20/04/2022
*Apology: The house church has not met today. But let’s have a recap of our Easter Sunday sermon.
THE BODILY RESURRECTION
WHY WAS THE STONE ROLLED AWAY? Matt. 28:1-7
All the four gospel writers (Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John) have recorded this act of God in the resurrection narrative.
1. SIMPLY HE IS RISEN
2.. PROOF OF BODILY RESURRECTION
A clear proof that it was the resurrection of the body. A physical body cannot pass through a stone. It had to be removed.
3. PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE EVIDENCE
28:6, “He is not here, he has risen, just as he said. “COME AND SEE THE PLACE WHERE HE LAY.”
A way had to be made for witnesses to behold the resurrection evidence.
There was need for them to go in and see for themselves. The tomb is empty!!
4. POWER OVER SIN, DEATH, AND THE GRAVE
Romans 5:12-19 Through the first man Adam sin came to all mankind. Through the second man, Jesus Christ, righteousness and grace have come to all who believe.
In the flesh, man sinned. In the flesh, this maust be reversed.
The bodily resurrection is therefore, a clear proof that he has conquered sin, death, and the grace. He is not in the grave.
Hebrews 2:14, “Since the children have flesh and blood (body), he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy the power of him who holds the power of death-that is the devil.”
I hope now you understand why the devil doesn’t want you to understand the power of bodily resurrection.
I hope you now understand that the devil you fear so much has been destroyed.
His resurrection is proof that the sacrifice for sin he offered has been accepted. He has satisfied the demand.
Romans 4:25, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”
5. PREVIEW OF OUR FINAL RESURRECTION
We shall be raised in the same way; our tombs will open, stones rolled away.
1Cor. 15:20, "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."
We shall rise in a body, but a gloried body. Buried in dishonor but raised in honor. Raised incorruptible, imperishable.
6. Proof of finality
I am taking this just on a lighter note but I mean it. My attention being caught by the angel sitting on the stone that was rolled away
28:2, “The angel rolled back the stone and SAT ON IT.
What a pose!
He is now the official receptionist telling the people, “Are you looking for Jesus? He is not here, I thought he told you guys that he will rise on the third day? Why are you looking for the living among the dead?”
The pose by the angel indicates sweet victory. Christ has finished redeeming. It is done!
It’s now time to ‘show off’ to display “relax”. It’s final.
Time to take it easy. It’s been sweet victory!!
If the resurrection does not make you relax in faith, then you are still a slave of fear, you the most miserable, most to be pitied.
The foundation and crown of Christianity is the resurrection.
Bishop Dr. Willie Nyendwa
