He is Risen!

Speaker: Pastor Shantel Seevaratnam
Date: April 20, 2025

Please Note: This sermon transcript was generated automatically and may contain occasional errors or odd phrasing due to the transcription process.

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Introduction: Living an Empowered Life Because He is Risen

This morning, as we think about the fact that he is risen, I want us to think about some of the reasons why we have hope and we should really think about the way that we are living our lives because he is risen. So this morning, we’re going to go through five words. R-I-S-E-N. Risen to remind us why we as Christians should be living an empowered life because he is risen. Amen.

You know, Jesus lived a blameless and perfect life. He endured an excruciatingly painful and humiliating death and he rose again. And he didn’t endure all of that just so that we can have a comfortable life. He didn’t endure all that just so that I can have my home, my car, some savings in my bank account going on vacation once in a while. He didn’t do all that just so that we can be comfortable. He did it because he purchased us with his precious blood so that we can go forth and tell others the good news of what he did for us.

So this morning, I want us to remember that each and every one of you, if you have called Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord, if you have said, “I surrender my will and my heart to your lordship, King Jesus,” and you have accepted him as your Savior, then you, when you accepted him, you also accepted the resurrection power that he provides through salvation. What is resurrection power? That is the resurrection power that took Jesus who was mutilated, beaten beyond recognition, his body torn and pierced and crushed, completely restored and raised him from the dead. That’s the power of the resurrection.

R – Remember

So this morning, I want to remind us that when it comes to he is risen, R, the first thing we must do is remember. Remember what he has done for us. Remember the sacrifice he made.

Remember His Sacrifice

In Luke 22 verse 19, this is one of the passages that we quote every Sunday. Jesus is telling his disciples at the Last Supper, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this, this Last Supper. Do this in remembrance of me. Remember what I have done. Remember what I am going to do. Remember the sacrifices I have made. Remember the price I paid. Remember it.”

Why We Must Remember

When Moses was instructing the children of Israel, all the time he said, “Remember. Remember the Lord God who brought you out of Egypt. Remember the God who split the Red Sea. Remember him who fed you manna. Remember the miracles he performed on your behalf. Remember.” Why are we told to remember?
Because as human beings, we forget. When troubles and tribulations come, we make our challenges bigger and we forget the time that the Lord healed us, restored us, delivered us, comforted us, intervened on our behalf. But we are reminded, remember. Make it a point to remember. Recite it. Write it down. So many times we are overcome by discouragement and fear and anxiety because we do not remember how he delivered us in the past. I’m guilty of it too. We think, “Oh no. Is he going to deliver us again?” But we’re called to remember. Just like every Sunday we take communion, it is to remind us, “Remember what he has done for us. If he would die on the cross for us, endure all that pain, shame, take on our sickness. Won’t he take care of us in the days of the head? Let us remember.”

I – Increase

The other thing we’re called to remember because of his resurrection power, that our heavenly Father has created us for increase.

Created for Increase

We are not supposed to be a small people with the small thinking and small hopes and small dreams, but that God created us to be people of increase. In 3 Peter chapter 3 verse 18 it says, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.”
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. That calls us to increase.

Growing in All Aspects

Sometimes when we think of increase, we’re thinking only when it comes to prosperity. Well, we want our Lord to prosper us financially, but beyond that we’re supposed to grow in Christ-likeness.
Beyond that we’re supposed to grow in character. Beyond that we’re supposed to grow in love and compassion and generosity and the fruits of the Spirit. We are called to increase.
We are called to increase. If you can reflect on where you are at last Resurrection Sunday,
can you say you’ve grown in Christ-likeness? Can we say we’ve increased in peace? We’ve increased in joy? We’ve increased in hope? Can we say we’ve increased in compassion and generosity? We are called to increase, not just our wallets, not just our possessions, not just favor, not just promotion, but increase in every aspect of our life, because we’re called to go from glory to glory to glory.

S – Salvation

Don’t forget that because of resurrection power, we have been saved. Salvation is available to each and every one of us.

Salvation in Jesus Alone

And in Acts 4 12, we’re told salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we can be saved. No other name. We cannot find salvation in any other name than Jesus. We can’t find salvation in economy. We can’t find salvation in our skills, our talent, our job, our connections. The only place we can find salvation is in Jesus Christ.

The Meaning of “Sozo” – Complete Healing

And that word salvation means sozo, which means complete and total healing. Complete and total healing. Healing in mind, body, spirit, soul, every area. Complete and total healing. Salvation is found in no one else, but in the name of Jesus. So remember, if you claim that Jesus Christ is your Lord, you have been saved, completely saved, not just from eternal damnation, but completely saved in your physical body, in your soul, in your mind, your thinking, every part of you is saved. Amen.

E – Expectancy

When it comes to the E, we are challenged to remember to have hope and live in expectancy.

God Can Do Exceedingly Abundantly More

Ephesians 3 20 through 21 says, “God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly,
above anything we can ask or think.” God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above anything we can ask or think. Can you imagine? I have an amazing imagination. And yet the Lord says that he can do exceedingly, abundantly, above what even I can imagine. I think you have an amazing imagination, but he can do exceedingly, abundantly, above that which we think. That is the power of the Lord we serve.

Jesus, the Anchor of Our Hope

So when it comes to the Christian life, we are not supposed to be downcast or overcome by worry. We should be full of expectation, knowing that Jesus is the anchor of our hope. Why do we need Jesus to be the anchor of our hope? Because the winds of life come, the storms of life come, we endure trials and tribulations, we go through difficult things, we have to deal with disappointments, we have to deal with challenging circumstances, sometimes prayers not being answered. And yet in the midst of all that, we can hold steadfast in expectancy, knowing that Jesus has not only paid the price, but he will be the anchor of my hope no matter what I’m going through. That at the end of the day, like Pastor Ruben shared, all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord.

Expect God to Work

And we see that time and time again, even in the Old Testament, what different people had to go through. And maybe in that moment, they thought, why? Why am I going through this? I’ve done nothing wrong. And yet,
the Lord turned every terrible situation around for his good and for his glory. So this morning,
may you be reminded because of the resurrection power of Christ Jesus, that you can expect the Lord to turn those dark days into bright days,
those terrible situations into situations that glisten with his hope and life.
Maybe you’ve gone through some challenges and you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Even if you can’t see it, know you can expect that your God, Christ Jesus, Christ Jesus is working behind the scenes to make it possible for you.
Sometimes we go through hard things. Life is difficult. But in spite of all that, we can expect that we have a loving and gracious heavenly Father that takes us through the valley of the shadow of death. And even in the midst of those hardships, we can say, I will fear no evil, for I know you are with me. Amen. Expect. Our hope in him is powerful.

N – Not Just for Us: Living for Others

And lastly,
most importantly, the resurrection power of Christ Jesus is not just for us. It’s not just for myself.

Like a Tree Planted by Water

I want to read a passage from Psalm 1. It said, “Blessed is the man who walks in the council. Blessed is the man who walks not in the council of the ungodly, nor stands in the passive sinners, nor sits in the seat of scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord. And in his law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.” As people of the Lord, as Christ followers, we are like trees planted by the rivers of water. And we bring forth fruit in the right season. Why do we bring forth fruit?
Does a tree eat its own fruit? Pastor Ruben has said this many times, “A tree never eats its own fruit. The fruit is for others.”

Our Cup Runneth Over to Bless Others

If I have reduced my Christian walk, where it’s just about me, what I can get, my prayers being answered, me getting what I want, I am not living the full Christian life. If we are Christ followers, we have to know that it’s not just about us. You remember the story of the feeding of the 5,000. Why did Jesus do that miracle? Not just to give his disciples lunch, but to feed the crowds that were hungry, that needed something to eat. You and me, we are called to live a life full of resurrection power, not just for our own safety, security, and pleasure, but so that those around us can be blessed. David said, “My cup runneth over.” Why? Why does our cup runneth over? We know that through scripture, our heavenly Father is not wasteful. If there is an excess, there’s a reason. Why does our cup overflow? It’s not so that we can just say, “I’m so blessed that I can be wasteful.” We are to be blessed so that we can pour into somebody else’s life, so that we can water somebody else, so that we can feed somebody else, so that we can nurture, comfort, disciple, guide, encourage, pray for, intercede on behalf of somebody else.

Called to Be the Light

If we do not live a life that is consciously directed towards being a blessing to others, are we really showing Christ’s likeness in this world? Jesus did not die just so that I can be content. He died that I can be blessed so that I can be a blessing to you and to others, because we are called to be the light of the world. If we don’t tell others about Christ, who will? If Christ’s followers won’t tell others about Christ, who will tell them? If we don’t show the resurrection power of Jesus Christ in this world today, who will show this power? That is our call. So may this Easter, as we celebrate, as we are so joyous to be called Christ’s followers, to be considered, our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Let it not end there. Make sure you’re bringing others with you.
Right? I can’t bring any of my possessions to heaven, but I do hope that I’ve made impact in the lives of many that maybe will make a decision to follow Christ as well. Amen. Amen. Thank you.

The Transformed Life: Our Greatest Witness

You know, someone said you can’t drag a horse to water, but you can make him thirsty.
Right? And that’s why I believe we’re called to be the salt of the earth, because salt makes people thirsty. And being the light is to show the way. And as you’ve heard this morning, you know, the greatest witness we can give to the resurrection life of Christ is a transformed life.
That’s the greatest evidence.

Relationship with God Changes Us

And, you know, because this is a power relationship,
relationship changes us. And we’re human beings, the wrong relationship may change us for the worse, but good relationships impact positively. How much more when we’re related, when we become sons and daughters of our father. And so when we become born again, we receive the spirit, our sonship and adoption. You can say, “Abba, Father.”

Freedom from Fear, Trusting God’s Timing

We are set free from every and any spirit of fear. Jesus said, “We have not been given a spirit of fear, but a power, love and a sound mind.” So whatever area of need you have this morning, whether it’s a physical need, a relational need, financial need, say, “God, you know, while waiting, you can wait with expectancy, because we have a God of hope.” And when we pray, it’s either, “Yes, no, or not yet.”
And God knows the perfect timing, you know. And one of the greatest signs of trust is the willingness to wait on His perfect timing. And trust Him. So

R-I-S-E-N Recap

how many of you remember what each letter stands for? R-I-S-E and, yes,

R – Remember

R is to remember.
Okay, remember. Remember, the end. Remember, increase.
Remember, this is so important, because remembering leads to gratitude.
All right, without, unless we forget what God has done, we become ungrateful. We become entitled.
Never take anything for granted. We don’t deserve anything. It’s all by God’s grace. Because all you have to do is look at people going through a lot worse than we are, and we think, thank God, many times I say, “God, bless the road-treeper. Bless the garbage collector.” We didn’t choose the parents we were born to. We didn’t choose the family we were born to. We didn’t choose the city, the nation, the time of history we were born in. So we’re thankful for His grace upon our lives.

I – Increase

Increase. Not just material increase, but increase of His peace, increase of trust, increase of love, increase of patience, kindness, increase of His character in our lives.
Wrong way, yes.

S – Salvation

Salvation, not just, you know, being becoming a Christian, but salvation from fears, salvation from hopelessness to despair. As you heard this morning, salvation is being saved in every area, being made whole, healed, delivered, preserved, protected.

E – Expectation

Expectation, don’t lose hope, because Jesus conquered death. Stay hope-filled and
live not just for yourself, but for others. There’s an old song, if you’re old enough, you remember an old song that goes, you know, “You’re all so cool, you think the world is playing around you.” No. We’re not the center of the universe, right? Jesus is the center of our universe. And I just want to just, I forgot something, and the expectation, a reminder that the statement, “Our expectation is God’s invitation.” Because expectation is another word for faith.
Belief, belief, belief. What feeds our faith? Remembering our testimonies.

N – Not Just for Yourself

And say, “Lord, help me be a blessing to those around me.” So not just for ourselves, and not just for our immediate family, but those outside the house, right? It begins at home, but it’s got to go up. And that’s how we glorify the Lord.

Closing Prayer and Blessing

So let’s stand together as we close the service and pray for the food. Let’s just do that again. He is risen, and he is risen. Okay, so I’m going to say he’s risen, and you reply, “He’s risen indeed.” He is risen.
He is risen indeed. Yes, Jesus, we just thank you, Lord, that you are the resurrection and the life. We thank you for paying the price for our sin, that the punishment and chastisement for our peace, for our wholeness was upon you, and that by your stripes and wounds we have been healed. And so we thank you, Lord Jesus, for the crown of thorns you bore for your nail-pears, hands and feet, for the side of your side that was pierced, the 39 tribes on your back. We thank you, Jesus, for the pain and suffering you took for us, Lord, that we are empowered to deny ourselves to take up our cross and to follow you. And so forgive us for the times when we stood on our own right, when we walked in pride, when we reacted in the flesh and failed to be a good testimony witness of you, Lord. So, Father, grant us the grace to be the light when we are challenged with darkness, Lord, not to react to darkness but to shine in the darkness, not to be offended, overcome by darkness, but to reveal you, Lord Jesus, even as you did in the face of persecution, in the face of unbelief, you remain the light, Lord Jesus. So we just thank you that you are the resurrection and the life, and we just receive forgiveness through faith. We receive healing. We pray, Father, that even as we fellowship this morning, this afternoon, Lord, that you bless the food we are about to eat, bless this time of fellowship, and we thank you, Jesus, for being a parcel of a lamb. We thank you, Lord, Jesus, for health and strength and shalom. Father, may you bless us and keep us. May you make your face shine upon us and be gracious to us. May you lift up your countenance upon us and give us peace. May the love of the Father, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and always. And everyone said, Amen and Amen. Bless you. Enjoy your makan and fellowship. Don’t be in the rush.

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