He is Risen – What’s Next? Rise Up!

We’ve just celebrated a wonderful Easter – Good Friday and Easter Sunday were powerful reminders of God's goodness. As we continue to reflect on the resurrection, there's an important question I want to ask: If Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection and declares, "He is Risen," then what next? What happens now? This question is not just for the disciples who experienced the resurrection firsthand but for all of us who believe. What do we do with this powerful truth that Jesus has risen from the dead?

Have you ever watched a TV series that ends with a cliffhanger? You know, the kind where everything builds to a dramatic moment, and then the credits roll, leaving you shouting, “Nooo! What happens next?!” It’s frustrating, right?

Now, let’s shift back to the resurrection. The stone has been rolled away, Jesus is alive, death is defeated – what a moment! The world has changed forever, but then what? I can imagine the disciples, unsure of what to do next, left with this lingering question: What now? Where do we go from here? And honestly, this is the question we need to ask today as well. Easter isn’t the end of the story; it’s only the beginning. The best part? The story is still unfolding, and we are part of it! But this leaves us with the question: What next?

This isn’t just a surface-level question; it’s one that touches on purpose. It’s the cry of someone asking, What does the resurrection mean for my life? It's a question that speaks to growth, maturity, and transformation. It's a faith question — one that trusts God still speaks, still moves, even when we don’t fully see what’s ahead. And here’s the most important part: The resurrection calls us to rise. To rise in faith, to rise in power, to rise in purpose, and to rise in love. So, What next? Let’s look at how we rise up, drawing from the book of Acts.

1. Rise Up with Obedient Waiting

In Acts 1, the risen Jesus gives a command to the disciples: "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift He promised..." (Acts 1:4). The disciples are told to wait. Jesus had risen from the dead, and now He tells them to wait for the Holy Spirit, the ultimate gift. We don’t like waiting, do we? Our culture is built on instant gratification, but there is something powerful about waiting on God. Obedient waiting is key to seeing God's purposes unfold. It’s a season of preparation, of trusting that God knows what’s coming next and that He will provide everything we need.

While we wait, we don’t sit idly by. The disciples were united in prayer, preparing themselves for the promise of the Holy Spirit. It’s not about being inactive but about seeking God in unity and expectancy. As a church, we are in a similar season of waiting. God is preparing something great for us, but we must remain obedient, trusting that His timing is perfect. “Waiting” doesn’t mean doing nothing; it means we continue to pray, worship, and grow in anticipation of what God has next for us.

2. Rise Up as Bold Witnesses

In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells the disciples, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses..." The resurrection wasn’t just about Jesus defeating death; it was about empowering His followers to go out and proclaim the good news to the world.

Boldness to witness doesn’t come from our own strength but from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives us courage to step into difficult situations and boldly declare the truth of Jesus. Just look at Peter, a man who had once denied Jesus, now standing before crowds and proclaiming the gospel with boldness and power (Acts 2).

Witnesses are those who testify to what they’ve seen and experienced. Your testimony matters. If you’ve encountered Jesus, then you have a story to share. Don’t hide it. Share it with those around you, whether in your workplace, your school, or your community. You may be surprised by how God uses your story to impact others.

The disciples were told to be witnesses "in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The message of Jesus wasn’t to stay in one place. It was meant to spread to everyone, everywhere. Today, this same calling applies to us. We are to take the gospel to our communities, to the nations, and even to those we might consider our enemies. Boldly proclaim the name of Jesus.

3. Rise Up with a New Perspective

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ invites us to rise up with a new perspective, one that shifts our view of both the present and the future. First, we are called to adopt a Kingdom Perspective. The view of the disciples was still rooted in earthly power and political restoration. But Jesus was preparing them not for a political revolt, but for a spiritual revolution. The Kingdom of God is not confined to earthly borders or political ideologies; it is the reign of Jesus in the hearts of His people, spread not through military might but through the gospel of peace and the work of the Holy Spirit. It is a Kingdom where love overcomes hate, forgiveness overcomes revenge, and humility triumphs over pride. In 2025, we are called more than ever to rise up with a Kingdom perspective, carrying Kingdom values into every area of our lives—our homes, workplaces, friendships, and church gatherings.

Secondly, we are called to rise up with an Eternal Perspective. In Acts 1:9–11, as Jesus ascends to heaven, the disciples are left staring, overwhelmed by the moment. Two angels appear and remind them that Jesus will return one day. The early church lived with the urgency of His imminent return, and as a result, they turned the world upside down. How much more should we, in 2025, live with that same urgency? The reality of Jesus’ return should stir us to live with passion for evangelism, justice, prayer, and holiness. Too many Christians are still standing, staring at the sky, but the call is to go, not gaze. An Eternal Perspective changes how we prioritize our lives. We are reminded to hold this world loosely—our careers, possessions, politics, and pleasures don’t anchor us; heaven does. We shift our focus from the temporary to the eternal, investing in souls, discipleship, and the Kingdom of God. Every person is an eternal being, and we are called to share the gospel, mentor others, pray for the lost, and persevere through trials with the knowledge that our actions echo into eternity. Let’s rise up with an eternal perspective, knowing that time is short, and the world desperately needs the hope we carry.

What Next for You?

The resurrection is not just a historic event; it’s an invitation to rise up in faith, in power, and in purpose. As we ask the question "What next?" we are called to respond in several ways:

Are you united with other believers in prayer and purpose, seeking God together for what He has next?

Are you waiting obediently for God’s timing, trusting that He knows what’s best for you?

Are you stepping out with boldness to witness to those around you about the power of the resurrection in your life?