“The Day Death Died”

Intro:

Happy Resurrection Day. The Day death died! Easter is the most important day in history. Yes, it is even more important than Christmas and the birth of the Messiah? Why? Well, if Christ came, but died just like everyone else, then it wouldn’t have really mattered at all. He would proved to have just been a good man and a worker of miracles. But the resurrection changes everything! It is the single greatest event in history! But don’t take my word for it.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (NASB)

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day…

1 Corinthians 15:14 (NASB)

14 …and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.

The Resurrection Accounts: Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-13; John 20:1-18.

Luke 24:1–12 (NASB)

1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; 5 and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? 6 “He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” 8 And they remembered His words, 9 and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles. 11 But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.

Pray…

Today’s Main Text: 1 Corinthians 15

1 Corinthians 15:1–8 (NASB)

1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

Again, Easter Sunday, Resurrection Day, or the Day Death Died is the most important day in history. This morning, on this Easter Sunday, I want to give you 4 amazing truths about the resurrection from 1 Corinthians 15.

There is Undeniable Proof of the Resurrection.

(v. 1-8)

There is an empty tomb.

4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…

(v. 4) Siddhattha Gotama (aka: Buddha) is in his grave, Muhammad is still in his grave, Joseph Smith is still in his grave, Confucius is still in his grave, but Jesus isn’t in His grave. The empty tomb speaks volumes about the proof of the resurrection. Not only that, but it is exactly what the bible said would happen. You’ve heard the arguments, that his disciples stole his body, but it makes no sense. Do you really think the 11 guys that ran away before their leader was killed would actually then gain the courage to attack some Roman guards to roll away a stone and steal his body? The empty tomb is undeniable proof.

There were eyewitnesses.

…according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

(v. 5-8) There were many eye-witnesses. You have the apostles, and over 500 other people that Jesus appeared to after His resurrection. The saw Him, talked with Him, Thomas touched His hands and side. He appeared to his brother James, who had doubts about Jesus as well, also to Paul Himself. All of these people were changed, given courage and strength because the witnessed the risen Savior.

There were executions.

6b …some have fallen asleep…

(v. 6b) In addition, the executions and persecution they faced is proof. Lee Strobel posed this question: “who would die for a lie?”. If they were all lying, why did they all, every single one of them, even the doubting Thomas, choose torture and death? If I made something up and someone threatened to kill me unless I admitted it, I can tell you exactly what would happen…I’d say, “man, I was just kidding, I’m sorry!” They didn’t do that. What they saw was so amazing that they chose to die instead of turning their backs on Jesus again. There is the undeniable proof of the resurrection.

There is an Unmistakable Purpose for the Resurrection. (v. 12-20)

1 Corinthians 15:12–20 (NASB)

12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. 20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.

It was the day death died! And because it was the day death died…

It revealed the deity of Christ.

12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised…

(v. 12-16) The resurrection shows the world that Jesus was fully God and fully man. No man can raise from the dead unless that man is no ordinary man. There have been many people that claimed to be God, many people that claimed to be a Messiah, but only Jesus rose from the dead.

Romans 1:4 (NASB)

4 …who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord…

Acts 2:23–24 (NASB)

23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. 24 “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.

It revealed our escape from death.

17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. 20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.

(v. 17-19) Without the resurrection, Jesus would have been a good man that died. He would have been virtually no different that any other prophet or saint. The resurrection, however, secures eternal life because Jesus overcame death and as a result He gives us the same gift when we trust in Him. The late Dr. Adrian Rogers said it this way, “security is not a place called heaven, security is a person named Jesus.” Our sin was paid for because of what Jesus did on the cross and our salvation was securely insured and because of what He did three days later.

Romans 6:23 (NASB)

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 11:25–26 (NASB)

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

There is Unlimited Power in the Resurrection.

(v. 21-27)

1 Corinthians 15:21–27 (NASB)

21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, 24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27 For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him.

It proved Jesus has power over Satan, sin and death.

21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

(v. 21-22) John 3:16 clearly tells us that Jesus came to save the world. IT doesn’t mean that every person will be saved but that it is possible for everyone to be saved. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead will raise you from the dead, if you trust I Jesus. The cross paid the penalty for sin, the resurrection paved the way, because Jesus overcame death, we too can have eternal life if we trust in Him and Him alone.

It also proved all things are in subjection to Christ. He truly is the Sovereign Lord of the universe.

23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, 24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27 For He has put all things in subjection under His feet…

(v. 23-27a) Jesus has power over life and death. Power over life because He lived a perfect, holy and sinless life. Power over life in that He could heal the sick and demons were under His control. Power over death in that he could raise the dead and He even raised Himself. The power of Jesus is displayed in the resurrection.

John 10:17–18 (NASB)

17 “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 “No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

The Unfading Promise of the Resurrection.

(v. 50-57)

1 Corinthians 15:50–58 (NASB)

50 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will 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 will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about 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 brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

A promise to transform us from perishable to imperishable.

50 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will 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 will be changed.

(v. 50-52) Right now we have a perishable body. It is temporary, it fatigues, decays, grows old. One day our bodies will die but the promise we have from the resurrection is that we, like Christ, will be given new bodies, ones that cannot decay or die, they are imperishable. For people that look like this, that is good news!

This body is just a shell, and it will pass away.

In London there is a tombstone at the gravesite of a man names Solomon Pease and it reads: “Beneath these clouds and beneath these trees lies the body of Solomon Peas. But this ain’t Peas - it’s just his pod. Peas shelled out and went to God.”

Because of the resurrection this bod pod will pass away and we will be given new imperishable bodies that will never age and last forever. If we, by faith, trust in Jesus, confess Him as Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead, we can look forward to getting a new body that will never perish.

That is a promise from the word of God that will never fade way.

The resurrection promises immortality for mere mortals.

53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about 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.

(v. 53-57) Right now, our bodies die, and that is because man is mortal. We were meant to live forever, but sin brought death and that death was both spiritual and physical. But the resurrection confirms the promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Easter truly is the day death died!

When this life here on earth is done, life isn’t over! Those who are in Christ will live on in heaven, because of the Day Death died when Christ rose from the dead.

Because He lives, we will live.

Because He rose, we will rise.

That’s a promise!

We are promised victory over sin and death because of Jesus…praise the Lord!

The day death died confirms the promise: it is all worth it!

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

(v. 58) We can have confidence, we can stand firm, immovable because Christ lives in us. Because of His power, we do not have to fear. God is in control and He will help us live for Him. The new bodies will be given to us in Heaven, but newness of live, the ability to live transformed lives for God, happens here and now. His Spirit dwells in us and changes us from movable and fearful people to an immovable force for His glory.

1 Peter 5:10 (NASB)

10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

John 16:33 (NASB)

33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Galatians 6:9 (NASB)

9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

In closing…

What are you going to do about the day death died?

Maybe you’re here today and you have never place your faith solely in Christ for salvation.

Romans 10:9–10 (NASB)

9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

If you’ve never done that, do it today. Being a good person won’t save you from your sins. Baptism doesn’t save you from your sins. On Jesus can save you from the penalty of death. If that’s you, during our last song, make your way up to the front where one of our pastors will be up here to pray for you.

Maybe you’re here today and you’ve been saved and you know your salvation is secure in Christ, but you haven’t been living for Him like you know you should. Make that right today. Recommit yourself to Him today. And if that’s something you need to do today, during our closing song, you can get up and come up to the front and have one of our pastors pray for you as well.

Maybe you need prayer for something else today. Again, I invite you up tot he front to be prayed for.

Please, don’t leave here today with unfinished business. God is inviting you to a closer relationship with Him…don’t turn away.

Let’s pray…

Memory Verse of the Week:

1 Corinthians 15:14 (NASB)

14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.