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[0:00] This evening I'd like us to turn together to Philippians chapter 3. And we can just read again from verse 7 to verse 12.

[0:14] But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord. For his sake I've suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him.

[0:33] Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ. The righteousness from God that depends on faith. That I may know him and the power of his resurrection.

[0:45] And may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. That by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I've already obtained this or I'm already perfect.

[0:58] But I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me his own. And in particular I want to focus on the words at the start of verse 10.

[1:10] Where it says that I may know him and the power of his resurrection. And in this statement Paul is just making, he's just referring to a very significant truth.

[1:24] The fact that the resurrection is powerful. And that's what I want us to think about together tonight. And in many ways that probably seems very obvious. But it's one of these phrases that it's so easy just to read through.

[1:38] You can read through that verse and it says that I may know him and the power of his resurrection. And may share in his sufferings and so on and so on. And we can whiz past these words without stopping and thinking about what's being said.

[1:54] Paul is reminding us that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is powerful. And tonight I want us to think just a little about that power of the resurrection.

[2:08] So to start with we can just ask, well what is so powerful about the resurrection? And of course there's lots that we could say. And in many ways there's so much that the Bible teaches us about this.

[2:23] I want us to highlight four things. Four ways in which the resurrection is incredibly powerful. Number one is victory.

[2:34] At the heart of the resurrection is a glorious victory. Now of course the minute we start talking about victory we are implying conflict. And from the very beginning of the Bible there is a great conflict set before us.

[2:50] Between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of evil. When Adam and Eve sinned humanity fell under the grip of the kingdom of evil. And so instead of fulfilling our roles as the image bearers of God on a good beautiful earth that he had made.

[3:06] We became a broken people. We became those who had fallen from their original state. And who are now no longer God's friends.

[3:17] Instead we are at enmity with him. And so humanity has been left under the power of death. Under the power of evil. And at the heart of that is the power of death.

[3:29] As Hebrews 2 says that the devil is the one who has the power of death. When humanity fell in Adam. We fell under the power of the kingdom of evil.

[3:41] In particularly under the power of death. And that's not a theoretical theological truth. It's a reality that every single human being experiences.

[3:52] At every stage of human history. There is one common conclusion for everyone. And that's death.

[4:04] Death is an inescapable force. It's a formidable foe. It's a ruthless enemy. It tears apart families. It crushes young and old. It targets everyone.

[4:15] And it spares no one. And we are utterly powerless. In the face of it. It's one of the astonishing things about humanity.

[4:26] We have achieved so much. Technological advancement. Exploration. Discovery. It's incredible what humanity has achieved.

[4:37] But no one. Has had even the faintest chance of defeating death. No one. Has come remotely close.

[4:49] To overcoming this power. No one. Except Jesus. And that is what is so astonishing about the Christian message.

[5:02] If you ask the question. What lies at the heart of Christianity? Is it good teaching? Is it noble laws? Is it a wonderful example? Is it a happy life? No.

[5:12] It's none of these things. At the heart of Christianity. Lies a stunning victory over death. Because if you think about Jesus on the cross. He hung there dead.

[5:25] He was dead. Like every other human being who has died. His body motionless. His soul departed. His life was over. And if you were able to stand and watch Jesus. As he hung dead on the cross.

[5:37] You would say. Well death has defeated him. As well. But on the third day. He rose again. And it's that resurrection.

[5:49] That lies at the heart of Christianity. It's a glorious. Stunning. Incredible. Victory. Over death. There was a great battle. Between Jesus. And the forces of death.

[6:00] And the resurrection tells us who the winner is. It's Jesus. And he shows us. And that shows us the astonishing power. Of the resurrection. It's not a triumph over bad behavior.

[6:12] It's not a triumph over bad teaching. It's not even a triumph over suffering. The resurrection is a triumph over death. And in the resurrection. It means that the unbeatable has been beaten.

[6:25] It's the most spectacular victory. That history has ever seen. The kingdom of evil hurled its most powerful weapon.

[6:36] At Jesus. And he died. But on the third day. He rose again. In victory. So yes. Death is powerful. And the battle is fierce.

[6:48] But the power of the resurrection. Shows that Jesus is the one. Who has the victory. The resurrection is powerful. Because it's a victory.

[6:58] Over death. Number two. Is immortality. The result of the victory. Is that Jesus has risen.

[7:09] To immortality. In Romans 6. We read. That Christ. Being raised from the dead. Will never die. Die again. So Jesus. Having been raised from the dead.

[7:20] Now has an immortal body. And he will never die again. And this is a stunning reversal. Of the effect. That sin has had. On humanity. The curse of sin.

[7:32] Brought death. Into the world. And it left. Every single human being. With mortal bodies. And we only have to look at ourselves. To see that. Our bodies are subject.

[7:44] To illness. And decay. And pain. And damage. And deterioration. And. The older we get. The more and more.

[7:54] We're confronted. By that reality. And. And. It's a horrible thing. You look at your body. And. And you can't do. What you were once able to do.

[8:05] And. What was once fast. And strong. And nimble. Is now maybe. A bit slower. Or a lot slower. And a lot less nimble. Our bodies.

[8:16] Are. Are mortal. But the power. Of the resurrection. Means that. Jesus. Has risen. To immortality. And the risen Jesus.

[8:28] Jesus is not a kind of. Spirit. Wafting about in heaven. Jesus is risen. With a body. A physical body. But that body. Has now been. Transformed.

[8:39] It's not. Subject to decay. It's not. Aging. It's not. Weakening. The curse. Has no. Effect. On him. Whatsoever. And Paul speaks about this.

[8:51] At the end of the chapter. Verse 21. He talks about Jesus. Having a glorious body. And. In Acts. He speaks about how Jesus. Was raised. And did not see.

[9:03] Corruption. I think. Echoing the words. Of Psalm. 16. When we think of Jesus now. We should think of him. With an immortal body. The.

[9:13] The. Decay. And pain. And corruption. Of the curse. Has no. Effect. On him. At all. And all of that. Is because.

[9:24] Of the amazing. Power. Of the resurrection. The third thing. Is liberty. The risen. Victorious.

[9:35] Immortal. Jesus. Now. Has total. Liberty. From the power. Of sin. Again. Referring back to Romans 6. Where we read it. Said. Christ. Has been raised from the dead.

[9:45] Will never die again. Death. No. Longer. Has dominion. Over him. The great goal. Of the kingdom of evil. Was to put. Jesus.

[9:56] Under its grip. Along with everyone else. That's why. In Jesus's life. He continually. Faced threats. So he faced threats. From the moment. He was born. As a baby. He faced threats.

[10:07] As he began his ministry. With opposition. From demonic forces. He constantly faced opposition. Because the kingdom of evil. Wanted Jesus. Captive. And when Jesus died.

[10:20] It looked as though. The kingdom of evil. Had achieved just that. And Jesus himself. Said. When he was approaching his death. This is. The hour.

[10:31] Where we see the power. Of darkness. But the resurrection. Points us to an amazing reversal. And Peter echoes this amazingly well. When he preached on the day of Pentecost.

[10:42] He says. Men of Israel. Hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth. A man attested to you by God. With mighty works. And wonders. And signs. That God did through him. In your midst. As you yourselves know.

[10:53] This Jesus. Delivered up according to the definite plan. And foreknowledge of God. You crucified. And killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up. Loosing the pangs of death.

[11:05] Because it was not possible. For him to be held by it. Notice what Peter said there. It was not possible. For death. To hold on to Jesus.

[11:17] Why not? The answer is because of the power. Of the resurrection. The victory. Over sin. Achieved on the cross.

[11:29] Meant that death was left powerless. Death had no power over Jesus. No grip. No claim. No authority. No strength. Jesus is totally free.

[11:39] From any dominion. That death may claim. To have on him. The resurrection tells us. That Jesus has total liberty. Over death. And that makes perfect sense.

[11:51] Because that's what a resurrection is. It's the very opposite of death. It's the glorious proof. That Jesus is free. Utterly free.

[12:02] From death's grip. The power of the resurrection. Means that it's totally impossible. For death. To have any hold.

[12:13] On Jesus. He's risen. He is free. All through the power of the resurrection. So the power of the resurrection.

[12:24] Means that one. Jesus is victorious. Two. He's immortal. Three. He has liberty. And fourthly. The power of the resurrection. Results in security.

[12:37] If you go back to Romans chapter 6. Verse 9. It says. We know that Christ. Been raised from the dead. Will never die again. Death. No longer. Has dominion. Over him. Jesus.

[12:48] Will never. Die. Again. So yes. He did die on the cross. Two thousand years ago. But the resurrection.

[13:01] Has now placed him. In a position. Of total security. Death can never challenge him. It can never threaten him. Death cannot get. Anywhere near him.

[13:12] The Bible in fact. Uses an amazing image. To describe this. In Hebrews 10. Verse 12. It says. When Christ had offered. For all time. A single sacrifice. For sin.

[13:22] He sat down. At the right hand of God. Waiting. From that time. Until his enemies. Should be made a footstool. For his feet. Christ's enemies. The formidable forces.

[13:33] Of the kingdom. Of evil. Are nothing more. Than a stool. For Jesus's feet. He has total authority. And he has been raised.

[13:45] To a position. Of absolute security. Paul describes this. Better than I ever could. In Ephesians. Chapter one. I'll just read it. It describes the security.

[13:56] Of Jesus. Remarkably. He says. Having the eyes of your hearts. Enlightened. That you may know. What is the hope. To which he's called you. What are the riches. Of his glorious. Inheritance.

[14:07] In the saints. And what is the immeasurable. Greatness. Of his power. Towards us. Who believe. According to the working. Of his great might. That he worked in Christ.

[14:17] When he raised him. From the dead. And seated him. At his right hand. In the heavenly places. Far above all rule. And authority. And power. And dominion.

[14:28] And above every name. That is named. Not only in this age. But also. In the one to come. Through the power. Of the resurrection. Jesus has now been raised.

[14:40] Above every other power. He's at the right hand. Of the father. In heavenly places. He is untouchable. He is unthreatenable.

[14:51] He is totally. And eternally. Secure. All of this is reminding us. That the resurrection. Of Jesus. Is incredibly powerful.

[15:05] Through his resurrection. Jesus has victory. Jesus has immortality. Jesus has liberty. Jesus has security.

[15:20] Now we have to pause here. For a moment. And remember that. In order to gain. All of these things. Jesus had to endure.

[15:31] The very opposite. Of each of them. In order to gain. Security. He had to become. Totally vulnerable.

[15:44] Exposed to all sorts of. Horrible. Abuse. Pain. And suffering. In order to gain liberty.

[15:55] He. Had to be betrayed. And arrested. Tried. And condemned. In order to gain.

[16:06] Immortality. He had to take on. The frailty. Of human flesh. A mortal body. Like yours. And mine. That was subject. To pain. Aging.

[16:17] Suffering. And even death. And to gain. Victory. Over death. Jesus. Had to taste. Death. As Hebrews 2 says.

[16:29] Since therefore. The children share. In flesh and blood. He himself. Likewise. Partook of the same things. That through death. He might destroy. The one who has the power of death.

[16:40] That is. The devil. It's a powerful reminder. That Jesus's. Mission. Came at a huge. Huge cost.

[16:51] To himself. But the glorious reality. Of the resurrection. Means that we now know. That Jesus has succeeded.

[17:01] In his mission. That's what makes Jesus. Makes Jesus stand out. From every other figure. In the whole of history. There are many. Many people. Who have claimed. To hold the truth.

[17:12] There are many people. Who have claimed. To be some kind of Messiah. Many people. Who have. Claimed to be. Saviors of humanity. And they still arise today.

[17:24] Only one of them. Is a resurrected king now. And that's Jesus. He has victory.

[17:36] Immortality. Liberty. And security. And that's why we worship him. We marvel at him. He is the one who has done. What no one else. Could do. He is the one.

[17:48] In whom we see power. To which nothing else. Can even remotely. Can compare. Jesus is unique. His claims are unique. His resurrection. Is utterly unique.

[17:59] He is a hero. His resurrection. Is the greatest. Demonstration. Of power. That the world. Has ever known. And that's why.

[18:11] It's no wonder. That Paul says. I want to know. The power. Of his resurrection. The resurrection. Of Jesus. Is the most exciting. Inspiring. Thrilling news.

[18:22] That the world. Has ever known. And Paul. Is reminding us. That he wants us. To know. All about it. Often. It's. It's maybe the case.

[18:34] That our attention. Can be drawn. To the cross. And rightly so. But sometimes. That means. That we maybe. Don't think enough. About the resurrection. And the extraordinary.

[18:47] Demonstration. Of power. When victory. Over death. Was achieved. So the resurrection. Is really powerful.

[18:58] And. It's amazing. To think about that. But. Do you know. What's even more amazing. When Paul.

[19:12] Talks about. Knowing the power. Of the resurrection. He doesn't just mean. That we should know. About it. The great goal. Of the Christian message.

[19:23] Is not that you would be. An admirer of Jesus. Although. At one level. That's what we are. But that's not God's goal. That you just. Sit here and think. Well wow. Isn't it amazing.

[19:33] That Jesus. Was raised. From the dead. That's a good thing. But it's not the goal. Of Christianity. The goal. Is not that you would be. Admiring Jesus.

[19:45] The goal. Is that you would be. United. To Jesus. And that union. With Christ. Means that the power. Of the resurrection. Is not simply.

[19:55] Something. That we know about. In terms of. Intellectual knowledge. If you put your faith. In Jesus. Then the power. Of the resurrection. Is something. That you.

[20:06] Are going to experience. For yourself. Because through. Our union. With Christ. Everything. That the resurrection. Meant for Jesus. Is going to apply.

[20:17] To you. As well. It's so easy. To think of the resurrection. Thinking. Well that's Jesus. And that's the stuff. That happened to him. And all that applies. To him. The great message.

[20:27] Of the Bible. Is that if you trust. In Jesus. All of that. Applies. To you. As well. And so. That means. That.

[20:39] All of these things. That we've spoken about. Victory. And. Immortality. And. Security. And liberty. They apply to Jesus.

[20:51] But they apply. To you as well. Paul says. If we've been united. To him. In a death like his. We shall certainly. Be united to him. In a resurrection. Like his. So the victory.

[21:02] Of Jesus. At the resurrection. Is your victory too. And that brings us back. To the amazing words. That we read. At the very beginning. Of the service. In 1st Corinthians 15.

[21:13] Oh death. Where is your victory? Oh death. Where is your sting? The sting of death. Is sin. The power of sin. Is the law. But thanks be to God. Who gives us. The victory.

[21:24] Through our Lord. Jesus Christ. The victory. Is given to us. It's our. That's why Paul. In verse 14. Of Philippians 3.

[21:35] Can speak about the prize. That. That we receive. As a result. Of this victory. And. Just think about that. If you are a Christian.

[21:45] Or if you become a Christian. Then you can look. At. At the most. Formidable. Merciless. Brutal. Enemy. That humanity.

[21:56] Has ever known. The enemy of death. And you can celebrate. Victory. And. If only.

[22:06] People would see. That that is what. Christianity. Is offering them. People think. Of. Well I don't want to be a Christian. Because. It might restrict my life. And I don't really want.

[22:17] To go to church. Or. Being a Christian. Is just about being a good person. But I'm a fairly good person anyway. I don't really need to. To do that. Christianity. Is maybe one of many different. Good belief systems.

[22:28] I don't need that. I don't need this. It's a complete. Misunderstanding. Of the fact. That Christianity. Is saying to you. You can. You can stand.

[22:39] In the face of death. Knowing that you've won. Knowing that you have victory.

[22:52] The power of the resurrection. Means that victory. Has been won. And boy. That should make us celebrate. It's no wonder. That we sing. When we worship. It's no wonder.

[23:02] The Bible tells us. To rejoice. Paul says that. At the start of chapter 3. And he says it again. In chapter 4. In the face of the. Bitter. Horrible. Vicious. Enemy of death.

[23:13] Jesus' resurrection. Means that you. Are going to know. Victory. Now you think of. Everything that causes death. You think of. Illnesses.

[23:24] Awful things. Like cancer. And motor neuron disease. And horrible things like that. You think of. Violence. War. Neglect. Famine. And every one of these things. Are awful. Because.

[23:35] Through them all. Death. Defeats us. But in the gospel. Our union with Christ. Means that we.

[23:46] Defeat. Death. His victory. Is our victory. The immortality. That Jesus has.

[23:57] Through his resurrection. Is not just for him. It's for you. As well. As Paul says. In verse. In first Corinthians 15. This perishable body.

[24:07] Must put on. The imperishable. This mortal body. Must put on. Immortality. Now just think about that. For a moment. Think about. Every way. In which. Mortality.

[24:18] Is affecting. Your body. So think of pain. Maybe if you're. In pain. Maybe some of you. Are in pain. All the time. Think of illness.

[24:30] Think of. Weakness. Think of. Aging. Think of. Being frail. And look at your body. And listen to what Paul says.

[24:42] This. Mortal. Body. Will put on. Immortality. So when you think of. Jesus now. Exalted at God's right hand.

[24:53] With a transformed. Immortal body. Your body. Is going to undergo. The same transformation. That Jesus experienced. At the resurrection.

[25:04] Jesus has got the power. To make your body. Just like his. That's what Paul says. At the end of the chapter. In verse 20. Our citizenship. Is in heaven. From it. We await a savior. The Lord Jesus Christ.

[25:15] Who will transform. Our lowly body. To be like his. Glorious body. By the power. That enables him. To subject. All things.

[25:25] To himself. You're not going to have. A lowly. Mortal body. Forever. Forever. And you are not. Simply going to see. Jesus's. Transformed body.

[25:36] In heaven. You are going to experience. The very. Same. Transformation. Yourself. If you are a Christian. Or if you become one. And that's why.

[25:48] In the new creation. You won't be sick. You won't be sore. You won't be weak. You won't age.

[25:59] You won't struggle. And stumble. And fall. Like we often do. In this world. Jesus's. Immortality. Will be yours.

[26:12] At the resurrection. Jesus. Was liberated. And the resurrection. Is so powerful. That you. Are going to have. That liberty too.

[26:22] Just think of it. Death. Couldn't hold. On to Jesus. And in exactly. The same way. Death. Will not. Be able. To hold. On to you. Either. That's what Hebrews 2.

[26:34] Says. We read it a moment ago. I'll just read it again. Therefore. Since the children. Share in flesh and blood. He likewise himself. Partook of the same things. That through death. He might destroy the one. Who has the power of death.

[26:45] That is the devil. And deliver those. Who through fear of death. Were subject. To lifelong slavery. If you are trusting in Jesus. Then the power. Of the resurrection.

[26:55] Means. That you are free. You're free. From the grip of death. Free from the power. Of Satan. Free from the fear.

[27:06] Of dying. But just think about that. If you are a Christian. You are free. From anything bad. That death.

[27:17] Can do to you. The only thing. That death can do. To you. As a Christian. Is send you straight to paradise.

[27:29] Yes. And that is utterly astonishing. Many of you. I'm sure. Will have read. The update.

[27:39] That was sent. From Dominic Smart. Who. Many of you know. Who has terminal cancer. And he's just recently. Been told that. He's not able to get. Any more treatment.

[27:49] And he's. In many. Basically just moved. Into the final stages. Of his illness. Which is. Awful news. In so many ways. But.

[28:00] If we just. Stand back for a moment. And think about it. What. What is that cancer. Going to do. To Dominic. It's going to take him.

[28:10] To paradise. That's the power. Of the resurrection. And that's the difference.

[28:21] It makes. To know Jesus. As your savior. Death's grip. On you. Has been left. Powerless. Through the death.

[28:31] And resurrection. Of Jesus Christ. That's it. That is why the gospel. Is such utterly. Brilliant. News. Because. Hebrews 2. Is dead right. All our lives. We are enslaved.

[28:42] To the fear. Of death. It wrecks our lives. It destroys our families. It separates friendships. It breaks our hearts. And we look at. The risen Jesus. And we think. Oh wouldn't it be amazing.

[28:52] To have a freedom. Over death. Like he has. Wouldn't it be great. To be just as free. From death. As Jesus is. The amazing thing. About the power. Of the resurrection.

[29:03] Is that. That is exactly. What you are. You are as free. From the power. Of death. As Jesus is. Jesus. And that is why.

[29:15] The Bible. Talks about Jesus. As first fruits. And as a forerunner. Which simply means. That what he. Already is. We are going to be.

[29:28] You are going to know. The reality of Christ's. Level of liberty. All because. Of the power. Of the resurrection. So his victory.

[29:40] Is our victory. His immortality. Is our immortality. His freedom. Is our freedom. And finally. Just as the risen Jesus. Enjoys.

[29:50] Perfect security. The power. Of the resurrection. Means. That for every single. Christian here. And for every single. Christian. Who has ever lived. You. Are utterly.

[30:01] Secure. As well. Now just think about. The security. Of Jesus. He's. Resurrected.

[30:11] Ascended. Exalted. He's above. Every principality. And power. He's at the right hand. Of the father. He is king of kings. Lord of lords. Untouchable. Unshakeable.

[30:24] Unthreatenable. Utterly. And totally. Above. Anything. That could ever. Challenge him. He's above. Every principality. And power. He is king.

[30:34] And king of kings. Lord of lords. The resurrection. Has placed Jesus. In a position. Of utter. Perfect. Total security. Through your union.

[30:47] With Christ. You are. Every bit. As secure. As he is. Look at what Paul says. In verse 12.

[30:57] He says. Not that I've already obtained this. Or I'm already perfect. But I press on. To make it my own. Because Christ Jesus. Has made me. His own.

[31:09] This Jesus Christ. Who through the power. Of the resurrection. Now dwells. In absolute security. He has made you. His own. And the word here.

[31:20] The Greek word here. Basically means. To grab hold. Of something. To grasp something. With force. To hold on to something. Really tight. In other words. If you are a Christian. Or if you become one.

[31:31] Then the risen Lord Jesus. Is holding on to you. With an. Unbreakable grip. And that's why. From this moment.

[31:44] Forever. You are utterly secure. And safe. If you are trusting in Jesus. So the resurrection.

[31:56] Is incredibly powerful. It brought Jesus. Victory. Immortality. Liberty. And security. But the power. Of the resurrection. Is not.

[32:07] Just confined. To Jesus. Our union. With Christ. Means that. If we trust in him. We are united. To him.

[32:18] By faith. That means that. All the power. Of the resurrection. Is applied. To us as well. So we have the victory.

[32:29] We have immortality. We have liberty. And we are safe. And secure. Forever. Forever. That's why the resurrection. Is amazing. That's why the gospel.

[32:39] Is amazing. That's why Jesus. Is utterly amazing. Because the power. Of his resurrection. Is so great. That it is being poured out. On you. As well.

[32:51] That's why it is. No wonder. That Paul says. Everything else. Is like rubbish. In comparison to this.

[33:02] I count everything as loss. Because of the surpassing worth. Of knowing Christ Jesus. My Lord. For his sake.

[33:13] I have suffered the loss of all things. And count them as rubbish. In order. That I may gain. Christ. Christ. And really.

[33:26] That's the choice. That. We're all left with. We can choose. To go our own way. And forget about Jesus. And think. Well the resurrection is irrelevant.

[33:37] And the gospel is. Outdated. And church. And all that stuff. Is just. Not really what we need. And we can go after. Everything that the world.

[33:47] Is going after. Which will ultimately. Count for nothing. Or we can choose. To follow Jesus. And we can know him.

[34:02] And we can know the power. Of his resurrection. And that will transform. Your life. Your death.

[34:15] And your eternity. And that is why. Following Jesus. Is so. Brilliant. And that's why.

[34:26] Whoever you are. Please just. Bow your head. And say to Jesus. I want to know you. And the power. Of your resurrection.

[34:39] Amen. Let's pray. Amen.

[34:52] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

[35:02]  Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.