Resurrection Sunday Service | April 04, 2021

Good Morning Church!

We wish you all a blessed Resurrection Sunday regards, Christ has risen! Hallelujah and Amen!

Today we will be learning about the the resurrection of Jesus and the reason why we call today a Resurrection Sunday.

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words,

See the affection and respect the women showed to Christ, after he was dead and buried. Observe their surprise when they found the stone rolled away, and the grave empty. Christians often perplex themselves about that with which they should comfort and encourage themselves. They look rather to find their Master in his grave-clothes, than angels in their shining garments. The angels assure them that he is risen from the dead; is risen by his own power. These angels from heaven bring not any new gospel, but remind the women of Christ’s words, and teach them how to apply them. We may wonder that these disciples, who believed Jesus to be the Son of God and the true Messiah, who had been so often told that he must die, and rise again, and then enter into his glory, who had seen him more than once raise the dead, yet should be so backward to believe his raising himself. But all our mistakes in religion spring from ignorance or forgetfulness of the words Christ has spoken. Peter now ran to the sepulchre, who so lately ran from his Master. He was amazed. There are many things puzzling and perplexing to us, which would be plain and profitable, if we rightly understood the words of Christ.

Jesus being raised from the dead is the very cornerstone of a Christian faith.

He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men,  and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.

Christ perfectly knew all things that should befall him, yet undertook the work of our redemption, which strongly shows his love. What outward debasement and Divine glory was the life of the Redeemer! And all his humiliation ended in his exaltation. Let us learn to endure the cross, to despise riches and worldly honours, and to be content with his will.

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

The word resurrection, usually points out our existence beyond the grave. Of the apostle’s doctrine not a trace can be found in all the teaching of philosophers. The doctrine of Christ’s death and resurrection, is the foundation of Christianity. Remove this, and all our hopes for eternity sink at once. And it is by holding this truth firm, that Christians stand in the day of trial, and are kept faithful to God. We believe in vain, unless we keep in the faith of the gospel. This truth is confirmed by Old Testament prophecies; and many saw Christ after he was risen. This apostle was highly favoured, but he always had a low opinion of himself, and expressed it. When sinners are, by Divine grace, turned into saints, God causes the remembrance of former sins to make them humble, diligent, and faithful. He ascribes to Divine grace all that was valuable in him. True believers, though not ignorant of what the Lord has done for, in, and by them, yet when they look at their whole conduct and their obligations, they are led to feel that none are so worthless as they are. All true Christians believe that Jesus Christ, and him crucified, and then risen from the dead, is the sun and substance of Christianity. All the apostles agreed in this testimony; by this faith they lived, and in this faith they died.

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

Having shown that Christ was risen, the apostle answers those who said there would be no resurrection. There had been no justification, or salvation, if Christ had not risen. And must not faith in Christ be vain, and of no use, if he is still among the dead? The proof of the resurrection of the body is the resurrection of our Lord. Even those who died in the faith, had perished in their sins, if Christ had not risen. All who believe in Christ, have hope in him, as a Redeemer; hope for redemption and salvation by him; but if there is no resurrection, or future recompence, their hope in him can only be as to this life. And they must be in a worse condition than the rest of mankind, especially at the time, and under the circumstances, in which the apostles wrote; for then Christians were hated and persecuted by all men. But it is not so; they, of all men, enjoy solid comforts amidst all their difficulties and trials, even in the times of the sharpest persecution.

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

All that are by faith united to Christ, are by his resurrection assured of their own. As through the sin of the first Adam, all men became mortal, because all had from him the same sinful nature, so, through the resurrection of Christ, shall all who are made to partake of the Spirit, and the spiritual nature, revive, and live for ever. There will be an order in the resurrection. Christ himself has been the first-fruits; at his coming, his redeemed people will be raised before others; at the last the wicked will rise also. Then will be the end of this present state of things. Would we triumph in that solemn and important season, we must now submit to his rule, accept his salvation, and live to his glory. Then shall we rejoice in the completion of his undertaking, that God may receive the whole glory of our salvation, that we may for ever serve him, and enjoy his favour.

There are several references throughout the word of God affirming why today is so special:

 • John 10:10

 • 20:1-10

 • Luke 24:30 onwards

 • John 20:24-32

 • John 21 (Appeared to disciples)

 • Matthww 28:16-20

 • 1 Corinthians 15:6-7

 • Acts 1:4-8

 • Acts 9:1-9

 • Matthew 28:6

 • John 8:58

 • Luke 24:1-8

 • Mark 16:6

Since Christ has been raised.. The dead in Christ will not perish but will come to life.

We will not feel bad or pity as we will have hope in Christ

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

A beautiful song, “What a beautiful name” by Hillsong Worship puts this very well.

“Luke 24:1-8” – Christ is risen!

Sometimes God takes time and tells us to wait.

In our frustration we get angry and crib while blaming God. In the old testament, Job responds very well, “Even if my body is destroyed, I will trust Him because I know my redeemer lives!”

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Step back and acknowledge that Jesus is the savior and have faith in Him. Believe that He will do it and will comfort you, when you affirm that He is the resurrected saviour. Human being cannot live without hope. Once you lose hope, you will lose everything.

Pursue Him and go after Him.

Take the word of God, medidate on it and He will give confirmation in your heart through His word. Maybe He is silent regarding some decisions you have to make. However, be assured, Bible has the power to change the life of people as it is the written communication of the word of God.

Paul says, If Christ is not risen then our faith is in vain, we following Christ is in vain.

Just like the aforementioned lyrics says, “What a powerful name it is… the name of Jesus!“

We understand that we are going through troubled times, but understand that we have somwthing that we have that many lack. And that is hope in Christ!

We hope you feel rejuvenated with the word that God has given. We look forward to see you all next Sunday. God bless!