1. A Look at our Victory through Christ Scripture Reading 1 Cor 15:51-58

2. Introduction  In these verses we see Paul expresses the gratitude in his heart for the victory that is assured to those who exercise a firm faith that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior  Paul is speaking boldly and with great joy because of the confidence he has in the ultimate victory that will one day be ours through faith in Jesus Christ  Paul has concluded his statement on the resurrection of Christ and is now expressing his confidence and conviction that those who trust Jesus Christ will also experience victory over death and the grave

3. We can be thankful (like Paul)for our victory over sin  Through Christ we have victory over the penalty of sin, which is death  Rom 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Through Christ we can have victory over the power of sin  Phil 2:13 “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”  Through Jesus Christ we can one day experience victory over even the presence of sin  Heb 9:28 “so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”

4. We can be thankful for victory over suffering  Sooner or later we all experience suffering in our lives  How can we face suffering, disappointment, or defeat in a victorious manner?  Paul is a perfect example that being a follower of Jesus Christ does not exempt on from hardship and suffering  Paul found strength in the grace of God and the wisdom to be victorious even in the midst of his suffering  We can do likewise if we keep our hearts open and allow Jesus to have control over our thoughts and worries

5. 2 Cor 12:7-10 The example of Paul’s “Thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor 12:7-10) thorn in the flesh v 7  Paul was given a “thorn in the flesh” lest he should be exalted above measure by the abundance of revelations (v 7)  Called a messenger of Satan  Designed to buffet him v 8, 9  Paul pleaded with the Lord that this thorn might be depart from him (v 8, 9)  This was done three times  The Lord responded  My grace is sufficient for you  My strength is made perfect in weakness  This caused Paul to take pleasure in his infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake…recognizing that when he is weak Christ has the opportunity to make him strong

6. We can be thankful for victory over death 1 Cor 15:26  Paul declared that the last enemy that will be destroyed is death (1 Cor 15:26)  It appears to most that death wins the victory over everyone  Christ came to demonstrate that life is more powerful than death  He came to taste death for every person  Heb 2:9 “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.”  He came to put death to an end and destroy its power  Heb 2:14 “ Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,”  Christ came to die for us that we might not have to die  He has affirmed that His victory over death should be taken as proof that we would also be rescued from death and rise to live as He arose

7. Conclusion  1 Cor 15  1 Cor 15 is the classic NT passage that affirms through Jesus Christ we will experience:  Victory over Satan  Victory over sin  Victory over death and the grave  Victory is a beautiful word to those who are the victors  We should daily express our thanks to God for the joy and assurance of this victory  Hearts that are filled with this joy will find a way to share it with others…our joy and thanksgiving will cause others to want to know Christ