When Hope Calls Your Name (Easter full service) | Shawn Williams

When Jesus met Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb, He called her by name. In that moment, her panic turned to peace, her sorrow to steadiness, and her tears to testimony. His voice brought clarity, comfort, and new life. Jesus is personal—He calls you by name in your uncertainty. His trusted voice brings hope and steadies racing hearts. This Easter at Willow, encounter the personal love of Jesus Christ calling you by name.

Jesus makes it clear—it’s not impressive works, public platforms, or spiritual performances that reveal a fruitful life. The fruit Jesus desires grows out of presence and daily connection, trust, and obedience shaped by love. Good fruit is not the product of our striving; it’s the result of remaining close to the Vine. And this fruit is not intended for the one who bears it, but rather for the flourishing of those around them. Jesus invites you to choose the narrow way, build a solid foundation, and let your life be rooted in Him.

God is not burdened by your prayers. We are encouraged to present our bold, faith-filled requests to the Father and participate in a relationship with Him. He says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” This isn’t about demanding our way—in the context of the Sermon on the Mount, it’s about aligning our hearts with God’s kingdom. Dr. Megan Marshman encourages us to examine our hearts. Are they aligned with God’s Kingdom? Are we praying boldly for ourselves and those around us? His response will always be good.

Judgment comes naturally to us, but it’s not always necessary. Jesus warns against allowing judgment to become condemnation, reminding us that every human is a child of God. In this message, we are invited to examine our motives and invite Jesus into our inner dialogue, where He can transform our pride and assumptions into grace and self-awareness. When we do this, we learn to love others and reflect Christ’s heart to a world that desperately needs less condemnation and more redeeming love.

Worry often disguises itself as responsibility. What we call “planning” or “being realistic” is usually our attempt to control what only God can. Jesus teaches us something better—to release the burden of tomorrow and trust that our Father is already there, working all things together for our good. Jesus teaches us that when God’s Kingdom becomes our focus, anxiety loses all power. Today, seek His Kingdom. Know that the God who provides the world also provides for each of us.

What we treasure shapes who we become. Our treasures aren’t just money; they are the things we cling to for safety, identity, or joy. Whether it's success, relationships, or something else, Jesus calls us to put our hope in Him, allowing our treasure to be transformed into a tool for Kingdom living. When we put our identity in Jesus and depend on Him, we find peace in generosity rather than panic in scarcity. Pastor Shawn Williams teaches how we can loosen our grip on earthly things and cling to what truly lasts.

Prayer was never meant to be a task to check off—but an invitation into a holy relationship. It’s not meant to feel distant, scary, or overly formal. It isn’t about perfect words; it’s about honest presence. Jesus gave us a simple yet powerful framework for achieving intimacy with Him. The Lord’s Prayer helps center our hearts on God’s glory, and when we make time to pray, we experience His presence. In this message, we are encouraged to set aside our fears, dive in, and pray.

We’ve all put on a show at some point, failing to practice what we preach. The essential practices Jesus teaches in Matthew 6—generosity, prayer, and fasting—are not intended to impress others but to transform our own hearts. When we seek to please God instead of other people, our “reward” might not come as applause, but as His presence. Pastor Shawn Williams explains that integrity isn’t about achieving perfection; it’s about purity of heart.

Senior Pastor Shawn Williams interviews former NFL All-Pro running back, philanthropist, and Chicago Bears great Matt Forté about his life, career, and purpose.

Many people think in simple opposites—fight back or back down—but Jesus’ teachings on love offer a powerful third way: loving your enemies. This radical love isn’t weakness; it’s a courageous choice to break the cycle of hate through forgiveness and honoring everyone’s dignity. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Pastor Thomas Anderson Jr. unpacks Jesus’ call to respond with courageous love—an invitation that leads to genuine peace, lasting freedom, and deep spiritual transformation.