From Resurrection to Repentance

After the past two weeks where we have seemingly observed Ascension and Pentecost for a second time this year, this Sunday we’ll experience a second Easter! Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 emphasizes the physical reality of Jesus’ resurrection and His victory over death, as do many of the elements in this morning’s service. We’ll be reminded that Jesus called Himself “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25) and that He died, was buried, and rose from the grave (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). We’ll sing psalms in which God promises to “raise [us] from the grave” (Hear Me, All You People—Psalm 49) and to keep our flesh secure (Preserve Me, Lord, In Time Of Need—Psalm 16), along with classic Easter hymns that celebrate Christ’s resurrection (Christ The Lord Is Risen Today) and His defeat of the “reign of death” (Christ Jesus Lay In Death’s Strong Bands). We’ll use words inspired by the Heidelberg Catechism (Christ Our Hope In Life And Death) to declare “Christ, He Lives!” and that sin and death will ultimately be destroyed. The service concludes with a message of comfort (I Know That My Redeemer Lives): because of Jesus’ resurrection, we can rest assured that the dead will live again and that the lost will one day be found. —Henry C. Haffner