“2 Words That Change Everything” by Pastor Greg Laurie

Main message: The resurrection of Jesus — summed up by the two-word interruption "But God" — turns apparent endings into new beginnings and guarantees that Jesus' victory changes our standing before God, empowers our daily life, secures eternal life, and restores relationships.

Key points:

• The empty tomb accounts (Luke 24; John 20) show angels announcing "He isn't here, he has risen," Jesus meeting his followers (including Mary Magdalene) and inaugurating a new way of relationship with God.
• "But God" is a Biblical motif (e.g., Joseph, Paul, Acts) that signals God's intervention in bleak circumstances to bring redemption.
• Four practical effects of the resurrection: justification — we are accepted by God because Christ died and rose for our sins; sanctification — the Spirit who raised Jesus gives us power to overcome sin; assurance of personal resurrection and eternal life; and resurrected relationships — believers will be reunited with loved ones.
• Jesus' post-resurrection appearances are both miraculous and ordinary (greeting, eating fish), indicating our future resurrected bodies will be real and recognizable.
• Invitation and application: trust the risen Christ now — the preacher closes with a call to repent, believe, and pray to receive Jesus.

Scriptures mentioned: Luke 24, John 20, Matthew 28:8, Luke 24:42, Acts 12, Ephesians (reference), Romans 4:25, 2 Corinthians 1:8 (paraphrase), Romans 8:11, 1 Corinthians 15:54, Romans 5:8