Sunday, April 4, 2010

Resurrection Sunday

Pre-Service Prayer

Most people know that this Sunday is called Easter Sunday, but according to history "Easter" was a pagan festival adopted by Christians. Brother Teck Lim shared that it should rightly be called "Resurrection Sunday". We are to live each day in celebration of this great day and not only on "Resurrection Sunday". It is not about easter eggs and bunnies.

We are very encouraged that this morning pre-service prayer was attented by more than 30 members and the out-room was filled to its capacity. Some could not get in! Hallelujah! Praise God!

Youth Performance

Our youth performed a short skit, "Jesus and me", followed by a dance by several young ladies.

The Cross and Resurrection

Dr.Tommy Chung's sermon.

The significant of the resurrection was that God’s son was sacrifice for the world as God’s plan and desire. The salvation of mankind was immediate. If Christ was not raise from the dead, we would still be in sin and we would have been deceived.

Death of Jesus – Matthew 27:45-54. There was a release of power when Jesus died. He said “It is finished”. Some expected Elijah to appear, he did not. In fact Elijah appeared in the spirit in John the Baptist. Elijah prophesied the coming of the Messiah. Matt 27:50 Jesus cried in a loud voice signifying the victory of the cross, not defeat. Two cries a) with a loud voice, “It is finished”, b) Father into your hand I commend my spirit. Spiritually His death gives us a glimpse of what was accomplished: a) the curtain of the temple tore from top to bottom signifying His power b) the earth shook signifying deaf ears opening, c) The aftershock broke the tombs, signifying the raising of the dead. Even a non believing centurion testified that “surely he was the son of God” after witnessing the earthquake.

The Resurrection - John 20:1-18. Mary Magdalene discovered that Jesus was not in the tomb. She grieved for Him. She was persistent. Dr. Chung related her persistence to Matt 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you,” and also the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8. Mary Magdalene saw Jesus but she did not realise because she let her affection overcame her reasoning. We are like sheep, and we listen to Jesus’ voice. John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice, I know them and they follow me”. John 20:17 Jesus asked Mary Magdalene not to hold on to Him but to spread the news to the disciples and others. The disciples testified to the resurrection of Jesus. Act 4:33 “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all”.

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