SUNDAY 16TH APRIL 2017

TOPIC: GREATER THINGS ARE YET TO COME
TEXT: Luke 24:5-6 “The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground, Then the men asked, Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee….”

A hymnist wrote the song “Happy Day,” which describes Jesus’ resurrection as, “The greatest day in history, death is beaten, You have rescued me. Sing it out, Jesus is alive! The empty cross, the empty grave, life eternal.
You have won the day, and You wear the Victor’s crown” Truly, this was the greatest day in history. From Adam and Eve until the day Jesus rose from the dead, death held us ransom but on the cross; sin had been rendered powerless. Paul points out, ” If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Corin. 15:1). Jesus’ resurrection changed everything for mankind, as when we are in Christ, we are now free, restored, redeemed, and reconciled back to God. We’ve been given the free gift of eternal life.
Jesus told Martha that those Who believe in Him “shall never die” (John 11:26) and He also said to Nicodemus that those Who believe in Him “should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
By rising on the third day, Jesus created a Way for the original image of God in man to be restored. It is finished” was not the end. It was just the beginning, for greater things were yet to come! Jesus said, “I Will send you the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised” (Luke 24:49), Who “Will teach you all things and Will remind you Of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). At Pentecost, Jesus’ promise was fulfilled as the Holy Spirit descended upon believers. The fire Jesus started began to spread around the world. God’s redemptive work continued With the coming Of the Holy Spirit, through His Church—the bearers Of the new covenant and though the acts Of the apostles may have come to a close With their deaths, the acts Of the Holy Spirit continues to this day through us — Jesus followers!
God “has given us the ministry of reconciliation… and has committed to us the word Of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ” We are all part Of God’s work, part Of His story Of redemption, and He has entrusted us to carry His message Of salvation to the entire world! As you celebrate Christ Resurrection today, remember that God’s still writing redemption on the hearts Of man through His people by the Holy Spirit!
Spend some time reflecting on how God is using you to write redemption on the hearts Of the people around you.

MEDITATION: 2 Cor. 5:18-20

BIBLE STUDY
Lev. 20; Ps. 25; Eccl. 3; 1 Tim. 5