Go! And Celebrate The Victory Of The Resurrection (Easter Sunday) Series

Go! And Celebrate the Victory of the Resurrection

Introduction:

What a joy it is to be gathered on this special day, Easter Sunday, the day we celebrate the greatest victory in human history—the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

As we reflect on this momentous occasion, I want to invite you to consider the words of the angel at the tomb of Jesus: “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said” (Matthew 28:6). Today, we celebrate the fulfilment of the promises of God and the victory over sin and death. But the resurrection is not just an event in history—it is the defining moment of our faith and the foundation of our hope.

Our theme for today is: Go! And Celebrate the Victory of the Resurrection. Let’s explore what that means for us, how the resurrection of Jesus calls us to action, and why it changes everything about how we live.

1. The Resurrection: A Promise Fulfilled

Let’s begin with the words of the angel at the tomb in Matthew 28:6 (NLT): “He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.”

The context of this verse is profound. The disciples and followers of Jesus had witnessed His death on the cross. For them, it seemed as though all hope was lost. Jesus had been laid in the tomb, and the stone had been rolled in front. But this verse marks the turning point—the great news of the resurrection! This is the ultimate confirmation of Jesus' divinity and the trustworthiness of His words.

The phrase "just as he said" is crucial here. Throughout His ministry, Jesus had repeatedly spoken about His death and resurrection (e.g., Matthew 16:21). He had warned them that He would die, but He also promised that He would rise again on the third day.

The Greek word anistemi (???st?µ?) here means “to rise up,” or “to stand up.” It conveys the idea of someone who has been lying down (as Jesus was) but then rises up to stand again. This is no ordinary comeback. This is a victory over the grave. Jesus did not merely resuscitate—He rose in glory and power.

For us, this is not just a historical fact—it’s a life-changing reality. The resurrection of Jesus assures us that God keeps His promises. Every promise made by God is guaranteed, and we can trust Him with our lives today. Jesus is not dead; He is alive, and His resurrection proves the power of God over death.

As Tim Keller wrote, “The resurrection means that the worst thing is never the last thing.” The worst thing, the death of Jesus, was not the end. The resurrection tells us that God has the final word, and it is a word of victory.

Oh, what a hope-filled reminder from Tim Keller, this is Gospel truth wrapped in resurrection glory! The cross looked like the end. The tomb seemed like the final chapter. But Jesus rose, proving once and for all that God has the final word, not death, not despair, not the devil.

In Christ, our story doesn’t end in defeat—it ends in glory. The resurrection is God’s promise that when life hits hardest, hope still lives. The tomb is empty, and that means our future is full.

So no matter what you're walking through today, remember—because He lives, the worst thing is never the last thing!

2. The Resurrection: The Victory Over Sin and Death

Consider 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (NLT): “Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’”

Paul is writing here about the ultimate triumph over sin and death. He is referencing the prophecy of Isaiah 25:8, where death is swallowed up in victory. For centuries, death had been the enemy, the final frontier that no one could overcome. But through the resurrection of Jesus, the power of death was broken.

The Greek word nike (????), which means "victory," highlights the power and triumph of Christ. His victory over death means that believers, too, will share in this victory when they are raised with Him. The sting of death has been removed because, through Jesus, we are promised eternal life.

This victory over death is not just about the future; it changes our present reality. The resurrection means that death no longer has the final say. In Christ, we can face even death itself with hope, knowing that we will be resurrected as He was. The sting of sin and death is gone for the believer in Jesus Christ.

John Stott said, “The resurrection is the demonstration of God's power, and it is the foundation of our hope.”