 |
|||
Volume. XXXV, No. 40 Hallelujah! He is Risen
The two most important days in the history of mankind, namely Good Friday and Easter, gives us the only hope for mankind. These two days that has changed the whole world forever continue to impact the lives of many. On Good Friday, God shows his Love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Even greater importance than Good Friday is Easter. The greatest news God has given to the fallen human race of Adam is that His Eternal Son Jesus Christ, crucified for our sins has risen from the dead and is alive forevermore. Hallelujah! He is Risen. Jesus has risen indeed.
The trustworthiness of Biblical Christianity hinges on the Resurrection of Christ. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith. So central that if there is no resurrection, there is no Christianity. The Apostle Paul concluded that "if Christ is not risen then is our preaching vain and your faith is also vain…. But now is CHRIST RISEN FROM THE DEAD" (1 Corinthians 15:14,20a). How can we preach about the eternal life that Jesus gives when he himself did not spring out of death? Our words to our unsaved friends are empty and meaningless. Our words have no power and make no effect. There is no substance to the gospel if Christ is not raised.
Praise God that Christ has been raised from the dead. He has risen, and our preaching is not in vain. Our faith is not in vain. We have the blessed hope of the same resurrection, and we are not still in our sins. If there was ever a day that gives us hope, it must be resurrection Sunday. Truly every Sunday is a celebration of the empty tomb. A celebration that Jesus is alive. It is the empty tomb of Jesus that gives us hope. Hope in the here and now and hope in the hereafter. We preach and declare that as Jesus had victory over death and rose again, and if you believe in him, you too will rise again. Praise God, Jesus is raised, and we do have a message of hope, a message of Love, a message of Faith, and a message of meaning in Life and Life Eternal.
We believe in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ because Scripture declares the glorious truth for us in the Word of God. The Angel announced, "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you" (Matthew 28:6-7). The Apostle Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit – "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3,4).
Easter Sunday is an incredibly special day for us, for we are the benefactors of the resurrection blessings. Because of Easter, we no longer need to fear death. Who is fearful of death? We all do. By rising from the dead, Jesus had experienced and conquered death itself. We can then say with the Apostle Paul, "O death, where is thy sting: O grave, where is they victory?" (1 Corinthians 15:55). Death to a believer in Christ is only a doorway into Heaven. We have the assurance of God's Word that "absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (1 Corinthians 5:8b). That is hope beyond the grave made possible by the resurrection of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.
Another blessing of the Easter truth is the victory we have through Christ over sin and the power of sin. At one time, we were slaves to sin. But now, risen with Christ, sin has no more power over us. Romans 6:17 tells us that "… ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness". Before we came to Christ, we were under the control of sin, but now we are set free from its control even though we are still in the presence of sin being in this world. Because of the resurrected power of Christ, we do not have to be subdued under the power of sin. We are victorious in Christ Jesus. We have the proof of victory in God's Word in 1 John 4:4 "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he (Holy Spirit) that is in you, than he (the evil one) that is in the world". Our part is to continue to love God and obey His Word, and we will experience victory over sin and grow spiritually.
Because of Easter, we can be encouraged today because we believe in the living saviour. It is so easy for us to be discouraged today due to various turmoils of life. But we believe in the risen savior who knows our trials, and His resurrected power is there to help us rise above any storms of life. Trust in God and encourage yourself in Lord. God understands our struggles, call on Him, and he will deliver. Maybe you are going through marital problems or even a divorce, a terrible financial situation, a depressive physical illness, rebellious children or a terrible situation at work. There always will be strife, distress, challenges, and hurdles. We cannot change all those life situations out there, but we can trust Him with all our heart, and you will experience His love, care and power. May our gracious risen Lord help you to encourage yourself in the Lord your God this blessed Easter Sunday.
Have you responded to the truth of the two greatest moments in history? The message of Good Friday and Easter brings love, hope and eternity to us. This morning, is Jesus Christ, your Lord and Saviour? Repent, believe. Make no delay. We do not need to be afraid of death, sin, the devil or even our trying situations. Christ faced death for us and conquered it once and for all. Taste and see that the Lord is Good. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. The greatest testimony is not just the truth from the scriptures that Christ is Risen' but also, our faith agreeing to this fact that Jesus Christ indeed rose again and echoing like with hymn writer the testimony, "You ask me how I know he lives, he lives within my heart."
Jesus is Risen; Hallelujah! He is Risen indeed.
Rev Mathews Abraham
|
|