The Devil Has Been Vanquished by Christ
Christ has defeated Satan and redeemed humanity from his power, breaking the hold of death and the grave.
C.H. Spurgeon proclaims the victory of Christ over Satan, emphasizing that while Satan remains active, his power has been significantly diminished by Christ's redemptive work. Spurgeon highlights that Christ's death and resurrection have broken the chains of sin and death, transforming the world into a stage for God's grace and mercy. He reassures believers that death has lost its sting and that all who belong to Christ will rise again, celebrating the ultimate defeat of Satan. The sermon calls for gratitude and praise for the Savior who has triumphed over evil and assures us of our future resurrection.
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Though Satan is not dead, my brethren, I was about to say, would God he were, and though he is not converted, and never will be, nor will the malice of his heart ever be driven from him, yet Christ has so far broken his head that he has missed his mark altogether. He intended to make the human race the captives of his power, but they are redeemed from his iron yoke. God has delivered many of them, and the day shall come when he will cleanse the whole earth from the serpent's slimy trail, so that the entire world shall be full of the praises of God. He thought that this world would be the arena of his victory over God and good, instead of which it is already the grandest theater of divine wisdom, love, grace, and power. Even heaven itself is not so resplendent with mercy as the earth is, for here it is the Savior poured out his blood, which cannot be said even of the courts of paradise above.
Moreover he thought, no doubt, that when he had led our race astray and brought death upon them, he had effectually marred the Lord's work. He rejoiced that they would all pass under the cold seal of death, and that their bodies would rot in the sepulcher. Had he not spoiled the handiwork of his great Lord? God may make man as a curious creature with intertwisted veins and blood nerves, and sinews and muscles, and he may put into his nostrils the breath of life; but, "Ah," saith Satan, "I have infused a poison into him which will make him return to the dust from which he was taken." But now, behold, our Champion whose heel was bruised has risen from the dead, and given us a pledge that all his followers shall rise from the dead also. Thus is Satan foiled, for death shall not retain a bone, nor a piece of a bone, of one of those who belonged to the woman's seed. At the trump of the archangel from the earth and from the sea they shall arise, and this shall be their shout, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" Satan, knowing this, feels already that by the resurrection his head is broken. Glory be to the Christ of God for this!
From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "Christ The Conqueror Of Satan," delivered November 26, 1876.
Sermon Outline
- I. Satan's Intentions
- A. To make humanity his captives
- B. To lead them astray and bring death
- C. To mar God's work
- II. Christ's Victory
- A. He has broken Satan's head
- B. He has redeemed humanity from Satan's power
- C. He has defeated death and the grave
- III. The Consequences of Christ's Victory
- A. Satan feels his head is broken
- B. Death and the grave have lost their power
- C. Humanity will rise from the dead
Key Quotes
“He intended to make the human race the captives of his power, but they are redeemed from his iron yoke.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“At the trump of the archangel from the earth and from the sea they shall arise, and this shall be their shout, 'O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?'” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Satan, knowing this, feels already that by the resurrection his head is broken.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We can trust in Christ's victory over Satan and death, and know that we will rise from the dead.
- Christ's redemption is a powerful reminder of God's love and power.
- We should rejoice in Christ's victory and live in the light of His triumph over Satan and death.