“If He is not Among the Dead, You Aren’t Either”.

The Topic of the Easter Sunday Holy Communion Service of 31^st March 2013, at St. Margaret's UCZ Church was entitled: “If He is not Among the Dead, You Aren’t Either”.

Preacher: Student Minister Chileshe Chepela

Scripture Reading: Luke 24: 1 - 11

SERMON SUMMARY

The St. Margaret's UCZ Church was having an Easter Conference from Monday 25^th March 2013 up to today. Today marks the end of that Conference.

You may have missed one or two things that were discussed during the Conference by the various speakers, who are men and women of God. However it is my prayer that you have picked a thing or two from the Conference. (Note: I, Henry Nasilele, took notes throughout the Conference and I shall write these in my Facebook Notes and my Blogs in the next few days).

God is always speaking to us in many ways. He spoke to Abraham and Joseph and made them great men. These men went through so many hardships but God knew what their destinies, which, He has planned for them.

Our theme for the topic of today is: “If He is not Among the Dead, You Aren’t Either”.

The story of the resurrection of Jesus is very well known to all, even Sunday school children are able to recite it with ease. Many people take it as mere folktale.

Today let us listen to it as if we are hearing it for the first time and take a serious note of what it means to us.

When the women we read in Luke 24: 1 – 11 went to the Tomb of Jesus, they were not sure who was going to help them roll out the big stone that sealed the entrance to the Tomb. However, they believed that God was going to help them to do so.

In our lives we have so many stones that torment and enslave us such as poverty, disease and hunger, to mention but a few. We are always wondering who is going to remove these stones for us.

In most cases we are dependent on other people and not God to resolve our problems. Many people visit witchdoctors for their various ailments and some depend on “powerful people” in society to help them to get employment, etc.

May we look to God as the author and finisher of our fate and man is only there to support us.

Men with wealth do not realise that it is perishable. Money can buy you a very comfortable bed but will never buy you a peaceful sleep. Money may buy you entertainment but it will never buy you joy. Money will never buy everything you need in life.

Let us not depend on things that are perishable. Let us look up to God for our needs. There are many unhappy marriages in wealthy families and many people wonder why this is so. Remember it is not about money but it is about God. It is only God who can deliver us from our problems.

Money can buy a passport to go anywhere in the world but it will not buy your passport to heaven.

The women who came to the Tomb of Jesus depended on God to remove the stone for them because they had faith.

“If you have put your life in a tree watch out for Charcoal Burners and Lumber jacks. One day the tree is going to be cut down.”  It is only when you put your trust in Jesus that your life is assured. If he is not among the dead, you aren’t either!

The disciples of Jesus were troubled on a Friday because their teacher was put to death. However he was resurrected on a Sunday.

John 16: 21 say: “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.”

You may be in sorrow on a Friday but wait for a Sunday because the day of resurrection comes on that day. When a Sunday comes in your life things will change.

If you put your trust in God a day is coming when things will be alright with you. A little more prayer and a little more faith is all you need. The bad things that you have passed through in your life are not important, but your faith in Jesus is important because those things will become your testimony.

Wait, a Sunday is coming in your life.

Don’t worry about people gossiping about you because a day is coming when they are going to say. “Sorry”.

Why are you looking for the living among the dead? Jesus is not among the dead and if you believe in Him you are not among the dead.

AMEN!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: (From the Church's Weekly Bulletin)

Luke 24: 1 -11 is a narrative of the resurrection of Jesus the Christ.

Verse 1, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the    tomb.

Verse 2, they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

Verse 3, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Verse 4, while they were wandering about this, suddenly two men in clothes, that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.

Verse 5, ln their fright, the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?

Verse 6, He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee.

Verse 7, when Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)

As you begin this new week, remember to celebrate this Easter in style. Keep telling yourself that if Jesus is not found among the dead, then you aren’t either. He is your life when He appears; you appear with Him in glory. Don’t let anybody down play you, your life is Christ.

AMEN!