Raising the dead

Behold, I was dead but now I am alive for ever and ever

'Don’t bother listening to this sermon. In fact there’s not much point in coming to church at all. Preaching, of course, is a waste of time, and so is believing. In fact you’d be better off going down the gym, doing some shopping, or having a lie-in this morning…….if the dead are not raised, if there is no resurrection from the dead'

This was how I began my Easter Day sermon in St James, echoing St Paul's sentiments in 1 Corinthians 15 where he says that without the resurrection, Christianity is a total waste of time.

But, says Paul, Christ has been raised and that has huge implications for us because Christ's resurrection is the first of many: 'each one will be raised in proper order: Christ, first of all; then, at the time of his coming, those who belong to him' (1 Corinthians 15.23).

And that's a truth worth celebrating with wonderful Easter hymns old and new, Scripture readings, prayers, Easter eggs for the kids, Holy Communion, and, to round it all off at the end, the Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah.

Alleuia! The Lord is risen