Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!
Happy Easter, and welcome to the Weekend Sermon. Today is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
We have come through the events of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. We saw on Good Friday that Jesus bore our sins in His body as He was on the cross. What Jesus did on Good Friday took care of sin. Our sins were forgiven and washed away. Now, those who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
When Adam and Even sinned in the Garden of Eden, the consequences of sin set in. The consequences of sin are death and hell. Death passed on every person because every person who has ever lived except Jesus has committed sin. Because of sin, everything and everyone dies. Because of sin, the destination of every person is separation from a holy God. However, through His glorious resurrection from the grave, Jesus is the victor over death, hell and the grave. Because Jesus has risen bodily from the grave, death has lost its sting. Those who put their faith and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ can be with Him forever and escape the wrath of God.
Jesus said in John 11 that He is the resurrection and life. Whoever believes in Him, though he were dead, yet shall He live. Because Jesus rose from the dead, those who are in Christ will live with Him forever in the place that He has prepared for those who love Him.
The bodily resurrection of Jesus brings both victory and hope. It brings victory over death, hell and the grave, and it brings hope for eternal life and for a glorious reunion one day with those who have gone on before us.
Almost all of my friends and close family have passed away. However, as the Bible says, I do not grieve as one who has no hope. This is due to the fact that all of those that have gone on before placed their faith and trust in Jesus. Because of Jesus' glorious resurrection, all of my family and friends who have passed away are with Jesus right now. One day, when I am called home, or if the Lord should return before that happens, I will be reunited with all of those who are in Heaven with Jesus right now. That gives me hope for my future with Jesus and hope for the fact that I will see once again those who I miss so very much.
All of this is possible because of Jesus' resurrection. This is why the resurrection of Jesus is the fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith. If Jesus has not been raised, the Apostle Paul tells us that we are of all people the most to be pitied. I have confidence based on the evidence that Jesus really did rise bodily from the grave.
I believe that the most important proof of the resurrection is the post resurrection action of the Apostles. They claimed that they saw the risen Christ. Others said that they had just stolen away the body of Jesus and were just making up a story. Just stop and think about this. All of the Apostles died a martyrs death except for John who was exiled to Patmos. Don't you think that one of these guys would have told the truth and avoided his death if the whole resurrection was just a made up story? No. They really did see the risen Christ, and that is why they were all willing to go to their deaths for the sake of Jesus Christ.
I believe that Jesus has risen and He is Lord. He is the Savior of the world. He has conquered sin, death and hell. Because He lives, we shall live also. We shall all be together again with Jesus some great and glorious day.
One day, the risen Lord will come again in power and great glory. Every eye shall see Him. On that day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
I want to close this message by asking you if the risen Lord reigns in your heart? Have you trusted in Jesus to save you from your sin? Do you believe that He is risen from the dead? Have you made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life? On this Easter weekend, you can turn from sin and turn to the Savior. I want you to know that Jesus loves you, and He will forgive anyone who is willing to come to Him. Amen.
Prayer Requests
I am writing this message on the day that I am getting my second Covid 19 vaccination. Please keep praying that all will be OK. Also, pray that this pandemic will soon be over, and pray that those who are sick will make a full recovery.
Please pray for those in the US who have experienced damage from the storms. Pray that they will receive the aid that they need.
Remember to pray for peace in this world. Mozambique is having a lot of problems right now. Keep praying for peace in Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen and Libya.
Pray that on this Easter weekend, many will come to know Jesus as Savior.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us all pray for those living in Singapore and Burkina Faso.
This Monday, I will post the verses. I will try to post something midweek. On Friday, I will post the Sermon. We will resume our study on the book of James. May God bless you all.
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