Victory over death | Pr Giles Stevens | Apr. 27, 2025

Who here wants that supernatural life?

I don’t want the way of self-help coaches—I’ve found the way, the truth, and the life in Jesus Christ!

In Him, I have the abundant life—everything I need and so much more!

Today, I want to show you some of the benefits that come from Christ’s resurrection.

Before I get into specifics, let’s think generally.

His resurrection proves that death has been defeated.

If that alone doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will!

For believers, death is simply a change of clothing—a change of body!

Resurrection Day declares that death for believers has been defeated!

Romans 4:25 says Jesus was “raised for our justification.” His resurrection proves we are no longer in our sins!

He didn’t die for His own sins; He died for ours. His resurrection proves our sins are gone, and we have been made righteous.

Young’s translation says He was “raised up to declare us righteous.”

Remember this on Resurrection Sunday: the price has been paid! You don’t have to pay it again.

God wouldn’t require you to pay a debt that has already been paid.

If someone paid off your mortgage, the bank can’t keep charging you! The debt is settled, and you’re free!

God is just. Isn’t that right?

Resurrection is our receipt—it proves we are completely justified. Because we are justified, we have peace with God.

Tell your neighbor: “You are alive forevermore!” and “You are righteous forevermore!”

Your righteousness isn’t based on your behavior; it’s based on your belief. You believe in Jesus Christ, so you’ve been made righteous once and forever!

Mary ran to find Simon Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved.

Remember, this Gospel is written by John.

Five times, John refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.”

Four times, the Greek word for “love” is agape—unconditional, eternal love.

Here, John uses phileo—meaning friendship love.

John is saying:

“I’m not only loved by Jesus, He also likes me!”

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Mary stayed at the tomb, weeping.

Peter and John had returned home, but Mary lingered.

Forgiveness and love draw people closer.

She looked into the tomb and saw two angels in white, guarding Jesus’ body.

These were cherubim, the highest angels, guardians of God’s holiness.

Just as at the Garden of Eden, cherubim guarded the Tree of Life after the fall; here, they guarded an empty space because the work was finished.

In the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant had two golden cherubim facing each other, covering the mercy seat with their wings.

Inside the Ark were the tablets of the Law, symbols of man’s sin and rebellion.

She knew that voice.

She cried out, “Rabboni!” (Teacher!)

Jesus calling your name is the sweetest sound in the universe.

He knows your name, every detail of your life, and loves you personally.

The Good Shepherd calls His sheep by name, and they follow Him.

Jesus said to her, “Don’t cling to Me, for I haven’t yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’”

Through the resurrection, Jesus announced a new relationship: His Father is now your Father, and His God is now your God.

We are forgiven, adopted, cleansed, and brought into the family of God.

You are no longer an orphan—you have a Father!

The disciples were gathered behind locked doors, afraid of the Jewish leaders.

Fear gripped them, but Jesus appeared in their midst, no longer limited by walls, and said, “Peace be with you.”

He showed them His hands and His side.

The disciples were overjoyed!

Fear turned into faith, and sadness turned into gladness.

Where the resurrected Christ is, fear must flee!

Even Thomas, who had doubted, encountered the risen Jesus.

Jesus said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here and look at My hands; and reach your hand here and put it into My side. Believe.”

Thomas cried out, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said, “Thomas, you have believed because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

We have not seen Him physically, yet we believe and are blessed.

Finally, Jesus addressed the disciples’ sense of fruitlessness.

Peter, worried about provision, said, “I’m going fishing.”

The others said, “We’ll go with you.”

They returned to their old profession, trusting in their old strength, but caught nothing all night.

Jesus appeared on the shore and called out, “Children, have you any food?”

They answered, “No.”

He said, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”

They obeyed, but the net was too heavy to haul in.

At Jesus’ word, abundance came, and fruitlessness turned into overflow.

At Jesus’ word, lack turned into provision.

• Forlornness is destroyed.

• Fatherlessness is abolished.

• Fearfulness is cast out.

• Faithlessness is overcome.