Title: This is Love – Overcoming Death
Theme: To show that we don’t have to fear death.
Text: Hebrews 2:14 – 15
Opening Scripture
Hebrews 2:14-15 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, (15) and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
1 Corinthians 15:51-58 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- (52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53) For this corruptible (perishing) must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." (55) "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" (56) The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
So last week we opened up an exploration of the power of the resurrection. Last week we learned that the resurrection means forgiveness of sins. Jesus whom died on the cross as a penalty for sin was risen from the dead as an affirmation that forgiveness is true.
The concept of sin has to be dealt with. There is wage for sin.
Resurrection and the Easter season also brings up brings up another well known fact of life that no one wants to talk about. That is death. Death is usually listed as #1 or #2 as people greatest fears.
Hebrews 2:14-15 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, (15) and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Why is death so fearful?
The mystery of death – There just seems to be so much we don’t know.
The uncertainty of death – direction
Heaven or Hell
Heaven is a place prepared for God’s people.
Hell is a place prepared for those who are not God’s people. (designed for those who do not want to be with God)
The finality of death
Yet, The resurrection is the greatest answer to the problem of death.
But some Christians in Corinth weren’t sure. They wondered if all of this was really necessary to believe. Couldn’t they just say that Jesus was a good teacher and was still here spiritually? Why did it matter if He had actually been raised from the dead?
These questions brought out some of Paul’s clearest teaching on the resurrection. I want us to take a closer look at what he said. I’ll make three big observations from it.
“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits (some would say Jesus was not the first to be risen from the dead, they refer to Lazarus. Yet everyone else who had risen was to die again.) of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:20-26 (ESV)
The last part of that verse: The last enemy to be destroyed is death. Brings us to our next point. Because of the resurrection of Christ death has been defeated.
Paul is saying at least three things to us.
The first is this: Resurrection is the defeat of death.
Because of the Resurrection Jesus conquers death
Hebrews 2:14-15 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, (15) and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Destroy from Strongs
- Original: ?ata??e´? - Transliteration: Katargeo - Phonetic: kat-arg-eh'-o
- Definition:
1. to render idle, unemployed, inactivate, inoperative
a. to cause a person or thing to have no further efficiency b. to deprive of force, influence, power
2. to cause to cease, put an end to, do away with, annul, abolish
a. to cease, to pass away, be done away b. to be severed from, separated from, discharged from, loosed from any one c. to terminate all intercourse with one
These questions brought out some of Paul’s clearest teaching on the resurrection. I want us to take a closer look at what he said. I’ll make three big observations from it.
What does that mean for Us? Death is no longer a mystery
1 Corinthians 15:51-58 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- (52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53) For this corruptible (perishing) must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." (55) "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" (56) The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Death has no power
The resurrection means victory over death.
The resurrection means we no longer have to fear death.
The resurrection is the answer to the unknown.
I have heard people say over and over. We just don’t know. We can’t be sure. We don’t know anyone who has died.
We do know. We know Jesus.
John 14:1-4 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. (2) In My Father's house are many mansions; [80] if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (4) And where I go you know, and the way you know."
Death is Abolished
Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken.
Revelation 20:14-15 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (15) And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
So by the time Paul is writing to the Corinthians, he can say to them that he is simply last in a long line of witnesses to the resurrection:
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (ESV)
Death is God’s New /beginning When all Possibilities have ended
This is the second thing we can note from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians about the meaning and significance of the resurrection: Resurrection is God’s new beginning when all possibilities have ended.
Resurrection is not resuscitation—like what Lazarus may have experienced. Resurrection is not hallucination. Resurrection is not a spiritualization of the afterlife. Resurrection is what only God can bring about when all other possibilities are gone.
Do you need resurrection in your own life?
What things are dead, what possibilities have ended, where has the story gone off the rails?
Maybe you don’t want to think about those places or areas in your life because, really, what’s the point? How could you possibly change the story anyway? It’s over, right?
Resurrection is a gift!
Well, that leads me to the last thing about resurrection that we learn from Paul: Resurrection is a gift!
Paul wrote, “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22, ESV).
But you know what? Resurrection life can begin in you today. Right now.
Paul, after writing to the Corinthians about the significance and meaning of the resurrection, wrote this to the Christians in Rome:
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11 (ESV)
The Holy Spirit, who with the Father raised Jesus from the dead, is bringing new life to you. The same love that did not abandon Jesus to the grave will not let you go. He loves you with a love that is stronger than death.
Paul finishes out the chapter—Romans 8—with this powerful assurance:
Key Closing
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 (ESV)
Because Jesus took on death and let it exhaust its power on Him . . .
Because the Father in His love raised Jesus up from the grave, vindicating His faithfulness and demonstrating His belovedness . . .
Now for all who are in Jesus, nothing—nothing, not even death—can separate you from Q love of God. This is love.
Let’s pray.
Gracious God, you have loved us with an everlasting love. You sent your Son to earth because you love us. Jesus, you laid down your life, willingly. You are one with the Father. His love and your love are one. In your death on the cross, we see this love. And in your resurrection we see the Father’s love that would not let you go. Jesus, we say “Yes” to you today. We want to let you love us. We want to be in Christ so that the Holy Spirit can be in us. Come now, Holy Spirit. Bring your resurrection life in us. Make our hearts that were dead in sin alive again. Stir us with new power to obey you and to love you. Send us into the world with this life. Fill us with the hope that one day we will know this resurrection life in fullness. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Hebrews 2:14-15 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.
Final Challenge
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
The Concept of Death is Answered in the Resurrection, God Raised Jesus from the dead
Here are a few ways the New Testament says it:
Peter said in Acts 5, “The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God has exalted Jesus to his right side as leader and savior so that he could enable Israel to change its heart and life and to find forgiveness for sins” (Acts 5:30-31, CEB).
Paul expanded on this in Acts 13: “We proclaim to you the good news. What God promised to our ancestors, he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. . . . God raised Jesus from the dead, never again to be subjected to death’s decay. Therefore, God said, I will give to you the holy and firm promises I made to David. In another place it is said, You will not let your holy one experience death’s decay. David served God’s purpose in his own generation, then he died and was buried with his ancestors. He experienced death’s decay, but the one whom God has raised up didn’t experience death’s decay.’” (Acts 13:32-37, CEB).
Paul would develop this even further in his letters to the churches he started or was trying to encourage. He understood that the resurrection of Jesus is not just good news for Jesus; it’s good news for the world!
