{"id":30399,"date":"2017-02-17T19:21:42","date_gmt":"2017-02-17T19:21:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/myredemption.org\/redemption\/?page_id=30399"},"modified":"2017-02-17T19:21:42","modified_gmt":"2017-02-17T19:21:42","slug":"death-is-defeated-by-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/myredemption.org\/redemption\/death-is-defeated-by-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ\/","title":{"rendered":"Death is defeated by the resurrection of Jesus Christ"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Pastor<\/a><\/p>\n

Death is defeated by the resurrection of Jesus Christ <\/span><\/h2>\n

Text: \u201cBut Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, He is the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.\u201d I Co.15: 20<\/em><\/p>\n

Scripture: I Co. 15: 12-23<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/strong>. Our world is obsessed by the desire to live and prolonging life to the maximum. The industries that are promoting good health and longevity are earning multi billions yearly. Health club, new medicines, and natural products are promoting as ways of conquering death. However, the question of death veritably cries at people, screams at them, and no one can smother its screams, no medicines can gag its mouth. Neither, ancient or modern man cannot remove that curse on humanity. Jesus came not only to save man from sin, but to conquer death on our behalf.<\/p>\n

1.  Origin of death. Gen.2: 15-17<\/strong><\/p>\n

Man was created in the likeness of God with the possibility to live forever. He was placed in Eden with his wife to cultivate and enjoy the fruits of the Garden. God commanded them not to eat of the \u201ctree of the knowledge of good and evil.\u201d(Gen.2:17) They succumbed to temptation and ate the forbidden fruit. Their disobedience plunged them and the human race into a state of sin and eternal death. The Covenant made in Eden was terminated, because of their rebellion against God, resulting in spiritual and physical death. The sentence was pronounced on Adam and all his descendants. \u201cBy the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.\u201d(Gen.3: 19) The sin of Adam and Eve causes every human being not only to face death someday, but also to be born separated from God. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, reiterates the effect of Adam\u2019s sin on humanity. \u201cFor as in Adam all die.\u201d (I Co.15: 22a)<\/p>\n

2.  Christ, the only Sacrificial Lamb. Heb. 10:14<\/strong><\/p>\n

Throughout the Old Testament, the shedding of animal\u2019s blood on behalf of  sinners was necessary to satisfy the holiness and justice of God. The sacrifices of young bulls, goats, and lambs were always the ideal offerings for sins. That ritual was to be repeated many times in one\u2019s life journey. However, the yearly sacrifices were not able to clean once for all, or remove the guilt felt by sinners.<\/p>\n

The Epistle to the Hebrews presents Christ as the only sacrifice that will be accepted by God for the remission of sins. \u201cSacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them\u201d (although the law required them to be made). Then Jesus said, \u201cHere I am, I have come to do your will.\u201d Jesus sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.\u201d (Heb.10: 8-10) Any relationship or hope for eternity with God is possible only through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. God is completely satisfied with the work of Christ on Calvary. It is a perpetual sacrifice that doesn\u2019t need to be repeated. Through the work of the cross, the price for redemption is paid in full for every believer, past, present and future. The Lamb was perfect, and the requirement of a Holy God was met.<\/p>\n

3.  Importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I Co. 15: 1-8, 20-23 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Contrary to the sacrificial lambs or bulls of the Old Testament that were dead, Jesus Christ was dead, but resurrected three days later. The mission of atonement and continuous salvation to the present age would not be possible if Christ remained in the tomb. The intercessory work on behalf of Christians would not also be possible without the resurrection.<\/p>\n

If the cross is the unifying symbol of Christianity, the empty tomb is our assurance that we serve a risen Savior who is the world today.
\na.  The risen Christ assures us of the validity of the Christian faith. I Co.15: 14
\nb.  In the resurrection, the Christian finds assurance of forgiven sin. I Co.15:17
\nc.  The resurrection assures the Christian of immortality. I Co. 15: 20-23
\nd.  The resurrection provides motivation for Christian service. I Co.15: 58<\/p>\n

Conclusion.<\/strong>   One of the best documented facts of history is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some have rejected it because it does not fit into their philosophy. It remains, however, the final evidence and the ultimate proof that Christ is the only way to heaven. Skeptics and unbelievers can continue to deny the fact, but are silenced by the empty tomb. Since Christ rose from the dead, every person must repent and prepare to meet God through Him. We, as Christians, can all sing: \u201cBlessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of the Spirit, washed in His blood.<\/p>\n

All is made possible because of the resurrection!<\/p>\n

Pastor Hector Clerveaux<\/a><\/p>\n