I grew up in a household that always anticipated Easter morn, and its message of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The annual event was observed through the symbolic Sunrise Service – which meant being at the venue already long before the break of dawn.
That practice continued when I left home for the university and late in this city where a gathering of interdenominational congregations has been held for years – then at Paglaum Sports Complex, at the Bacolod City Plaza and later at the Bacolod City Government Center.
It has been a blessing to listen once more to the sermon about Christ’s triumph from the grave and sing good old hymns, like “He Lives”, “Because He Lives” and “I Serve a Risen Savior” capped by the triumphant “Hallelujah Chorus” from George Frideric Handel’s “The Messiah Oratorio.” What a bliss on such glorious morn!
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For the past three years, I have been attending a much smaller Resurrection Sunday congregation at the Bacolod City Gospel Church, where family and friends form warm fellowship.
May I share the Resurrection Day message of BCGC Pastor Manuel Tanjusay last Easter.
Pastor Manuel focused on “The Blessings of Christ’s Resurrection” (based on 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
He articulated Four Vs that reflect the benefits and blessings of Christ’s triumph over the grave.
The pastor highlighted that The Resurrection:
• VINDICATES the sufferings and sacrifices of the Lord Jesus on the cross.
• VALIDATES the words He spoke about His death and resurrection.
• Guaranteed our VICTORY over death and the grave.
• Gives VALUE to all our labor in the Lord.
How should believers then respond to these benefits?
For the application of the conviction on the blessings of Christ’s resurrection, Pastor Manuel recommended that:
• We must have unwavering faith in the person and words of the Lord Jesus Christ.
• We must face the reality of death fearlessly, knowing that even though we will die, yet we will also be resurrected when the Lord Jesus returns.
• We must remain faithful in doing the work of the Lord, ‘our labor in the Lord is not in vain.’
AMEN!
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Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25) | NWI
