Today is the most important day in the Christian calendar - Resurrection Day. He is risen, He is risen indeed. Today Christians celebrate the day that Christ was victor over death and the grave. When they came to visit His tomb that morning they found it empty. They shouldn't have been surprised because He himself proclaimed that He was the resurrection and the life. And because He overcame these dreaded foes, we too can now have eternal life, victory over sin and death and have hope for tomorrow. That is the truth and message that makes Christianity different than any other religion. If Christ hadn't died and risen from the dead He would be nothing more than another interesting man who roamed the earth for a few years trying to teach good moral ideas. But He was the Word, He was with God, and He was God. And He left all the riches and glory of heaven to come to earth and give His life as a sacrifice for our sins. And He is risen. The great hymn writer, Charles Wesley, experienced this new life which only Christ can give and a year after his conversion, in 1739, he penned these powerful words. They were actually written for the inaugural service at the Foundry Meeting House, London's first Wesleyan chapel. Charles Wesley has often been called the "Bard of Methodism." His prominence in hymn writing may be judged from the fact that in the "Wesleyan Hymn Book," 623 of the 770 hymns were written by him; and he published more than thirty poetical works, written either by himself alone, or in conjunction with his brother. The number of his separate hymns is at least five thousand. Wesley's hymn, Christ the Lord is Risen Today, apparently originally had eight verses and three more were added in the 14th century by an unknown author. However, over the years some of the words have been rearranged and today most hymnbooks contain the four familiar verses shown here. As you celebrate this special day today, sing and meditate upon the powerful words and truth of Wesley's great hymn.
(1) Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
(2) Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Dying once He all doth save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
(3) Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
(4) Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
To help you celebrate this special day and message, I've included several choices for you to listen to. You can choose from the following.
(2) A presentation at Coral Ridge LISTEN 2
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