Because He Lives | March 28, 2021

CHRIST IS RISEN

Christ is risen

from the dead

Trampling over death

by death

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

– 1 Corinthians 15:54-56 (ESV)

Easter Playlist (Spotify)

The kingdom of God is an “upside-down” kingdom where the last will be first; where the weak will be strong; where life is obtained through death. From the very beginning of Christ’s incarnation, the King of heaven has subverted our expectations. He chose to announce his coming of his kingdom, not in a palace in Rome surrounded by the most powerful and wealthy, but rather in a fishing village inhabited by the powerless and impoverished. The eternal hands that shaped the universe placed mud on a blind man’s eyes to restore his sight. The Ruler of the Earth, who “rides through the heavens,” triumphantly rode into Jerusalem on a mere donkey (Deut. 33:26). The King of kings wore a crown of thorns. And he died, so that we may live.

The Author of Life conquered death by dying. Christ not only preached an upside-down Kingdom, but he fulfilled it through securing our eternal life through his death.

And yet we know that the story does not simply end with his death. It was impossible for death to keep its hold on him (Acts 2:22). John Chrysostom, an early church father, said that death “received a body and it encountered God. It received earth and came face to face with heaven.” Death was swallowed up in victory as our Savior rose from the grave.

And because he lives... we sing, “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling over death by death.”

Father, we praise you for sending your Son to die in our place. We praise you for defeating sin and death and securing victory for your Son and your church. May we live this day in the victory that has been secured by Christ.

Let no one caught in sin remain

Inside the lie of inward shame

We fix our eyes upon the cross

And run to him who showed great love

And bled for us

Freely you bled, for us

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave!

Beneath the weight of all our sin

You bow to none but heavens will

No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown

No burden great can hold you down

In strength you reign

Forever let your church proclaim

Oh death! Where is your sting?

Oh hell! Where is your victory?

Oh Church! Come stand in the light!

The glory of God has defeated the night!

Oh death! Where is your sting?

Oh hell! Where is your victory?

Oh Church! Come stand in the light!

Our God is not dead, he's alive! he's alive!

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with him again

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave