1 Cor 15:54-58 / Victory in Jesus
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Introduction
Introduction
I grew up in a small town in Indiana. Like most towns in Indiana, we have a deep heritage in basketball. I played football. I remember the last game of my senior year. We hadad great season, but now we were in the first game of the post season hoping to advance. We were playing the inner city school, and it was a tough game. Deep in the 4th, we were tied, but we scord a fieldgoal (up by 3) Then the opposing team scored a touchdown. (down by 4) So with less then 2 minutes to play, I’m on the sideline, and it dones on me, that this could be it. AS the clock continues to run down, I’m besode myself. (Embarrassingly) I remember screaming for the coah to put me in at running back. Its not that the crew out there wasn’t doing a great job, but I could accept the idea of it all being over. At that point I wanted to do anything to get the vicotory and stay alive. Well the clock ran out, but we didn’t score. The game, the season, and my high school football days were over.
As with many high school sports, there are a lot of metephors about life. This, for me, has been a good one. For many people, as they come close to seeing the clock run out on ther own lives, they wil do most anything to buy some more time. And I suspect it for those who believe that believe that once the clock does run out, then lights simply turn off and that it, then this must be a really depressing thought.
But scripture tells a different story. Today is Easter, when Christians all over the world celebrate the knowledge that Jesus overcame death. That the tomb that once held his body, is now empty. This knowledge screams praised to the power and soverriegnty of God. And it also assures us that death is not the end. That was exactly the message that the apostle Paul shared with the church in Corinth. And the is our focus today.
54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power 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 brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
______ MINUTES
TRANSITION:Paul threw down some monumental truth in those few sentences. But he didn’t just drop it on them. Paul was notorious for building up his point. Before he made this one, he gave them (and us) a solid foundation to stand on.
Paul threw down some monumental truth in those few sentances.But he didn’t just drop it on them. Paul was notorious for building up his point. Before he made this one, he gave them (and us) a solid foundation to stand on.
So if you will stay with me, I’d like to try to build that same foundation befire we move on to these power proclimations. Lets go to to the beginning of Chapter 15.
I this chapter, Paul seems to answering a question that had arisen in the church about wheither or not there is life after death. (sound familiar) Paul answers that there is, but first he lets them know HOW CAAN WE BE SURE THAT THERE IS LIFE AFTER DEATH. Lets take a look.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
· Died, buried, raised on the 3rd day
· In accordance with scripture
5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
Jesus appears alive
o To Cephus (Peter)
To Cephus (Peter)
o Then to the 12 (apostle) all at once
Then to the 12 (apostle) all at once
o Then to over 500 brother AT ONE TIME
Then to over 500 brother AT ONE TIME
Then to James (half brother)
o Then to James (half brother)
o Then to Paul (most unlikely advocate)
Then to Paul (most unlikely advocate)
Verses 9-53 – Paul goes on to describe what the fact the risen Christ meant for our hope in life after death.
If God raised Jesus form the death, he and and will raise us as well
· Jesus didn’t have the same body in the next life and neither will we.
Jesus didn’t have the same body in the next life and neither will we.
So that the hope we have for the future (and it’s a wonderful hope) but then Paul goes on as if to day, “You guys are asking about life after death, we let me tell you, not only are you assured life after death through Jesus Christ, you are promised to victory over death because of Jesus!!!”
Objective:
Objective:
Everyone should claim the declaration of Victory.
o Everyone should claim the declairation of Victory.
Because has three proclamations
RATIONALE:
We proclaim that Jesus’ victory over death will be fully realized in the future.
We proclaim that Jesus’ victory over death will be fully realized in the future.
54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
v54-55
Swallowed up – fully consumed.
Talking about end of times (see verseS 51-52
· Talking about end of times (see verse 51-52)
51 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 imperishable, and we shall be changed.
COR15:51-52
Victory was obtained by Christ at his resurrection
Victory will be ELIMINATED (swallowed) by Christ in the end.
Just as Christ overcame death and ascended to the Father
Just as Christ overcame death and ascended to the Father
So shall we, who are in Christ.
So shall we, who are in Christ.
o So shall we, who are in Christ.
We proclaim that Jesus’ victory over death has already been conquered by Christ.
We proclaim that Jesus’ victory over death has already been conquered by Christ.
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 COR 15:56-57
We already touched on this above
o But now we can put some scripture behind it.
But now we can put some scripture behind it.
“The sting of death is sin”
Death came into creation with sin
Sin effects all of us
o Sin effects all of us
(therefore) death is UNAVOIDABLE
o (therefore) death is UNAVOIDABLE
The sting of death effects all of us!
§ The sting of death effects all of us!
“The power of sin is the law”
God establish a Law (right and wrong)
o But it also offers power to sin
But it also offers power to sin
No law no sin
§ No law no sin
That’s why some people want to believe there is no objective truth.
§ That’s why some people want to believe there is no objective truth.
If God left us in our sin… we would only face death.
BUT…
BUT…
“But thanks be to God, who gives us VICTORY through OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.”
o Who gives us VICTORY through OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
We proclaim that Jesus’ victory over death should give us unwavering faith today.
We proclaim that Jesus’ victory over death should give us unwavering faith today.
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
“THEREFORE”
– in light of EVERYTHING from Chapter 15 verse 1 to Chapter 15 verse 27 leads to what Paul about so say.
“Be Steadfast and immovable”
o Don’t let any person or any circumstance move you from yoru faith!!!!!
Don’t let any person or any circumstance move you from your faith!!!!!
You ever hear a Christian say, “Jesus is still resin and God is still on His throne”
o Ever hear a Christian say, “Jesus is still resin and God is still on His throne”
They are proclaiming their resolve that I WILL NOT BE MOVED
§ They are proclaiming their resolve that I WILL NOT BE MOVED
“Always abounding in the work of the Lord”
Abounding – overflowing
ALWAYS ABOUNDING
o ALWAYS ABOUNDING
In the work of the Lord!!!!
§ In the work of the Lord!!!!
“Knowing that IN THE LORD your labor is not in vain.”
We grapple with the question,
Is there something after this?
Paul is telling us, “
You should be amazed at the VICTORY you enjoy after this!”
So today...
If you are in Christ then live your life as one who is already victorious, but is simply awaiting your final prize of the victory.
If you are in Christ then live your life as one who is already victorious, but is simply awaiting your final prize of the victory.