“The rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1v78, 79
1. Death was not able to hold onto him.
Acts 2v24 God has raised him up, freeing him from the labour-pains of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
2. He is able to stop it happening.
John 4v47, 50 The man went to him, and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death… Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live.”
3. He is able to reverse it.
Luke 9v52 “Stop wailing,” Jesus said, “She is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up.
4. He can bring us from being spiritually lifeless to being alive in knowing God personally.
Eph. 2v4 Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive together with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ…
5. He can take us safely through death to the other side.
2Cor 5v1 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
6. He will take us into “Resurrection World”
1Thess 4v16, 17 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. After that, those who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall be with Lord for ever.
7. He will take people from death into judgement for evil.
John 5v28, 29 A time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out – those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgement.
8. He can remove the sting of death for those who trust him.
1Cor.15v55, 57 “O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?”
Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
9. He can set us free from the fear of death.
Hebrews 2v15 He (Jesus) shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
10. He will bring revival to lifeless spiritual situations.
Acts 2v32 “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” Acts 2v41 Those who accepted the message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.