
Date: April 5, 2026
Speaker: Pastor Tim Dilena

Episode Overview

This Resurrection Sunday message from Pastor Tim Dilena centers on the transformation power of Jesus’ resurrection, illustrated through the experience of three women at the tomb. Pastor Tim explores how a single location—the tomb—provides three distinct spiritual experiences, drawing a roadmap for how listeners can move from mourning to victory through encountering the risen Christ. He underscores the necessity of personal faith and the meaning of being "born again," calling on the congregation and listeners worldwide to embrace a living, transformative relationship with Jesus.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene – Resurrection Sunday and a Global Church

• Pastor Tim opens by welcoming both local and global audiences, expressing joy at the overflowing congregation on Easter Sunday.
• He highlights the universality of the resurrection message, referencing various universities and international viewers as a testament to the far-reaching impact of the gospel. (00:00–03:00)

2. The Powerless Decrees of Man vs. the Miraculous Power of God

• Pastor Tim recounts how King Louis XV posted a sign in 1732 forbidding God from performing miracles in a Paris cemetery, paralleling Pilate's attempt to prevent Jesus’ resurrection with a massive stone and Roman guards.
• Quote [04:15]:
  “Pilate was saying, in a sense, this: By order of the Emperor of Rome, it is forbidden for Jesus to perform miracles in this cemetery.”
• Despite human efforts to maintain control, Jesus’ resurrection breaks through all barriers, rendering both the king’s sign and Pilate’s stone powerless.
• He illustrates this with a child’s innocent remark upon seeing a newly dug grave:
  Quote [05:20]:
  “‘Look, Dad, one got out!’ I have to tell you, there was a cemetery in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago where one got out.”

3. The Three Experiences at the Tomb (Mark 16:1-8)

a. They Came to the Tomb – The Mourner’s Experience

• The women arrive at the tomb asking, “Who will roll away the stone for us?”—wrestling with practical, human worries.
• The key insight: Answers won’t be found by looking “sideways” at each other but by looking “upward” to God.
• Quote [14:55]:
  “You will not find answers to life looking at one another. You must look up. You must look up to God. That’s where the answers come from.”
• Examples include people spending billions to solve aging, yet the answer, eternal life, is freely available in Christ.

b. They Entered the Tomb – The Encounter with the Divine

• Upon entering, the women receive an unexpected answer—not from each other but from a heavenly messenger (an angel).
• The angel tells them bluntly: “He is risen. He is not here.”
• Lighthearted Sunday School anecdote: A borrowed tomb sufficed because Jesus “only needed it three days.”
• Quote [22:40]:
  “The angel said, the reason why he borrowed it is because he’s not here. He has risen.”
• Pastor Tim underscores the moment Mary Magdalene hears her name from Jesus—a deeply personal and transformative encounter.
• He shares a childhood story of being reunited with his mother by recognizing her voice amid hundreds, paralleling how Jesus calls each by name.
• Quote [29:50]:
  “She knew his voice, and more so, she knew when that voice called her name. That’s what makes the difference.”

c. They Fled the Tomb – The Victorious Proclaimer

• After the encounter, the women are overtaken by awe and run from the tomb—now transformed from mourners to evangelists.
• Quote [34:45]:
  “The resurrection made them run. The resurrection made them want to tell others. That’s what happens when you have been gripped by Jesus.”
• Pastor Tim contrasts mere religious attendance with the radical change produced by truly meeting the living Christ.
• Quote [36:25]:
  “He’ll take mourners and make them run. He’ll take the sad and make them celebrate.”

4. C.S. Lewis and the Problem of Mere Church Attendance

• Pastor Tim references C.S. Lewis’s depiction of seeking God:
  Quote [33:00]:
  “Looking for God is like fishing for a giant shark. You throw the line over... then the strike—and now you have more than you can handle on the line.”
• This warns against settling for superficial religion when a powerful, life-changing encounter with Christ is available.

5. The Resurrection: The Good Part

• Through a powerful analogy of a child watching a film about Christ and lighting up at the resurrection, Pastor Tim asserts:
  Quote [41:25]:
  “‘Now comes the good part.’ Can I tell you today, Easter is the good part. The resurrection is the good part.”
• He explains that the “good part” is not merely attending church but coming alive spiritually—being "born again."
• Only a personal encounter with the risen Jesus, rather than religious ritual or good deeds, grants eternal life.

6. The Born Again Invitation: A, B, C of New Life (Timestamps: 46:45–55:00)

• A: Admit you’re a sinner:

  • Sin is a universal, inborn condition; no one is exempt.
  • Quote [48:35]:
    “We’re not mistakers in need of correction. We’re sinners in need of a Savior. I don’t need a second chance; I need a second birth.”

• B: Believe in Jesus as the one who takes away your sin

  • Jesus’ death and resurrection are what fix our condition, not our good works.

• C: Confess Jesus as Lord

  • It’s not about church attendance; it’s about surrendering every day, making Jesus the “boss” of your life.

• Quote [52:25]:
  “Jesus did not come, die on a cross and resurrect to get you to church on Sundays. His plan was to get you to heaven forever.”

7. A Call to Response: Tangible Invitation to “Come Alive”

• Pastor Tim leads an altar invitation for those ready to be “born again,” prompting those present and watching globally to raise their hands as a spiritual RSVP.
• Massive response, evidence of the spirit moving: over 127 respond in-person.
• All are invited to pray together a prayer of repentance and new life:
  • “God is my Father, Jesus is my Savior, the Holy Spirit is my Helper, and heaven is my home.” (53:40)

Memorable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• “By order of the King, it is forbidden for God to perform miracles in this place.” (04:00; recounting King Louis XV’s sign)
• “By order of the Emperor of Rome, it is forbidden for Jesus to perform miracles in this cemetery.” (04:15)
• “‘Look, Dad, one got out!’ I have to tell you, there was a cemetery in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago where one got out.” (05:20)
• “You will not find answers to life looking at one another. You must look up. You must look up to God. That’s where the answers come from.” (14:55)
• “The Saudi researchers are attempting to understand the underlying causes of aging… Here it is: birthdays. Every time you have a birthday, you get older.” (16:50, humor on prolonging life)
• “He is risen. He is not here. Behold, here is the place where they laid him.” (21:10; angelic pronouncement)
• “She knew his voice, and more so, she knew when that voice called her name. That’s what makes the difference.” (29:50)
• “Looking for God is like fishing for a giant shark… Now you have more than you can handle on the line.” (33:00; quoting C.S. Lewis)
• “The resurrection made them run. The resurrection made them want to tell others. That’s what happens when you have been gripped by Jesus.” (34:45)
• “If the greatest event in human history doesn’t make us run, shout or change anything in our lives, then we live a life of being in the vicinity of Christ, but not in Christ.” (37:12)
• “‘Now comes the good part.’ Can I tell you today, Easter is the good part. The resurrection is the good part.” (41:25)
• “We’re not mistakers in need of correction. We’re sinners in need of a Savior. I don’t need a second chance. I need a second birth.” (48:35)
• “Jesus did not come, die on a cross and resurrect to get you to church on Sundays. His plan was to get you to heaven forever.” (52:25)
• “God is my Father, Jesus is my Savior, the Holy Spirit is my Helper, and heaven is my home.” (53:40; congregational prayer)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment/Topic | |------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Opening greetings, global audience welcome | | 04:00 | Story of King Louis XV’s anti-miracle sign | | 05:20 | Child’s remark: “One got out!” | | 08:20 | Reading Mark 16:1-8—the three experiences | | 14:55 | The importance of “looking up,” not “sideways” | | 16:50 | Anecdote on aging, Saudi Arabia’s billion-dollar effort | | 21:10 | The angel’s proclamation and the borrowed tomb | | 29:50 | The voice of Jesus; personal encounter | | 33:00 | C.S. Lewis’s analogy; real encounter vs. mere religion | | 34:45 | Three women run from the tomb | | 37:12 | True impact of resurrection contrasted with religiosity | | 41:25 | “Now comes the good part”—Easter and new life | | 46:45 | Inviting people to be “born again”—A, B, C explained | | 53:40 | Congregational prayer of faith and commitment |

Conclusion

Pastor Tim Dilena weaves humor, poignant stories, and gospel clarity to illustrate how the resurrection of Jesus offers transformation for every person—mourners become messengers, doubt gives way to assurance, religion to relationship. The challenge is not just to witness Easter, but to be changed by it—to “come alive” through faith in Christ. The congregation responds with raised hands and collective voices, testifying to the power of the message and the reality of new life.

For more teachings from Times Square Church, visit tsc.nyc.