He's Alive! - Benedict Allmand-Smith

Date: Sunday 4th May 2025

Location: Trinity Baptist Church Charlesworth

Title:  He's Alive!

Text: John 20:1-18

Please listen to the audio of Benedict's sermon below:

https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/42325912244699

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He’s Alive: Why the Resurrection of Jesus Changes Everything

When we think of superheroes, their stories often follow a familiar pattern. There’s a moment of despair – evil seems to have won, the hero appears dead, and all hope is lost. But then, in a dramatic twist, the hero rises. He returns stronger, defeats the enemy, and restores peace. These stories grip us because they speak to a longing deep in our souls: for death not to be the end, for life to win.

But real life isn’t a comic book. As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” No one escapes death. Or so it seems.

But the resurrection of Jesus Christ challenges that certainty. The Christian claim is bold: Jesus truly died – and then truly rose again. If this is true, it changes everything. Eternal life isn’t just wishful thinking. It’s a gift offered through him.

1. Did He Have to Die?

If Jesus had power over death, why did he need to die at all? To understand this, we need to go back to the beginning. God made the world perfect, and mankind was created in harmony with Him. But humans rebelled. Adam and Eve broke God’s good law, wanting not just the gifts of life and freedom but God's own authority too. And their choice brought judgement: sin, separation from God, and death.

But this isn’t just their story – it’s ours too. We've all sinned. In obvious ways like lying or selfishness, and also in our thoughts. We feel guilt and shame. If we see our faults, how much more does a perfect God? Death is the consequence of sin – both Adam and Eve’s and ours.

Yet God is not only just; He is also merciful. He sent Jesus to take the punishment we deserve. Jesus didn’t just suffer; he willingly stood in our place, like a judge stepping down to bear the sentence himself. He bore God’s wrath on the cross so that we wouldn’t have to. Like standing in a scorched patch during a wildfire – where the fire has already passed – those who stand with Jesus are safe from judgement.

2. Did He Really Rise from the Dead?

Yes, he did. And we have good reason to believe it. Lee Strobel, who has written the book ‘A Case for Christ’, often uses these four E’s to explain in brief some of the compelling evidence for the Resurrection.

· Execution: Jesus’ death is confirmed by historical sources, not just Christian ones either, but sources such as the Roman historian Tacitus.

· Early Accounts: The resurrection was being preached within months of Jesus’ death. 1 Corinthians 15 contains one of the earliest Christian creeds, affirming the risen Christ.

· Empty Tomb: Even Jesus’ enemies admitted the tomb was empty. Their claim? That the disciples stole the body – yet many disciples of Jesus were customarily martyred for their faith in the Resurrection. Would they die for a lie?

· Eyewitnesses: Jesus appeared to many, including more than 500 people at once. These weren’t mass hallucinations. Many of these eyewitnesses, including Paul, went on to write, preach, and die for what they had seen.

3. What Does This Mean?

First, it means that Jesus has been vindicated and exalted by God. His resurrection was God's stamp of approval – declaring him perfect, righteous, and worthy of all authority. Like a hero being honoured by a king, Jesus has been raised and seated at God's right hand.

Second, it means Jesus gives life – eternal life. He has defeated death, sin, and Satan. He fought the battle we couldn’t win and emerged victorious. Now he offers that same life to us – life that doesn’t end at the grave but continues forever with God.

Finally, it means you must believe. As John wrote, these things were recorded “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).

At Jesus’ death, the disciples thought all was lost. Jesus was dead, and their hopes were buried with him. But when they saw the empty tomb and the risen Lord, everything changed. He’s alive!

And if Jesus is alive, then death is not the end. Sin doesn’t have the final word. And you are invited to receive a life more powerful than death itself – eternal life through the risen Christ.

Want to Know More About Jesus?

If you're curious about the life that Jesus offers, or if you want to begin a journey of faith, we’d love to talk with you. Reach out through our Contact Page, or join us for a Sunday service.

He is risen. He is risen indeed.