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

You know, I wanted to continue with the theme of the resurrected Christ because He died, but He rose again.

And that has all sorts of implications for us—so many benefits.

Now, I know when I give a title like that, some might think, “Oh, Pastor, teach me five steps to becoming a millionaire,” or “three keys to success.”

And a lot of modern churches teach that way.

They hand out golden keys, seven principles—and that seems to be the modern trend.

But you can either go man’s way to success and victory, or you can go God’s way.

You can either do it through your own effort or through His finished work.

You can either trust your own works—or believe in His work.

I’m here to tell you: if you focus on Christ and lift up His work, something supernatural will happen in your life!

You will experience unmerited favor.

Doors will open that you don’t deserve.

People will invite you where others aren’t invited.

Things will happen supernaturally because the hand of God will be upon your life!

Just like Joseph, no matter how far down the devil tries to push you, God will raise you up!

In fact, the further down the enemy tries to take you, the higher God will lift you, using it as a springboard.

Who here wants that supernatural life?

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

And in Him, I have the abundant life—everything I need and so much more! Say Amen!

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.

Obviously, His resurrection proves that death has been defeated.

And if that alone doesn’t get you shouting and running around the room, I don’t know what will!

We are not going to die!

Thank you for your enthusiasm there.

Your body will fall asleep—because this physical body cannot inherit the kingdom of God.

It’s not made of the right material.

You can’t fly close to the sun without burning up—so much less could you fly close to the One who is brighter than the noonday sun!

That’s why God gives you a celestial, heavenly body—a body made of angelic dust rather than earthly dust.

Say Amen!

So, for the believer, death is simply a change of clothing—a change of body!

Hallelujah!

Resurrection Day declares that death for the believer has been defeated!

Amen!

Romans 4:25 says that Jesus was “raised for our justification.”

His resurrection proves that we are no longer in our sins!

Remember, He didn’t die for His own sins—He died for ours.

The fact that He came out of the grave is proof that our sins are gone and that we have been made righteous.

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

Every time you think about Resurrection Sunday, remember this:

The price has been paid!

Hallelujah!

And if the price has been paid, you do not have to pay it again.

Let me say it again:

God would be unjust to require you to pay a debt that has already been paid.

If someone paid off your mortgage, the bank cannot keep charging you!

The debt is settled—you are free!

And God is just.

Isn’t that right?

Amen!

So, resurrection is our receipt—it proves we are completely justified.

Because we are justified, we have peace with God.

Hallelujah!

Tell your neighbor: “You are alive forevermore!”

Tell them again: “You are righteous forevermore!”

Your righteousness is not based on your behavior;

It is based on your belief.

You believe in Jesus Christ.

Therefore, you have been made righteous once and forever!

Shout Amen, somebody!

Now, that’s the basic foundation of Easter.

But I want to go deeper.

There’s even more that Christ’s resurrection provides for us beyond death and justification.

To explore this, we are going to walk through John chapter 20—

The resurrection story.

I’m going to show you how the resurrection gives you victory in multiple areas of life.

But first, I want to paint the scene for you.

John chapter 20, verse 1 (New King James Version):

“Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early…”

Mary was the first one up.

She didn’t wait around.

She didn’t sleep in.

Her glorious Master, her Savior, had been crucified and buried.

This was the Jesus who had set her free from seven demons!

This was the Jesus who loved her unconditionally when society had thrown her out as trash.

This is the Jesus who loves the prostitute.

Who calls the sinner.

Who is a friend to the outcast.

Because Mary had received so much love and grace, she loved deeply.

Scripture says: “He who is forgiven much, loves much.”

Love shows up in passion.

Love shows up by being the first one there.

Love shows up early in the morning.

There was Mary at the tomb, early, while it was still dark.

She saw that the stone had been rolled away.

Now, let me tell you:

The stone wasn’t rolled away for Jesus’ sake.

Jesus could have simply walked through the walls—as He does later in the chapter.

The stone was rolled away for OUR sake.

It wasn’t for Him to get out;

It was for us to look in!

It wasn’t for Him to leave;

It was so we could see that the King of Glory had risen!

Say Amen!

Mary ran and found 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 of those times, the Greek word for “love” is agape—unconditional, eternal love.

But here, John uses phileo—meaning friendship love.

John is saying:

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

Hallelujah!

It’s one thing to be loved by God, it’s another thing to realize that He actually likes you.

John had a special closeness to Jesus—laying his head upon Jesus’ chest at the Last Supper.

He knew what it meant to draw near.

Scripture says: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

Tell your neighbor:

“Get closer to the Lord Jesus!”

The story continues:

Peter and John ran to the tomb.

John outran Peter and got there first.

Now, some say Peter was slower because he was older, but I’m not sure about that.

Peter was a strong man—later we see he pulled in a net full of 153 large fish all by himself!

That’s strength!

I think Peter was slower because he was burdened with guilt and condemnation.

When you’re under condemnation, you don’t run fast.

You walk heavy.

Your head hangs low.

Peter was still thinking about his failures.

That’s what happens when you focus on yourself instead of on Christ.

And God wants you to run your race!

He says: “Fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith.”

The ones who run fast are those who know they are righteous by faith—not by works.

Say Amen!

John saw the empty tomb.

Peter saw the folded grave clothes.

And John believed.

In the Greek text, three different words for “saw” are used—

First, physical sight.

Second, analyzing and considering.

Third, revelation sight.

Many people see church events with natural eyes.

Some consider it intellectually.

But only those who receive revelation believe.

Pray: “Lord, give me revelation!”

Because revelation changes everything.

Perfect — thank you for your confirmation!

Yes, I will continue correcting and completing the entire sermon you posted, maintaining:

• Correct grammar and flow.

• Clear preaching style (not academic).

• Faithful to your voice — lively, emphatic, biblical.

• Still in plain text, not newsletter format.

Here we go, continuing directly where I left off:

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Mary stayed at the tomb, weeping.

Peter and John had gone home—but Mary lingered.

And those who have been forgiven much, love much—and they stay longer.

She stooped down and looked into the tomb.

She saw two angels in white, sitting at the head and foot where Jesus’ body had lain.

These were not ordinary angels.

These were cherubim—the highest order of angels, the guardians of God’s holiness and presence.

Just like at the Garden of Eden—where cherubim guarded the way to the Tree of Life after the fall—here too, cherubim were guarding something precious:

Not a body, but 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.

But when the high priest sprinkled blood on the mercy seat, the cherubim would “see” the blood and not the sin.

Now, in the resurrection, Mary saw the reality:

Real cherubim, not golden statues—

And real blood had been shed, not that of animals, but the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ!

Because of the blood, sin was not just covered—it was completely taken away.

Once and for all!

Shout Amen!

Then Mary turned away from the angels.

She wasn’t satisfied with seeing angels—

She was looking for Jesus Himself!

Oh, beloved, we thank God for miracles, signs, and wonders—

But we are not here just for miracles.

We are here for the Man—Jesus Christ!

We don’t seek gifts—we seek the Giver.

We don’t seek manifestations—we seek the Manifested One.

And when Mary turned away, she saw Jesus standing there.

At first, she thought He was the gardener.

But Jesus called her by name: “Mary.”

And everything changed.

She knew that voice.

She cried out, “Rabboni!” (Teacher!)

Friend, there is no sweeter sound in the universe than Jesus calling your name!

He knows your name.

He knows every detail of your life.

He loves you personally.

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

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

What powerful words!

Through the resurrection, Jesus announced a new relationship:

• His Father is now your Father.

• His God is now your God.

We are not only forgiven—we are adopted!

We are not only cleansed—we are brought into the family of God!

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

Say Amen!

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And then the message continued…

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

Fear had 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 when they saw the Lord!

Fear turned into faith.

Sadness turned into gladness.

Where the resurrected Christ is, fear must flee!

Hallelujah!

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

Jesus said to him, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

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

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

That’s us.

We have not seen Him physically—yet we believe.

And we are blessed.

Say Amen!

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Finally, Jesus dealt with the disciples’ sense of fruitlessness.

Peter, confused and worried about provision, said, “I am going fishing.”

And the others said, “We will go with you.”

They went back to their old profession—trusting in their old strength.

But they caught nothing.

All night—nothing.

Fruitless efforts.

Until Jesus appeared on the shore.

He called out, “Children, have you any food?”

They answered, “No.”

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

When they obeyed, they could not haul the net in because of the multitude of fish!

At Jesus’ word, abundance came.

At Jesus’ word, fruitlessness turned into overflow.

At Jesus’ word, lack turned into provision.

Somebody shout Amen!

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Let’s summarize the five areas where the resurrection of Jesus gives us victory:

• Forlornness is destroyed.

No more weeping. Joy comes in the morning.

• Fatherlessness is abolished.

God is now our Father, and we are His children.

• Fearfulness is cast out.

Jesus brings peace to troubled hearts.

• Faithlessness is overcome.

Doubters are transformed into believers.

• Fruitlessness is reversed.

In Christ, our lives bear abundant, lasting fruit.

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Because He lives, you live.

Because He rose, you are raised with Him.

Lift your hands and declare:

“Thank You, Father, for sending Jesus.

Thank You that He died for me.

Thank You that He rose again.

Today, I walk in the victory of the resurrection!

I am forgiven.

I am favored.

I am fearless.

I am fruitful.

I am a child of God!”

Shout Amen!

Give the Lord a mighty handclap of praise!