THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST AS THE FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIAN FAITH, SAYS PASTOR HENDRIK LERRICK

Jayapura, May 4, 2025 — In his Easter Sunday sermon delivered to the congregation, Pastor Hendrik Lerrick, S.Th emphasized that the resurrection of Christ is the core and foundation of the entire Christian faith. Referring to Philippians 3:10–14, Pastor Hendrik urged the congregation not only to know Christ superficially but to pursue a deeper understanding of the power of His resurrection.

“The resurrection of Christ is not just a historical event. It is the foundation of our faith. Without the resurrection, our belief is in vain,” Pastor Hendrik stated in his sermon, which was also broadcast on YouTube.

He stressed that the work of Christ's salvation — from His birth, death, resurrection, ascension into heaven, to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit — is a continuous, inseparable process. All of these serve as a tangible testament to God's love for His people.

In his message, Pastor Hendrik quoted the Apostle Paul's cry: “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection.” This serves as a reminder for Christians not to settle for surface-level faith but to delve deeper into the knowledge of the person of Jesus Christ, even in His suffering and on His cross.

THREE KEY POINTS: RESURRECTION, POWER, AND HOPE

In his impassioned sermon, Pastor Hendrik outlined three important meanings of Christ's resurrection:

  1. Christ's Resurrection Proves That God's Word is True
    The promise of Jesus that He would rise on the third day was fulfilled precisely. This shows the truthfulness and accuracy of God's Word, which can be relied upon in any situation.

  2. Jesus is the Ruler of the Eternal Kingdom of God
    Based on Romans 1:4 and Matthew 28:18, the risen Jesus is not just a historical figure but the King who reigns over heaven and earth. Therefore, Christians need not seek any other savior besides Christ.

  3. Christ's Resurrection is the Guarantee of Our Resurrection
    “If Christ is raised, then we who believe in Him will also be raised,” Pastor Hendrik affirmed. This is the foundation of hope for believers in the face of death.

A WARNING TO CHRISTIANS

Pastor Hendrik also warned against a faith that is merely formal. Many Christians know Jesus only on the surface and do not pursue an intimate knowledge of Him. “If we settle at the beginning, Christ will no longer be compelling to us. But Paul pursued Him until the end,” he stressed.

He also addressed the practices of syncretism and belief in supernatural objects still held by some Christians. “If we still keep keris, stones, or charms, it will destroy our lives and our families,” he said in a part of the sermon that touched the hearts of the congregation.

BECOMING WITNESSES OF THE RESURRECTION

Furthermore, Pastor Hendrik noted that the resurrection of Christ also serves as the foundation for the church and its ministry. Without the resurrection, there would be no reason to preach the Gospel. The church exists because Christ lives. Therefore, Christians are called to be living witnesses — demonstrating the power of the resurrection through transformed lives, service, and love for others.

“Let us continue to know Him, pursue the power of His resurrection, share in His suffering, and become like Him,” Pastor Hendrik concluded with hope.

The sermon concluded with the celebration of the Holy Communion, reminding the congregation of Christ's sacrifice and the promise of eternal life for those who believe.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-FTSdWwplU