Christ Is Risen - Matt Maher - LifeChurch.tv Church Online

Christ Is Risen — A Call to Rise with Him

Overview

A sung refrain and spoken-word poem celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and its power over death. The piece moves from inviting every sinner to run to the cross, through a vivid portrayal of death’s apparent dominance, to a triumphant proclamation that Christ has shattered the grave and made His Church alive with Him. Listeners are urged to step into that victory—“come and rise up from the grave.”

Themes

Invitation to the Cross

• “Let no one caught in sin remain” echoes the call to abandon shame and look to Christ.
• The eyes of faith are fixed “upon the cross,” where Jesus “freely bled for us.”
• Refrain:

  “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling over death by death; come away, come away, come and rise up from the grave.”

Death’s Seeming Reign

• Spoken word depicts death as a personified predator:
  • Illustration: Death’s “six-foot stomach growls,” devouring lives through earthquakes, poverty, disease, oppression, depression, abuse, and broken relationships.
• Humanity rehearses the grave daily, living in fear and denial of mortality.
• Even religious communities can be paralyzed, “pulling out emergency verses” while missing true community.

Jesus’ Triumph

• God “immersed Himself in humanity,” accepted the cross, and “embossed mankind with amnesty.”
• Though the world called Him insane and guilty, Christ’s fatal injury became the victory over death itself.
• The resurrection turns the taunt: “Oh death, where is your sting? Oh grave, where is your victory?”

The Church’s New Identity

• Believers are united with Christ: “We are one with Him again.”
• Story/Declaration: The bride imagery—Christ died to “marry His bride,” and the “ring” of resurrection cannot be broken.
• The Church is described as “the Resurrection, the insurrection of fatality,” now living beyond the grave’s grasp.

Exhortation to Respond

• “Hello church, come stand in the light; the glory of God has defeated the night.”
• Final rally cry repeats the refrain, insisting that God “is not dead—He’s alive!”

Key Truths

• Jesus’ resurrection decisively tramples death.
• Sin and shame lose their power when we run to the cross.
• Death’s influence is visible in every form of brokenness, yet it is ultimately defeated.
• Believers share Christ’s victory; the grave cannot hold those united with Him.
• The Church is called to live and proclaim this risen life publicly and fearlessly.

Response

• Leave hidden sin and run to the cross of Christ.
• Reject fear of mortality by trusting Jesus’ resurrection.
• Stand publicly in the light, declaring God’s victory over darkness.
• Live as one “risen” now—serving, reconciling, and loving in resurrection power.
• Join the Church’s song: “Come and rise up from the grave.”

Closing

The piece ends with a passionate summons:

“O church, come stand in the light—our God is not dead, He’s alive!”
Again and again the refrain rings out, urging every listener to rise with the living Christ and walk in His conquering life, for death has lost its sting and the grave its victory.