How can we live daily with the assurance of death's ultimate defeat? Setting the Foundation: Death’s Certain End (1 Corinthians 15:26) “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:26) • Death is branded an “enemy,” never a friend or neutral reality. • It is “last,” meaning all other enemies fall before it; its defeat seals complete victory. • “Destroyed” is final—no resurrection for death itself; its very existence will be erased. Why We Can Be Sure of Victory • Christ’s resurrection makes Him “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). What happened to the firstfruits must happen to the harvest. • “Since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a Man” (1 Corinthians 15:21). Jesus reverses every effect of Adam’s fall. • “I am the Living One. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.” (Revelation 1:18) – the keys aren’t in death’s hands anymore. • Hebrews 2:14-15 – by dying, Jesus rendered “powerless” the devil, who once wielded the fear of death. • Revelation 20:14 – Death itself will be “thrown into the lake of fire,” undergoing the judgment it once threatened us with. Living Daily in This Assurance Remember the Gospel every morning • 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – Christ died, was buried, rose, and appeared. Rehearse those facts as your personal history. Speak resurrection truth over fear • When anxious thoughts arise, counter with John 11:25-26 – “Whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.” • Affirm Philippians 1:21 – “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Gain, not loss. Anchor your identity in the living Christ • “Your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). If He is untouchable, so are you. • Ephesians 2:6 – you are already “seated with Him in the heavenly realms.” Eternal life has begun. Invest in what outlasts the grave • 1 Corinthians 15:58 – “always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” • Generosity, discipleship, worship—these build on the only foundation that survives the fire (1 Corinthians 3:11-14). Grieve with hope, never despair • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 – sorrow is real, but informed by certainty of reunion. • Psalm 116:15 – “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” Even our final breath is valuable to Him. Cultivate resurrection community • Encourage one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18). • Celebrate the Lord’s Table often; it “proclaims the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26), reminding the church that the story ends in life. Markers of a Heart Anchored in Victory • Fear gives way to courage (2 Timothy 1:7). • Joy persists through suffering (Romans 8:18). • Purpose eclipses aimlessness—every act has eternal significance (Matthew 6:20). • Hope radiates to the watching world (1 Peter 3:15). Verses to Memorize and Meditate On • 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 – “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” • Romans 8:38-39 – nothing, including death, “will be able to separate us from the love of God.” • John 14:19 – “Because I live, you also will live.” • Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” • Revelation 21:4 – “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” Live each day under the sun with eyes fixed beyond it. Death is on borrowed time; its obituary was written the morning Jesus left His tomb empty. |
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