Living in Victory Instead of Defeat
1 Corinthians 15:1-20
Easter Sunday – March 31, 2002
Introduction
Before I get into the message, I want to share a story I came across while I was preparing for today.
A Sunday School teacher asked her class to write one sentence each on "What Easter Means to Me." One pupil wrote: "Egg salad sandwiches for the next two weeks!"
You know, I just love Easter. I really do. For one thing, it signals spring, and that’s always a good thing, because Spring signals the return of baseball season. I heard that Amen!
I like Christmas to be sure, but there’s something about Easter that is special. That something special is the fact that we celebrate the fact that Jesus, who had been put to death on a shameful cross, was now risen from the dead, victorious over death and the grave.
We’ll never fully understand the significance of that until we meet God in heaven.
Easter is a celebration of victory, snatched from the jaws of defeat. It’s a wonderful holiday.
Let me ask you a question: have there been times in your life when it’s been just the opposite? You thought things were going your way and all of a sudden you find yourself dealing with something unexpected that puts you down with the wind knocked out of you?
I’ve been there. And most of us, if not all of us have, at one time or another.
Life can sometimes entice us along, and just when you’ve gotten a handle on it, it turns around and kicks you in the teeth.
Life isn’t always fair, is it?
Today we’re going to look at how we can have hope in our lives, and get past the mindset that says, “life is hard, and then you die.”
I’m not saying life will be always rosy, but we can go through life with a mindset that says, “sure life can be tough, but God is tougher, and with His help, I’ll make it just fine.”
Our Scripture passage is 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verses 1-20. If you are using the Bibles in the seats, this can be found on page 815.
By the way, if you do not own a Bible in modern English, please feel free to take one of these from the seats. It is our pleasure to make these available to you at not charge.
Please follow along as I read.
1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.
12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
You’ll see in your bulletin a space for taking notes, and I would encourage you to do that as we go through this message. I think you’ll find some encouragement that you might want to write down.
I want to show us that we can live fulfilling lives because of what Christ has done for us on the cross and at the tomb, but first I want us to look at…
I. The Despair of Defeat
When Jesus died the disciples thought it was all over. Done. The end of three years of wonder, miracles, and unconditional love from the one they thought was the Messiah.
After Jesus’ death, they ran scared and hid from the Jewish officials, thinking that they might be next to be arrested and killed.
All they could see was despair – they lost the one they loved and served, and the future looked awful bleak. They couldn’t see anything but the present trouble.
Sometimes we’re like that – we come across some hardship – sometimes it might be something relatively minor, like a fender bender during one of our famous Spring blizzards, or maybe something huge, like tragically losing a loved one.
I don’t want to minimize the pain. And it’s very possible that someone here today might be experiencing that kind of despair.
A lot of time there’s confusion, especially about how God is involved in all this.
The point here is that we can live our lives seeing only the harshness, the pain, and the despair.
When your life revolves around the bills that are piling up, the boss at work, or broken relationships, it is easy to look and see only the negative. I know, because I’ve been there.
The apostle Paul, reflecting on how he had sought to destroy the Christian church before meeting Christ on the road to Damascus, says this:
9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11
Paul could have chosen to remain in his guilt and shame, wondering of God could ever love him or help him, but he chose to give it all over to God, trusting Him to help Paul become the man God wanted Him to be while he remained on the earth.
Because Jesus rose from the dead, we can turn our gaze from the despair of defeat to…
II. The Potential of the Present
I’d guess that most people would not purposely choose to live defeated lives, especially if they knew it was possible to live a life of victory and hope.
The problem is that most of the solutions offered by the world fall way short of offering real, deep-down satisfaction in life.
We’re told to call a psychic hot-line, get in touch with our inner child, play the lottery, or get hair implants, and all the pieces of our lives will fall nicely into place.
By the way, why is we never see the headline, “Psychic wins the lottery?” You’d think if they knew so much they could pick the winning numbers!
Anyway, if you’ve tried these so-called solutions, you’ve probably already discovered there is no long-term satisfaction available through them. And in case you’re wondering, I have no interest in the hair implants, thank you very much.
Jesus said that He came to give life, and to give it to the full. He wants us to have a full life on earth, and He makes it possible.
The secret of fulfillment in this present life is found in Jesus Christ, who shed His blood on the cross for your sins, and rose from the grave in triumph.
His resurrection validates His words, by proving that He had the power to back up what He said.
Jesus didn’t need legal disclaimers that would protect Him in case someone tried to sue Him.
He spoke the truth, and He backed it up by rising from the dead.
The potential for the present is the wonderful life available for all who call Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Living for Christ does not mean that all your problems will go away. In fact, to be brutally honest, you may get more problems, based on people’s inability to understand your new found love for God.
But I’ve tried living life without Christ, and living with Him, and I’ll tell you from experience that it’s a whole lot better with Christ.
With Christ living in me, I have God Almighty helping get through the hassles of life, and I enjoy the good times immeasurably more.
Because of Christ, I can come to God with any problem, great or small, and I know He hears, because the barriers are down between us.
Because of Christ, I enjoy relationships with people who love me for who I am, and care for me, warts and all, and they encourage me to become all I can be in Christ, which affects all other aspects of my life.
I’m a better husband because of what Christ has done for me. I’m a better dad. I was a better worker, no matter what I did for a living, because Christ lives in me.
Am I perfect? I don’t think so. Just as my mother-in-law.
You’ve heard Jim telling you what Christ did for him. And those kinds of stories are endless, as Christ works to change lives that are battered and broken, and brings them wholeness.
What does Jesus offer us to help us gain the potential for the present?
First of all, He offers you forgiveness of your sins – and I mean all of them.
There is nothing you have done that Christ can’t forgive. You can live in forgiveness, and without the guilt that comes with sin, because Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross covers it all.
You might be a thief. You might be an adulterer. You might have committed an assault, had an abortion, had sex outside of marriage, or told lies. You can even be a murderer and find forgiveness in Christ.
How do I know this? Because God’s Word, the Bible, says so. And God’s Word is true.
And when you’re not carrying around the burden of sin, life is that much easier.
Second, when we come to Christ, He gives us the Holy Spirit to help us live for Him, guiding us through His Bible and godly people, and giving us the strength to say no to sin and yes to holy living.
God doesn’t just forgive our sins, give us a pat on the rump and say, “Go to it, now! Be a good boy or girl, okay?”
God knows that we’re powerless to live lives that please Him on our own effort. We need help – and He gives it to us through the Holy Spirit.
But there’s another thing He gives, and that’s our third point. He gives us…
III. The Hope of Heaven
Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death – and not just physical death – that also means eternal death in hell.
But the rest of the verse says that the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ.
We deserve hell, but He made heaven available for any who want it.
Christ’s death and resurrection made it possible for all who call on Him to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that they are going to heaven.
Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for us, so that we can spend eternity with Him.
Last week I conducted the graveside service for a man who passed away in Rapid City, and yesterday I attended the funeral of a lady in Mission, SD.
The one thing they had in common was the hope they had when they passed away. Because they had given their lives to Christ earlier in life, they could face death with confidence, knowing that they would soon be facing the Savior.
Do you have that confidence today? If someone were to ask you today if you knew for sure you were going to heaven when you die, what would you say?
If God were to ask you why He should let you into heaven, what would be your answer?
Let me share some facts with you.
First, the Bible says that we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. That means that because we are sinners we cannot enter heaven.
Second, the Bible says that we will die, and face judgement. And if we are judged as sinners, we cannot enter heaven.
Third, the Bible says that God wants everyone to go to heaven, and He’s provided a way for anyone to go there.
Third, there is a way to ensure you will be in heaven, but before I outline that, I want to let you know what won’t get you into heaven.
Giving to charity won’t get you into heaven. Helping old ladies across the street won’t get you into heaven. Going to church won’t get you into heaven. Being baptized won’t get you into heaven. Giving money to the church won’t get you into heaven. Praying everyday and reading your Bible won’t get you into heaven. Being a religious person won’t get you into heaven.
Well then, what can we do to get into heaven? Here’s the answer – are you ready?
The answer is: nothing. We can do absolutely nothing to get into heaven. We can never do enough good, nor avoid enough bad. We will never be good enough for heaven.
The Bible says that we cannot earn our way to heaven. We are saved by the grace of God, through faith in what Christ accomplished for us on the cross.
Well then, how can we hope for heaven?
We put our hope in Christ and what He did for us at Calvary and rising from the tomb.
Trusting Christ to wash your sins away and make you a child of God is the only way to heaven.
Jesus didn’t say that church was the way to heaven, or charity, or anything. He said that He was the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through Him.
We get heaven by going through Christ. By believing in Him for salvation.
Many people believe in Christ like most people believe in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny. It’s okay when you’re young and don’t know any better, but when you’re older you don’t need it, right?
Or else you believe in Jesus the way we believe in George Washington. He was a hero, and did many good things.
Or maybe in your mind, Jesus was just a nice teacher who gave some nice principles to live by.
Folks, Jesus claimed to be God, and He claimed to be the only way to heaven. He was either insane, or He was a liar, or He was who He said He was. There is no other choice.
So the choice for you is to believe what He says and act on it, or put it aside.
When the Bible talks about believing, it means a lot more than just thinking about God and stuff. It means that you trust it so much that you stake your eternal destiny on it.
Are you ready to do that? I certainly hope so. Eternity rests on your decision.
And you may never get another chance. Don’t put it off any longer. There will be people who die today, Lord willing not from this bunch here today, but some will die today. They didn’t plan on dying; they didn’t plan on this being their last day on earth.
And many of these people will not be prepared to meet God, because they have not trusted in Christ for salvation.
Don’t make that same mistake. Give your life to Jesus today, and get eternity taken care of.
Jesus gives us the hope of heaven.
Conclusion
Let’s recap: we can live in the defeat of despair, or we can find potential in the present, because we have hope for heaven.
You see, that’s really where it starts. When you have the assurance of heaven, the present seems to be a lot easier to handle.
When you have Christ as your Savior and Lord, you get the forgiveness of sins, the Holy Spirit living in you, and a place in heaven.
And as we get ready to wrap this up, I want to extend an invitation to you.
Invitation
Right now God is ready to completely love you, accept you, and forgive you. God wants to change you, change your life. He wants to make you a new person with purpose, and significance, and meaning.
He wants you to rise above the weariness of life without him. He wants you to move into His purpose, potential and power.
There’s no better time. Don’t wait. Many of us have been praying for you and this moment.
Religion is knowing about God, but knowing God is a relationship; a relationship that allows you into heaven, and gives you access to the Father anytime, anywhere, for any reason.
How do you begin a relationship with God?
Confess. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9)
Believe. "Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Repent. "Repent then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." (Acts 3:19)
Receive. "Yet to all who receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become the children of God." (John 1:12)
You must personally go to God with a prayer like this: "Oh God, I open my heart to you today. Please come into my life and make yourself real to me. I admit I can’t make it without you. You are the only sure
thing in this world."
I want to invite you to pray that kind of prayer with me. Bow your heads with me in prayer. Everyone pray after me. Even if you prayed this prayer before it will be encouragement to those around you.
(Sinners prayer.)
Take out your registration card. I want everyone here who has one of these cards to fill one of these out.
On the back of the card you will find a section that says, “How may we better help you or pray with you?”
I want you to do a very simple thing for me. I want you to write one of the following letters in that space. Here are the letters I want you to choose from:
A = Already have accepted Jesus as Savior.
B = Believing today for the first time, or
Beginning again, or Back.
C = Considering it. Continue to pray for
me.
D = Don’t ever intend to receive Jesus.
It is very important that everyone fill these out, so no one feels like they are on the spot.
If you need a pencil or pen, borrow one from the person next to you or raise your hand and an usher will get you one right away.
In a moment, the ushers are going to collect the cards. Then we will have a final song, a closing prayer, then be dismissed.
Collection of cards – Our ushers will pass the plates for the collection of the cards.
Song by Dixie.
Follow-up: I John 5:11-13, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these
things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."
If you are one of those who prayed to receive Christ as your Savior today, I want to make sure you have some materials, and I will make sure those get out in the mail to you this week.
Also, we have scheduled a baptism service for April 21. Baptism is done after a person takes Christ as his Savior, to testify to others that you have given your life to Christ and wish to follow Him.
If you have given your life to Christ today, or if you have done so in the past, and have not been baptized since becoming a Christian, please contact the church. We would be pleased and excited about baptizing you.
Lowell, come up and lead us in our closing chorus, and then we’ll close in prayer.
