Because He Lives … Your Questions Have Answers

INTRODUCTION

Every person—whether they admit it or not—is living with questions.

Not surface questions… not the kind you answer with a quick Google search… but soul-level questions.

Questions that show up late at night… when everything gets quiet…

Questions that surface in suffering… when life doesn’t make sense…

Questions that press in during failure… when you’re forced to face yourself…

Questions that linger in the silence… when you wonder if anyone really sees you… or hears you.

And we try to manage those questions.

We distract ourselves. We stay busy. We tell ourselves not to think about them.

But they don’t go away.

Because deep down, we know:

If those questions don’t have real answers… then nothing else really does.

So let’s name them clearly:

What is the meaning of life?

Does anybody love me?

Is there any hope in suffering?

Can my past really be forgiven?

Is this life all there is?

And here’s what makes today so important:

The resurrection of Jesus is not just an event to celebrate— it is God’s answer to every one of those questions.

But here’s the tension…

It’s one thing to say the resurrection answers your questions— it’s another thing to know the resurrection is true.

Because if it’s not true, then those answers are just comforting ideas.

But if it is true…

then those answers are solid. They are unshakable. They are something you can build your life on.

So before we explore how the resurrection answers our questions, we have to ask:

Did it really happen?

Because if it didn’t—nothing else matters.

In fact, Paul the Apostle wrote in 1 Corinthians 15 that if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain… and so is our faith.

But if it did—

everything changes.

And it did.

Historians across the spectrum agree on key facts: Jesus was crucified and died. His tomb was found empty. His followers became convinced they saw Him alive—and were transformed because of it.

The first witnesses to the empty tomb were women. In that culture, their testimony was not considered reliable. So if you were inventing a story, you would never choose women as your primary witnesses.

The question is not what happened…but what best explains it. And the resurrection explains it all.

The empty tomb

The eyewitness encounters

The transformed lives

The most compelling explanation is this: Jesus really did rise from the dead.

And that is why we say every Easter:

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

And since that’s true…

this isn’t just a story to admire— it’s a reality that changes how we see everything… and how we live.

It is a reality that answers every one of our questions.

TRANSITION

Now…

we need to go back to those questions. Because we’re not just talking about what happened—we’re talking about what it means.

And the first question is this:

[QUESTION 1] What is the meaning of life?

That’s not just a philosophical question. That’s a personal one.

Why am I here? Does my life matter? Is there a purpose to all of this… or am I just moving from one day to the next?

And here’s the reality—

If Jesus is still in the grave, then life is ultimately without meaning.

We may create purpose… we may distract ourselves… we may try to convince ourselves that what we do matters…

But in the end— everything fades.

But since Jesus rose from the dead…

Life is not random. It is not accidental. It is not meaningless.

Because the resurrection tells us this:

There is a God who acts in history… who brings life out of death… and whose purposes cannot be stopped.

And that means—

Because He lives… your life is not an accident— it is an assignment.

The resurrection answers the question of meaning.

Now let’s zoom in on a few verses in Romans 6; first of all—Romans 6:4:

“Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.”

Hear that last phrase again: “…so we too may walk in newness of life.”

That phrase reaches back to our salvation—When we were “buried with Him”…and “raised with Him.” Paul is describing a spiritual resurrection—A resurrection from the death of sin…into a new life in Christ.

And then he presses it even further in verse 8: “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.”

Hear it again—“We will also live with Him.”

Live… with Him.

And there it is—The answer to the question of meaning.

What is the meaning of life?

Here’s the answer: You were created for a living relationship with a living Savior.

And the life He offers is so meaningful that Paul calls it—“newness of life.”

A new way of living. A new identity. A new purpose.

And notice how relational this is—We are “United with Him” (v. 5) —literally, planted together with. When you trust in Jesus as your Savior, Your life is intertwined with His life.

Which means—A meaningful life is not found in what you achieve…It’s found in who you are joined to. Because you can search for meaning in everything—

Work… education… possessions… success… pleasure…

But sooner or later you will discover what Solomon discovered.

“Absolute futility… everything is futile.”

But Jesus promised in

John 10:10 “A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.”

But because He lives—You can live a life that matters. A life that has purpose. A life that does not end in emptiness… Because the life Jesus gives—is not empty.

It is abundant.

TRANSITION: Meaning → Love

So the resurrection answers the question of meaning. Your life is not an accident…it’s an assignment. You were created for a relationship with a living Savior.

But here’s what we all know—

Even if you know your purpose…that doesn’t settle everything. Because there’s another question that rises up just as strong—Not about purpose—but about the heart.

It’s the question behind so many of our struggles…so many of our fears…so many of our wounds…

Does anybody love me?

Not love what I do… not love what I achieve… not love the version of me I present to others…

But really love me.

Because you can know why you exist…and still feel completely alone.

You can have purpose…and still wonder if you matter to anyone.

And if that question doesn’t have an answer…then purpose alone is not enough to carry the weight of your life.

So let’s ask it honestly—

[QUESTION 2] Does anybody love me?

I read about a young woman who said the first thing she does every morning…before she even gets out of bed…is reach for her phone.

Not to check the time.

Not to check the news.

Not to check the weather.

But to check—“Did anybody reach out to me?”

Texts… likes… comments…

In that moment, what she’s really asking is—“Do I matter to anyone today?”

And she said on the days when there’s nothing there…it feels like silence. And the silence starts to say something: “Maybe you don’t matter as much as you thought.”

And that’s not just her question…

It’s ours.

But let’s Listen to this word, straight from the heart of God.

Romans 5:8:

“But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

In the death and resurrection of Jesus, God proved his own love for us.

Now to feel the weight of that verse…we have to remember what Paul already told us in Romans 1. In our natural, sinful condition—we are not very lovable, because we are terribly sinful. Our thinking becomes empty. Our hearts become darkened. We turn from God—and become broken in ways we cannot fix. We are untrustworthy…unmerciful…and yes—we stand guilty before a holy God.

Those aren’t my words. That’s God telling us the truth about ourselves.

And if the story ended there…there would be no hope.

But then we come to Romans 5. And everything changes.

Through Jesus—we can have peace with God. Through Jesus—we have access to grace. Through Jesus—even our suffering is not wasted, because God uses it to shape us, and to pour His love into our hearts.

And here’s the stunning truth—

while we were still helpless… while we were still sinners…

Christ died for us.

Not when we got better. Not when we cleaned ourselves up. Not when we proved we were worth loving.

While we were still sinners.

Does anybody love me?

Yes.

God does. The cross proves it. And the resurrection—guarantees it.

Because if Jesus had stayed in the grave…we might wonder if His love was enough. But He didn’t stay in the grave. He rose. Which means—

His love is alive. His love is victorious. His love is still reaching for you today.

TRANSITION: Love → Suffering

So the resurrection answers the question—Does anybody love me?

Yes. God does. The cross proves it. The resurrection guarantees it. But that leads us to another question—Because if God really loves me, then why does life still hurt?

Why the loss? Why the pain? Why the disappointment… the diagnosis… the grief we didn’t see coming?

Because let’s be honest—It’s one thing to believe God loves you when everything is going right…It’s another thing entirely to hold onto that belief when everything is falling apart.

And in those moments…this question rises up—

[QUESTION 3] Is there any hope in suffering?

We don’t have to look far to feel this one. Some of you walked in here today carrying it. A situation that hasn’t changed…a prayer that hasn’t been answered…a weight that hasn’t lifted…And if we’re honest, suffering has a way of making everything feel uncertain.

It makes us question what we believe… it makes us question what we hoped… it even makes us question whether God is really there.

And if Jesus is still in the grave…then suffering has the final word.

But since Jesus rose from the dead—suffering is not the end of the story. Listen to what Peter said about suffering.

1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”

Did you hear that?

A living hope…through the resurrection.

Peter goes on to say in the next few verses that, even though now, for a little while, you suffer grief in various trials…those trials are not meaningless. They are refining your faith—making it more valuable than gold.

Is there any hope in suffering? Yes, because …

The resurrection turns suffering into a pathway… not a dead end.

Because the resurrection tells us this: God is able to take the worst thing that could happen…and turn it into the greatest victory imaginable.

Because Jesus lives—your suffering is not wasted.

God is working in it… God is shaping you through it… God is producing something in you that could not be produced any other way. Peter says it is “more valuable than gold.”

Think about that.

Gold doesn’t start out beautiful. It comes out of the ground as ore. But when it is placed under intense heat it comes out as something pure. Something valuable. Something refined.

And that’s what God is doing in your life when your faith is anchored in the risen Jesus. And don’t miss this:

Peter says your suffering is only for “a short time.”

Now I know it doesn’t always feel short. Sometimes it feels like it will never end. But compared to eternity—it is temporary. Because there is coming a day when your suffering will give way to joy. Peter says you will “rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy…” because you are receiving the goal of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

So let’s ask it again—Is there any hope in suffering?

Yes.

So much hope, that even in the middle of it—you can rejoice. Not because the pain is easy, but because the resurrection guarantees: the pain is not the end.

TRANSITION: Suffering → Forgiveness

So the resurrection answers the question: Is there any hope in suffering?

Yes. Because the pain is not the end. But there’s another kind of weight we carry—Not just what’s been done to us…

…but what we’ve done.

The things we regret…the words we wish we could take back…the choices we wish we could undo…The moments we try to bury…but somehow, they keep resurfacing. Because suffering is not the only thing that follows us—

our past does too.

And if we’re honest, this question can be even heavier than the last one. Because it’s one thing to ask, “Why is this happening to me?” It’s another thing to ask, “What do I do with what I’ve done?”

Can it be erased? Can it be undone? Can it be forgiven?

Or will I carry it for the rest of my life?

So let’s ask it plainly—

[Question 4] Can my past really be forgiven?

So what about your past?

Listen to this—from Romans 8:1.

“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Not less condemnation. Not reduced condemnation.

No condemnation.

And why is that true?

Because, as Paul says—“He was delivered up for our trespasses… and raised for our justification.”

The cross paid for your sin.

Can your past really be forgiven? The resurrection declares—the payment was accepted.

Would you like to hear it again?

The resurrection declares the payment was accepted.

What payment, you might ask? How did that happen?

Let me explain:

There’s no way we can simply manage our sin. We can try, but it won’t work. And since God is holy and cannot have fellowship with sin, He can’t just ignore it or forget it.

He forgives it.

The Bible says your sin created a debt—

A record… a charge… a sentence against you.

But listen to what Colossians 2:14 says—

“He erased the certificate of debt…and nailed it to the cross.”

Every sin—past… present… future—paid in full.

Erased from your account.

Yet, Mark 10:45 tells us more:

It’s more than a debt—Sin doesn’t just make you guilty…it enslaves you. But Jesus said—“I came… to give my life as a ransom.” That means—He paid the price to set you free. And the resurrection tells you—the payment worked.

Can my past really be forgiven?

Yes.

Because Jesus didn’t just die for your sin—He paid for it…and rose to prove it.

TRANSITION

So the resurrection answers the question:

Can my past really be forgiven?

Yes.

The debt has been paid, the chains have been broken, and the past no longer defines you.

But even when that question is settled, there’s still one more.

Because once you know your past can be forgiven, you begin to think about your future—not just tomorrow or next year, but what comes after this life.

At some point, every one of us has to face this reality: life is fragile, time is limited, and one day, this life will end.

And Solomon—after searching for meaning in everything this world could offer—came to this conclusion:

“Everything is futile.”

Everything under the sun… temporary… passing… unable to satisfy.

Which brings us to the final question:

[QUESTION 5] Is this life all there is?

And this isn’t a new question. Back in the 1960s, Peggy Lee recorded a popular song that asked it this way: “Is that all there is?”

And the answer the song gave was— “If that’s all there is…then we might as well just keep dancing…have a good time…and try not to think about it.”

And honestly…that’s how a lot of people live. Keep busy. Stay distracted. Enjoy what you can.

But deep down, we know that’s not enough. Because the question doesn’t go away: Is this life all there is?

Jesus gives a better answer. On the night before the cross, He said: “Because I live, you will live too.” (John 14:19)

So to answer that question—Is this all there is? No. Not even close.

Listen to how Paul says it: “But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20)

That phrase—firstfruits—means this: What has begun in Jesus…will be completed in all who belong to Him.

He didn’t rise as an isolated miracle. He rose as the beginning of a resurrection harvest.

Which means—His resurrection is not just something you believe in… it’s something you will participate in. Because Jesus lives, death is not the end—it is the doorway to eternal life.

Because He lives, this life is preparation—not destination. Because He lives, death is defeated—not final. Because He lives, eternity is real—and secure for those who belong to Him.

Now we can really live—with strength and freedom.

FINAL GOSPEL LANDING (Tie All 5 Questions Together)

And now you can see it.

The resurrection answers every question we started with:

What is the meaning of life? → You were created for a relationship with a living Savior.

Does anybody love me? → The cross proves that God does.

Is there any hope in suffering? → The resurrection turns suffering into a pathway, not a dead end.

Can my past really be forgiven? → The debt has been paid and the chains have been broken.

Is this life all there is? → No. Because He lives, there is more.

BECAUSE HE LIVES…

Your life has purpose

You are fully loved

Your suffering has meaning

Your past can be forgiven

Your future is secure

Because He lives, we can …

Live V.I.T.A.L.—Because He Lives

Live Visible: Let your life REFLECT the reality of the risen Christ.

Live Intentional: ANCHOR your life in the truth that your questions have been answered in Him.

Live Tangible: Respond to His love by LOVING others in real, visible ways.

Live Accessible: Make the hope of the resurrection easy for others to SEE and HEAR through your life.

Live Lovable: Carry the grace of a forgiven past and a secure future into every RELATIONSHIP.

INVITATION (Clear and Direct)

But everything I’ve just said assumes something. It assumes that you belong to Him; that you’ve repented of your sin and trusted in Jesus as your Savior. And perhaps not everyone here today can say that.

And here’s what this means for you. This is not just information to understand—It is truth to respond to. Because all of these answers are found in one place, actually, one Person: In Jesus.

And the question now is not just: “Did He rise?” The question is: Do you belong to Him?

Have you trusted Him? Have you turned from your sin? Have you received the life He offers?

Because the resurrection is not just something to celebrate—It is something to enter into.

And today, you can. Right now. Right where you sit. You can pray to Jesus, acknowledging that you are a sinner and need salvation; that you are ready to repent of your sins and trust in Jesus and His death and resurrection for forgiveness; that you want to start right now, on this Easter Sunday, to follow Jesus in faith and obedience.

You can do that right now, and Jesus will forgive you and give you the gift of eternal life.