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EASTER SUNDAY MESSAGE: THE POWER IN THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRISTPastor (Dr.) L.O. Oladele (TACN, ABUJA FCT AREA

Published

5 years ago

April 11, 2020

THE POWER IN THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

Text: John 11:25-26 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

Bible reference; Matthew 28:5-6 “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.”

INTRODUCTION: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a powerful event and the central belief of Christian doctrine. It is an event that occurred with power, it is an event that brought power and it is the event that gives assurance of eternal resurrection unto life for all those who believe in Jesus Christ and His resurrection power.

You will recall that, a great stone was put on the entrance of the tomb of Jesus when he was buried but the power that is above all powers raised Jesus from the grave; even the soldiers who were watching over the tomb could not stop His resurrection. Both the stone and the soldiers became nothing when Jesus Christ arose triumphantly.

The manner of His resurrection was physical and bodily. God raised Him up from the dead in human form (Luke 24:37-43). Jesus Christ Himself said, look at my hands, look at the marks of the nails, touch me, I have risen physically as I have said.

No Wonder TACN Redemption Hymnal 186 says..

Low in the grave He lay

Jesus My saviour!

Waiting the coming day

Jesus, my Lord

Chorus: Up from the grave He arose….

With a mighty triumph o’er His foes.

He arose, a Victor from the dark domain.

And He lives forever with His saints to reign.

He arose! He arose!

Hallelujah! Christ arose!

WHAT MADE THE POWERFUL RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST POSSIBLE?

1. He was raised by God the Father (Acts 2:24; Ephesians 1: 19-21).

2. He arose by His own power (John. 10:17-18) “Therefore, doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take again…”

3. He was made alive by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11; 1peter 3:18), “Put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit”.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ was done by the Trinity; God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost .

The declaration of Jesus Christ which is our text, “I am the resurrection and the life”, came at the period Jesus Christ was about to raise Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus had died for four days, buried and stinking, but Jesus Christ, when He came to Martha and Mary who were his friends, asked to know where he was buried. They said he was stinking already and Jesus Christ answered that if they believed, they would see the glory of God. Afterwards, at the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus cried out, “Come forth”; and the dead Lazarus came forth. He then said, “Loose him and let him go”. Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life. His power is the same today.

Dear readers, as you are alive today witnessing this Easter period, are you in one problem or the other? Do you think that it’s no more possible for you? The power of resurrection will make it possible. I declare, that the power of resurrection will come to your life and anything that is dead in your life will receive life in Jesus’ Name.

On the first day of the week after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, some women and His disciples went to visit the Sepulchre of Jesus, they never thought He would rise again, but were there in order to dress the corpse. Amazingly, when they got there, the Power that is above all powers had rolled away the stone with great earthquake. Our Saviour had risen, leaving only the empty tomb. What a powerful Saviour of no equal!

And the Angel asked, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He has risen as he said”. The sadness with which they came to the tomb turned to joy. As you are reading this message today, the sadness which you passing through in life, in this Easter period, is turning to joy now.

THE RESULTS OF THE POWER OF RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

1. The resurrection proves the Lordship of Jesus Christ and his deity as Lord and Saviour, as Christ, as son of God (Acts 2:22; Revelation 20:10)

2. Resurrection of Jesus Christ laid the solid foundation of our faith in the Almighty God (1Corinthians15:17). “If Christ be not raised, your faith is in vain, ye are in your sins” (1Peter1:3).

3. By the power of resurrection, Christ’s work as an advocate and intercessor is perfected (1John 2:2; Luke 22:3).

4. Jesus resurrection made our justification from the penalty of sin possible. (Romans 3 and 4:24).

5.Through the resurrection of the risen Christ, believers acquire power for life and to bear fruits (Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:3-4).

6. Holy Spirit’s baptism, gifts and fruits are received by believers upon the basis of Christ’s resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

7.The resurrection of Jesus guarantees our own resurrection (1Corinthians 15:55-57).

All these powers and privileges of resurrection can be yours if you key into the resurrection power of Jesus, be raised from your dead works and live a holy life.

APPLICATION

How are you celebrating this Easter? Thank God there is even a lockdown order from the government in effect throughout, if not, some may be going to parks with friends, cooking all kinds of meals, or going from one place to another all in the name of celebration forgetting the essence. The essence of Easter is to check your life, are you living the life of Jesus? Are you doing the will of God? Does the word of God have a place in you? Are you at peace with others? Are you living a life of righteousness and sacrifice as Jesus Christ did? Are you ready for His second coming? These are the essences of Easter period. It calls for rumination, self-examination, soberness and repentance.

CONCLUSION

All power in Heaven and on Earth has been given to our Lord Jesus Christ, as Jesus declared, in Matthew 28:18: power above Satan and his works, power above flesh and its lusts, power over the world and its entanglements, power over sins, power over all evil, power over the global Coronavirus pandemic, etc.

Let me tell you, why the resurrection power is needed in your life is that, we are in the end time and the coming of Jesus is at hand. The signs of the end time are complete, and are fully manifesting. Repent and believe in Jesus Christ, serve Him as your Lord and Saviour, obey God, be converted and regenerated, receive Holy Spirit of God and continue to live a life that proclaims the Name of Jesus.

Finally, go to the world and proclaim the good news and joy of resurrection, bringing this to bear in our service and in living sacrificial lives to Jesus Christ in words and in deeds.

Children of God, fear not, Jesus has risen; do not entertain any fear concerning Coronavirus or COVID-19 as it’s called. No fear over your problems anymore, you are alive because Jesus is alive.

Amen!

Happy Easter to you all.

PRAYER POINTS

1. I claim the power of resurrection of Jesus into my life from now henceforth in Jesus name.

2. I command, by the resurrection power of Jesus, let everything concerning me receive life, my family, my works, my situation, my body, receive life in Jesus Name.

3. By the power of resurrection of Jesus, nothing shall be impossible for me, I can do all things through the power of resurrection of Jesus.

4. Let the power of resurrection of Jesus destroy and consume the Pandemic, COVID-19 worldwide in the name of Jesus.

5. My Heaven is real, and I will make Heaven by the power of resurrection in Jesus name

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Childhood Cancer on the Rise

Published

4 days ago

February 18, 2025

The Gleamer

* Affects 40,000 children aged 0-19 annually* Their journey can be made easier – Survivor* Genetic issues exposure to harmful chemicals play significant roles – Prof Amodu* Increased diagnostic, treatment capabilities a plus for Nigeria – Prof

While cancer is not only debilitating but life threatening, sufferers also have to contend with stigma and emotional distress. However, this becomes more disheartening when children become involved, JULIET IBIMINA writes.

At just eight years old, Adekemi Oyewusi was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma, a disease she and her family had never even heard of.

The next two years of her life were marked by pain, isolation and an uphill battle against a disease that stole her childhood. “I longed to play with my siblings and peers, but my world was confined to the four walls of a hospital, where pain and solitude became my constant companions,” Oyewusi reminisced.

The chemotherapy treatments, administered through her spinal cord, were excruciating, causing nausea, fatigue and the devastating sight of her hair falling out which all left her feeling like a shadow of her former self; but against all odds, she survived.

Now, 25 years later, Oyewusi is not just a survivor, she is an advocate, amplifying the voices of children battling cancer and pushing for equitable healthcare policies, believing that while Nigerian children with cancer demonstrate incredible resilience, their journey could be made easier with more support.

“It is crucial for the government, healthcare providers, philanthropists, NGOs and society at large to recognise and address the unique needs of survivors. Comprehensive insurance plans, increased awareness of late effects, educational support and psychological counseling are all necessary,” she said.

She called for more pediatric oncology centres across the country, greater financial support for affected families and public awareness campaigns to educate communities on early detection.Ike Oyewusi, Shittu Adewumi also had an unsavoury experience, also echoing the struggles of many children fighting cancer in Nigeria.Diagnosed with lymphocytic leukemia at just six years old, his family believed they were witnessing the end of his young life.

“It was harrowing; he suffered immensely and the cost of treatment was unbearable,”his mother, Titilayo Adewumi recounted.”The government should support children fighting cancer because this is not something one family can handle alone; it is a huge financial burden.

“When you visit Federal Government hospitals, you see so many children battling cancer; they need urgent help,” Mrs Adewumi pleaded.According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 400,000 children and adolescents aged zero to 19 years develop cancer globally each year.

The organisation also said that unlike many adult cancers, most childhood cancers have no known cause and are not linked to lifestyle or environmental factors.In Nigeria, the exact prevalence of childhood cancer remains unclear due to poor data collection.

However, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Cancer Center houses the country’s first Childhood Population-Based Cancer Registry, which has recorded 237 cases in just over a year.Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, the President, Nigeria Cancer Society (NCS) and founder of the registry, warns that childhood cancer is indeed on the rise and needs urgent attention.

“For too long, the focus has been on breast, cervical and prostate cancers, while childhood cancer has been neglected,” he said.Dr Timipah West, a pediatric oncologist at Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, identifies some of the most prevalent childhood cancers in Nigeria to be Lymphomas such as Burkitt’s lymphoma, Neuroblastoma a cancer of the adrenal glands and Nephroblastoma known as kidney cancer.Others are Retinoblastoma (eye cancer affecting the retina), Rhabdomyosarcoma (cancer of the muscle tissue) and acute leukemias (blood cancer affecting white blood cells).West said that while the causes remained largely unknown, potential risk factors of childhood cancer included genetic predispositions, exposure to chemicals, certain infections and environmental changes.

Speaking to reasons why childhood cancer was now on the increase in Nigeria, she said it was due to a lot of factors.She identified an increase in diagnostic capabilities and availability of more treatment facilities and more awareness among the populace about childhood cancers based on increased advocacy as some of the reasons.The oncologist also added that environmental factors including climate change that lead to genetic changes as also a contributing factor.

“The Nigerian Society of Pediatric Oncology (NISPO) working with NCS and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare play huge roles in creating awareness on childhood cancer.

“This advocacy is very important because some people in the general public think that only adults can have cancers.

”She noted that preventive measures could be employed before the cancer develops, listing early detection and commencement of treatment to prevent complications and death.According to her, genetic studies can be done for those at risk of developing certain cancers so they are identified at the very early stages.

She added that those with conditions that predisposes them to certain cancers such as down syndrome and leukaemias should be followed up closely and treatment commenced as soon as possible.

“Also, adequate diet, environmental protection against climate change and chemicals and drug exposure are very important.”The introduction of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination that can prevent future development of cervical cancer is also very important.

“Treatment options available include chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. The most commonly available in Nigeria are chemotherapy and surgery.

”West emphasised that childhood cancer was treatable when detected early with available treatment options in Nigeria including chemotherapy, surgery for tumor removal, radiotherapy and immunotherapy which was still emerging.

On his part, Benjamin Amodu, a professor of phytomedicine from the Triune Biblical University, USA, said parents have a great role to play in both prevention and management of childhood cancers.

“You see, because many of these children do not yet know what is actually happening and can’t take care of themselves, the parents must be very observant to detect it early since early detection increases the chances of survival.

“Also, pregnant mothers must be very careful of what they consume, be they medications, hard drugs and even cosmetics, as the exposure to harmful chemicals either as a fetus or early childhood have been found to increase the risk factors for cancer, chronic kidney disease, and other chronic diseases in children.

“Annually, on February 15, the International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is commemorated as a global campaign to create awareness about childhood cancer and support for the patients, survivors and their families.

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