Pastor Lazarus Muoka

Text: Luke 24:5-6 (KJV) “And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee.”

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest event in human history. It is the foundation of our faith, the assurance of our hope, and the power behind our salvation. Without the resurrection, the gospel would be incomplete, our faith would be empty, and our hope would be in vain. Thank God, Jesus did not remain in the grave—He is risen!

The risen Christ is not just a historical truth; He is a present reality. He is alive today, and His resurrection power is still transforming lives, saving souls, and giving hope to the hopeless. This message is not merely to inform you, but to bring you into a living encounter with the risen Saviour.

When Jesus died on the cross, many thought it was over. His disciples were scattered, their hopes shattered, and their faith shaken. The One they believed to be the Messiah had been crucified. But what looked like defeat was actually the greatest victory. For on the third day, the stone was rolled away, and death could not hold Him captive.

Matthew 28:6 (KJV) says: “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” This is the message of the gospel—He is risen, just as He promised. Jesus had foretold His death and resurrection, and He fulfilled His word exactly. This proves that He is not just a man; He is the Son of God, faithful and true.

The resurrection of Christ is the confirmation of His identity. Romans 1:4 (KJV) declares: “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” The empty tomb is heaven’s declaration that Jesus is Lord. No other religious leader has conquered death. Many have lived, many have died, but only Jesus rose again.

The risen Christ brings assurance of salvation. When Jesus died, He paid the price for our sins. But when He rose, He conquered sin, death, and the grave. 1 Corinthians 15:17 (KJV) says: “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” His resurrection proves that the sacrifice was accepted, and redemption is complete.

Because He lives, forgiveness is available. Because He lives, your past can be erased. Because He lives, you can start anew. The blood that was shed on the cross still speaks mercy today, and the risen Christ offers life to all who will come to Him.

The resurrection is also the source of our hope. In a world filled with pain, suffering and uncertainty, the risen Christ gives us a living hope. 1 Peter 1:3 (KJV) says: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

This hope is not based on circumstances; it is anchored in the living Saviour. Situations may change, people may fail, but Jesus remains the same. He is alive forevermore, and because He lives, your tomorrow is secure.

The risen Christ also brings transformation. When a person encounters Jesus, their life cannot remain the same. The disciples who once hid in fear became bold witnesses after they encountered the risen Lord. Peter, who denied Jesus, later stood and preached with power, leading thousands to salvation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) says: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” This is the power of the resurrection—it changes lives. Addictions are broken, hearts are healed, and destinies are restored.

Saul, who persecuted the church, encountered the risen Christ on the road to Damascus and became Paul, a great apostle. Mary Magdalene, once bound, became a witness of the resurrection. This same power is available today. No matter how broken you are, no matter how far you have gone, the risen Christ can transform you.

The resurrection also gives us victory over fear. Death is the greatest fear of humanity, but Jesus has conquered it. Hebrews 2:14-15 (KJV) says:“That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

Because Jesus rose, death is no longer the end. For the believer, it is a transition into eternal life. John 11:25 (KJV) says: “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” This is the assurance we have in Christ.

But the question remains: have you encountered the risen Christ?

It is possible to hear about Him and yet not know Him. It is possible to celebrate Easter and yet remain spiritually dead. The resurrection is not just an event to remember; it is a truth to experience.

In Luke 24, when Jesus rose, many did not recognise Him at first. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus walked with Him, yet their eyes were holden. It was only when He revealed Himself that they knew Him. Today, many are walking in ignorance, unaware that Jesus is alive and present.

Revelation 3:20 (KJV) says: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” The risen Christ is knocking at the door of your heart. He is not forcing His way in; He is waiting for your response.

Salvation is not automatic; it requires a decision. You must repent of your sins and believe in the risen Christ. Romans 10:9 (KJV) says: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Notice that salvation is tied to believing in the resurrection. It is not enough to believe that Jesus existed; you must believe that He died for your sins and rose again for your justification.

The risen Christ calls you today. He calls you out of sin into righteousness, out of darkness into light, out of death into life. He calls you to a new beginning.

Acts 3:19 (KJV) says: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” There is refreshing in Christ. There is peace in Christ. There is life in Christ.

Do not harden your heart. Do not delay. Tomorrow is not promised. Today is the day of salvation.

The stone has been rolled away—not just from the tomb, but from every barrier between you and God. The way is open. The invitation is clear.
Come to the risen Christ.

COME with your burdens, your guilt and your shame. Come with your brokenness and your fears. He is alive to save, alive to heal, alive to restore.

Hebrews 7:25 (KJV) says: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” He is not a dead Saviour; He is a living intercessor.

In closing, the message of the risen Christ is a message of victory, hope, and salvation.

The grave is empty, the Saviour is alive, and the invitation is open.

Will you respond? Will you believe? Will you surrender your life to Him?

The risen Christ is calling you today. Do not walk away unchanged. Let His resurrection power bring you into newness of life.

John 20:29 (KJV) says: “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

Be among the blessed. Believe in the risen Christ, and receive the gift of eternal life.

He is risen. He is alive. And, He is waiting for you!

Testimony Of The Lord’s Doing
Salvation, Healing Granted After Pastor’s Prayer
BROTHER Miracle was full of joy as he mounted the testimony podium to give his testimony. He resides at Yaba, Lagos, and was invited to The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries by his Madam.

According to him, he has been wallowing in sin; smoking, drinking, selling illicit drugs and doing all sorts of evil things. But on that fateful day that he came to the church, he listened to the message of the G.O., and at the end, he had no other option than to give his life to Christ.

Having received Christ into his life, Brother Miracle was ready for God’s visitation. So, as the G.O. began to pray, he mentioned our brother’s case, who had a fractured leg, and commanded that those with cases of fracture to rise and walk.

Immediately, Brother Miracle, who has been nursing an injury in his leg for over 17 years, suddenly stood and began to walk normally, a feat he could not achieve before.

Today, our brother is very happy for what God has done for him. Before coming to the Lord’s Chosen, someone had directed him to a place where he was charged N60,000 to treat his leg, but the God of Chosen healed him without collecting a dime. Praise the Lord!

Brother Miracle, who is so happy, prayed for our G.O., his family and all Chosen members Worldwide, to make heaven at last in Jesus’ name… Amen!