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"Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:57

TURNING DEFEAT INTO VICTORY

Defeat can be turned into victory. This was a powerful truth that Paul expounded in his ministry.

“The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:56-57

1. Defeat is a terrible thing to cope with in life

a) The worst defeat we can suffer is at the hands of death.

b) Many are devastated when faced with death.

c) What brought on death but Sin!

d) And Sin exacts a terrible price- Death!

2. “The law”

a) This is a reference to the Mosaic Law.

b) Many turn to the law thinking that it would help them overcome sin.

c) But the law is unable to help.

i) The law only highlights the problem of sin.

ii) But the law in itself is unable to provide a suitable answer to the problem of sin and death.

3. “Thanks be to God”

a) There is an answer to the problem of death.

b) The Person who can effectively deal with death is God Himself.

c) He can abolish the penalty of death.

d) He can remove the problem of sin.

4. “Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”

a) God sent the Lord Jesus Christ to deal with the problem of sin.

i) Sin must be dealt with.

ii) The power of sin must be broken.

iii) Christ came to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

b) How the Lord Jesus gives us victory.

i) Christ tasted death for everyone (Hebrews 2:9).

ii) He destroyed the power of the devil to cause everyone to fear death (Hebrews 2:14-15).

iii) Christ is the captain of our salvation and leads us in victory (Hebrews 2:10).