The Great Exchange

Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 5:21
1 Peter 1:3
Romans 6:4
Galatians 2:20
1 Corinthians 15

“Because of the cross, I’m forgiven. But because of the resurrection, I’m free.”

Easter Sunday this year wasn’t just a moment in time—it was a divine encounter. A holy interruption. And at the center of it all was the simple yet seismic truth of The Great Exchange.

A New Day, A New Definition

As we gathered under open skies and with hopeful hearts, we were reminded that hope alone is not enough—we need resurrection. The story of Easter is not one of sentiment, but of salvation. Not a seasonal tradition, but an eternal transformation. And it all began with a stone rolled away.

“He is not here. He is risen.”

This is not the echo of a forgotten tomb—it is the anthem of a Church alive. Easter reminds us that Jesus is not a memory we visit on weekends; He is a person we walk with every day. The tomb is empty, and Heaven is open.

The Great Exchange

The message is titled The Great Exchange because that is what Easter truly is—a divine swap. Our sin for His righteousness. Our shame for His acceptance. Our broken identity for His glorious name.

Because of the cross, we are forgiven. But because of the resurrection, we are free.

Forgiveness speaks to what Jesus removed—sin, guilt, and shame. But freedom declares what He restored—purpose, joy, authority, identity. One without the other leaves us stuck. But Jesus didn’t just go to the cross; He walked out of the grave so we could walk into new life.

The Jacket Illustration: Your Labels Left in the Grave

Perhaps the most powerful moment came through a visual analogy: two brothers, identical in appearance, representing humanity and Jesus. One wore a jacket plastered with labels we all know too well—failure, not enough, broken, angry, unlovable. Bit by bit, these identities were layered on. Each one heavier than the last.

But then came the cross. And with it, The Great Exchange.

Every label was transferred. Every false identity laid upon Jesus. And He took it all to the grave.

But here’s the clincher: He didn’t rise with it. The labels didn’t make it out of the tomb. They were buried in darkness so you could walk in light.

Jesus rose not wearing your shame, but clothing you in His righteousness.

It’s Not Just a Story—It’s an Invitation

Easter isn’t an event. It’s not a service to attend or a sermon to hear. Easter is an invitation to exchange your life for His. And this Sunday, many did exactly that—raising their hands, opening their hearts, and receiving a new identity: Loved. Chosen. Forgiven. Free.

As one powerful line put it,
“What was on me was placed on Him, never to be seen again.”

This is not theology to be stored away. It’s truth to be lived out. Whether you’re 9 or 90, a first-timer or a lifelong believer—this exchange is for you. And it changes everything.

One Jacket. One Identity.

The message closed with this charge:
You only need one label now—Son (or Daughter) of Promise.

That’s it. No more stickers. No more striving. No more trying to prove your worth or earn your place. It’s finished. The cross dealt with your past. The resurrection secured your future. And today—today, you can live free.

Scriptures That Framed the Message:

2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us…”
1 Peter 1:3 – “He has given us new birth into a living hope…”
Romans 6:4 – “Just as Christ was raised… we too may live a new life.”
Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ… Christ lives in me.”

What Now?

The next few weeks at Linc Church, we’ll be preaching a series titled The Simple Gospel. Because while life can feel complicated, the gospel never was. It’s Jesus—for you, with you, and alive in you.

If you felt something stir this Easter—don’t let it fade. Come again. Come expectant. Come ready for more.

Because He is risen, and your story is just beginning.

Discussion Questions

What stood out to you most from this Easter message? Was it a scripture, the analogy, a specific line, or a personal moment?
How does the idea of The Great Exchange challenge or deepen your understanding of what Jesus accomplished on the cross and in the resurrection?
“Because of the cross, I’m forgiven. Because of the resurrection, I’m free.” – Which part of this statement do you find easier to believe? Which part do you struggle with?
What are some “labels” or false identities you’ve worn in your life? How does knowing Jesus took those to the grave change the way you see yourself?
Freedom was described not just as a feeling but a new way of living. What does freedom in Christ practically look like in your world—home, work, or relationships?
The sermon mentioned, “You only need one identity now—Son or Daughter of Promise.” – What does that identity mean to you? How would your life look different if you truly lived from that truth?
The message also spoke about gaining new authority as well as identity. – In what ways do you feel God is calling you to walk in greater authority in this sea
Easter isn’t an event—it’s an invitation. – What is Jesus inviting you into right now? What part of your story do you sense He’s rewriting?
Are there areas in your life where you still feel “stuck”—forgiven but not free? What might it look like to surrender that to Jesus again?
How can this Easter truth reshape the way you approach the week ahead? What’s one practical way you can remind yourself daily: I am forgiven. I am free.?

Family Activation: At the family table or before bed, take turns naming one “label” Jesus has taken to the grave—and then speak aloud the new identity He’s given you instead (e.g. “I’m not a failure, I’m forgiven and free”).

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