The Day Death Died

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:45Death is a fact. People die suddenly, instantaneously, and in strange ways. But as believers, we have hope in Jesus Christ, who beat death and rose from the grave. 1 Corinthians 15 gives a picture of the day death died.This chapter first explains the sovereign majesty of our Redeemer.“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22).In Scripture, Jesus is referred to as the second Adam; He is also called “the first fruits” (1 Corinthians 15:23). When He comes again, we will have a harvest. When Jesus Christ rose from the grave, He became the death of death; He sealed the deed.Second, this passage describes the sacred mystery of the rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).The Rapture is a sacred secret—no human wit, wisdom or scientific investigation could ever reveal it; only divine revelation. One day, the living saints will be brought up into Heaven, and the dead saints will be raised from the grave.When Adam sinned against God, he died immediately in his spirit, progressively in his soul, and ultimately in his body. When the Lord redeems us, we are justified immediately in the spirit, sanctified progressively in the soul, and glorified ultimately in the body. We don’t know when the rapture will take place; we only know that we live in a world that is ripe for it.Finally, this passage shows the steadfast ministry of the redeemed.“...then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. ‘O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?’” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55).Because Jesus is alive, we have victory and must walk in that victory by serving Christ.Adrian Rogers says, “Jesus has been the death of death, so He takes the pain out of parting, the gloom out of the grave. He takes the strength out of sin and the sting out of death.”Apply it to your life1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “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.”Until Jesus comes again, we should work to further His kingdom with stability, fervency, and expectancy. Be steadfast, immovable, and abound in the work of the Lord.