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HE IS RISEN! 04 APRIL 2021 | EASTER SUNDAY COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICES | REV RAYMOND FONG

He Is Risen!

04 APRIL 2021 | EASTER SUNDAY COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICES

Traditional Service | 8.30am (On Site & Live-Streamed) & 11am (On Site)

Prayer & Praise Service | 11am (On Site & Live-Streamed)

Rev Raymond Fong

Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:4 (NIV)

WATCH | SERMON (VIDEO)

(Recorded at 11am Prayer & Praise Service)

READ | SERMON NOTES

Summary | The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith and has two major implications: 1. it shows the life-transforming authenticity of Jesus; 2. we are a life-transforming new creation in Jesus.

Life-transforming authenticity of Jesus

Lee Strobel, lawyer and author of Case for Christ, did a thorough investigation and found conclusive evidence for Jesus’s death and resurrection, citing numerous reports of encounters with Jesus and the empty tomb. We also know many of Jesus’s disciples suffered for their testimony of seeing the resurrected Jesus. So if the resurrection is true, then it must mean Jesus is who He claimed to be, has the power He claimed to have, did what He promised to do and will do what He promised to do. This is the truth of the risen Jesus, and it is this truth which will transform our lives.

A life-transforming new creation in Jesus

Jesus is the start of the new creation when he rose from the dead. Jesus is the firstborn from the dead (Rev 1:5) and is the firstfruit of the resurrection (1 Cor 15:20) i.e. Jesus’s risen body is the indication of what is to come for ourselves. But a risen Jesus isn’t just about life after death or a hope to go to heaven. It also has a present implication for us right now. 1 Peter 1:3 says we are “born again” to a living hope through the resurrection. Like Christ, our old self is crucified and put to death and raised to a new life where we are no longer ruled by sin or death. As new creation in Christ, we are dead to sin but alive in Christ (Rom 6:11), in and on a journey of renewal through the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:16-23). This is the process of sanctification where we continuously have the resurrection power to overcome and lead a life free from the tyranny of sin.

Applications

As new creation, we are called to live that transformed life in Christ. But it doesn’t happen automatically. We have to make intentional choices to reject sin and pursue the resurrection power in Christ, consistent with our identity as new creation - this is discipleship. Secondly, as new creation, we should share the living hope in Christ. We are not just reconciled, but entrusted with the message and ministry of reconciliation in order for others to experience the same hope, resurrection power and abundant life in Christ. Is there somebody we know whom we can reach out to? How can we do this? Knowledge of the resurrection doesn’t change or transform us, but our faith in the resurrection does, and others too.

(Sermon Notes by Desley Khew)

PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. If the resurrection of Jesus is true, how has that transformed you?

2. What you do understand as being a new creation in Christ?

3. What is one particular sin you wrestle with that God’s resurrection strength is needed to overcome? Share and pray for each other.

4. What is one thing you can do to bring hope in Christ to someone who needs that? Share and pray for each other.