Sermon Title: The Significance of Christ’s Resurrection
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
The Resurrection of Christ is critical to the validity and foundation of our faith in God.
The Apostle Paul writes, “if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith... .... your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 15:16)
The fact is this: Christ has risen, and every Christian faith and experience must flow, and grow, from the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ – which provides us with the foundation, focus and framework of our lives as Christ’s Disciples.
Our perception and purpose must be based solely and entirely on the Resurrection story.
Immediately after His Resurrection, Christ appeared to the truly devoted, to not only release them from their distress, fears and doubts, but to restore them unto the sacred, singular Kingdom Work of preaching His Gospel.
Divine encounters always translate to the preaching of the Gospel.
On the morning after His Crucifixion, Mary was deeply distressed by Christ’s death; and worse, when she thought that His body had been taken away.
Christ’s Presence released Mary from her state of distress; and restore her - and by divine extension, all women - to the unreserved Sacred Work of inbreaking His Kingdom to the whole church.
From this account, any theology that advocates differing leadership and ministry roles between men and women is simply wrong in its blatant contradiction of our Lord’s appointment over Mary Magdalene.
In her severe grief, Christ appeared to her, and tasked her to preach the very first message of the Gospel after His Resurrection (Ref: John 20:17-18) – making her, literally, the first apostle to His Church.
Her spiritual authority was found wholly in Christ; and activated through her absolute obedience to the Lord’s Command.
That day, the Lord used Mary to move the faith of the disciples into the reality that He has risen, and is, indeed, alive!
Christ’s appearance to Mary Magdalene is clear evidence that He draws close to those who draw close to Him.
His Holy Spirit is poised to be poured out on both men and women who utterly yearns to seek Christ. (Ref: Acts 2:17-18)
Before Christ appeared to them, the disciples genuinely feared for their lives and met behind locked doors.
When Christ appeared to the fearful disciples “on the evening of that first day of the week” (John 20:19) saying, “Peace be with you”, He resolved their deepest need by assuring them that through Him –they are at “peace with God” (Ephesians 5:1); for their sins have been fully atoned for.
““Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”” (John 20:21-23)
Remember that every divine encounter always translates to the preaching of the Gospel.
That evening, Christ breathed on every man and woman devoted to Him – not only the eleven men who were commonly known as His disciples.
And just as He breathed on Adam and made him a “living being” (Genesis 2:6) tasked with the stewardship of Creation, every disciple of Christ received the Holy Spirit and was made to come fully alive for the task of preaching the Gospel of His Kingdom.
We live in a society that is increasingly intolerable, depraved and defiant to the holy ways of our Lord; and yet, if we live by the Power of the Holy Spirit, and in the truth that through Christ, we are already at peace with God – we would never be “ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16); and preach the Gospel courageously as did the earliest disciples of Jesus. (Ref: Mark 16:20)
Christ’s appearance to the fearful disciples is clear evidence that He draws close to those who draw close to Him; even if their fear made them stay away.
Such was the case for Thomas – who missed meeting the Lord with the rest.
It was a whole week later, with Thomas sodden with self-doubt and rejection, that Christ appeared again to the still-fearful disciples and singled him out, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:24-27)
Many have thought that Thomas doubted God’s Power to resurrect Christ, or the disciples’ claim that Christ has risen; but given his experience with the Lord and intimate camaraderie with the rest of the disciples, there is another more insidious component to his doubt.
Thomas doubted himself; and felt rejected by the Lord.
He had clearly missed Christ’s initial appearance.
And for that, he doubted his worth in the Lord’s sight which led him to manifest the very words of rejection, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25)
Essentially saying, “You have seen the Lord. What’s the big deal?”
Clearly, it was a big deal to Thomas; for when the Lord spoke to him, he said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) – thus becoming the very first of Christ’s disciples to declare the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ and pledge his allegiance to Christ in service and worship.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is alive indeed; and remains present to us this day in our distress, fears and doubts.
Are you devoted to Him and His Kingdom cause?
Our Lord Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
We must be counted as those who are blessed because we have not seen Him, and yet believed that we are redeemed and restored through Christ.
In spite of distress, fear and doubt; be certain that our Lord draws close to those who draw close to Him.
Jesus loves you infinitely; and desires to touch your life – that you may be released from the tribulations of distress, fear and doubts; and be restored to the greatest fulfillment of touching lives around you with the reality of the Gospel and His Coming Kingdom .
Respond to His Love - love Him!
Respond to His Service – serve Him!
And when you do, “though you have not seen him”; “you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9)
Be truly saved – love Him, serve Him; Receive the Holy Spirit, live in His Power, and preach the Gospel to all Creation! (Ref: Mark 16:15)
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Indeed, Lord Jesus, I celebrate the truth and reality that You are my Risen Saviour!
May my faith flow from the reality of Your Resurrection – and may Your Resurrection become the very foundation, focus and framework of my life.
Help me become utterly devoted to You, Lord Jesus – that in spite of my distress, fears and doubts, I believe that You are constantly present to Me; and at work in my life – restoring me unto the sacred, singular Kingdom Work of preaching the Gospel to all Creation!
Lord Jesus, I belong to You!
Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon me; that I would boldly and wisely preach Your Gospel of Peace with God and the forgiveness of sins through faith in Your finished work of atonement on the Cross at Calvary.
Lord, breathe upon me daily – that I may be fully alive in You, daily – willing and able to fulfill the Great Commission of making disciples of all Nations. (Ref: Matthew 28:19-20)
May I never be ashamed of Your Gospel –“because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16); and may I be eternally devoted to You, and Your Kingdom’s cause!
Forgive all my doubts, especially my self-doubts that draw me away from you in bitterness and rejection.
Help my spirit to always be ready to encounter You, Lord Jesus!
For You are my Lord and my God!
Restore me to the greatest fulfillment of touching lives around me with the reality of Your Love, Salvation and Coming Kingdom.
Thank You, Lord, for the blessing of believing in You, despite having not seen You; and for Your divine assurance that my love and gratitude for You is the “end result of (my) faith, the salvation of (my soul).” (1 Peter 1:8-9)
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
The Resurrection of Christ is critical to the validity and foundation of our faith in God.
The Apostle Paul writes, “if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith... .... your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 15:16)
The fact is this: Christ has risen, and every Christian faith and experience must flow, and grow, from the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ – which provides us with the foundation, focus and framework of our lives as Christ’s Disciples.
Our perception and purpose must be based solely and entirely on the Resurrection story.
Immediately after His Resurrection, Christ appeared to the truly devoted, to not only release them from their distress, fears and doubts, but to restore them unto the sacred, singular Kingdom Work of preaching His Gospel.
Divine encounters always translate to the preaching of the Gospel.
On the morning after His Crucifixion, Mary was deeply distressed by Christ’s death; and worse, when she thought that His body had been taken away.
Christ’s Presence released Mary from her state of distress; and restore her - and by divine extension, all women - to the unreserved Sacred Work of inbreaking His Kingdom to the whole church.
From this account, any theology that advocates differing leadership and ministry roles between men and women is simply wrong in its blatant contradiction of our Lord’s appointment over Mary Magdalene.
In her severe grief, Christ appeared to her, and tasked her to preach the very first message of the Gospel after His Resurrection (Ref: John 20:17-18) – making her, literally, the first apostle to His Church.
Her spiritual authority was found wholly in Christ; and activated through her absolute obedience to the Lord’s Command.
That day, the Lord used Mary to move the faith of the disciples into the reality that He has risen, and is, indeed, alive!
Christ’s appearance to Mary Magdalene is clear evidence that He draws close to those who draw close to Him.
His Holy Spirit is poised to be poured out on both men and women who utterly yearns to seek Christ. (Ref: Acts 2:17-18)
Before Christ appeared to them, the disciples genuinely feared for their lives and met behind locked doors.
When Christ appeared to the fearful disciples “on the evening of that first day of the week” (John 20:19) saying, “Peace be with you”, He resolved their deepest need by assuring them that through Him –they are at “peace with God” (Ephesians 5:1); for their sins have been fully atoned for.
““Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”” (John 20:21-23)
Remember that every divine encounter always translates to the preaching of the Gospel.
That evening, Christ breathed on every man and woman devoted to Him – not only the eleven men who were commonly known as His disciples.
And just as He breathed on Adam and made him a “living being” (Genesis 2:6) tasked with the stewardship of Creation, every disciple of Christ received the Holy Spirit and was made to come fully alive for the task of preaching the Gospel of His Kingdom.
We live in a society that is increasingly intolerable, depraved and defiant to the holy ways of our Lord; and yet, if we live by the Power of the Holy Spirit, and in the truth that through Christ, we are already at peace with God – we would never be “ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16); and preach the Gospel courageously as did the earliest disciples of Jesus. (Ref: Mark 16:20)
Christ’s appearance to the fearful disciples is clear evidence that He draws close to those who draw close to Him; even if their fear made them stay away.
Such was the case for Thomas – who missed meeting the Lord with the rest.
It was a whole week later, with Thomas sodden with self-doubt and rejection, that Christ appeared again to the still-fearful disciples and singled him out, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:24-27)
Many have thought that Thomas doubted God’s Power to resurrect Christ, or the disciples’ claim that Christ has risen; but given his experience with the Lord and intimate camaraderie with the rest of the disciples, there is another more insidious component to his doubt.
Thomas doubted himself; and felt rejected by the Lord.
He had clearly missed Christ’s initial appearance.
And for that, he doubted his worth in the Lord’s sight which led him to manifest the very words of rejection, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25)
Essentially saying, “You have seen the Lord. What’s the big deal?”
Clearly, it was a big deal to Thomas; for when the Lord spoke to him, he said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) – thus becoming the very first of Christ’s disciples to declare the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ and pledge his allegiance to Christ in service and worship.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is alive indeed; and remains present to us this day in our distress, fears and doubts.
Are you devoted to Him and His Kingdom cause?
Our Lord Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
We must be counted as those who are blessed because we have not seen Him, and yet believed that we are redeemed and restored through Christ.
In spite of distress, fear and doubt; be certain that our Lord draws close to those who draw close to Him.
Jesus loves you infinitely; and desires to touch your life – that you may be released from the tribulations of distress, fear and doubts; and be restored to the greatest fulfillment of touching lives around you with the reality of the Gospel and His Coming Kingdom .
Respond to His Love - love Him!
Respond to His Service – serve Him!
And when you do, “though you have not seen him”; “you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9)
Be truly saved – love Him, serve Him; Receive the Holy Spirit, live in His Power, and preach the Gospel to all Creation! (Ref: Mark 16:15)
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Indeed, Lord Jesus, I celebrate the truth and reality that You are my Risen Saviour!
May my faith flow from the reality of Your Resurrection – and may Your Resurrection become the very foundation, focus and framework of my life.
Help me become utterly devoted to You, Lord Jesus – that in spite of my distress, fears and doubts, I believe that You are constantly present to Me; and at work in my life – restoring me unto the sacred, singular Kingdom Work of preaching the Gospel to all Creation!
Lord Jesus, I belong to You!
Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon me; that I would boldly and wisely preach Your Gospel of Peace with God and the forgiveness of sins through faith in Your finished work of atonement on the Cross at Calvary.
Lord, breathe upon me daily – that I may be fully alive in You, daily – willing and able to fulfill the Great Commission of making disciples of all Nations. (Ref: Matthew 28:19-20)
May I never be ashamed of Your Gospel –“because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16); and may I be eternally devoted to You, and Your Kingdom’s cause!
Forgive all my doubts, especially my self-doubts that draw me away from you in bitterness and rejection.
Help my spirit to always be ready to encounter You, Lord Jesus!
For You are my Lord and my God!
Restore me to the greatest fulfillment of touching lives around me with the reality of Your Love, Salvation and Coming Kingdom.
Thank You, Lord, for the blessing of believing in You, despite having not seen You; and for Your divine assurance that my love and gratitude for You is the “end result of (my) faith, the salvation of (my soul).” (1 Peter 1:8-9)
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.