Go! And Proclaim: He Is Risen Indeed! (Easter Sunday) Luke 24:34 & Acts 4:33
Introduction:
Today we gather to celebrate the cornerstone of our faith—the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The empty tomb is not just a historical fact; it is the foundation of our hope, the assurance of our salvation, and the power behind our proclamation.
Our focus today is on two pivotal scriptures:
Luke 24:34 (NLT): "The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter."
Acts 4:33 (NLT): "The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all."
These verses encapsulate the reality of the resurrection and the response it demands. Let us delve into the profound truths they reveal.
I. The Reality of the Resurrection
Luke 24:34 (NLT): "The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter."
This declaration comes from the disciples on the road to Emmaus, who, after encountering the risen Christ, rushed back to Jerusalem to share the news. The affirmation that Jesus appeared to Peter underscores the personal and transformative nature of the resurrection.
The Greek term for "really" is ontos, meaning truly or indeed. This emphasizes the certainty and factual nature of Christ's resurrection. The appearance to Peter, also known as Simon, is significant, as it marks the restoration of a disciple who had denied Him.
The resurrection is not a myth or metaphor; it is a historical event with personal implications. Just as Peter experienced restoration, we too can find forgiveness and new life in the risen Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:3-5 (NLT): "Christ died for our sins... He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day... He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve."
Author Adrian Rogers wrote "The resurrection is not merely important to the historic Christian faith; without it, there would be no Christianity."
Adrian Rogers captured the heart of the Gospel in that single, powerful sentence. Without the resurrection, the cross would simply be a tragedy. But because Jesus rose, it is a triumph!
The empty tomb validates every promise Jesus made. It proves He is who He claimed to be—the Son of God, the Saviour of the world.
Without the resurrection, our faith is empty, our hope is dead, and our preaching is pointless.
But because He lives, we have hope, purpose, and eternal life. Christ’s resurrection isn’t just a part of the story—it is the story.
He is risen indeed!
II. The Power of the Resurrection
Acts 4:33 (NLT): "The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all."
In the early church, the apostles boldly proclaimed the resurrection, even in the face of persecution. Their testimony was not just words but was accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Greek word for "powerfully" is dunamei, from which we get "dynamite." It signifies explosive, miraculous power. Their testimony was effective because it was empowered by the Holy Spirit.
As believers, we are called to testify to the resurrection with the same boldness and power. Our lives should reflect the transformative impact of the risen Christ.
Pastor Charles Stanley stated "The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to us today."
These words capture the very heart of the resurrection’s impact, this is not just a poetic sentiment—it’s biblical reality! As Romans 8:11 (NLT) says: “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”
That resurrection power—dunamis in the Greek, meaning explosive, miraculous power—is not just for history books; it is present, personal, and powerful in the life of every believer! It is the power that breaks chains, heals hearts, renews minds, and gives strength to the weary. It’s the power that enables us to walk in victory over sin, fear, and death!
We are not powerless people trying to please God in our own strength. We are Spirit-filled sons and daughters of the risen King—empowered to live for His glory, serve with boldness, and proclaim with confidence that Jesus Christ is alive!
Hallelujah! Let us walk in resurrection power today!
III. The Response to the Resurrection
Luke 24:33-34 (NLT): "And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, 'The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.'"
The immediate response of the disciples was to share the good news. The resurrection compelled them to action.
The urgency in their response ("within the hour") indicates the importance of the message. The resurrection is not a truth to be kept private but one to be proclaimed.
We are called to be witnesses of the resurrection, sharing the hope we have in Christ with others.
Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT): "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations... Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you."
The Author Barbara Johnson wrote "We are Easter people living in a Good Friday world."
Her words are simple yet profound -But what do they mean for us as followers of Jesus?
It means we carry the living hope of resurrection in a world that often feels locked in sorrow, suffering, and death. Good Friday reminds us of the darkness of sin, the agony of the cross, the brokenness of humanity. But Easter declares: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:5, NLT).
We are Easter people because we know the tomb is empty, Christ is risen, and death has been defeated. But we still live in a world that groans, still mourns, still struggles. And in that world, our lives must be a bold testimony to the victory of Jesus.
So we shine His light. We speak His truth. We walk in His power. We live as witnesses that Sunday has come, and Jesus lives!
Let us never forget that our hope is not anchored in this fallen world, but in the risen Saviour who conquered it.
Conclusion & Call to Action:
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith. It assures us of forgiveness, empowers us for service, and compels us to share the good news.
Let us:
Believe in the reality of the resurrection.
Live in the power of the resurrection.
Proclaim the message of the resurrection.
If you have not yet placed your faith in the risen Christ, today is the day of salvation.
Romans 10:9 (NLT): "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Let us pray together.
