“He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said”
Matthew 28:6
What a joy to welcome you here as we come together in Christ’s name this morning! I can think of no greater reason to meet than to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. I really mean that!
For us as believers, everything in life comes down to this one great historical event that we are privileged to celebrate each Sunday! It is the source of our hope and life. It’s certainly not going too far too say that our faith stands or falls on the validity of Christ having risen bodily from the grave! The apostle Paul said that 1 Corinthians 15:17. Writing to those who questioned the possibility of a man rising physically from the dead, he said, “If Christ has not been raised, then your faith is worthless and you are still in your sins.” But then he added, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead” (v 20) so that “Death is swallowed up in victory” (v 54) and we can sing with great joy, “Where, O death, is your victory? And where, O grave, is your sting?” (v 55)
For those who know the power of Jesus’ resurrection in their lives, the joy of this declaration has no bounds! How I pray that we will sing this truth with full and grateful hearts this morning – hearts made glad by the knowledge that because of what Christ has done, death has been emptied of its power, sin has lost its grip, and Jesus is Lord of all! And if that’s not your song, why not ask someone seated near to share with you how you can come to know the joy of a life set free by the power of the resurrected Christ from the dead!
And for you who are in Christ, let the redeemed of the Lord say so! For He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Let your joy and the assurance that comes from knowing that He is alive be seen as you declare the wonder of His salvation!
Rejoicing in the Hope of Our Resurrected Lord Whom death could not hold!
Pastor Scott Lee