Hope Beyond Death: Christ's Victory and Our Assurance

Devotional

Day 1: The Resurrection Takes the Sting Out of Death

The reality of death is an appointment every person must keep, but through Jesus’ resurrection, the fear and sting of death are removed for those who believe. Jesus declared Himself the resurrection and the life, assuring us that whoever believes in Him, though they die, will live. This truth gives us hope and comfort in the face of loss, reminding us that death is not the end but a passage to eternal life with Christ. The resurrection is not just a doctrine to be believed but a reality that transforms how we view our mortality and the loss of loved ones. [03:23]

1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (ESV)
“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.’ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Reflection:
Who in your life is grieving or facing the reality of death right now, and how can you share the hope of Jesus’ resurrection with them in a tangible way this week?

Day 2: Jesus Frees Us from Slavery to Sin, Death, and the Devil

Just as God delivered Israel from Pharaoh’s slavery, Jesus came to set us free from the “Pharaohs” of sin, death, and the devil. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus destroyed the one who holds the power of death and liberated us from the lifelong fear of dying. We are no longer bound by the fear of what happens after death, nor are we enslaved to sin or the enemy; instead, we are invited to walk in the freedom Christ has won for us. [05:27]

Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV)
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

Reflection:
What is one area of your life where you still feel enslaved by fear, sin, or the enemy, and how can you invite Jesus’ freedom into that area today?

Day 3: Our Hope: A Glorified, Imperishable Body

The resurrection of Jesus guarantees that those who belong to Him will also be raised with glorified, imperishable bodies. Just as a seed is sown and becomes something new, our perishable bodies will be transformed into something glorious and eternal. This knowledge gives us hope that our future is not disembodied or ethereal, but a real, embodied existence in God’s renewed creation, free from pain, weakness, and death. [18:11]

1 Corinthians 15:42-49 (ESV)
“So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being’; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.”

Reflection:
How does the promise of a glorified, imperishable body change the way you view your current struggles, weaknesses, or fears about aging and death?

Day 4: Live with Confidence in Christ’s Finished Work

Because of Jesus’ perfect life, death, and resurrection, we are made perfect in God’s sight and fit for heaven—not by our own efforts, but by His righteousness credited to us. Salvation is a gift: our debt is paid, and we are given the riches of Christ’s righteousness. This truth gives us confidence to live boldly, knowing our future is secure and our present is empowered by His Spirit. [24:21]

Romans 8:30 (ESV)
“And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

Reflection:
What would it look like for you to live today with the confidence that you are already accepted, loved, and made perfect in Christ—regardless of your past or present failures?

Day 5: Focus on What Matters Most: Loving Well and Living for Jesus

The reality of death should motivate us to focus our lives on what matters most to Jesus: loving God, loving people, forgiving, reconciling, and living with joy and peace. Rather than fearing death or being consumed by lesser pursuits, we are called to spend our lives on things of eternal value, knowing that our labor in the Lord is never in vain. [30:53]

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
“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.”

Reflection:
Is there someone you need to forgive, reconcile with, or love more intentionally this week in light of eternity—and what practical step can you take today to do so?

Sermon Summary

Death is an appointment that every one of us will keep, and it’s a reality that brings pain, grief, and questions. Yet, in the face of this universal experience, there is hope and comfort found in Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event; it is the foundation for our own resurrection and the defeat of death’s sting. Through Christ, we are set free from the slavery of sin, death, and the devil—those “Pharaohs” that seek to keep us in bondage. Jesus has taken the sting out of death by going through it Himself, and now, for those who trust in Him, death is no longer something to fear but a passage to eternal life.

Understanding what takes the sting out of death begins with truth. The truth is that we all die, but Jesus, the resurrection and the life, has promised that those who believe in Him will live, even though they die. Our worldview shapes how we answer life’s biggest questions, and the Christian worldview offers a hope that is rooted in the goodness of God’s creation and the promise of new creation. Knowledge deepens this hope—knowing that our resurrection bodies will be imperishable, glorious, and powerful, just as Jesus’ was. We are not left to guess about what happens after death; we have the assurance of Christ’s victory.

But knowledge alone is not enough; we need understanding—wisdom that comes from seeing how Jesus, the true and better Adam, has done everything for us. In His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection, He has represented us, repented for us, resisted temptation for us, and made us fit for heaven. Our salvation is past, present, and future: we have been justified, are being sanctified, and will be glorified. This gives us confidence to face death without fear, knowing that Jesus has already taken the sting for us.

Finally, this hope calls us to focus our lives on what matters most. Rather than fearing death, we are called to live fully—loving well, forgiving, reconciling, and centering our lives on Jesus. The reality of death should motivate us to spend our lives on what matters to Him, knowing that our labor in the Lord is never in vain. Because Jesus has triumphed over death, we can look it in the eye and say, “Where, O death, is your sting?”

Key Takeaways

1. The Universality and Certainty of Death, and the Hope of Resurrection Every person faces the reality of death, an appointment none can avoid. Yet, Jesus’ resurrection transforms this inevitability from a source of fear into a foundation of hope. Because He lives, we too will live, and death becomes not an end but a doorway to eternal life with Him. This hope is not wishful thinking but rooted in the historical and spiritual reality of Christ’s victory. [03:23]
2. Freedom from the “Pharaohs” of Sin, Death, and the Devil Just as God delivered Israel from Pharaoh’s slavery, Jesus delivers us from the bondage of sin, the fear of death, and the power of the devil. These “Pharaohs” seek to enslave us, but Christ’s death and resurrection have broken their hold. We are no longer subject to the fear of death or the accusations of the enemy; we are free to live as sons and daughters of God. [05:27]
3. The Importance of Truth, Knowledge, and Understanding in Facing Death Truth grounds us: we all die, but in Christ, death is not the end. Knowledge gives us confidence—knowing that our resurrection bodies will be imperishable, glorious, and powerful, just as Jesus’ was. Understanding brings wisdom, as we see that Jesus has done everything for us, making us fit for heaven not by our perfection, but by His. [13:58]
4. Salvation as Past, Present, and Future: Justification, Sanctification, Glorification Our salvation is not a one-time event but a journey: we have been justified (our debt paid and righteousness credited), we are being sanctified (learning to live out our new identity), and we will be glorified (resurrected in glory). This threefold reality gives us assurance and shapes how we live now, spending our lives on what matters most to Jesus. [23:34]
5. Living with Focus: Letting the Reality of Death Motivate a Life of Love and Purpose Rather than fearing death, we are called to fear missing out on the full life Jesus offers. The reality of our mortality should drive us to love well, forgive, reconcile, and invest in what matters most—relationships and following Jesus. Our labor in the Lord is never in vain, and the victory of Christ over death empowers us to live with courage, joy, and hope.

** [29:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:11] - The Appointment Everyone Will Keep
[03:23] - The Pain and Reality of Death
[05:27] - Freedom from Slavery: Sin, Death, and the Devil
[08:37] - What Takes the Sting Out of Death?
[10:10] - Worldviews and the Question of Life After Death
[12:12] - Creation, Decreation, and the Hope of New Creation
[13:58] - Truth, Knowledge, and Understanding
[15:09] - Knowledge that Calms Our Fears
[16:13] - The Nature of the Resurrection Body
[18:11] - Jesus as the New Adam and Our Representative
[19:42] - The Incarnation and the Judgment of God
[21:11] - Jesus’ Baptism: Repenting and Resisting for Us
[23:34] - Salvation: Justification, Sanctification, Glorification
[25:58] - Confidence in Christ’s Victory Over Death
[27:13] - Jesus Takes the Sting Out of Death
[28:30] - Death as an Uber: Jesus Guides Us Home
[29:31] - Living with Focus and Purpose
[30:53] - What Matters Most at the End
[32:28] - Love, Forgiveness, and the Joy of Life
[35:10] - The Gates of Hades Will Not Prevail
[41:56] - Responding to Jesus and Living the Best Life

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (ESV) — 50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
54 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.
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.

Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV) — 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

Observation Questions

According to 1 Corinthians 15, what happens to our bodies at the resurrection? What words does Paul use to describe the change?
In Hebrews 2:14-15, what does it say Jesus accomplished through His own death?
The sermon mentions “Pharaohs” that enslave us. What are these “Pharaohs” and how does Jesus set us free from them? ([05:27])
What does Paul say is the “sting” of death, and how is that sting removed? ([25:58])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that Jesus is the “true and better Adam” who has done everything for us—including repenting and resisting temptation on our behalf. What does it mean for our confidence and assurance that Jesus has already done what we could not? ([21:11])
The pastor described salvation as past (justification), present (sanctification), and future (glorification). How does understanding salvation in these three tenses shape the way a Christian faces death and lives now? ([23:34])
The sermon compares death to an Uber ride, with Jesus as the driver. How does this image help us understand the Christian view of death? ([28:30])
Paul says, “your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” What does this mean in the context of living with the reality of death? ([29:31])

Application Questions

The sermon says that death is an appointment everyone will keep, but that Jesus’ resurrection changes how we face it. How do you personally feel about death? Has your view changed because of Jesus? ([03:23])
The “Pharaohs” of sin, death, and the devil try to keep us in bondage. Are there areas in your life where you still feel enslaved or fearful? What would it look like to trust Jesus for freedom in those areas? ([05:27])
The pastor said, “We are not left to guess about what happens after death; we have the assurance of Christ’s victory.” Do you struggle with doubts or fears about what happens after you die? What truth or knowledge from Scripture helps you most? ([13:58])
The sermon emphasized that Jesus has made us “fit for heaven” not by our perfection, but by His. Are you tempted to try to earn God’s approval? How can you rest in what Jesus has already done for you? ([19:42])
Paul calls us to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” What does it look like for you to focus your life on what matters most to Jesus right now? Are there distractions or fears you need to let go of? ([29:31])
The pastor said, “Let’s be more afraid of not living the full life that Jesus promised than death itself.” Is there something you feel called to do, say, or change, but fear or comfort is holding you back? ([30:53])
At the end of life, people often wish they had spent more time loving, forgiving, and reconciling. Is there a relationship in your life that needs forgiveness or reconciliation? What is one step you could take this week? ([32:28])

Sermon Clips

When Jesus rose from the grave, he rose and...in a glorified new body, a body that cannot die. He still ate food and he drank, but he's in a body that will not die. He was raised to life never to die again. Jesus's resurrection equals your resurrection. He went first. He went first. He is the new and true Adam. Adam was the representative of humanity until Jesus Christ came into this world. Through his life, death, and resurrection, he is now the new representative of humanity. He's the true Adam. [00:18:01] (47 seconds) #JesusIsTheFirstResurrection

Do you have to be perfect to go to heaven? You do. Sorry. Some of you are like, well, shut up. No, you do. Because God is perfect. Heaven is perfect. I'm imperfect. But here's the gospel. Here's the good news. You and I are made perfect by the perfection of the perfect one. So you are fit for heaven now. You are fit for heaven. Even in your brokenness, you have been fit for heaven because of the new Adam, because of Jesus and what he's done. [00:19:21] (38 seconds) #PerfectThroughChrist

When Jesus got baptized, he was representing all of us. He repented for us. He who did not need to repent, repented for you, repented for humanity. He got in that baptism line and identified with us. He who knew no sin, still repented for us. That's good news. Then what happens right after his baptism? He's led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And he resisted temptation for you and for me. So he repented for us and he resisted for us temptation. So he's done everything in his life, death, and resurrection for you and I. That's the beauty of the gospel. We don't add diddly to the gospel. And I can't take away anything from the gospel. [00:21:33] (56 seconds) #JesusIdentifiesWithUs

``Let's say you were $50 million in debt. That's a lot of money, right? And you go to the bank and the banker says, I have some mind -boggling news for you. Someone paid your debt completely off. You are debt free. Would you shout a hallelujah at that point? I'm sure we would. $50 million. And you get up and you're going to go tell your family and your friends that you're debt free. Someone was so good to you that they paid off your debt. And he says, sit down. I got more news for you. The same person that paid off your debt has given you unlimited credit for the rest of your life. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been put into your bank account. Is that good news? Not only are you debt free, you're wealthy beyond what you ever dreamed. That's what Jesus did for us. He paid our debt. He paid our debt. Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, Paul said. He paid that debt. But then he deposited for you and I all of his righteousness, all of his goodness. Ephesians 1 says we're seated right now in the heavenly realms with Jesus. I don't feel that, but it's true. So he's done everything for you and I. [00:23:31] (86 seconds) #DebtPaidRighteousnessGiven

You need to be convinced. Be confident in who you are because of Jesus and what he has promised. Be confident in the truth. Be confident in knowledge and understanding. He says, but when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this mortal puts on immortality, then we'll come about the saying that is written, death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Death is an exchange of my mortality for his immortality. That's what death is. [00:25:58] (49 seconds) #VictoryOverDeath

For us as believers in Jesus, death, like you ever get an Uber before? Everybody, you know what an Uber is? I'm sure. I know we got some old folks in here. But hey, an Uber, you call an Uber and that Uber comes and picks you up, takes you to your destination. Death is just an Uber for us now. It's going to take us to our destination. We don't have to fear it. If it happens, you're going to go be with Jesus. You're going to go be with Jesus. But here's where the Uber illustration gets even better. Jesus is my Uber driver. He's the one picking me up. Jesus went through death so that he could take us through death safely to the other side. [00:28:05] (56 seconds) #DeathIsOurUber

Let the reality of this appointment called death motivate you for living a life, living a life that is spent on what matters most to Jesus. Living a life where you love people well, we forgive well, we reconcile, we walk in the joy of the Lord, we walk in the peace of the Lord. Paul said, to live is Christ, to die is gain. So if I'm going to, while I'm alive, I'm going to center my life on Jesus, and I'm going to follow him, and I'm going to love people with all that I have. I'm going to learn to forgive well. But to die is gain. Go to the other side, you're with Jesus. [00:29:59] (46 seconds) #LiveForWhatMatters

Let's you and I be more afraid afraid of not living the full life that Jesus promised than death itself. Let's be more alive than worrying about when we die. And I will admit it to you, I have some serious FOMO, fear of missing out. Because when I think about dying, I love my wife. I'm seeing grandkids now. I don't want to miss out on that. You know what? Jesus understands that. That's not a lack of faith. That's called being a human being. And he doesn't fault us for that. But I also know to live is Christ and to die is gain. So spend our lives on what matters most to Jesus. [00:31:10] (41 seconds) #FearMissingOutOnLife

Jesus says, I will build my church and I'm going to blow the doors off of hell. I'm going to blow the doors off of Hades. I'm going to blow the doors off of death. I will build my church and the gates of death shall not stand against it. That's why we can stand up and say, oh death, where is your sting? [00:34:54] (21 seconds) #ChurchBuiltOnVictory

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