By Pastor Segun Doherty

Bible Passage: Matthew 28:4-7; John 11:25-26 “And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” – Matthew 28:5-6

The entire world celebrates our risen Lord on Easter Sunday every year. When he died on Calvary cross and completed the entire sacrifice for us who believe so that we can avoid condemnation and judgement on the last day; He said 'it is finished'. The bible recorded that the bones of the crucified were usually broken according to tradition but the amazing thing was that Jesus' bones were never broken. While Hell was rejoicing, the Son of God went down into the grave and collected the key Adam legally handed over to Satan and then brought it back on the third day when He rose again. Your God isn't dead, our God isn't dead! He is the ever living God.

Why did Christ go to the grave?

1. To seize the power of death and hell (1 Corinthians 15:55);
2. To add value to our lives. So that God's grace and strength can flow into our lives;
3. To prevent us from living a stinking (dark) life;
4. To make us a blessed people (Ephesians 1:3);
5. To make us partakers of the covenant of promise;
6. To make us have all things including the life and glory of God (2 Peter 1:3);
7. To give us a life of abundance (John 10:10);
8. To bear our grief and sorrow (Isaiah 53:4-5).

Living an unholy life can be likened to crucifying Jesus the second time. Don't let His death and resurrection be in vain over your life. Don't nail Christ to the cross again!

Examples of people who lived a life of surrender and sacrifice

1. Abraham (Genesis 22)
2. King Solomon (1 Kings 3)
3. David who refused to take from Araunah that which will cost him nothing.

How often should we give sacrifice?

1. When you desire a change of level
2. When you want God to intervene in your financial capacity
3. When there's economic meltdown
4. When there's a sign of a curse in life, business or family
5. When there's a threat of premature death.

As much as there are acceptable sacrifices, there are also unacceptable sacrifices.

What are they?

1. Every polluted and corrupt seed (Mal 1:7; Ex 35:5)
2. Accursed things
3. Something that you have alternative for
4. Anything that can be easily replaced.

Benefits of Sacrifice (Genesis 22:13-15)

1. It opens your eyes to see what others don't see.
2. It brings your miracles to you
3. It brings divine intervention
4. It makes God count you faithful
5. It brings generational blessings
6. It pleases God and makes him proud of you
7. It makes you enjoy durable wealth
8. It transfers the wealth of the heathen to you.

On a final note, a seed not sown has no future and is in harvest denial. Always remember that you don't suffer what you offer (John 13:17).