He Is Risen: Why Did Jesus Rise?
On Easter Sunday, Pastor Vicki Harrison continues our Christianity Explored series with one of the most essential questions of the Christian faith: Why did Jesus rise? Preaching from Mark 16:1–8, we encounter the story of the resurrection not as a neat conclusion, but as a raw, real, and unfinished narrative—one that invites us into the ongoing journey of faith.
Three women—Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome—go to the tomb expecting to honor Jesus with a final act of love. They expect grief. They expect a heavy stone. What they find instead is an empty tomb and a mysterious messenger who proclaims: “He has risen.”
The abrupt ending of Mark’s Gospel leaves us with more questions than answers. But perhaps that’s intentional. Life rarely wraps up with tidy conclusions. Resurrection faith is not about easy answers—it’s about stepping into the unknown with hope. Mark gives us just enough to believe... and then challenges us to do so.
Because if the resurrection is true, everything changes. It means that death doesn’t have the last word. It means hope is never wasted. It means that Jesus, alive and reigning, is still transforming lives today.
The question is: Do you believe?
Discussion Questions
These are the same questions handed out with the sermon. Use them in your small group, journaling time, or personal prayer this week:
Why were the women going to the tomb? What did they expect would be their biggest obstacle and what was the surprise they encountered?
Who was the man at the tomb and what did he say to the women?
Does the abrupt ending to Mark’s Gospel bother you? Why or why not?
Why do you think Mark ended his Gospel the way he did? What evidence does he offer of the resurrection?
What are some reasons the resurrection is crucial to our faith?
What is the difference between the perspective of the world and the perspective of Jesus? Where do you fall?
Reflect and Pray:
Do you choose to believe, not only in Jesus but also in his resurrection?
Do you believe that there is a God who can do ANYTHING, even defeat death? And if he can defeat death, what might he be able to do in your life?
Listen to and subscribe to the audio-only podcast with your favorite podcasting app below.
More Sermons in this Series
Why did Jesus die on the cross? This sermon unpacks Mark 8 and four powerful reasons the cross matters—substitution, sacrifice, history, and eternity. Discover how Jesus' identity and mission transform our lives today.
Why did Jesus die on the cross? This sermon unpacks Mark 8 and four powerful reasons the cross matters—substitution, sacrifice, history, and eternity. Discover how Jesus' identity and mission transform our lives today.
In this sermon from Mark 10:17–27, Rev. Vicki Harrison explores the radical nature of God’s grace and what it really means to be accepted by God—not by earning it, but by receiving it. Watch the message and reflect on what it means to depend fully on Jesus.
This week at New Hope, Pastor Vicki continues our Christianity Explored series by asking a powerful and personal question: Why did Jesus come?
The answer goes straight to the heart—literally.
In a storm-tossed boat, the disciples cry out, “Who is this man?” As Jesus calms the wind and waves, we’re left asking the same question. Explore the identity and authority of Jesus as revealed in the first chapters of Mark—and discover why it changes everything.
What happens when God says "No" to our plans? In Acts 16, Paul learns a crucial lesson: working for God's Kingdom is not just about effort—it’s about following God's vision. Discover how embracing God's direction leads to multiplication, revival, and a faith that grows in ways we never imagined.
Other Sermons from Pastor Roberto
Generosity is the fourth step in What's My Next Step, God? Roberto walks straight through 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 — the law of the harvest, the motive behind the gift, and what God's abundance is actually for — after retracing the whole series from prayer to worship to service. The thread running through it: generosity is how a self-centered heart gets pulled off center.
Hebrews 10 says perseverance in worship is a class project, not an individual one. Pastor Roberto Chaple names the three half-truths that keep us worshipping alone.
Pastor Roberto Chaple opens Matthew 5:38-48 and walks through four of Jesus's hardest instructions — turn the other cheek, hand over your coat, go the second mile, love your enemies — and what they ask of us now.
You've heard it said that words are just words. Jesus disagrees. In this final message from the Words Matter series, Pastor Roberto Chaple opens Matthew 12:35-37 to show us that what we say is a window into what we're storing up — and that our words carry more weight than we've been willing to admit.
Pastor Roberto Chaple closes the Set Apart series in Romans 12:1-2 with a clear invitation: because of God's mercy, offer your whole life to Him and replace the patterns shaping you with practices that renew your mind.
Holiness can feel distant, but in Isaiah 6 Pastor Roberto Chaple shows that God's holiness meets us in real life with conviction, cleansing, and purpose. Watch the message and take this week's Awe Moment challenge.
Jesus warns that religion without transformation creates hardened hearts. In Luke 11, Pastor Roberto Chaple challenges us to examine whether our faith is outward appearance or true inner change.
Jesus didn't just teach truth—He made truth unforgettable. In this sermon, Pastor Roberto unpacks what it means to teach like Jesus, with love, authority, and everyday impact.
Storms don’t mean you missed your calling. In this Vision 2026 message, Pastor Roberto Chaple challenges us to stay the course, trust Jesus in the boat, and row toward the other side. Watch the video or listen to the audio now.
Zechariah wanted a son to continue his legacy—but God had bigger plans. In this sermon from Sing Me the Story, Pastor Roberto shows us how God turns disappointment into a prophetic declaration. Watch the full message or listen to the sermon today.
Why did Jesus die on the cross? This sermon unpacks Mark 8 and four powerful reasons the cross matters—substitution, sacrifice, history, and eternity. Discover how Jesus' identity and mission transform our lives today.