Quite often, many followers of Christ deem the most important day of Easter to be Good Friday. This observation does have its merits as it is the day that Jesus laid down His life for the church. However, despite the enormity of this sacrifice, the most significant day of Easter is actually Resurrection Sunday as it is the day that Jesus rose again and conquered death. Within this sermon, Pastor Ephraim Musiba provides clarity on this significance by highlighting the impact of Christ’s Resurrection.

The main text used in illustrating the importance of Resurrection Sunday is 1st Corinthians 15:1-8
“Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand….Otherwise, you have believed in vain…Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”

In this scripture, the Apostle Paul explains what Christ’s resurrection really means for Christians. The full gospel is that Jesus came and lived a perfect life and was unjustly crucified for our sins. Upon crucifixion, He died, defeated death, rose again, and is living today. To prove doubters wrong, the Bible also points to witnesses who observed Jesus rising from the dead. The entire Christian faith hinges on the part that Jesus rose from the dead for three primary reasons:
This serves as living proof that Jesus is the powerful Son of God who reigns over all.

In rising from the dead, Jesus conquered one of man’s greatest fears; death and eternal damnation. By conquering death, Jesus proved that He had power and authority over all. Thus, in praying to Jesus, and in praying in the name of Jesus for deliverance against our daily spiritual, physical, and material travails, we are summoning supreme heavenly power and authority and are guaranteed victory. Through worshipping Jesus, we are also worshipping God. This too is affirmed in the book of Romans 1:4 which states: “and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.” As shown here, and as proven on Resurrection Sunday, the evidence is unequivocal, Jesus is the Son of God.

Christ’s resurrection guarantees forgiveness of sins and an opportunity for a new and transformed life

If there were no resurrection for Christ’s body, there’d be no salvation. The Apostle Paul affirms this in verse 1 Corinthians v. 17 as He says:

“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” All those who put faith is Jesus as the risen savior can receive forgiveness for sins and a whole new life. This possibility would not have been enabled had Jesus not conquered death. As Jesus conquered death, we are given assurance that God accepted Jesus as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. God’s wrath has been satisfied by the sacrifice of Jesus. Romans 4:24 also provides support for this in stating: “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” The entire process of salvation could have only been completed once Jesus resurrected from the dead. As a result, we are guaranteed of salvation, if we put our faith in Jesus Christ.

Christ’s resurrection also guarantees us that we will also be raised from the dead and live with Him forever

This sequence of events is explained in 1 Corinthians 15:20 -23 when the Apostle Paul states: “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the first fruits; then, when He comes, those who belong to Him”

Because Jesus was raised from the dead, all those who belong to Him will also be raised from the dead when He returns. When Jesus was raised from the dead, He defeated death and took away its painful sting. This provides believers with the promise that we will live again when He comes back for a 2nd time. Just like God raised Jesus from the dead, so too will He raise us from the dead when He returns. All who have died in Christ will be raised with new bodies when He returns. This promise provides hope for all who fear death and have lost loved ones who have died in the Lord.
The Day will come when Jesus will return and the dead will be raised in life. Nobody knows when this will be and nobody has any indication of when Jesus is going to come back. Given this information, do not gamble or wait to make things right with God. Accept Him as your Lord and savior before the last trumpet blows. Where will you stand of the great day when Jesus comes back? Where will you stand when that last trumpet blows?