WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025

The Unshakable Foundation of the Christian Faith

MESSAGE: THE RESURRECTED AND GLORIFIED SERVANT

The central pillar of the Christian faith is not a set of moral teachings or a philosophical framework, but a historical event: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without the resurrection, Christianity is just another religion with a dead founder. The Apostle Paul himself declared in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” The resurrection proves that Jesus is who He claimed to be, and it is the ultimate assurance of our own future hope.

This message, based on Peter’s sermon in Acts 2, explores how the resurrection of Jesus is not just a past event, but a living, present reality that gives every believer an unshakable hope, a fearless witness, and a promise of future glory.

1. The Flaw of False Resurrection Claims

The blog post opens with the cautionary tale of a Zambian pastor, James Sakala, who, in a misguided attempt to mimic Jesus, was buried alive and failed to resurrect on the third day. His story, and others like it, serve as a grim reminder of a foundational truth: resurrection is not a human possibility. It is a divine act.

Jesus’s Resurrection is Unique: The resurrection of Jesus is distinct from any other “resurrection” in the Bible. Lazarus, the son of the widow of Nain, and others were all revived to live mortal lives, and they all eventually died again. Jesus, however, was resurrected to a new kind of life—a glorified, eternal, and incorruptible body. His tomb is empty, a fact that has been verified throughout history. The claims of people like James Sakala are not only tragically misguided but they ultimately highlight the uniqueness and irrefutable reality of Christ’s triumph over death.

2. The Prophecy of David: A Look into the Future

Text: Acts 2:25-31 (NIV)

On the day of Pentecost, as the Holy Spirit descended with fire and sound, the Apostle Peter stood up to address the astonished crowd. His sermon was rooted in the scriptures they already knew—the Psalms of David. Peter masterfully explained that what they were witnessing was the fulfillment of ancient prophecy. He quoted from Psalm 16, a psalm by David, which says:

Acts 2:27: “you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay.”

Peter’s argument was simple yet powerful. He confidently declared that David could not have been speaking about himself, because David died and his tomb was still there for everyone to see. Peter, a fisherman, now filled with the Holy Spirit, showed a profound understanding of scripture. He linked David’s prophetic words directly to Jesus, the Messiah. David, being a prophet, had been given a glimpse of the future resurrection of Christ.

The Hope of the Messiah: David, in his prophetic vision, saw that the Messiah’s body would not see decay. This was a clear sign that the one to come would conquer death completely. This revelation gave David and all who understood it a joyful hope, for they knew that God would “not abandon” His holy one. Peter’s sermon solidified the truth that Jesus was not just a prophet or a good teacher; He was the promised Messiah, the Holy One of God, who conquered death and rose again.

3. The Glorification of the Servant: Hope for the Believer

The resurrection is not merely a historical event; it is the foundation upon which our own hope is built. It affirms that death is not the end for the believer.

A New Hope: The resurrection of Jesus is the “firstfruits” of all who will believe in Him. It assures us that our bodies, too, will be resurrected and glorified. As Romans 8:11 says, “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

A Promise of Due Reward: The resurrected Christ is now a glorified servant, seated at the right hand of the Father. He is preparing a place for us (John 14:2-3). This promise should be a motivation for every believer to remain a committed servant of God, because we know that our labor is not in vain. Our faithful service will be rewarded in due time, when we receive our due reward in a glorified body, living with Him for all eternity.

Conclusion

The Christian faith is unique because it is centered on a living, resurrected Savior. The empty tomb is not a symbol of defeat but the ultimate evidence of victory. Jesus Christ, the Resurrected and Glorified Servant, has conquered sin and death, and in doing so, He has secured our own future hope. As believers, we must never doubt the reality of the resurrection, but instead, allow this truth to fuel our worship, inspire our witness, and sustain our faith in every season. Let us live with a confident assurance that because He lives, we, too, will live and reign with Him forever.

Perceive

Christ’s resurrection and glorification give hope to believers.

Ponder

Do you doubt the resurrection and glorification of believers in Christ?

Practise

As you go out today, share the message of Christ’s resurrection with someone.

Prayer

Lord, help me to remain faithful until I experience the resurrection and glorification of the saints.

PRAYER FOR MINISTERS

Lord, keep us from secret and presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over us.

Please also pray for these ordained ministers and members of their churches: Simon Fasoro (Ogbomoso), Oluwabusuyi O.J. (Idoani), Anthony U. James (Port-Harcourt), Michael O. Oyelaran (Plateau), Olagoke O.T. (Kaduna), Racheal Okediran (Ogbomoso), Stephen A. Oladeji (Ogbomoso), Ajayi Micheal A. (Ibereko), Gbade Akinwunmi (Canada).