After Life | April 12, 2026

Because He Lives…We Live Differently – Chip Henderson

Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:12–34

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

It’s wild to think how one question can change everything.

Not “Was Jesus real?” — most people are okay with that.
The real question is: Did He actually rise from the dead?

Because if He did… that’s not just a belief.
That’s a reality that reshapes your whole life—your purpose, your pain, your future.

And here’s the tension:
If Jesus is alive, then we don’t get to keep living the same way.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Paul doesn’t dance around it in 1 Corinthians 15. He goes straight to the heart.

If Jesus isn’t alive, then none of this matters.
Our faith is empty. Our sin is still unresolved. There’s no real hope beyond this life.

But then everything shifts with one sentence:
“But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead…”

That changes everything.

It means death isn’t the end.
It means what you’re walking through right now isn’t meaningless.
It means your future is secure—even if your present feels uncertain.

And here’s the part we don’t always talk about:

Because Jesus lives… we live differently.

Paul says, “I die every day.”
That’s not poetic language—it’s a daily surrender.

Because if eternity is real, then this life isn’t about holding on—it’s about laying down.
Not living safe, but living faithful.

And honestly, we feel that tension.

Part of us wants Jesus…
but we also want control, comfort, and a life that makes sense right now.

Paul pushes us to see this clearly:
What you believe about eternity will always shape how you live today.

If this life is all there is, then yeah—eat, drink, chase comfort.

But if Jesus is alive…
then your life has a bigger purpose than just getting through the week.

This is where Be the Church becomes real.

  • We Grow because truth matters.

  • We Pray because we need God’s strength to surrender.

  • We Connect because we don’t do this alone.

  • We Share because this hope isn’t just for us.

Through every step, we’re learning to live like people who actually believe Jesus is alive.

SCRIPTURE ANCHOR

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. — 1 Corinthians 15:20

GROW (Scripture + Understanding)

  • What stood out to you most from this passage or message? Why?

  • How does Paul describe life if the resurrection isn’t real?

  • What changes for you personally if the resurrection is real?

PRAY (Dependence + Discernment)

  • Where are you struggling to fully trust God right now?

  • What are you holding onto that’s hard to surrender?

  • What would it look like to “die daily” in your current season?

CONNECT (Belonging + Relationship)

  • Who in your life models living with an eternal perspective?

  • Where do you need encouragement or accountability right now?

  • How can this group help you live more faithfully this week?

SHARE  (Service + Mission)

  • If eternity is real, who in your life needs hope right now?

  • What’s one way you can use your life for impact instead of just playing it safe?

  • Where is God inviting you to step out in faith this week?

LIVE IT OUT: BE THE CHURCH THIS WEEK

Grow: Read 1 Corinthians 15:20–28 each day and reflect on what’s coming because Jesus is alive.

Pray: “Jesus, help me live like eternity is real. Show me what to surrender.”

Connect: Reach out to one person and have an honest conversation about where you’re struggling or growing.

Share: Take one step of faith—encourage someone, serve someone, or share your story

CLOSING CALL

Because He lives… you have hope.

But more than that—because He lives, you’re invited into a different kind of life right now.

So here’s the question to sit with this week:

If Jesus is alive… what needs to change in how you’re living?

Don’t overcomplicate it.
Just take the next step.Top of FormBottom of Form