AS WE FACE MORTALITY, WE SEE MANY DARK HOURS.

AS WE FACE MORTALITY, WE SEE MANY DARK HOURS.Who among us hasn’t been heartbroken over a death?

IN SCRIPTURE, MANY KNEW THE HEARTACHE OF DEATH.

“She fell at his feet, saying to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” (Jn 11:32-33, ESV).

“She fell at his feet, saying to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” (Jn 11:32-33, ESV).Mary cries, “If only.”

“She fell at his feet, saying to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” (Jn 11:32-33, ESV).Mary cries, “If only.”

Have more piercing words ever been spoken about death?

“She fell at his feet, saying to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” (Jn 11:32-33, ESV).Mary cries, “If only.”

Have more piercing words ever been spoken about death?

Mary: “Jesus, you could have healed my brother. Why weren’t you here to do so?”

“She fell at his feet, saying to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” (Jn 11:32-33, ESV).Mary was so overcome with grief, that

even the Creator of Life is overcome.

“She fell at his feet, saying to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” (Jn 11:32-33, ESV).Mary was so overcome with grief, that

even the Creator of Life is overcome. “Jesus wept” (Jn 11:35, ESV).

“She fell at his feet, saying to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” (Jn 11:32-33, ESV).Mary was so overcome with grief, that

even the Creator of Life is overcome. “Jesus wept” (Jn 11:35, ESV). Better translation:

“Jesus began to weep.”

“She fell at his feet, saying to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” (Jn 11:32-33, ESV).Mary was so overcome with grief, that

even the Creator of Life is overcome. “Jesus wept” (Jn 11:35, ESV). Jesus weeps because of the sorrow he sees.

SURELY, HE HURTS WHEN HE SEES OUR HEARTACHE OVER DEATH!

Jesus faced heartache as his own death approached.

Jesus faced heartache as his own death approached.“My soul is very sorrowful, even to death;

remain here, and watch with me” (Mt 26:38, ESV).

Jesus faced heartache as his own death approached.“My soul is very sorrowful, even to death;

remain here, and watch with me” (Mt 26:38, ESV).

“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (Mt 26:39, ESV).

Jesus faced heartache as his own death approached.“My soul is very sorrowful, even to death;

remain here, and watch with me” (Mt 26:38, ESV).

“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (Mt 26:39, ESV).

“‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Mt 27:46, ESV).

THREE DAYS LATER, JESUS FLASHED THE “V IS FOR VICTORY” SIGN WHEN HE AROSE!

He is “the firstfruits 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” (1 Cor 15:20-22, ESV).

He is “the firstfruits 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” (1 Cor 15:20-22, ESV).

In this morning’s text, Paul tells us over our “Victory in Jesus.”

VICTORY IS COMING.VICTORY IS CHANGING.VICTORY IS CHUGGING.VICTORY IS CHRIST.

VICTORY IS COMINGv 50

“I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable” (v 50, ESV).

Throughout Scripture, there is a tension concerning victory over death.

Throughout Scripture, there is a tension concerning victory over death.On one hand, that victory has been

accomplished.

Throughout Scripture, there is a tension concerning victory over death.On one hand, that victory has been

accomplished. “Our Savior Jesus Christ . . . abolished death and

brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tm 1:10, ESV).

Throughout Scripture, there is a tension concerning victory over death.On one hand, that victory has been

accomplished. “Our Savior Jesus Christ . . . abolished death and

brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tm 1:10, ESV).

Victory is in the past, not in the future.

Throughout Scripture, there is a tension concerning victory over death.On one hand, that victory has been

accomplished (2 Tm 1:10).On the other hand, that victory is still

future.

Throughout Scripture, there is a tension concerning victory over death.On one hand, that victory has been

accomplished (2 Tm 1:10).On the other hand, that victory is still

future. Jesus “must reign until he has put all his

enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Cor 15:25-26, ESV).

Throughout Scripture, there is a tension concerning victory over death.On one hand, that victory has been

accomplished (2 Tm 1:10).On the other hand, that victory is still

future. Jesus “must reign until he has put all his

enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Cor 15:25-26, ESV).

Victory over death will only be accomplished when Jesus returns.

WHAT SHOULD WE MAKE OF THIS TENSION?

On Tuesday, a Presidential candidate will claim victory & another will admit defeat.

On Tuesday, a Presidential candidate will claim victory & another will admit defeat. But, that victory will not be official until January.

On Tuesday, a Presidential candidate will claim victory & another will admit defeat. But, that victory will not be official until January.

We have the assurance of victory now, but victory will not be complete until Jesus raises all the dead.

Paul here speaks of our victory over death as coming.

Paul here speaks of our victory over death as coming.“Flesh and blood cannot inherit the

kingdom of God.”

Paul here speaks of our victory over death as coming.“Flesh and blood cannot inherit the

kingdom of God.”“Flesh and blood” was a common idiom

for mortals.

Paul here speaks of our victory over death as coming.“Flesh and blood cannot inherit the

kingdom of God.”“Flesh and blood” was a common idiom

for mortals. In our present state, we cannot have

victory over death.

Paul here speaks of our victory over death as coming.“Flesh and blood cannot inherit the

kingdom of God.”“Flesh and blood” was a common idiom

for mortals. In our present state, we cannot have

victory over death. Flesh & blood get sick and die.

WHY DID THE LANDLORD NOT INTEND TO REPAIR ADAMS’ BODY?

WHY DID THE LANDLORD NOT INTEND TO REPAIR ADAMS’ BODY?“Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.”

BUT, VICTORY IS COMING!

VICTORY IS CHANGINGvv 51-53

“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality” (vv 51-53, ESV).

VICTORY OFTEN BRINGS LASTING CHANGE.

OUR COMING VICTORY WILL DRASTICALLY ALTER US.

OUR COMING VICTORY WILL DRASTICALLY ALTER US.“Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.”

HOW WILL THIS CHANGE TAKE PLACE?

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.”

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.”Our victory will be instantaneous.

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.”Our victory will be instantaneous.There will not be time to make things

right before God.

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.”Our victory will be instantaneous.There will not be time to make things

right before God. “The day of the Lord will come like a thief, and

then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed” (2 Pt 3:10, ESV).

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.”Our victory will be instantaneous.There will not be time to make things

right before God. “The day of the Lord will come like a thief, and

then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed” (2 Pt 3:10, ESV).

Let us not be overcome by the Second Coming!

Our victory will take place at the last trumpet.

Our victory will take place at the last trumpet.OT prophets often used the imagery of a

trumpet blast to call people together for prayer or war.

Our victory will take place at the last trumpet.OT prophets often used the imagery of a

trumpet blast to call people together for prayer or war.

“He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Mt 24:31, ESV).

Our victory will take place at the last trumpet.OT prophets often used the imagery of a

trumpet blast to call people together for prayer or war.

“He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Mt 24:31, ESV). This is the last trumpet.

Our victory will take place at the last trumpet.OT prophets often used the imagery of a

trumpet blast to call people together for prayer or war.

“He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Mt 24:31, ESV). This is the last trumpet. The trumpet shall be the sign for all of God’s

people—living & dead—to be gathered together.

AT THE LAST TRUMPET, WE SHALL PUT ON OUR NEW BODIES.

AT THE LAST TRUMPET, WE SHALL PUT ON OUR NEW BODIES.We shall, then, be able to inherit the kingdom of God.

CHANGE IS OFTEN DIFFICULT.

CHANGE IS OFTEN DIFFICULT.Oh, the glorious change that is coming at the last trumpet!

VICTORY IS CHUGGINGvv 54-56

“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.’‘O death, where is your victory?O death, where is your sting?’

The sting of death is sin, and the power ofsin is the law” (vv 54-56, ESV).

Sam Hornish, JrIndy win 2006

Death is going to be chugged, swallowed up in victory.

Death is going to be chugged, swallowed up in victory.When the mortal & perishable are no

more!

Death is going to be chugged, swallowed up in victory.When the mortal & perishable are no

more!“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Death is going to be chugged, swallowed up in victory.When the mortal & perishable are no

more!“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

God “will swallow up death forever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken” (Is 25:8, ESV).

Death is going to be chugged, swallowed up in victory.When the mortal & perishable are no

more!“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

God “will swallow up death forever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken” (Is 25:8, ESV).

It is the Lord who will declare victory!

Where is the victory & sting of death?

Where is the victory & sting of death?“Shall I ransom them from the power of

Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes” (Hos 13:14, ESV).

Where is the victory & sting of death?“Shall I ransom them from the power of

Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes” (Hos 13:14, ESV).

These words come from a text declaring judgment on Israel.

“Though he may flourish among his brothers, the east wind, the wind of the LORD, shall come, rising from the wilderness, and his fountain shall dry up; his spring shall be parched; it shall strip his treasury of every precious thing. Samaria shall bear her guilt, because she has rebelled against her God; they shall fall by the sword; their little ones shall be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open” (Hos 13:15-16, ESV).

THE SPIRIT HAS PAUL TAKE A PASSAGE ABOUT JUDGMENT TO GIVE CHRISTIANS HOPE!

GOD IS A GOD OF JUDGMENT FOR THOSE APART FROM HIM & A GOD OF COMFORT FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN HIM.

ARE YOU LIVING FAITHFULLY TO GOD?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.Death would not be were it not for sin.

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.Death would not be were it not for sin:

“Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Rm 5:12, ESV).

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.Death would not be were it not for sin:

Rm 5:12.Sin has power because of death.

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.Death would not be were it not for sin: Rm

5:12.Sin has power because of death: “If it had

not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.’ But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead” (Rm 7:7-8, ESV).

Burton Coffman: “Nearly two thousand years have passed since this apostolic lightning split the midnight darkness surrounding the tomb; and even yet there is never a day passes in any city anywhere which fails to shout this message over the dead. In Houston, where these lines are being written, it is certain that a hundred times this very week these words have echoed in the chapels and cemeteries where people gather to bury the dead; and so it is all over the world when Christ is known. Victory in the presence of death! If people wonder why the holy faith in Jesus Christ continues from age to age, let them find at least a part of the answer in these immortal words before us.”

VICTORY IS CHRISTv 57

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (v 57, ESV).

IS IT ANY WONDER THAT PAUL BREAKS INTO PRAISE AT THE END OF THIS TEXT?

THERE IS NO GREATER BLESSING THAN VICTORY OVER DEATH!

God gave us this victory.

God gave us this victory.We could never have accomplished this

victory ourselves!

ONLY GOD CAN GIVE VICTORY OVER DEATH!

ONLY GOD CAN GIVE VICTORY OVER DEATH!God did so through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Martin Luther’s final words: “Our God is the God from whom cometh salvation: God is the Lord by whom we escape death.”

UNLESS JESUS IS OUR LORD, WE SHALL NOT HAVE THIS VICTORY!

UNLESS JESUS IS OUR LORD, WE SHALL NOT HAVE THIS VICTORY!Do you need to come & claim him as your Lord?