CHRIST, THE CONQUERER OF DEATH

Death is something that most humans sorrow about. Sometimes for months, we mourn the dead. Some even go to the extent of asking oracles for who killed their dead (contrary to scripture-Deut. 18:10-12) because we refuse to accept that there is a time to be born and a time to die. From our 1^st reading (2Sam. 1:17-27), we see David mourn for his friend Jonathan and his father Saul because at that time death meant we will not see our loved one again.

But Jesus has thought us that death is not the end but there is a time of resurrection and therefore we need to see death as sleep. (Talk about resurrection of Jairus daughter- 3rd reading (Mk. 5:21-43), and Lazarus (Jn. 11). In the same way, if we even die before Jesus comes, we will be resurrected to face the judgment (2Cor. 5:10, Rev. 20:12-15). Further, Jesus himself conquered death after 3days in a sealed tomb

From 1Cor. 15, If  Jesus had not conquered death (i.e. resurrection):

i.   Preaching of Christ will be senseless (v14); Faith in Christ will be useless (v14);All preachers of the resurrection will be liars (v15); No one will be redeemed from sin (v17); All former believers will have been perished (v18); Christians will be most pitiable people on earth (v19)

Due to the resurrection, we can suffer persecution and danger because our labour in the Lord will not be in vain. 

Proof of the Resurrection

Some doubt the resurrection but there is biblical and practical proof that Jesus rose from the dead:

1.   Apostle Paul: Changed from being a persecutor to an apostle of Christ for the church. When the risen Lord appeared to Him on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9:1-6)

2.   The empty tomb: If Christ is not risen, then where is the body?  (matt. 28:5-9). After all the security measures adopted by the religious men, Christ arose from the tomb (matt. 27:62-66)

3.   He appeared to many after the resurrection: Matt. 28:5-9; 16-17; Mk 16:9; Lk 24:13-35; Jn 20:19-24,26-29,21:1-14; Acts 1:6-8; 1corin. 15

4.   The great weight the apostles gave to the resurrection: 1Corin. 15

But what is the Power of Christ’s conquering of death or resurrection?

The resurrection is a cornerstone of the entire building of Christianity and the key of our salvation. All the other religions were founded by men and prophets who are still in the grave. But the grave could not hold our Christ captive and He is risen and sitting at the right hand side of God, interceding on our behalf and will return soon to judge mankind. That is why we should not sorrow about them that are asleep (1Thess. 4:13-18).

But Christ has conquered death and so what? Let us consider four aspects of the power from Christ’s defeat of death:

(1) The Power to Have Forgiveness of sins

Without God, we are slaves to sin. But Christ, through his death and resurrection, frees us from the power of sin. Paul puts it this way at the end of Romans 4:25 - “He was delivered over to death because of our sins, and raised to life because of our justification.”

Christ died as the necessary sacrifice for our sins. When Jesus died, God laid on him the iniquity of us all, the punishment that all of us deserve for all our sins. So whenever Satan accuses us -- saying, "God could never forgive you for what you have done -- we can say, "Jesus rose from the dead! Jesus has conquered death! Having believed in Jesus, I am righteous in God's eyes." That is the power of the resurrection.

 (2) The Power to Conquer Sin

Christ's resurrection also empowers us to conquer sin in our lives. As Paul says in Ephesians 4:24 - put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  In Christ we are a new creation (Read 2Corin 5:17); his Spirit lives within us. We have been renewed, we have a new self -- and the purpose of that new self is to be conformed to the image of Christ, to become like him: truly righteous, truly holy -- to become what God intends humans to be! So if this is the case, why do Christians keep on sinning? Paul gives us the answer in Philippians: we don't know the power of the resurrection (Phil. 3:10-11)

 (3) The Power to Be God's Agent

Christianity is not just about forgiveness and overcoming sin. Christianity is not simply a solution to our problems. Through salvation, we are to be his agents of change in the world. God empowers us not only to defeat sin but also to share and display his loving message to the world. Jesus says, "You are the light of the world." Paul says in (2 Cor. 5:19, 20) - He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

God could work directly in each person's life the way he worked in Paul's life -- But God has chosen instead to work through us- weak as we are, limited as we are -- and to show His power through our very weakness. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, God says to Paul, my power is made perfect in weakness. Have you been telling people about Christ? Some of us can preach football and not Christ. See matt. 28:19-20- Evangelize

 (4) The Power to Be Conformed to His Likeness

Finally, the resurrection power's greatest achievement is conforming us to the likeness of Christ. Paul says in 2Cor. 3:18 – we are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Paul wants to know Jesus, and the power of his resurrection (Phil 3:10-11). What will you also want more than this? Money? Fame? Influence? Power? Connection? All these are worthless. In the end, all of these things that people spend their lives pursuing are unsatisfying. Am I right?

Do you know this Jesus? Do you believe he rose from the dead? Has he been working in your heart? Do you acknowledge Him as your Savior!

Those of you who already have placed your faith in Him as a sacrifice for your sins, I want to ask you a few questions:

Have you been trying to impress God with your religious activities? Have you been putting the cares of finances, of job, of family and friends ahead of your relationship to Jesus? As believers we don’t need a decision, but a commitment -- a commitment to depend on the power of God, a commitment to knowing him better and better, so that you might be conformed to his likeness. We don’t need to respond to alter calls over and over again; we don’t need “pray- for- me” but a commitment.

Conclusion

The resurrection is a triumph victory for every believer, and this Jesus is coming again. It guarantees that we will not remain dead but will be resurrected to eternal life (1Thess 4:13-18). The resurrection of Jesus Christ demonstrates that, God accepted Jesus’s sacrifice on our behalf. Therefore as Christians, we need to stand firm. Let nothing move you to turn away from Christ (because Heb. 10:26-27, Heb.6:4-6). Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord; because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain (1corin. 15:58). Amen!