Resurrection's First Sermon: October 7, 1990

On the 35th anniversary of founding the Church of the Resurrection, Adam Hamilton takes us on an extraordinary journey back to October 7, 1990—when he was a nervous 26-year-old pastor standing in a funeral home chapel, wondering if anyone would show up. In this deeply personal episode, Adam shares the complete audio of his very first sermon, a message that tackled life's most fundamental question: "Is this all?" Drawing from his grandmother's deathbed question and the Apostle Paul's words about knowing Christ, Adam explores why the resurrection isn't just about what happens after death, but about how we choose to live today. This isn't a nostalgic trip down memory lane—it's a powerful reminder that the questions keeping us up at night are the same ones humans have asked throughout history, and the answer changes everything about how we show up in the world.5 Key Moments You Don't Want to Miss:The Question Behind Every Struggle - Adam reveals how "Is this all?" shows up in different forms throughout our lives: in moments of despair ("Why should I go on?"), in grief ("Where are they now?"), in success that feels empty ("Where do I go from here?"), and in moral compromise ("Why not? Who's gonna know?"). These aren't different questions—they're all asking whether there's something more than what we can see and touch.Why the Resurrection Is the Answer - For Christians, Adam explains, the decisive proof of "something more" isn't Jesus's birth or even his death—it's the resurrection. This event gives us hope in the face of death, allows us to worship in a funeral home without dread, and proves there's one who holds power even over our deepest fears. It's the foundation that lets us face tomorrow with confidence.The Hero Who Packed His Life Into One Night - The sermon culminates with the moving story of Edward William Spencer, a college swimmer who saved 17 lives during a shipwreck in 1860—and was paralyzed for the rest of his life as a result. When asked if he'd do it again, his answer reveals what it means to live as a person of the resurrection: "I'm a follower of one who packed his whole life into nine hours on the cross."What Makes a Great Church - Young Adam's vision wasn't about having a great preacher, a beautiful building, or perfect programs. It was about people deciding to live as people of the resurrection—laying their lives on the line for others with such authentic faith that others would be drawn to join them.From 200 People to a Movement - What started with coffee mug deliveries and a simple invitation to "come dream with us" grew into the largest United Methodist Church in the country—not through strategy, but through ordinary people choosing to love selflessly and sacrificially.Why This Episode Matters:Whether you're skeptical about faith, burned out on church, or simply wondering if there's more to life than what you're experiencing right now, this episode meets you exactly where you are. Adam's vulnerability about his own nervous beginnings and his willingness to revisit his younger self's convictions create space for honest exploration. The question "Is this all?" doesn't require a religious background to understand—it requires only the courage to ask it honestly and consider what you'll do with the answer. Listen to discover why this 35-year-old sermon still speaks to the deepest longing of the human heart.