[reposted from 2009]
Below is the final section – probably the best known portion – of St. John Chrysostom’s Easter sermon. May the Lord fill us with joy as we remember these truths and may the Lord help us live in the victory of His conquest over sin and hell. In Christ’s resurrection we are freed from the slavery to sin and liberated to truly live in His abundant life, to become who He created us to be. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Art Credit: Christ’s Descent among the Dead
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Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!
***
Listen: The Victor (Keith Green, No Compromise, 1978 ) iTunes link
Or you can watch a live 1978 performance of the song by Keith Green here.
some of the lyrics:
Swallowed into earth’s dark womb
Death has triumphed, That’s what they say
But try to hold Him in the tomb
The Son of Life rose on the third day
Just look
The gates of hell
They’re falling!
Crumbling from the inside out
He’s bursting through
The walls with laughter (Hah!)
Listen to the Angels shout
It is finished
He has done it
Life conquered death
Jesus Christ
Has won it!
His plan of battle
You know it fooled them all
They led Him off to prison to die
But as He entered Hades hall
He broke those hellish chains with a cry
Just listen to those demons screaming
See Him bruise the serpent’s head
The prisoners of Hell
He’s redeeming (Oh!)
All the power of death is dead
