Stop Staring At That Stone

Pastor Steven Furtick

April 6, 2026

• 57min. read

•

eGroups

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Sermon Summary

Have you ever noticed how two people can be looking at the same thing and have completely different perspectives on it? When Mary looked at the stone, she saw a problem, but the angels saw a reason to praise. There might be something in your life that looks like a problem right now, too, but this sermon invites you to pivot so you can see Jesus in it.

Sermon Highlights

Some of the things you see as a problem today might be a praise tomorrow.
The first thing God does before He brings forth is He takes away.
It’s what you believe about what you’re looking at that determines how you feel when you see it. Mary saw a problem. The angels saw a reason to praise.

Three reasons Mary couldn’t see Jesus:

She was in tears.
- Our pain has a way of blocking our perspective.
She was in transition.
- God does stuff in the dark.
She was trapped.
- She expected to see Him the last way she saw Him.

Mary made two wrong assumptions:

She thought “they” took Jesus.
- Stop giving the enemy credit for what God is doing. He’s in control.
She thought He would be “lying.” But He was standing.
- It’s turn around time. Turn away from the stone to the Savior.

Scriptures

Read this week’s scriptures. Ask your group what stands out to them.

Sermon Discussion

Conversation Starter

Choose the one that works best for your group!

Share an Easter tradition your family has.
Share a story about a family picture gone wrong.

Discussion Questions

“Our pain has a way of blocking our perspective.” Share a time when pain kept you from seeing God’s view of a situation.
“It’s what you believe about what you’re looking at that determines how you feel when you see it. Mary saw a problem. The angels saw a reason to praise.” What have you been believing about a problem in your life that might be limiting your view of it?
“Stop giving the enemy credit for what God is doing. He’s in control.” Where do you need to remember that God’s in control?
Which of Mary’s three reasons most often keeps you from seeing Jesus at work in your life: tears, transition, or being trapped in a way of thinking?
“It’s turn around time.” What’s one way you can put the past behind you right now and turn towards Jesus?

Prayer Prompt

Ask your eGroup if they have any prayer requests or praise reports they’d like to share, and include them in your closing prayer.

Pray this prayer over your eGroup to close, and/or send it to them throughout the week to let them know you’re praying for them!

Dear Jesus, Thank you for loving us. We’re so grateful that you’re alive and active in our lives right now. We ask that you reveal to each of us the ways we are blocked from seeing You and that you help us turn toward You this week. Amen.

Additional Content

Here’s some additional content you can use to encourage your group this week.

"Goodbye Yesterday" Share this song with your group to remind them “It’s turn around time!”