Sunday, 20th April 2025
Andrews Ampomah
TOPIC: He Is Risen
THEME SCRIPTURE: “He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee.” – Luke 24:6
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- Do you know what it means for Jesus to be alive?
While our focus today is not about where Jesus was between his death and resurrection, it is important to clarify that Jesus did not ‘descend to hell’ after his death but he was in Paradise – “And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise’.” (Luke 23:43). He himself talked about where he will be and it is important that we allow his words to settle where he was than any other source. Where Jesus was after his death was the same place Abraham was when Lazarus found himself in his bosom; it will be the same place every Christian will find themselves when we die before Christ Jesus’ Second Advent.
It is striking to note that his birth and resurrection were all announced by the Angels. The resurrection of Jesus is as important as his birth and his death on the Cross. The death of Christ Jesus without a resurrection would have rendered salvation vain. It is the icing that completes the package of our total salvation in Christ Jesus. Paul emphasizes the very essence of this event by affirming “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain – 1 Corinthians 15:14.” As to the proof that he resurrected, it is on record as having showed himself to over five hundred believers in forty days before his ascension – 1 Corinthians 15:6.
His resurrection is proof that he has conquered everything.
This goes a long way to confirm that Jesus is not only the Son of God, but he is God. In the history of human existence, there is no proof or historical record that any human ever rose from the dead (in the case of Lazarus and others whom Jesus raised) and never died. This signifies how powerful death is. Stories are told of fetish priests and others who promised their return from death, but it has not happened since. Death is and was the last enemy Christ Jesus conquered. In trying to explain the Supremacy of Christ Jesus, Paul notes that he is the firstborn from the dead (Colossians 1:18). This is very foundational to our Christian faith. The resurrection of Christ Jesus is an affirmation that Christ Jesus has unlimited power and he reigns over all. Hallelujah!
His resurrection is proof that Christians have hope of being with him forever.
Christians have the blessed assurance from Christ’s resurrection that one day our mortal bodies will be swallowed in immortality, and we shall be like him and be with him forever. If we have hope only in this life in Christ Jesus, then we are to be most pitied (1 Corinthians 15:19).
We have the assurance that as long as the Holy Spirit dwells in us, at the sound of the trumpet for his second advent, our mortal bodies will experience a quickening.
Beloved, Christ Jesus rose from the dead to affirm his reign and supremacy over all, and to assure everyone who has expressed faith in him that there is a better hope of rising from our mortality to be with him forever. The songwriter encourages us that when we have been with him ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we will have no less days than to sing of his praise than when we first began.
FURTHER READING – 1 Corinthians 15:1-58
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- Are you afraid of death?
- Is there any hope of a resurrection for the Christian?
CONFESSION
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to pay the penalty of sin in my place and conquering death to assure me of a living hope. Grant me the consciousness to live with the excitement of being with you forever in Christ Jesus. Amen
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Acts 20; Joshua 14-15; Psalm 110
Comments powered by CComment