Death Is the Biggest Loser: Finding Victory in Jesus

Have you ever played pickup basketball with a "ringer" on your team? You know, that exceptionally talented player who practically guarantees your victory? I remember in high school when I faced off against Casey Sanders, a 6'11" basketball phenom who had already signed with Duke University. Let's just say it didn't go well for me—he volleyball-spiked my shot into our team's bench! But imagine if I could have had Casey on my team instead. How differently would I have played knowing victory was assured? That's exactly how we should approach life and death as believers. We have the ultimate "ringer" on our team—Jesus Christ—and with Him, death doesn't stand a chance.

The Problem of Death

As I get older, I'm becoming increasingly aware that I won't be around forever. People I love are getting closer to death. And without Jesus, death seems like the greatest conqueror ever—one out of one people die, with just a couple of notable exceptions. For the majority of history, death just keeps winning and winning. But I cannot wait to tell you that death is actually the biggest loser. Death will lose. And you and I can have victory in Jesus through the future resurrection described with these three truths from 1 Corinthians 15.

Resurrection Bodies Are Demanded

In 1 Corinthians 15:50, Paul writes, "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." Where we're going is so good you can't take death with you! Our current bodies—these corrupting, dying vessels—cannot inherit God's eternal kingdom. The coming kingdom is a place without sin and without death. Our resurrection bodies will not die. If you know Christ as Savior, you're a child of the King, and that means the kingdom is part of your inheritance. We're joint heirs with Jesus Christ. If you know Christ as Savior, you're a rich kid!

Resurrection Victory Is Realized

Paul continues in verses 51-52: "Behold, I show you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump. For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." It's not a question of if this will happen—it's when. This corruptible must put on incorruption. This mortal must put on immortality. When this happens, "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Corinthians 15:54-55). Paul is actually taunting death here! It's like we're playing a game. At the end of the first quarter, death and grave are up big. Second quarter, same thing. Third quarter, fourth quarter, near the end—will death win? Will the grave be victorious? We've got a ringer, and His name is Jesus. He's already defeated the grave Himself. He's "the first fruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20). In the end, the grave will be swallowed up in victory. No more death, no more grave. He wins. And those of us on His side will win with Him.

Resurrection Implications Energize

Because of this assured victory, Paul concludes with a powerful therefore: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58). We should be firm, settled, and convictional in our beliefs. But it isn't enough to have beautifully written doctrinal statements while remaining comfortable in our padded seats. We must be "always abounding in the work of the Lord"—overflowing with activity that advances God's kingdom.

Putting It Into Practice

What our world needs is believers so grounded on the Word of God and so convinced that there's a resurrection day coming that this truth bursts out of us:

• Out of our mouths
• Out of our hands and feet
• Out of our wallets and calendars
• Out of our social media posts
• Out of our marriages and families
• Out of our churches into our communities and world

Why should we invest our lives this way? Because "your labor is not in vain in the Lord." Because there is a resurrection, because there is eternity, because Christ is coming back in victory—what we do to affect eternity through the saving of souls is the only thing that's not going away. In the end, Christ wins. In the end, Christ is King. And in the end, because He wins, those who trust in Him win too. He died, was buried, and rose again. And one day those who have died will be resurrected, and those of us who are alive will be changed. A trumpet of victory will sound, and we will be transformed. We will forever be with the Lord. But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!