THE GOODNEWS THAT DEATH HAS BEEN DEFEATED

Memory Verse: O death where is thy sting, O grave where is the victory 1
Corinthian 15:55

INTRODUCTION

Death is a transition which involves transformation from the physical into the
spiritual as the dead continue to live as ancestors.

Meaning of death

The biblical view is that death is separation from God. The meaning is that-
death is not the end of life because man continues to exist in the spiritual realm
after leaving this world.

The cause of death.

From the Christian position, the main cause of death according to the Bible is the disobedience by
Adam and Eve, the first couple of God's command that they should not eat the fruit of the tree of
knowledge of good and evil or else they will die.  (Gen. 2:15-17; 3:6)-
In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground for out of it you were
taken; you are dust and to dust you shall return" (Gen. 3:19). This sentence of death is believed to
have passed on to all persons by virtue of their being descendants of Adam and Eve. This is
confirmed in Romans 5:12. "Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death
through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned”

Judgment after Death. Ezekiel 18:4, Rom.5:12.

The eternal verdict is that every soul that sins shall die”. This was outlined by God from the
relationship with man right from the beginning of creation. This is pointing out the desire of
God to be in enduring relationship with man forever Gen. 2:17.

The Good news that Jesus defeated death. Gen. 2:23, I Cor. 15: 56 – 57, John 3:16.

God in His mercy made provision for man to be reconciled back to that relationship that sin
has severed (Gen. 3:21). This is points to the sacrifice to our Lord Jesus. Jesus Christ
through his death went to the grave to take away the power of death and defeated it once
and for all (Rev. 1:18.)

1. If you were to die today will you be confronted with judgment before God or Jesus
will ?
Mankind was in the grip of death until Jesus finished His work on the cross. It is a good
music to the hear that man may no longer be separated from his creator. It is also good news
that Jesus proclaimed ”I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25-26).

CONCLUSION

Apostle Paul declared “But thanks be to God, which gives us victory through our
Lord Jesus Christ”. It is a good thing to know that death has been defeated.

Application:

1. As life-carrying people, we should be conscious of who we are every time.

2. Jesus said in John 14:19b “Because I live you shall live”. This is an assurance
of our victory over death through our Lord, Jesus Christ.

3. John 11:25-26 can be a good outlet for preaching to people at anytime

concerned about after life.