Christ RISEN or DEAD Faith? Easter Service:

Lesson Transcript

The strike is o'er, the battle done, the victory of life is won. The song of triumph has begun. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! In his first letter to the believers nearly 2,000 years ago, the Apostle Peter writes, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

According to his great mercy, he has called us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him.

Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.

It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves, but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preach the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. Therefore, preparing your minds for action and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that is rebrought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.

Since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was made manifest in the last times for your sake. Who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and abiding Word of God.

For all flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower fades, but the Word of the Lord remains forever. And this Word is the good news that was preached to you. In this chapter, we see the beautiful promise of a living hope because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This is a hope not only for this life, but also for the life that is to come. This is also a hope that demands a response from our life, here and now.

It calls us to prepare our minds for action and to be sober-minded. It calls us to be obedient and to not be conformed to the passions of our former ignorance. It calls us to be holy in all our conduct, just as God is holy, and to conduct ourselves with fear throughout the time on the earth. And finally, this living hope calls us to love one another earnestly from a pure heart.

Jesus Christ came to earth, lived among us, died, and rose from the dead, and is now calling us to become subjects of his kingdom in this present life and for eternity. 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. 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.

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And for fear of him, the keepers did shake and became as dead men. And the angel said unto the woman, "Fear not ye, for I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead. And behold, he goeth before you into Galilee. There ye shall see him.

Lo, I have told you." And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "All hail." And they came and held him by the feet and worshiped him. Then said Jesus unto them, "Be not afraid. Go, tell my brethren that they go into Galilee. There they shall see me." Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

And when they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

Amen." Now, if Christ is preached that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is also empty. 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. But now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For God raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Jesus, having forgiven us all our trespasses by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them in him. If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true. And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them, for it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is, and do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery. But be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

For the sake of Christ Jesus my Lord, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ, that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, so that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Lo, in our radiant Jesus, my Savior, waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord.

Up from the grave, he arose, he arose with a mighty triumph for his foes, he arose, he arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever with the saints who reign. He arose, he arose, he arose, he arose, hallelujah, Christ arose. Mainly they watch his head, Jesus my Savior, mainly they steal the dead, Jesus my Lord. Up from the grave, he arose, he arose with a mighty triumph for his foes, he arose, he arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever with the saints who reign.

He arose, he arose, he arose, he arose, hallelujah, Christ arose. Death cannot keep his prey, Jesus my Savior, he tore the morns away, Jesus my Lord. Up from the grave, he arose, he arose with a mighty triumph for his foes, he arose, he arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever with the saints who reign. He arose, he arose, he arose, he arose hallelujah, Christ arose. Wake all earth, go to earth, by many voices raised, and let the echoing hills repeat the note of praise.

Let all the owls rejoice, let's each take up the string. Christ from the dead have come, he lives, he lives again, he lives restless, he lives again, our risen Lord today. Christ from the dead have come, he lives, he lives again. Awake, awake, O earth, forget the hour of gloom, when in thy shuddering breast thy maker claimed a tomb. With hope, thy wintry robes for guard of joyous spring, crowned thee with lily's fair to greet the risen King. He lives, Christ lives, he lives again, our risen Lord today.

Christ from the dead have come, he lives, he lives again. Bring treasures of the field, bring leaves and blossoms sweet, thy choices and thy best before the fearsome feet. While all thy sons are glad and tears are pulled away, let youth and age alike sing Christ is risen today. He lives, Christ lives, he lives again, our risen Lord today. Christ from the dead have come, he lives, he lives again. Lift up thy gates with praise and robes of joy put on. The Lord of life and death hath risen to his throne.

He hath gone up on high and gives and gives to men. He lives no more to die, he lives, he lives again. He lives, Christ lives, he lives again, our risen Lord today. Christ from the dead have come, he lives, he lives again. We'll ring the song of Jubilee, let it echo our God's key. Now is come the promised hour, Jesus reigns with sovereign power. All ye nations, join and sing, Christ of lords and kings is king. Let it sound from shore to shore, Jesus reigns forevermore.

Now the desert lands rejoice, and the islands join their voice. Yea, the whole creation sings, Jesus is the King of kings. See the grand civilian stand, helms of conquest in their hands. This before the throne they're strain, how is vanquished death his slain. Blessing on her glory might, are thy conquerors native right. Thrones and powers before him fall, lamb of God and Lord of all. Time has nearly reached its sum; all things with the bride say come. Jesus, who all worlds adore, come and reign forevermore.

I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear calling on my ear, the Son of God discloses. And he walks with me and he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own, and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known. He speaks and the sound of his voice is so sweet the birds are staring singing, and the melody that he gave to me within my heart is ringing.

And he walks with me and he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own, and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known. I'd stay in the garden with him, though the nights around me be falling, but he bids me go through the voice of woe, his voice to me is calling. And he walks with me and he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own, and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.

The strife is o'er, the battle done, the victory of life is won. The song of triumph has begun, hallelujah. The hearts of death have done their worst, but Christ and angels have dispersed. Let shouts of all rejoice have burst, hallelujah. The streets and days are quickly sped, he rises glorious from the dead. All glory to our risen head, hallelujah. He calls the yawning gates of hell, the barks from hell's high portals fell. That hymn of praise is triumphs' tell, hallelujah.

Lord, guide the stripes that wounded thee, from death dressing thy servants free, that we may live and sing to thee, hallelujah. The Lord is risen. He is risen indeed. He is risen indeed. He is risen indeed. He is risen indeed. He is risen indeed. Christ is risen indeed. He is risen indeed. He is risen indeed. He is risen indeed. He is risen indeed. He Christos Anastasiau, Aristos Bonkratz.