July sermons 2026
7-26- The Whole Truth
Genesis 15:1-6 John 14:12-14
British playwright George Bernard Shaw once said, “Death is the most democratic of all experiences.” It’s true—every person will die someday. But Jesus makes all the difference in the world in the way we approach or view the finality of death. Our faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus changes the way we look at life and death.
First Corinthians chapter 15 is the Apostle Paul’s theological discourse about the power of the resurrection of Jesus. Toward the end, he writes these words:
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).
Ever since Adam and Eve sinned in Genesis 3:6, life has been a journey to the grave. We start off well enough, but we start dying the moment we’re born. The signs of decline appear in our twenties—sometimes even sooner. Our bodies struggle, and our minds decline—slowly at first, then more rapidly, until we return to the ground from which we came. Sin’s effect will kill every single one of us. Sin is like a killer bee which stung our first parents, and the venom is so powerful it kills all their children.
Years ago, I read a story that illustrates the fear of sin and death—and the sacrifice Jesus made to deliver us:
It was a warm summer day, and the car windows were down as a family drove home from church. A bee flew into the car, and the little girl in the back seat screamed. She was terrified of being stung. Her father turned around just enough to grab the bee. His daughter was relieved until her dad opened his hand—and the bee once again took flight. His daughter screamed again in fear—until her dad showed her the palm of his hand where the bee had left its stinger. She had no reason to fear because the bee could no longer sting—the stinger was in the father’s hand.
Jesus was stung in the hand when He was nailed to the cross, and He removed the sting of death when He rose from the grave.
Fear not, my friends!