The Way of Life that Overcomes Death

Recording:

1 Today's topic: Carrying the Death of Jesus!
What is today's topic? Carrying the Death of Jesus. Don't think I'm talking about death; I'm talking about the way of life, the way to overcome death. Some question whether I am qualified to speak on this topic, asking, Have you died? Have you been to hell? Those who say this seem to think I can't answer. Actually, you don't need to question me. My Lord Jesus has been there, and not only has He been there, but He has also overcome death. Those people might say, How do you know? Have you seen the Lord Jesus? Isn't that a story from 2000 years ago? My physical eyes have indeed not seen the Lord Jesus, but the Spirit of the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit, dwells within me. I know this. The Holy Spirit is the living and true God. Through the miracles and wonders He performs through me, I, who have not died, often contend with the spirit of death and overcome it. Therefore, based on what God has done through me, I am qualified to speak on this topic! Listen, and if you listen, go and try it. Then you will know that what I say is true! What I say is what I have practiced. I often hear people tell me, Pastor Liu, your sermons are not as theoretical as some pastors', but they are very practical. Thank the Lord, I love hearing such words. Yes, the word of God is meant to be put into practice. It must be practical.

The biggest problem in a person's life is death. If you can overcome death, there is nothing you cannot overcome! The greatest sadness in the world is the fact that people do not want to die but must die. The second greatest sadness is not understanding what death is all about. The ancient Chinese said, How can you know death if you do not know life? That is, if you don't know how to live, how can you know death? Actually, we Chinese have it backwards. The truth is, if people do not know what death is all about, they will not live well in this life! Why did the ancients say this? Because they looked at people through human eyes. How could they see clearly? Today, we Christians look at the world and life through God's eyes, so we can see through even the matters of life and death. Therefore, we will surely live well! Studying Confucius's theories yields predictable results. If Confucius couldn't see through it, you still can't see through it. If you have been reading these things since childhood and still recognize these theories, then you are deeply poisoned. One deeply poisoned person, being muddled and suffering from cancer, upon hearing me say this, ignorantly said that I was denigrating Chinese culture and slandering the Chinese people. What happened as a result? Last Monday, I heard that he not only had cancer but also shingles, causing him to scream in pain. I thought, even if he is in so much pain that he calls out to Confucius for help, Confucius cannot save him. He cannot even save Confucius.

But our Lord Jesus died and was buried on the cross, and on the third day, He rose from the dead, personally descending into hell for us, overcoming death, and开辟 a path for us to overcome death! Not only that, but He also gave us the authority to overcome, with miracles and wonders following us who believe, so that we truly know what glorious hope we who trust in Him have!

We are all those who have seen through life and death. We are all those who live in eternal life. Death can no longer make us afraid. Therefore, today I want to tell everyone good news. We are those who know both what life is about and what death is about. We are not those who have seen through the world and escaped into emptiness, without hope. We are those who have seen through the world, seen through life and death. We are full of hope, full of joy, full of glory, those who overcome death! Since this is the case, we are no longer afraid and, relying on the Lord who loves us, live a victorious life in this world.

The Cost and Realization of Visions and Dreams

The Sunday before last, I spoke about visions and dreams. Visions and dreams are key to a person's life. A person who loses visions and dreams becomes a living dead person. But the problem is not just in having dreams and visions, but also in: First, the dream must come from God, from the Holy Spirit – this is what God did through the Holy Spirit filling people on the day of Pentecost, restoring people's visions and dreams; Second, to achieve visions and dreams, one must pay a price. If a person pays the price of life for the vision and dream given by the Holy Spirit, there is no vision or dream that cannot be realized. Brothers and sisters, don't think that our God gives us dreams and visions to play a game with us, nor is it a story made up in the Bible; He wants us to see the realization of our dreams! That is victory, that is obtaining the reward!

Carrying the death of Jesus enables us to obtain the great power of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus! That is, 使 the life of Jesus is also manifested in our bodies. Let's read today's scripture.

2 Today's Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:10-11
2Co 4:10 Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our body. 2Co 4:11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

How well this is said! Let's read it again!

3 Prayer – A prayer to obtain life!
(Impromptu prayer)! Pray in the name of the Lord Jesus, Amen!

4 Experiencing God in Desperate Situations! (The best way for Paul to experience resurrection and the power of Jesus)
Last Friday, I led everyone in fasting and prayer. There was a Chinese student studying in France whose rent was due, specifically on May 10th. Actually, she should have paid the rent last month, but her landlord allowed her to defer it to May 10th. If she couldn't pay again, the consequences could be very serious. But in prayer, I boldly told her, Today, this very day, your housing subsidy will be approved! As a result, in the evening, she checked the government approval record online and indeed, she got it! 生 from a desperate situation!I am very grateful to my God. I know that without God, not only would I despair along with the children who face such desperate situations, but I myself would certainly live in that despair. I am very grateful that God has chosen me, saved me from all troubles, and given me the spiritual ability to help many helpless children through prayer.

Experiencing God in desperate situations is something that Christians with God's presence often encounter! Some say this is a coincidence. I won't argue whether it is or not. But I know that we often encounter coincidences, often have experiences of 生 from desperate situations. We do not attribute these things to luck, but rather God accomplishes these things through our faith! So give glory to the God I serve!

Paul, who wrote this passage in the Bible, was not talking nonsense. These were not fabricated words to deceive people; they were Paul's own experiences. He often experienced 生 from desperate situations. Therefore, he wrote this passage. When we read it today, we know that God not only did this in Paul's life, but also intends for us to often experience His grace!

This passage is the best summary of Paul's life experiences! It was a life full of miracles and wonders. It was a life full of the radiance of life. It was a life that often experienced the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus. Let's look at two of Paul's experiences.

5 Carrying the death of Jesus often leads to experiencing the resurrection power of God.

Carrying the Death of Jesus, Manifesting the Power of Resurrection

Some ask me, Why is it that a cancer patient gets healed in your hands, but not in mine? Why is it that when you lead a mentally ill patient in prayer, she gets released, but when I lead her in prayer, she doesn't? Why is it that this person gets released in your hands, but not in that person's hands? At that time, I thought, Isn't the Jesus you believe in and the Jesus I believe in the same Jesus? You can do it, you certainly can. But later, I found that he was still not doing well.

After a while, I began to discover the key to the problem. Because I carry the death of Jesus in my body, and he doesn't. It's not because the Jesus we believe in is different, but because we are different. A person who is afraid of death, a person who is afraid of paying the price, a person who does not carry the death of Jesus in their body, basically cannot perform miracles! God knows what kind of person you are, the demons also know what kind of person you are, and you yourself also know! Oh, I suddenly understood that those who are not afraid of death, those who are not afraid of anything, are the ones who cast out demons!

Therefore, when I teach disciples, I often use a sentence, and I have been using it especially frequently recently. Do you know what that sentence is? Die, then die! Don't misunderstand, it's not that I want you to die, but I want you to carry the death of Jesus in your body so that the resurrection power of Jesus may be manifested in you. What kind of army is the most powerful? The suicide squad is the most powerful. What kind of person should you not provoke? Don't provoke someone who is not afraid of death. We are the holy, united, and glorious elite army教会 of the eternal God, where everyone carries the death of Jesus, where everyone is used for the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, where everyone, with this mindset, even if we are often delivered to death for the sake of Jesus, the power of Jesus' resurrection from the dead will surely be manifested in our mortal bodies.

Sometimes, when I see brothers and sisters indulging in the flesh, I have to speak up and teach them. Why can't deliverance be obtained? Why can't others be delivered? It's because of indulging in the flesh. Brothers and sisters, don't think that indulging in the flesh of your family members will make them live better; on the contrary, if you don't indulge in their flesh, they will live better.

This is a spiritual principle. If you want to save your family, you must carry the death of Jesus. The devil knows your thoughts and intentions. If it knows that you carry the death of Jesus in your body, it will surely know that it will be cast out by you!

Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

6 Paul's experience: Being stoned to death and rising from the dead

Paul's Experience: Resurrection from the Dead and Faith in Shipwreck

Act 14:3 They stayed there a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. Act 14:4 But the multitude of the city was divided; part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. Act 14:5 When a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and to stone them, Act 14:6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country; Act 14:7 and there they preached the gospel. Act 14:8 At Lystra there sat a man without strength in his feet, lame from his mother's womb, who had never walked. Act 14:9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, Act 14:10 said with a loud voice, Stand up straight on your feet! And he leaped and walked. Act 14:11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men! Act 14:12 And they called Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. Act 14:13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes. Act 14:14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the crowd, crying out Act 14:15 and saying, Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, Act 14:16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. Act 14:17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. Act 14:18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them. Act 14:19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. Act 14:20 However, as the disciples stood around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

Brothers and sisters, can you imagine it? Paul was stoned to death. That wasn't a death that happened in a second. It was stones falling on his body like raindrops, blood flowing straight out, and he fell unconscious. In that moment before he breathed his last, what was Paul thinking?

• Dying is an incomparably good thing; from now on, I will be with the Lord Jesus.
• If my mission has not yet been completed, God will surely not let me leave this world.

So Paul got up, not lamenting his bitter fate, but getting up to continue his mission!

Such a person cannot die, a person whom the world is not worthy of. Such a person is precious in God's sight and will be a pillar in God's kingdom!

7 Paul's second experience – Almost died at sea
Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, imprisoned, defended himself, and King Agrippa happened to come to Caesarea, where Paul was imprisoned. Paul's case had been dragging on for a long time without a conclusion. The local official, Festus, mentioned Paul's case to King Agrippa. As a result, Paul pleaded his case before King Agrippa. After pleading his case...

Paul's Faith: A Testimony of Salvation from Shipwreck

Act 26:31 When they had gone aside, they said among themselves, “This man is doing nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.” Act 26:32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” Act 27:1 When it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. Act 27:2 Embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. Act 27:3 The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for. Act 27:4 And putting to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. Act 27:5 And when we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. Act 27:6 There, finding a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy, he put us on board. Act 27:7 We sailed slowly for a good many days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go on, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. Act 27:8 Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea. Act 27:9 As much time had been lost, and the voyage was now dangerous because the fast was already over, Paul advised them, Act 27:10 saying, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not merely of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” Act 27:11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner than to what Paul said. Act 27:12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority advised to put to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter. Act 27:13 And when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close inshore. Act 27:14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster. Act 27:15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven. Act 27:16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship's boat. Act 27:17 After hoising it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. Act 27:18 And as we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. Act 27:19 And on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. Act 27:20 And when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. Act 27:21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. Act 27:22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. Act 27:23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, Act 27:24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Act 27:25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he has told me. Act 27:26 But we must run aground on some island.”

The Trial of True Faith: The Attitude Towards Death Determines True and False Christians

Act 27:27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. Act 27:28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took another sounding and found fifteen fathoms. Act 27:29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. Act 27:30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the boat, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, Act 27:31 Paul said to the Centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the boat, you cannot be saved.” Act 27:32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go.

Act 27:33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “For fourteen days you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. Act 27:34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will help you survive. For none of you will lose a hair from his head.” Act 27:35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all, he broke it and began to eat. Act 27:36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. Act 27:37 (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) Act 27:38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the grain into the sea.

Act 27:39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. Act 27:40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they drove toward the beach. Act 27:41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. Act 27:42 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should escape by swimming away. Act 27:43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land, Act 27:44 and the rest were to follow, some on planks and others on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

Act 28:1 Once safely ashore, we learned that the island was called Malta. Act 28:2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Act 28:3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. Act 28:4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” Act 28:5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. Act 28:6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

Act 28:7 There was an estate nearby belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days treated us hospitably. Act 28:8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. Act 28:9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. Act 28:10 They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

A Paul, a man such as this, faces death without any fear whatsoever.

8 The View of Death Determines True and False Christians (Overcoming Death While Alive)

Living Out the Resurrection Life with the Death of Jesus

How do we measure a Christian, a mature Christian? It is by their view of death. I have observed that many Christians fear death.

Luk 14:25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, Luk 14:26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Luk 14:27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Do you want to resolve your family issues? Carry the death of Jesus!

Do you want to resolve your life's problems? Carry the death of Jesus!

Do you want to transform people's lives? Carry the death of Jesus!

Do you want to serve our God and enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Carry the death of Jesus!

Rev 12:11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Rev 12:12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and all who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

9 Conclusion: We must all carry the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus Christ may also be manifested in us.
If you want to live well, carry the marks of Jesus, and no one can do anything to you, no demon can do anything to you, and God will also protect you!

Gal 6:17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. What marks? The marks of the death of Jesus! What is Paul saying? Paul is saying, you are no match for me, because I am a man who does not even fear death!