SI CHRIST N’EST PAS RESSUSCITÉ VOTRE FOI EST VAINE !

CHRIST THE ROCK CONGREGATION

EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 4TH 2021

Sermon par Pasteur Marc E Simeon

SI CHRIST N’EST PAS RESSUSCITÉ VOTRE FOI EST VAINE !

IF CHRIST IS NOT RISEN FROM DEAD YOUR FAITH IS VAIN!

INTRODUCTION

• Easter Sunday is the greatest day on earth because the resurrection of Jesus Christ has a significant bearing upon the entire human race, not just Christians.
• Those who are already saved and all others should equally pay attention to Easter, because there is no salvation and no reconciliation with God apart from the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• Easter is what differentiates Christianity from all the other religions of the world.
• People can choose to commemorate the birthday or the death of their religious leaders, but Christians have yet the day of the resurrection of their leader as the emblem of their religion.
• The day of the resurrection of Jesus is the day when he vanquished death and the power thereof  
• This is the Day of Atonement when the sin debt of humanity was paid for and Easter is the proof that the transaction of the sacrifice was officially accepted by the justice of God.
• Easter is the day when the first prophecy of the Bible from Genesis 3:15 was fulfilled.
•  “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”.”
• Easter is the day when Jesus Christ the Sovereign High Priest entered the heavenly temple to begin making intercession for mankind officially.
• Easter is the day when the downfall of the kingdom of Satan was sealed and evidenced.

DEVELOPMENT

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS AS VALIDATION TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

• Can someone be called a Christian while denying the resurrection of Christ? The answer is absolutely not!
• Christianity is a body of beliefs that are tied together.
• The resurrection of Jesus is the bed rock, the foundation and the cornerstone of the Christian faith.
• You either take Christianity as a whole or you don’t have Christianity at all.
• If the resurrection of Christ is removed from the package, all you are left with is an empty religion.
• In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul made the argument for the resurrection of Jesus in aim to counter the heresies that were plaguing the church.

1Co 15:12 ¶ Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.

 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.

1Co 15:12 ¶ Or, si l’on prêche que Christ est ressuscité des morts, comment quelques-uns parmi vous disent-ils qu’il n’y a point de résurrection des morts?

 13 S’il n’y a point de résurrection des morts, Christ non plus n’est pas ressuscité.

 14 Et si Christ n’est pas ressuscité, notre prédication est donc vaine, et votre foi aussi est vaine.

• The resurrection of Christ is a cardinal doctrine of the Christian faith.
• If Christ has not risen from the dead, then we are left with no hope of being resurrected as well.
• Christianity is but a social club.
• Paul further argued that the authenticity of our Christian faith rested on the resurrection of Jesus.

The Christian Faith without the Resurrection is a Waste of Time

1Co 15:17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!

 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

1Co 15:17 Et si Christ n’est pas ressuscité, votre foi est vaine, vous êtes encore dans vos péchés,

 18 et par conséquent aussi ceux qui sont morts en Christ sont perdus.

 19 Si c’est dans cette vie seulement que nous espérons en Christ, nous sommes les plus malheureux de tous les hommes.

• No resurrection of Jesus equals: vain faith.
• No resurrection of Jesus equals: no forgiveness of sins.
• No resurrection of Jesus equals: no salvation.
• No resurrection of Jesus equals: no heaven.
• No resurrection of Jesus equals: all Christians make a foul out of themselves.
• No resurrection of Jesus equals: Christians are the miserable people for believing in a fantasy.

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS: A FACTUAL EVENT

I Corinthiens 15 : 20 ¶ Mais maintenant, Christ est ressuscité des morts, il est les prémices de ceux qui sont morts. (LSV)

 20 ¶ But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (NKJV)

 21 Car, puisque la mort est venue par un homme, c’est aussi par un homme qu’est venue la résurrection des morts. (LSV)

 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. (NKJV)

 22 Et comme tous meurent en Adam, de même aussi tous revivront en Christ, (LSV)

 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. (NKJV)

• As Christians, we should hold firm on the resurrection of Jesus Christ because the bulk of our inheritance with God rests upon the resurrection of Jesus.
• We too will be raised up from dead because he has risen from dead.
• We too will be clothed of the glorified body in the likeness of Jesus because He has risen from the death.
• We will forgo of the condemnation that came from Adam because Jesus has risen from the dead.
• The resurrection of Jesus is a factual event. Marie of Magdala had seen Him.
• The disciples have seen him.
• More than 500 brethren have seen the resurrected Christ before He ascended to heaven.

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS IS NOT A MYTH INVENTED BY HIS FOLLOWERS

• The resurrection of Jesus is not some myth that his devoted followers came up with.
• None of disciples or the followers of Jesus really took Jesus seriously when He prophesied about His resurrection lest to say that they would try to sell the story to the world.
• The twelve core disciples were confined in fear and confusion after they killed their Master.
• The family members were in shock, in grieves and disbelief.
• The remaining followers were astonished and disoriented.
• The beloved ladies were looking for ways to anoint his body with spices and aroma to prevent the fast decay of His body, not to create a myth.
• No one from Jesus’ camp wanted to see or hear anymore drama lest to say to cause it.
• While the followers of Christ were keeping a low profile in search of how to proceed with the movement from that point on.
• Then came the news of his resurrection.
• The two disciples on the way to Emmaus give us a glimpse of the state of being of the followers of Christ after that horrific weekend that culminated in the death of their beloved leader.

Lu 24:13-24 ¶ Et voici, ce même jour, deux disciples allaient à un village nommé Emmaüs, éloigné de Jérusalem de soixante stades;

 14 et ils s’entretenaient de tout ce qui s’était passé.

 15 Pendant qu’ils parlaient et discutaient, Jésus s’approcha, et fit route avec eux.

 16 Mais leurs yeux étaient empêchés de le reconnaître.

 17 Il leur dit: De quoi vous entretenez-vous en marchant, pour que vous soyez tout tristes?

 18 L’un d’eux, nommé Cléopas, lui répondit: Es-tu le seul qui, séjournant à Jérusalem ne sache pas ce qui y est arrivé ces jours-ci? –

 19 Quoi? leur dit-il. Et ils lui répondirent: Ce qui est arrivé au sujet de Jésus de Nazareth, qui était un prophète puissant en œuvres et en paroles devant Dieu et devant tout le peuple,

 20 et comment les principaux sacrificateurs et nos magistrats l’ont livré pour le faire condamner à mort et l’ont crucifié.

 21 Nous espérions que ce serait lui qui délivrerait Israël; mais avec tout cela, voici le troisième jour que ces choses se sont passées.

 22 Il est vrai que quelques femmes d’entre nous nous ont fort étonnés; s’étant rendues de grand matin au sépulcre

 23 et n’ayant pas trouvé son corps, elles sont venues dire que des anges leur sont apparus et ont annoncé qu’il est vivant.

 24 Quelques-uns de ceux qui étaient avec nous sont allés au sépulcre, et ils ont trouvé les choses comme les femmes l’avaient dit; mais lui, ils ne l’ont point vu.

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• The resurrection of Jesus is not a myth invented by religious fanatics.
• The resurrection of Jesus came as a shocker to all his followers.
• The disciples went to investigate the claims of the women because they did not believe.
• The two men on their way to Emmaus were troubled by the news because it was outside of their expectations.
• Thomas who was not there said, “I won’t buy it”

Joh 20:24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.

 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

Joh 20:24 Thomas, appelé Didyme, l’un des douze, n’était pas avec eux lorsque Jésus vint.

 25 Les autres disciples lui dirent donc: Nous avons vu le Seigneur. Mais il leur dit: Si je ne vois dans ses mains la marque des clous, et si je ne mets mon doigt dans la marque des clous, et si je ne mets ma main dans son côté, je ne croirai point.

• Thomas has then refused to believe multiple accounts of the resurrection of Jesus.
• The first report from the ladies did not budge Thomas because he thought that women were credible.
• The report of the ten or more disciples did not budge Thomas as well.
• Case closed, Thomas remained adamant in his disbelief.
• Eight days later, Thomas got his wish.

A VISIT JUST FOR THOMAS

Joh 20:26 ¶ And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” (NKJV)

 26 ¶ Huit jours après, les disciples de Jésus étaient de nouveau dans la maison, et Thomas se trouvait avec eux. Jésus vint, les portes étant fermées, se présenta au milieu d’eux, et dit: La paix soit avec vous! (LSV)

 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” (NKJV)

 27 Puis il dit à Thomas: Avance ici ton doigt, et regarde mes mains; avance aussi ta main, et mets-la dans mon côté; et ne sois pas incrédule, mais crois. (LSV)

 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (NKJV)

 28 Thomas lui répondit: Mon Seigneur et mon Dieu! (LSV)

 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (NKJV)

 29 (20:28) Jésus lui dit: (20:29) Parce que tu m’as vu, tu as cru. Heureux ceux qui n’ont pas vu, et qui ont cru! (LSV)

CONCLUSION

• Are there still skeptics out there?
• Are you enquiring for a physical encounter with Jesus before you can believe?
• Are you even among those who have been with Jesus, who have seen his miracles and have lived of His grace?
• Are you now beginning to doubt everything you used to believe in?
• Know that the blessing of God is not on your side.
• Some of you who should have been in the forefront advancing the cause of Christ, after so many years with Christ, you are now the one questioning the very resurrection of Christ like Thomas?
• To finish, I want to assure you that Jesus has indeed risen from the dead.
• He is no longer in the grave.
• Jesus our High Priest is now seated at the right side of the Father making intercessions for the saints.
• One day, we the followers of Christ will be clothed with the glorious resurrected body in the same pattern with Jesus.
• Just like the Master, we too will defy gravity and ascend toward heaven to meet Him in the air at the sounds of the trumpets.
• We too will accompany Him back to earth in his millennium kingdom.
• We too will live forever thanks to His resurrection.

1Co 15:17, 18, 20 Et si Christ n’est pas ressuscité, votre foi est vaine, vous êtes encore dans vos péchés,

 18 et par conséquent aussi ceux qui sont morts en Christ sont perdus.

20 ¶ Mais maintenant, Christ est ressuscité des morts, il est les prémices de ceux qui sont morts. (LSV)

1Co 15:17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!

 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

20 ¶ But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

AMEN!

God Sent His Son, They Called Him Jesus
He Came To Love, Heal And Forgive
He Lived And Died To Buy My Pardon
An Empty Grave Is There To Prove My Savior Lives

Because He Lives, I Can Face Tomorrow
Because He Lives, All Fear Is Gone
Because I Know He Holds The Future
And Life Is Worth The Living, Just Because He Lives

And Then One Day, I’ll Cross The River
I’ll Fight Life’s Final War With Pain
And Then, As Death Gives Way To Victory
I’ll See The Lights Of Glory And I’ll Know He Reigns

BONDYE VOYE PITIT

(69 Kreol Reveillons-Nous)

Bondye voye pitit, Li rele Jezu,

Ki te vini e padone-n.

Li rachtne nou, e Li mete nou lib.

Kounye-a li ak Papa-l , Lap ret tann nou.

Ref

Mwen konnen-l vivan, Ma-p konte sou demen,

Paske vivan, Inkyetud yo ale ;

Paske-m konnen; O, m-konnen

Li se tout lavi mwen,

M-ap konte jou, pou-L vi-n chèhe-m Paske-l vivan

II

Mwen aksepte tout sa ki rive mwen,

Paske sovè-m ap defann mwen,

Jouden-an mèt devan-m Kè mwen pa-p boulvèse

Paske jezu-m nan pa mouri, E Li vivan

III

Tout espwa mwen se sou Li selman

Paske li di-m L’ap vi-n chache-m

Eprèv nan lavi sa pap fè-m twouble ditou

Bondye-m nan gran e Li vivan, m’ap ret tann Li