Today we gather in joyful celebration to commemorate the most significant event in Christian history – the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Easter Sunday is not merely a time for bunnies and chocolate eggs, but a time to reflect on the profound significance of Christ's victory over sin and death.
Let us delve into the scriptures and discover the transformative power of Jesus' resurrection.
Now the bible says “Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.
But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.
Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead?
He is not here but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee.'"
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith. It is the fulfillment of God's promise and the ultimate demonstration of His power over death.
Through His resurrection, Jesus conquered sin and death, offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe in Him.
The empty tomb is a symbol of hope and victory, proclaiming the triumph of light over darkness, life over death, and grace over sin.
Lets take a look at 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
"But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive."
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a historical event but a living reality that transforms our lives today.
It is the assurance of our own resurrection and the promise of new life in Christ.
Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, we too can experience spiritual renewal and transformation by His resurrection power.
Through faith in Christ, we are united with Him in His death and resurrection, becoming new creations in Him.
Let see what Romans 6:4 says "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
The resurrection of Jesus Christ empowers us to live victoriously over sin and to walk in newness of life.
It is a call to leave behind our old way of living and to embrace the abundant life that Christ offers.
As we identify with His death and resurrection through baptism, we are cleansed from sin and raised to walk in righteousness.
The resurrection life enables us to overcome every obstacle and to live as witnesses of God's redeeming grace.
Philippians 3:10-11 "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead."
The resurrection of Jesus Christ invites us into a deeper relationship with Him and a participation in His suffering and glory.
As we fellowship with Christ in His sufferings, we also share in the power of His resurrection.
It is through the crucible of trials and tribulations that our faith is refined and strengthened, leading to a greater revelation of Christ's resurrection power in our lives.
The hope of resurrection spurs us on to persevere in faith, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.
So, as we celebrate Easter Sunday, let us remember the profound significance of Jesus' resurrection.
It is a testimony to God's love and faithfulness, a source of hope and encouragement, and a call to live as resurrected people, transformed by the power of the risen Christ.
May we embrace the reality of His resurrection in our lives and share the good news of salvation with the world.
JESUS IS ALIVE!
Jesus is Alive!!! 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 says For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures
Jesus was crucified… His lifeless body was placed in a tomb… Then on the third day He came back to life again!!!
It’s an amazing thing! Our God is alive! Death could not keep Jesus in the grave!
We celebrate Easter today… We celebrate the fact that Jesus is alive!
But why is it so important that Jesus was raised from the dead? Why is it so important to remember and to celebrate “Resurrection Sunday”?
Let’s see what 1 Corinthians 15:16-19 has to say about the importance of Jesus’ resurrection…
16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.
17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Look at verse 17 again… If Jesus has not been resurrected… Then our faith is useless… We are still lost… we are still dead in our sins…
If our God is still laying in a tomb dead and lifeless, then what’s the point?
Why should we place our faith in Him? Why should we place our faith in a dead god that cannot hear us or see us? But our God is NOT dead!!! Our God is ALIVE!!!
1 Corinthians 15:20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
And because Jesus is alive, He is able to give us life…
Why is it so important that Jesus was raised from the dead? Why is it so important to remember and to celebrate “Resurrection Sunday”?
We are dead in our sins until we surrender our lives to Jesus…The moment we give our lives to Jesus, then He breathes new life into our dead souls…He takes what is dead and brings it to life!!!
This incredible and wonderful news is only possible because of the resurrection… Jesus is alive!!!
Because of the cross, Jesus freely gives us forgiveness for our sins… And because of His resurrection, Jesus freely gives us eternal life!
Without the resurrection… without Easter Sunday… the work of the cross is not complete. Sin brought death into the world… the cross brought forgiveness for those sins… but it took the resurrection to erase the penalty of death that we earned for our sins… and to bring us from death to life.
If you have never surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, then you are still dead in your sins.
When you die, your spirit (your soul) will be punished for eternity along with Satan and all his demons.
But you can have life today! Why would you not choose life! Jesus has already paid the price for you…
He has already defeated death… All you need to do is what the Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 10:9-10…
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
What better way to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, than by remembering and commemorating His death and sacrifice through the taking of communion together.
Jesus is telling us to remember His sacrifice… that He paid the price for our sins with His own blood… He offers us forgiveness and mercy.
Jesus is also telling us to remember that He has defeated the penalty of sin…
He has defeated death and has risen from the grave and is alive today… He offers us life and hope.
