The United Kingdom Easter retreat concluded in God's grace on April 21 with a message about Jesus' resurrection from John 20.
Olivet Assembly UK representative Pastor Andrew delivered the sermon, summarized below, at the Europe Olivet Center in East Sussex.
Jesus died for the sins of mankind and was raised on the third day, then he appeared to his disciples. However, they did not recognize the resurrected Lord immediately. They remained in sorrow after Jesus' death. Later, when they understood the resurrection of the Lord, their hearts were full of joy.
Jesus is with the believers all the time. However when one is confined in a sorrowful circumstance, He cannot be recognized and His resurrection cannot be seen. Jesus did not run away when pain and death came. He faced it directly, bearing the punishment for all sins. After that, He resurrected.
When following Jesus to walk the path of faith, the cross has to be carried. Though denying oneself and emptying out is painful, believers must know the resurrection comes after the cross. The joy of resurrection is what God wants to give. He hopes they will move forward, faster with faith, witnessing the cross and resurrection with a new life in the Lord.
Participants in the service testified, that God poured down abundant grace, revealing His loving and humble heart towards them once more. In the cross, the full image of the loving Father can be seen through the Son.
Let us pray to accept His love and sacrifice completely, walking the same path Jesus did.
