Death Conquered

Grosses risen in the news.

The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. First Corinthians 15. If you have a Bible, I ask you to open that this is a great chapter is a long chapter and were not going to get all of the verses going to look at quite a number of verses in this great chapter on the resurrection. First Corinthians chapter 15 apostle Paul is writing he was once a skeptic.

In fact, he was once a persecutor of the church and then on the road to Damascus.

He had a living encounter with Jesus Christ, which totally changed his life.

Now he is writing first Corinthians 15 verse three he says I delivered to you as of first importance. Paul is got a lot to say erase many letters of New Testament but notice he says this is of first importance. I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures we deflected another Good Friday Christ died for our sins and according to in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was voted and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the 12. Then he appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. The gospel of Jesus Christ. This letter we call first Corinthians begins with Paul saying that when he came to Corinth, he had one message and he delivered it in great fear and trembling, and his message was this Christ crucified, and now in the end of the later is continues to emphasize the gospel by emphasizing the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, because without the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is no gospel this is that the very heart of the gospel that if you believe that Jesus Christ is the sinless son of God, but on the cross he died for your sins that he was buried, and that on the third day he rose again and is alive and if you receive this Jesus Christ God incarnate. If you receive this Jesus Christ personally into your life as your Savior of your sins and as your Lord. The Bible says that you will be saved that when were saved by the grace of God. A medical takes place because this is something supernatural is not farming our behavior. This is not intellectually embracing some kind of theological dogma know it is receiving the person the living person of Jesus Christ. And when that happens, and converts the very life of God comes into our soul that is the promise of the gospel that you receive eternal life, and that this life is not just something that you and patted when you die, but rather this life is received. Now, that's why we were singing Jesus Christ is our hope is alive now and in that wonderful all of life then is forever changed.

If the claims of the gospel is true, it is true that Jesus Christ is alive, which is fundamental claim of the Christian faith. But he is God.

And if that is true and that we in this miracle of conversion. We are sinful man and woman who are strangers to God that we repent of our sin and we receive Christ life is forever changed and we have the assurance that if we are truly saved that when we die we shall live for ever with the Lord Jesus Christ. Because Christ is risen. Paul is going to say later in first Corinthians 15 that dad is swallowed up in victory. But you don't think of victory and death in the same sentence. Do you think of death as it defeats something sad or something tragic and then in one sense it is. But from the Christian perspective because Christ has conquered that Paul can say that that is swallowed up in victory of call this message day conquered over this last year of the other other work that had been forced to think about it a lot about the resurrection thought a lot about heaven as followers of Jesus Christ, we do not deny that there are many people, perhaps the majority of people who live life on the going to live forever after foolishness to deny you on what Tyler that many people like that.

They, in the sense denied that there are many people who fear that that after all is the greatest fear that could happen to die so many people live in fear of that but for the follower of Christ.

We don't deny that we don't fear that. But we can look.

Death is a word in the face and face the reality of the uses that to John. This is true because over the years, my years as a pastor I sat with people.

Followers of Christ are terminally ill.

Some of them of knowing the bullet we could to to live a few days, some a few months and this is her testimony. Over and over again. I do not fear dad because I know Christ's my Savior as my Lord, I have this hope in life and in death than for the Christian is not the end but even the beginning of the end it is the beginning of our eternal life with Christ that was pulsating in this wonderful chapter in that first config 1512 using first of all that Christ has conquered by bodily rising from the dead. I emphasize that word bodily because it is important by the argument that follows another one of the main points I want to make this morning that Jesus Christ has conquered that by bodily rising from the dead, that is the resurrection of Jesus is bodily resurrection that are the liberal theologians was indwelling of the spirit of Christ as their the divine essence is somewhere there are teaching the New Testament teaching of the New Testament is that Jesus Christ bodily rose from the dead and Christianity.

This is Paul's argument here Christianity stands or falls with the historical fact of the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. On the third day. Think of this the one that was nailed to the cross, crucified put to death by the Roman executioners, who knew how to kill a man. Absolutely he was dead. Question about it on the third day by an act of the power of Almighty God, our Lord Jesus Christ rose bodily from the dead. Paul is saying that historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ is overwhelming to Ms. MT the body of Christ is gone. Not only did neither the Jews nor the Romans ever produces body. Paul is saying that Jesus appeared to many people.

After his resurrection, you've got witness after witness after witness saying we've seen the risen Christ. These disciples were so fearful when Christ was arrested and try and put on the cross so fearful now after the resurrection.

After they have seen Jesus Christ there totally transform their full of courage there full of joy. Why because they had seen the risen Christ, and they knew what did they do.

They went right to the very streets of Jerusalem. Write that down time Jerusalem and what did they preach and what did they say that Jesus Christ is the one you put on the cross is risen from the dead. The book of acts tells us that the time the world upside down small group of people man and woman merely churches persecuted without other homes to lose their jobs that imprisoned them to be turned those that stop the gospel, absolutely not, is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes they believed that Jesus Christ conquered that when human and conquered. I'm sure there's many accomplished people here some wealthy people here some people who are extraordinary strongly want going to the gym every day and they got these bulging muscles. I like to hide mine for obvious reasons.

Think of health seems a strong like Superman getting one of them can defeat the Lincoln conquered death. The answer is absolutely no you know that is that because over all of humanity, irrespective whether your mind male or female, black or white when they come from China, Mongolia or Brazil or Argentina makes absolutely different. No difference. Scripture says there's no difference between animus all all sins and come short of the glory of God.

Every single one of us has messed up every single one of us to come here just with a few questions I could demonstrate that you like me or fallen person. The wages of sin is death with every law is a penalty. That's true regardless feeling there is a penalty in the law you break the law is a penalty we break God's law is a penalty and the penalty is that the wages of sin is that you will never ever defeat that will come to you. Perhaps today, perhaps in 50 years. I don't know but you know death is no respecter of person that comes a people of all ages, sometimes slowly sometimes and the mother of second God story is told number years ago 70 parts of Internet was Scottish woman went to the local newspaper office to publish the obituary of a recently deceased husband and just the cost we Scots are you choose of being frugal people, totally untrue, but for the sake of the of of the story except that in just the cost and the editor said will Mrs. McTavish is the cost of a dollar per word.

She said well then, let the obituary states Angus McTavish direct acyclic. He says there's a minimum of seven works. Who is this woman to reflect the just says okay let's read Angus McTavish diet golf clubs for sale that is pretty good but is it as I saw that there is a profound truth that whether your Angus McTavish or John though he'll die and whether your golf clubs are not every single thing you have delete line you may be the wealthiest person in the Carolinas you leave it all behind.

The Bible says you come in naked you going naked babies born to the, then nothing. Zero when you put in that casket. What you have zero you leave it all behind and then sometimes as greedy relatives just waiting for that's the reality is, but here is the uniqueness of the brilliance of the Christian faith on the cross, our Lord Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sin was granted and on the third day he rose from the dead, demonstrating that he has conquered – yes conquered day he's alive were singing about it bodily guys bodily risen from the dead, though all of a sudden naturally afraid of death blazoned. It's terrible to review for the death of a loved one is is frightful is in the public for followers of Jesus Christ. We can look at that – which appears to be so ugly and realize that our Lord Jesus Christ has conquered the enemy he's gone. Today he's gone into the battlefield.

He's defeated the forces of darkness of sin and of Satan himself, and he proclaims as he says to his disciples, because I live, you shall live also. And here is our only hope that you and the other you know any other way you can conquered death. I don't know any other way I know is a sinful man I desire eternal judgment, but my Lord Jesus Christ has come into this world to save sinners because I place my trust in Jesus Christ and in Christ the Lord, and I am delay dependent upon him. I have no other standing no other way of getting right with God but Christ and Christ alone and because of that I can face that Jesus says the wonderful verse John eight verse 51.

Truly, truly, I say to you of anyone keeps my word he will never see that is a will. God said, will die. Jesus mean then this is if we keep his word. We will never see that, but that's another saying of Jesus will help you this one John 11 Jesus says I the resurrection and the life of theirs by hope he's anticipating his resurrection is bodily resurrection. I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will he die, yet shall he live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. That is, while we may go through dad, but death has been defeated. So in that sense we never die because we will live forever. The only difference is the great preacher someday you'll read in the newspapers that would be is that believe a word of it at that moment I shall be more alive than I am now that has been conquered and Moody understood this when he understood that he was united with Christ in life and in the I get this Paul's argument here is this because Christ conquered dad. His followers will conquer that that is Christ bodily resurrection is the guarantee of his followers bodily resurrection.

If Christ was not bodily raised from the dead, and there's not conquered. Dad there is no resurrection for his followers resurrection is totally dependent upon his verse 16. First Corinthians 15 verse 16 follow the argument of the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. If there is no resurrection.

Even Christ wasn't raised and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you're still in your sins.

Then, also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If, in Christ we have hope in this life. On the way we are of all people, most to be pitied. You had to put that argument together than the restraint of the feet of Gamaliel is making a wonderful argument sing this if Christ wasn't raised from the goal of Christianity falls and you will not be raised from the dead, with verse 20 blocks. In fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep, fallen asleep, a euphemism for dad but eyes by a man came dad who was that man Adam by a man.

Christ has come, also the resurrection of the dead foot, as in Adam all die, will send will die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Wonderful because Christ has been raised from the dead.

We have the absolute assurance that those who die trusting in Christ will also be bodily resurrection posits that firstfruits of Christ's resurrection is signifying that there's going to be an abundance abundance list. I don't know how many followers of Christ died must be millions upon millions of millions over the years. The basis of my home.

Then I will be raised from the dead is that my Savior Jesus Christ was dead and is alive is a hug as I work Christ bodily resurrection provides the power for the bodily resurrection of his followers, his resurrection, and resurrection farm on unbreakable union.

One of Paul's favorite expressions. For the Christian, I love it is that we are in Christ saw that Christ is then we we saw her standing in all of him no, something also the gospel is that Christ embraces us and we embrace. This is a love relationship that I am in Christ and he is in the and that's an unbreakable bond and there is no force in the universe, including that which can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus in the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that will raise the bodies of these followers who have died verse 51. For this I tell you, brothers, verse 50. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God you by yourself will never ever get into the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable, bold I tell you a mystery.

We shall not all sleep. That means will not all die but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will signs on the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed for this perishable body must put on the imperishable willingness and this mortal body must put on immortality.

When the perishable foods on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written that is swallowed up in victory that followed supernatural power.

Resurrection power victory over Satan and the powers of darkness and death itself. What a way to live to please that yes and to live eternally for choose about the bodily resurrection of authentic followers of Jesus number one we shall all be changed, just read that verse 51. We shall all be changedfollow.

Not every follower of Jesus Christ will die as a John, you contradict yourself again is is an exception. Not every follower of Jesus will die.

Why is that because one day we don't know where we believe very soon. The Lord Jesus Christ is returning and when he returns some marvelous things are going to happen. The dead in Christ. That is, believers who have died. They will be raise first the bodies up bodily resurrection is similar thought when believers died, went to be with the Lord to do the body, spirit goes to be with the Lord absent from the body at home with the Lord.

That's true, but as followers of Jesus Christ when one of a loved one dies. We take great care of the body. After all, is given by God.

God is giving your body was molded and shaped your mother's womb as you've grown that body with great love is not laid in the grave. When the Lord Jesus Christ comes those who have died in Christ will be raise first of all over the brothers and sisters at Calvary who been laid to rest at McNulty Gardens symmetry just a few yards away. I do know how many are buried there every follower of Jesus Christ. Then I'm buried anywhere will be raise first was in Jesus came today, we who are alive, we who are followers of Christ to followers, not because you come to church on Easter Sunday but true followers of Christ will because up and will be forever with the Lord and will be changed.

The Lord Jesus Christ who is alive is coming back and when that happens every single one of us will be change the dead in Christ will be James. We would alive will be changed will be transformed.

Number one, number two resurrected bodies will have a continuity with her present bodies. Christ this is wonderful of resurrected bodies will have a continuity with present bodies. It should be changed as a continuity with the present bodies in the resurrection. There is a continuity of identity, Moses and Elijah the mind of Transfiguration as they confirm as they conferred with Jesus were still known as Moses and Elijah. Just as SC is transformed into appliance. So our mortal bodies will be transformed into mortal bodies. Verse 35 first Corinthians 1535 but someone will ask some of us here were the dead raise with what kind of body do they, are you asking that you know that's a foolish question. I was a pretty good question Paul says in verse 36 you foolish person. What you should know better what you so follow this what you sow does not come to life unless it dies you're finding something. See was in the ground and dies what you sow does not come to life unless it dies, and what you sow is not the body that is to be of course not.

But the band Cardinal perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as he is chosen, and to each kind of seed it's all one body is taking the knowledge of from nature you plan to see before that seed grows it dies and begins to grow into appliance and there is a continuity between the seed that is growing in the plan and the fruit that comes incidentally when believers die we don't become angels peoples.

I don't know where the idea came from become angels since become something better than angels were sons of God were part of the family of God's will in the resurrection. There's a change, but there's a continuity and I lived in Scotland later a garment and we do a lot of things I would raise with potatoes being the basic diet for the house hundreds boys teenagers. There's always potatoes and I still love potatoes. I came to the US member going out for the stake or bring her stake and it came in. There's no potatoes, I'm so soon as this are turning all his money and I don't get potatoes as a basic diet so would run potatoes within the very easily in Scotland. The moisture had you go potatoes you take seed potatoes seed potatoes ugly nasty looking things and I put them in the grant fertilizer. We just leave them there. What happens was a little plant we can succumb to the cabbage plant is not accounted plan is not a chiller plant is a potato plant and from that plan becomes beautiful new wonderful you plant the seed and you get the potato transformation. Yes, from an ugly seed potato to beautiful potato that we can put on their plates and the transformation continued. So this with us here is someone racked with disease body wraps illness for a few months to be changed, but the individuality of that person is going to continue utilizing were told in every seven years. There's a complete change of cells in our bodies with a real loser in the other individual identity and you can take up you can undergo all of the kiss medic surgery you can afford. You can wear awake, which I refuse to do so. You can use Botox, you can have antioxidant creams and all the rest of it and I must say any of these things are wrong.

Don't feel I'm judging you just a little bit but I'm not really judging but I tell you this you will and you can't stop the aging process counts conduit your changing your individuality continues years ago good and I went over in the UK and an event some of my friends and relatives were there. Some of them we hadn't seen for 30 or 40 years is quite a shock is when you look well, I said to give you a million. I'm in the years have not been kind of, you realize they're looking at you and say wall what happened to John Monroe and say yeah is me. I would do a little different course. Our wives look even better is the agent of the man yes well if it's true with you. So glad they sent me to with my wife have to say that but the fact is we change age changes us were still the same individual looked at one man I had stage when I was a student doing law he was studying architect. We stayed in the Sennheiser that for a couple years changed I changed looked at each other and sees others in students but we recognize each other were still the same person rendered resurrected were not going to be resurrected as pure spirits. Christ was bodily raise from the dead and Paul is saying that I resurrected bodies are going to be supernatural.

This will be a transformation where going to be free from sin no longer perishable but imperishable, no aging, no disease, no decay noted that, but we will retain all of the time a day out, individuality no longer dishonorable but not glorious. No longer weak but not as strong no longer natural but nice footage of what the transformation perfect spiritual bodies. Think of another analogy in nature. There's an ugly caterpillar that ugly things on the metamorphosis make this little conclusion is an ugly looking thing is well and active. The ugliness of that cocoon comes a beautiful butterfly submit accountant a picture of what could happen to pass a change. Dramatic change of seven natural change and to perfect spiritual bodies, but still retaining our own individuality for all of his last one I resurrected bodies will be like Christ body is called Philippians 3 verse 24. Our citizenship is in heaven looking to and from its wheel way to save your the Lord Jesus Christ. Moses repulses number 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself as part of in the Christian life. We use the word sanctification is what matters.

It meant when we are saved by the grace of God we call it justification, our sins are forgiven God's verdict on the says that we are justified or not. If we die will go right to be with the Lord we are justified but now as we live a Christian life with in the process of sanctification. Sanctification is becoming more and more like Jesus. It's a beautiful thing is when someone who says that a Christian we received over the years that the becoming more and more like Christ.

More loving the dictate tongue that they had gone once it would've any greedy person. Neither the generous was happens the work of the Spirit of God were becoming more and more like Christ was a well to become like Christ.

No, we don't.

We know that we know that ourselves. Only there were still capable of sin were still capable of ugly thoughts and end, and the unkind deeds, but there is going to be a day when we are perfectly like Jesus Christ is incredible what thoughts were sons of God were in the family of God's and visit so I shall be like his thigh, son. Yes, it is that one day you and I were born again by the spirit of God will be perfectly like Jesus Christ transform but then I'm an anxious way.

Still retaining out individuality with all of eternity is in good grades got gracious. Not only does he save us. The doctors in Terry's family. But one day we call it our glorification will be perfectly like Jesus Christ's message on well what's what's the response I have three responses one be eternal in your thinking your heading for eternity to rethink about it… Times that to do that that you are not ready to meet caught in your living as if you were here whatever he wants in a moment, job size and by the wealthy.

He says, in a moment to go down to the grave for the real wealthy with poor. That's the reality. The wise person considers their dad faces her dad and cries out to Christ was the only one who has conquered dad to save me so that when dad comes for me as it will I need fear is a belong to Christ, that safe and I'm safe for all of eternity, eternal life, no role of the future eternal in your thinking first.

Secondly, be steadfast in your serving as artifact. In fact I Paul finishes this chapter, chapter 15 of first Corinthians is there is therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain that we were following Christ sometimes get tired.

We want to give it up and Paula say no. Think of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, be steadfast, immovable, always a binding in the Lord is much work to be done is serving the Lord your future determines our present priorities first be eternal in your thinking.

Secondly, be steadfast in your serving third the authentic in your believing applicants with your I love that some of you only, on the seven Christmas week, we welcome you plead with you. Make sure you Christ that you're not just paying lip service to Jesus Christ that you truly need know him that you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

And he'll save you, and he'll give you eternal life because God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have ever lasting life believe in the Lord Jesus Christ today. Now and you'll have eternal life.

We buy with me.

Make your response eternal in your thinking steadfast in your serving authentic in your believing I'm speaking particularly to those of you who know yet surrendered to Christ not yet saved it as a prayer which comes from your heart. You can use not just words but coming from your heart. We pray with me, Lord Jesus, admit that I've sinned against God gone my own way I turn from my sin come from my self-centeredness.

Thank you for dying on the cross for me paying the penalty of all of my sins, I believe that you, the son of God, the rose bodily from the dead believe your life: you to save cost you as my Savior and open the door of my heart, Lord Jesus cleanse me, save me, help me to live for you