Hebrews 2:14-15 (NKJV) 14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Power Over Death Hebrews 2:14-15

Power Over Death We understand that we do not have the power to keep someone from dying We cannot command that they not die We cannot keep them from dying a physical death There may be some who claim this, but we know it’s not possible

Power Over Death If you were to ask what someone’s greatest fear is, most( if not all) would say “death” Sadly, we cannot help to prevent this great fear from becoming reality However, there is one who holds that power over death

Jesus the Victor Jesus Christ is the One who has power even over death Death is considered an enemy (I Cor. 15:24-26) Jesus abolished death through His resurrection from the grave (II Tim. 1:10)

Jesus the Victor Notice what our text says about Jesus and death (Heb. 2:14-15) Jesus shared in this fleshly existence that He might die His death was for the purpose “that…He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (v. 14)

Jesus the Victor The word destroy is the Greek word katargeo It is a word that means to render useless or make idle Jesus made it so that Satan’s weapon against us of death was made useless

Jesus the Victor Satan lied in the beginning, knowing that Adam and Eve would surely die if they ate of the fruit (Gen. 3) It was most certainly His plan to get back at God Satan came after God’s most prized creation, those whom He loved

Jesus the Victor Jesus then reversed our fortunes when He conquered death We may not have power over the grave, but we certainly know the One who does That is why He is so precious to us, He suffered and died to help you and I

Our Power With Death The amazing thing is that we are not without power We may not have power over physical death, having to watch others die However, we do have power given to us that can keep others from dying a spiritual death

Our Power With Death Jesus didn’t just die to conquer the grave He died to conquer spiritual death, the eternal separation of ourselves from God Physical death is not so intimidating when the spiritual death is taken out of the way

Our Power With Death As Paul wrote, “…Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (II Tim. 1:10) The gospel of Jesus Christ is the “power of God to salvation” (Rom. 1:16) This power is given to us to share (Mk. 16:15)

Our Power With Death You and I have the power of God within our hands to keep people from dying The question is, what will we do with that power? What of the one who claims to have power to keep others from dying physically?

Our Power With Death Would we not say it would be wrong if one had the power to save a life and refused? What then of us, who have the power to save a spiritual life? If we refuse, would it not be wrong?