The Power of Resurrection.

METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA

DIOCESE OF OSOGBO

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER, 19^TH APRIL, 2020.

GOD’S WORD TO GOD’S PEOPLE.

THEME: The Power of Resurrection.

             “Agbara Ajinde”

TEXT: John 20:19

Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

The whole world is in fear today. Fear of COVID-19, fear of virus, fear of sickness, fear of death, fear of hunger, fear of lockdown, fear of poverty and fear of many other things. The big questions before us now are, who will deliver us from our fear? Who will restore peace to the World? How can we sail through this our current situation? Who will bring us out of this lockdown?

Men and brethren, I have gotten an answer to all your questions. Today, I have a good news to share with you at this period of lockdown, isolation and quarantine mixed with fear of uncertainty. I am glad to introduce to you the Man of Galilee, I mean Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who suffered, died, buried and resurrected only to put an end to our own suffering and fear. He came to the world to set us free from the power of sin, death and Satan. He laid down his own life so that we may have our own (John 15:13).

The disciples, who had firsthand information about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, were still in doubt. They did not only heard the news that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead, but many of them saw the empty tomb and the resurrected Christ himself. However, the fear of Jews which gripped them had continued to keep them in a hiding place. They quarantined themselves for the fear of the Jewish leaders. They had not encountered the power of his resurrection; hence the news that Jesus was alive was accepted with doubt. No wonder, Thomas, one of the disciples, demanded proof of Christ resurrection when he finally came around. Nevertheless, it became obvious that lives of all the people who came in contact with the reality of his resurrection were transformed. Indeed, that same transforming power of his resurrection, which Paul sought to know, is available for us today.

Let us see the changes which took place in the lives of Jesus’ disciples after they had encountered his resurrection power as we study John 20:19-31 together.

1)   Transformation from fear to courage (John 20:19-25): Our Lord fought great spiritual battle in the tomb on the Sabbath (Saturday) and rose from the dead on the first day of their week (Sunday). One may ask, how did Jesus transform the fear of his disciples to courage? Is it true that they hid themselves for fear of the Jews? (John 20:19) Yes, it is clear that the frightened ten disciples were meeting behind locked doors when Jesus appeared to them in his resurrection body which could not be limited by the law of nature without opening of any door. His first word to the disciples was the traditional greetings, Shalom! (Peace) This shows that Jesus had not dealt with the disciples according to their sins nor rewarded them after their iniquities (Ps. 1033:10) He continued with the work of the cross which is Peace (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:14-17), bearing in mind the content of the message he wanted them to carry which is the Gospel of Peace (Rom. 10:15) He forgave and forgot the evil action of human beings who declared war on him as their Lord and Saviour. He appeared to his followers in grace and reassured them of his continuous presence with them through his Word (Matt. 28:20). In our fear of CONVID-19 and all the rest, we must ensure that Christ is not locked out of our lives and affairs. (Rev. 3:20) When his disciples saw him, their fear turned into boldness and joy. This is clearly seen in Peter’s boldness at his first open air revival which won more than 300 people into Christ (Acts 2:40-41). The disciples’ fear had vanished because they now believed that their Lord was alive and that he was caring for them. They had both peace with God and the peace of God (Phil. 4:6-7). They had a high and holy commission and were sure of the power to accomplish it. His power of resurrection can also turn all our fears to courage and joy if we allow him to help us.

2)   Transformation from unbelief to confidence (John 20:26-28): Thomas who seemed to be a courageous man in John 11:16 and a spiritually minded disciple who wanted to know the truth and was never ashamed to ask questions (Jn. 14:5) had become the doubting Thomas because of unbelief for which he was rebuked by the Master (Jn. 20:27) Thomas had both intellectual (doubt) and moral (unbelief) problems, hence he refused to believe the reports of other Christians that Jesus Christ was alive (Jn. 20:25), rather he wanted a personal experience. Many of us are not in any way different from Thomas. How often have we refused to believe and insisted that God should prove himself to us, especially at this trying time? Thomas’ story is a good warming to all of us not to miss meeting with fellow Christians on Sundays and other chosen days by the Church for fellowship (Heb. 10:22-25). He missed what others gained for another one week. Your continuous absence from Church may cause you great deal of blessings and opportunities if care is not taken. The good news is that our Lord is still concern about you and our condition. It is an encouragement for us to know that the Lord had a personal interest and concern for Thomas. He wished to strengthen his faith and include him in the blessings that he had for his followers. Thomas teaches us that unbelief robs us of blessings and opportunities. Please, note that every one of us lives by faith and not by sight. Our faith as Christians is in God and His word.

3)   Transformation from death to life (Jn. 20:29-31): John concluded his writing by showing his readers in every age that Jesus is God and that faith in him brings eternal life. It is not necessary for us to see Jesus face to face before we are saved, rather salvation comes to us through our faith in him (Rom. 10:17; 1John 5:9-13). We are saved and transformed from death to life only by believing on Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ’s miracles is only meant to lead us into faith in his word, and to personal faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord (Jn. 5:36-40). He was given power by the Father to give life to anyone who believes in him. It is therefore clear that only those whom he gives life here on earth through their faith in him will have eternal life there in heaven. Have you encountered Jesus Christ, the source of life? If you have not, there is still a chance for you to do so now (Jn. 1:12; 3-5,16). Accept the living Christ and his power of resurrection will give you peace, Holy Spirit and power to be relevant in your own generation. Jesus is here on this Sunday to transform our lives. He wants his resurrection power to change our fear to courage and give us boldness to face all challenges of life without fear and to be his witnesses right from our home (Jerusalem) and to every part of the world. He is with us to change our doubt and unbelief to confidence. Jesus is concern about our present situation and condition; his power of resurrection will bring all of us out of the lock down without anyone missing. That is the confidence we have that in Christ we are more than conqueror (Jn. 16:33; Rom. 8:37). My brothers and sisters in Christ, stop doubting the efficacy of his power of resurrection. Believe that through the love of God, all is well. Even death has no power over believers, because Christ has swallowed death in victory and overcame the sting of death (MHB 216). Jesus is now the resurrection and life, anyone who believes in him will therefore be transformed from death to life and he/she shall live eternally with Christ in heaven. Do you believe?

Let us pray

Rt. Rev. A.K.O. Ogunrinde, JP, FICT.

Bishop, Diocese of Osogbo.

Chairman OS-CAN.