1. Chapter 15
A Powerful Sting

2. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?     Where, O death, is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. The Sting :56 The sting of death is sin

4. The Sting :56 The sting of death is sin
James 1:14-15
each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

5. The Sting :56 The sting of death is sin
1 Pet 4:1-4
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.  For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.  They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.

6. The Power :56 the power of sin is the law
Romans 7
7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law… 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death… 13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.  

7. The Power :56 the power of sin is the law
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

8. The Victory :57 He gives us the victory
:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

9. The Victory :57 He gives us the victory
Matt  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

10. The Choice 58 Therefore…stand firm. Let nothing move you.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

11. Leviticus 26 40 “‘But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors
Deut  Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the Lord our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison. 19 When such a person hears the words of this oath and they invoke a blessing on themselves, thinking, “I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way.” This will bring disaster 

12. Deut 30
11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach…
16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live…
19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.

13. The Sting :56 The sting of death is sin
The Power :56 the power of sin is the law
The Victory :57 He gives us the victory
The Choice  Therefore…stand firm Let nothing move you.
Romans 12:1-2 let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out before us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith