Today’s message is titled: “Victory” and our text is 1 Corinthians 15.
1 Corinthians 15 is sort of the entire Bible in one chapter.
In verse 3 we learn what is of FIRST IMPORTANCE. “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received.”
- that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
- that he was buried,
- that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5
- and that he appeared to Cephas,
- then to the twelve.
In verse 20 we learn that Jesus’ resurrection is the first resurrection of all those who are in Him.
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep
In verses 42-49 we learn that the Resurrection of Jesus changes EVERYTHING.
Perishable Imperishable (42)
Dishonor Glory (43)
Weakness Power (43)
Natural Spiritual (44)
Image of Adam Image of Jesus
This is the victorious victory! (54-57)
When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The victory of our Lord Jesus Christ is Lucy’s victory because her total trust for salvation and eternal life was in Him and that which is of first importance.
As we reflect upon Lucy’s victory, our life and upcoming victory, the Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, gives you and me four assignments (58):
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
- Be steadfast
(an adjective, derived from aphedrōn, “a seat or base”) – properly, sit (solidly-based, well-seated); (figuratlively) steadfast (firm), morally fixed; firm in purpose (mind); “well-stationed” (securely positioned), not given to fluctuation or “moving off course.” https://biblehub.com/greek/1476.htm
- Immovable
Without movement or change of status https://biblehub.com/greek/277.htm
- Always abounding in the work of the Lord
- Knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
empty, (b) met: empty (in moral content), vain, ineffective, foolish, worthless, (c) false, unreal, pretentious, hollow. https://biblehub.com/greek/2756.htm
We live steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain because Jesus has secured our victory!
for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith
This process is called victory and it is through our Lord Jesus Christ.