Ministering: Pastor Shola Awobajo.
Text: Matthew 28:1-8.
“1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, and did run to bring his disciples word”.
Our Lord is no longer in the grave, He is Risen, hence He is here to bring us out of every grave (sickness, barrenness, etc.). They went to look for Him at the grave but He was no longer there, may your enemy never find you at the grave. Jesus defeated the grave and death by going into hell and seizing the keys and power from the devil himself. 1 Cor. 15:54-55 – So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”
He has defeated death for our sake, hence death no longer has power over us. He died for our sake and was bruised for our iniquities. He not only defeated death but collected the keys of death. He then transferred the power to us His believers. Formerly we were powerless over death, sickness, and darkness, but now we have authority over them. Eph. 4:8 – “Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”
The Gains of His Resurrection
1. His Resurrection restored power back to us, hence, the powers of darkness no longer have power over us. Matt. 28:18-20.
2. His Resurrection removed every dead wall (dead rituals, religion, etc) from us. We are no longer practicing a mundane religion but a living relationship with God. Eph. 2:14-15.
3. His resurrection gave us a living Hope & Faith in Him. 1 Cor. 15:14-19 – And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 5 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
4. Without His Resurrection, we would have still being reprobate and in our sins. Rom. 1:28-32.
5. Without His Resurrection, our hope of Heaven and spending Eternity with God would have been dashed. 2 Cor. 5:8, 1 Pet. 1:3.
6. Without His Resurrection, there would have been no such thing as Christianity.
7. His Resurrection empowers us to do all things and face any situation on this earth. Phil. 4:13.
8. His Resurrection guarantees us victory today and tomorrow.
9. His Resurrection brought Christ into us. Christ in you, The Hope of Glory. Col. 1:27
In closing, Romans 8:11 – But if The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
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