Editor’s Note: We are pleased to share Dr. Rob Pacienza’s sermon and sermon notes (below) from the Easter worship service of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church on April 5, 2026.
Why do Christians believe that an ancient event changed the course of history? And how did a small group of frightened followers become a movement that turned the world upside down? The answer is found in one defining event: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Luke 23:53-24:12, that moment is revealed to us. On Friday, Jesus was crucified and buried. But on Sunday morning, the tomb was empty because he had come alive. This means that Christianity did not spread because of an idea. It spread because of a reality: Jesus Christ is alive!
Why Does This Matter?
First, the resurrection is God’s solution to death. The women came to the tomb expecting to find a dead body. They brought spices to cover the stench of decay, just as we try to soften the harsh reality of death in our own ways. But the angels ask a stunning question: “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” In other words, the tomb is for dead people, but Jesus is alive. The resurrection declares that death is not the end. For those who belong to Christ, death is no longer a final destination, but a doorway into life. Because Jesus conquered the grave, death has lost its ultimate power.
Second, the resurrection represents God’s restoration of hope for his image-bearers. When the women approached the tomb, they came in grief and confusion. Friday had crushed their expectations. Saturday was filled with numbed silence. But Sunday changed everything. The resurrection, therefore, is not only a spiritual truth. It is the divine promise of a future cosmic renewal. Because Jesus rose bodily from the grave, God is at work to make all things new. No situation is beyond redemption. No failure is beyond grace. If the resurrection is true, then hope is not wishful thinking. The Christian hope is a certainty grounded in the power of God.
Third, the resurrection confirms the reality of grace. It is the Father’s declaration that the work of Christ on the cross has been accepted. If Christ had not been raised, we would still be in our sins. But because He lives, forgiveness is real. Peter understood this. After denying Jesus, he ran to the tomb—not out of curiosity, but out of desperation for grace. The message of Easter is not that good people get a second chance. It is that dead sinners are made alive through the finished work of Christ.
This is why Easter is not only a day of celebration but a day of decision. The risen Christ calls us to respond anew. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, on the day of his execution, said, “This is the end… no, this is the beginning.” That is the hope of the resurrection. But it raises a question for each of us: Do you believe? If Christ is risen, then everything He said is true. Forgiveness is available. New life is possible. But it is received by faith alone. We do not save ourselves. We turn from sin, trust in Christ, and receive the grace He offers.
Jesus was dead, but now He is alive. That is not in dispute. The only question is whether you will share in His life. Christ has risen. And because He lives, everything changes.
Application / Reflection Questions
- Why is the resurrection of Jesus the foundation of the Christian faith?
- How does the reality that Jesus conquered death change the way you think about your own mortality, and the trials and suffering of this present life?
- In what areas of your life do you need to be reminded that nothing is beyond God’s power to redeem?
- What does it mean personally for you to believe in the risen Christ? And how is God calling you to respond today?
