What if Death Isn’t the End? 

Today, I want to speak to you about something that has the power to change your life. Something that stands at the heart of our faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the profound implications it has for each of us. 

I’d like to begin by asking a simple but important question: Why are we here? 

Now, some might say, “We’re here because it’s Sunday,” or, “We’re here because this is what Christians do.” But is that truly all there is to it? I believe, deep down, we know there’s so much more. We’re here because of hope, a hope grounded not just in the life and teachings of Jesus, but in his resurrection—the victory over sin and death. 

The Reality of Sin and Death 

The reality of sin is something we all wrestle with. We feel its weight in our day-to-day struggles, don’t we? The apostle Paul, in Romans 5, reminds us of a harsh truth: sin entered the world through one man, Adam, and death through sin. It’s a grim picture. And for thousands of years, that’s been the story of humanity: born into a broken world, where sin leads to death, with seemingly no way out. 

Think about it. As much as we try to live righteously, as much as we strive to be kind, selfless, and good, we’re still human. We still stumble. We still fall. And death seems to have a perfect record, doesn’t it? Whether you’re rich or poor, wise or foolish, old or young, death comes for us all. It doesn’t play favourites. Ecclesiastes tells us that the righteous perish just as the wicked live long in their wrongdoing. It hardly seems fair, does it? 

But as much as death seems inevitable, as much as sin seems to cling to us like chains, there’s something more powerful than both of these forces. And that, my friends, is grace. 

The Gift of Grace 

In Romans 5:15, Paul gives us the good news: “But the gift is not like the trespass.” Yes, through one man, Adam, many died. But through one man, Jesus, we receive something far greater—the grace of God. This grace is abundant. It’s overflowing. It’s powerful. 

Through Jesus, the curse of sin is broken. It’s as though we’ve been shackled for so long that we forgot what freedom even looks like. But Jesus came to set us free—not just from the consequences of sin, but from the power of sin itself. He did what we could never do. He lived a sinless life, he died a sacrificial death, and then—most importantly—he rose again. And that resurrection is the key. 

The Power of Resurrection 

When Jesus rose from the grave, it wasn’t just a miracle for him alone. His resurrection is the firstfruits, a promise that there’s more to come. It’s the down payment on the future we all hope for—a future where death is no more, and sin has lost its grip on us. 

Think about what that means. If Christ had only died, our faith would be futile, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15. We’d still be trapped in our sins, with no real hope beyond the grave. But because Christ was raised, everything changes. Suddenly, death isn’t the end. It’s a doorway. Sin doesn’t have the final word—life does. Resurrection does. 

Imagine that moment—the body of Jesus, lying in the tomb, lifeless. And then, in an instant, he breathes again. Sin is defeated. Death is conquered. Hope is alive. 

What This Means for Us 

Now, you might be thinking, “That’s wonderful for Jesus, but what about me? I still struggle. I still sin. People I love still die. What’s different for me?” 

The difference is everything. Because Jesus was raised, we, too, can live in newness of life. When we come to Christ, we’re baptised into his death, yes. But we’re also raised with him in his resurrection. This means that we don’t have to be slaves to sin anymore. The chains that once held us can be broken. It doesn’t mean we won’t stumble, but it does mean that sin doesn’t define us anymore. 

Think of it like this: in Adam, we were bound to a cycle of sin and death. But in Christ, we have a new identity. We’re no longer slaves—we’re sons and daughters of the living God. We’re heirs to eternal life. The power of resurrection is that it changes everything—our past, our present, and our future. 

Hope in the Midst of Trials 

I know life can be hard. I know some of you are facing incredible challenges—whether it’s illness, loneliness, financial struggles, or grief. And in the midst of these trials, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. But let me remind you: Jesus understands. He, too, faced suffering. He, too, was tempted. He, too, felt the weight of the world pressing in on him. Yet, he overcame. And because he overcame, we can have confidence that we will, too. 

When we look at the cross, we see his suffering. But when we look at the empty tomb, we see his victory—and ours. In our darkest moments, we can hold on to this truth: death is not the end. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us. It’s a power that gives us hope, even in the midst of suffering. 

The Call to Live in Resurrection Power 

So, what’s our response? What do we do with this incredible gift? Paul tells us in Romans 6:4: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” 

Living in resurrection power means living a life that reflects the hope we have. It means loving others as Christ loved us. It means forgiving, as we’ve been forgiven. It means sharing the good news of what Jesus has done, not just with words, but with our lives. It means living with joy, even in the face of hardship, because we know the end of the story—and it’s glorious. 

The Victory of Jesus is Ours 

We’re not just here today out of tradition or obligation. We’re here because we serve a risen Saviour. We’re here because death has been swallowed up in victory. We’re here because, in Christ, we have hope—hope that can never be taken away. 

As we prepare to partake in the bread and wine, let’s remember this: we’re not just remembering a man who died. We’re celebrating a Saviour who is alive, and because he lives, we, too, will live. This is the power of resurrection—the victory over sin and death. 

Let’s walk in that victory today and every day. Amen.