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Sunday 20 April 2003 - "Foundation of our faith - Christ's resurrection"

(Summary of sermon by Erlo Stegen)

1Cor 15:3 - 8

Whatever religion's leader we take, e.g. Confucius, Buddha, Mohammed, etc., one will find their bones in their grave, but if one goes to Jesus' grave, it is empty, for He has risen from the dead. A certain Muslim once made the comment that Christians are troubled, because their Jesus' grave is empty. However, that is exactly the point. We do not worship the dead, but He who is alive and risen from the dead. Others deny Jesus' existence, but acknowledge Him each day when they refer to the date, for our calendar marks the time since His birth.

Christ's resurrection from the dead is the very foundation of our hope and faith. A certain atheist, when he was dying, said that he will face death confidently with hope, and not be afraid. However, a few days later, as his dying day came closer, he began to be troubled and said, "However, I realise now that hope needs a foundation", and he died in terror. The truth about a person is revealed in his death.

During the reign of the dictator, Idi Amin, secret police came to a Christian, and they threatened to kill him if he does not deny Christ. As five guns pointed at his head, he remembered his young wife with his only child, and he began to tremble and be troubled. Then he prayed to God for strength and answered the police courageously, "The Bible says that he who believes in Christ has already died, and that their life is now hid with Christ in God. My life is therefore no longer in danger, but yours is in great danger". The captain of those police was cut to the heart when he saw his courage and heard his words. He asked him to pray for them and all five of the secret police came to Christ.

Do you know His risen power in your life, keeping you from sin, or are you like a dead fish, flowing with the stream? If He is alive in you, it will be evident to your wife, children and colleagues at work. Test your life if it agrees with the testimony that the risen Christ lives in you.