HE IS RISEN
Luke 24: 6A
‘’He is not here, but He is risen: ……’’{KJV}
Today I join millions all over the world to wish you a happy resurrection morning. We thank God for the finished work of Calvary which was evident by the fact that Jesus rose from the dead and is no longer in the grave. We thank God for Good Friday, which commemorates the fact that He died the shameful death on the cross to take away our sins so that we might be reconciled with the Father. He went through the harrowing experience of bearing the shame of the cross, the mocking, the jeering, the anguish and the pain of crucifixion so that He might once and for all pay the supreme price for you.
Beloved, all these would not be worth celebrating if Jesus died and stayed dead. That is why we can really thank God for the resurrection morning and shout with boldness ‘’He is Risen’’. No power of hell could stop Him, death could not hold Him and the grave could not hold Him bound. Jesus by His resurrection stripped the devil of all your possessions and gave you the victory. Let me emphasize the fact that the empty tomb is God’s grand signature that you have been set free from anything that the devil has to offer. He did it all just for you.
Don’t ever forget that when Jesus died, He not only paid the price for your sins, but He also freed you from the power that hold men down in destiny and gave you access into the class of royalty. He took from the devil all power and authority and restored it back to you so that you can function as one who is in charge. The scriptures in Ephesians 2:6, says ‘’…And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus. What that means is that the power which raised Jesus from the dead has also raised you up to function like Him. That same power is at work to lift you up above mediocrity, above lack, above shame and everything that afflicts men.
Child of God, until you begin to see yourself as royalty, you cannot attain to all that God has ordained for you. There are places and positions you shouldn’t be found in again, because Jesus has moved you up by His resurrection and He expects you to be at that level. If the power of hell could not hold Him down, no power can also stop you from rising, If He rose, you too will rise. I therefore call on you today to arise from the place of shame, defeat and hopelessness.
Let me also use this opportunity to thank God for this year’s edition of Family Week aptly themed: ‘Solid Foundation – Strong Family” which was a tremendous blessing. Truly, if there was any time we needed to ensure that we build the right foundations for our families, it is now. I encourage you to go and get all the tapes, and listen to the teachings again and again. Don’t just hear the word, begin to act on what you heard because it is the doer of the word that is blessed.
As you go into this week, it is my prayer that the resurrection power that can lift up a man from the grave and take him to the throne will touch every area of your life. I stand in faith with you that you will arrive at God’s ordained destiny for your life. Nothing will cut short your destiny. As a Father in the house, I bless you.
Maranatha!
In His Royal Service
Dr Mike Okonkwo
The Presiding Bishop
