The Death of Death

Introduction

Easter and another strange text for this Easter season. Our text seems as if there is no way that it could relate to Easter but it will in the end.

Read

1 Samuel 17:41–52 ESV

41 And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. 42 And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. 43 And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” 45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.” 48 When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49 And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David. 51 Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. 52 And the men of Israel and Judah rose with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron, so that the wounded Philistines fell on the way from Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron.

Preach

Outline

Introduction

Exegete

Why is Christ resurrection important?

Introduction

As we begin it is important to understand the importance of Jesus being raised from the dead. We have heard multiple Easter sermons dealing with the resurrection of Christ and we have heard about the hope and the joy the promise that has been given to us. Why is it that we celebrate this? Why is this Sunday typically the most attended Sunday of the year? Why do we get so excited for this Sunday? Why, even, do we celebrate Jesus being raised from the dead, after all there were multiple people who were raised from the dead in Scripture.

In order to understand this we need to go back to the Old Testament and look at this, but before we do lets look at new Testament texts

Hebrews 10:1 ESV

1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.

The law was a reflection of God’s perfect righteousness, but the law could accomplish nothing without someone just as perfect and righteous to keep the law. If we subtract the smallest detail, the most minute aspect from Christ life, then everything is in vain and we have no hope. The law was but a shadow of Christ perfect righteousness and by Christ perfect sacrifice, we can celebrate this Easter morning because the God who gave the law and the one who kept the law perfectly rose from the dead.

Luke 24:13–27 ESV

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Why is Easter important? other people have risen from the dead. Elijah raised the widow’s son in 1 Kings 17. Elisha raises a child from the dead in 2nd Kings 4. After Elisha dies a body is thrown on top of his and the other person comes to life. Jesus raised the son of the widow of Nain. He raised Jairus’ daughter. He raised Lazarus. Peter would later raise Tabitha. Paul would later raise Eutychus.

Christ alone is the only one who was expected. That alone makes his resurrection different than the other. All these other resurrections point to Christ as well.

Still there is more to understand

Genesis 3:15 ESV

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

this verse acts a the thesis statement for the whole bible

Exegete

What does all this have to do with David and Goliath.

Christ Jesus lay in Death’s strong bands

It was a strange and dreadful strife when life and death contended. The victory remained with life, the reign of death is ended. So the scripture makes it plain that death by death’s own sword is slain. Its sting is lost forever. Hallelujah!

Why is Christ Resurrection important?

He is the only who is expected. He is the only one who everyone else in Scripture points to