Because He Lives

Bishop Riggen preaches from Luke 24:1-7 on Resurrection Sunday, focusing on the significance of Christ's resurrection. He establishes that Christianity is unique among world religions because Jesus was born of a virgin, lived without sin, and—most critically—rose from the dead by His own power. Unlike other religious leaders whose tombs hold their remains, Jesus' tomb is empty; He raised Himself, as He declared in John 2:19-21. Bishop Riggen cites multiple witnesses: the four Gospel accounts, the Apostle Paul's testimony of over 500 eyewitnesses, and even the non-Christian Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, who recorded that Jesus appeared alive on the third day. The resurrection is the most important event in history, for without it, faith is vain. But because Christ rose as the firstfruits, believers have the hope of their own resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15 promises that the dead in Christ will rise, and we shall be changed. This hope removes the sting of death. However, this promise is conditional: Romans 8:11 teaches that only those in whom the Spirit of God dwells will be quickened. The way to receive that Spirit is through repentance, baptism in Jesus' name, and receiving the Holy Ghost, as Peter preached in Acts 2:38. Bishop Riggen concludes with an illustration from Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book: the owl says death steps aside for no one, but death stepped aside for Jesus. Because He lives, death will also step aside for believers when the trumpet sounds.