2017 Easter Message for Anglican Diocese of the Trinity (ADOTT), The Cathedral Deanery

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:v3-4

Hallelujah, Christ is risen
He is risen indeed, Hallelujah.

Beloved, on this Easter day, my wife and I greet you with the heavenly greetings. Our hearts are full of praise and thanksgiving to God on your behalf because between last year Easter Sunday and today, we have not recorded any death or sorrowful events instead, we have recorder new births, promotion, healing and good health, deliverance and divine growth for all our churches.

As we ponder on what God did for us in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, let us all make sure we are in the Lord and that we always remember why Jesus died in the first place. The reason why we are all in the church is because we believe in one form or the other, in the efficacy of the crucifixion. That is the message Paul mentions that he received and has passed on to others.

Therefore, as the Archdeacon of this Deanery, we urge you to always make this Easter message to be real to us daily in the following ways:

1. To believe that Christ died
Jesus Christ died for our sins, to cleanse us and bring us the forgiveness of God. 1 Corinthians 15:3. By this, our sins have been cleansed eternally.

2. To believe that Jesus resurrected on the third day
The resurrection happened to ensure our victory. The resurrection lets us know that we too can rise from death unto life and that the shackles of sin over our lives are broken forever. When Jesus rose, He mentioned that “all power in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28: 18). Apostle Paul tells us that the entirety of our belief is on this fact because if he didn’t rise, our faith will be in vain. (1 Corinthians 15: 14).

On the above two truths, our faith lies. Once we get this settled, Paul then enjoins us to pass the message on to others (1 Corinthians 15:3) in our conduct, words and thoughts. This is very important. What we enjoy, others must enjoy too. In other words, the risen Christ must be manifested in us.

Finally, on this Easter day, on behalf of our Bishop and Mama ADOTT, we wish you a glorious Easter and pray that your faith will never fail.

May God be with you all.

In the Lord’s vineyard,
The Ven Dr Gbenga and Mrs. Bukola Akinbola
Archdeacon, Cathedral Deanery