Because He Lives | March 24, 2021

BECAUSE HE LIVES

Because He lives;

All fear is gone.

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain…. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins…. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

– 1 Corinthians 15:14, 17, 19 (ESV)

Easter Playlist (Spotify)

If Christ has not been raised, then last Sunday’s sermon was stupid, and we better just cancel services for this Sunday. If Christ has not been raised, then our faith is an emotional stabilizer at best and damning at worst. If Christ has not been raised, then the guilt of our sins is still pulling us down to the pit of hell. If Christ has not been raised, then we should be the laughing stock of Albuquerque.

“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor. 15:20). In fact, God’s Word last Sunday did have power (Heb. 4:12). In fact, God has saved us from eternal damnation by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8). In fact, the guilt of our sins has been nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14). In fact, we have a message that everyone in Albuquerque needs to hear (Matt. 28:18-20).

Because he lives... all these things are true.

Because he lives... all fear is gone.

Because he lives... we get to spend the next twelve days reflecting on the implications of Christ’s resurrection.

Because he lives… these twelve days are just an appetizer of what’s to come.

Father, let us feel the weight of reality apart from the resurrection—the anxiety, the shame, and the impending judgment our sins deserve. Bring us to Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb, and let us consider what would happen if the resurrection never happened. And then, let us feel the burden lifted by the ascension of Christ. Fill our graves of fear with the peace of an empty tomb. And take the phrase, “Because he lives,” and complete the sentence with every resurrection-bought blessing there is.

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus

He came to love, heal and forgive

He lived and died to buy my pardon

An empty grave is there to prove my savior lives

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives, all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living, just because He lives

And then one day, I'll cross the river

I'll fight life's final war with pain

And then, as death gives way to victory

I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He reigns

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives, all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living, just because He lives

I can face tomorrow

Because He lives, all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living, just because He lives