"Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed."
I Corinthians 15:1-11
Good Morning Beloved,
Welcome to worship!
We are so glad you're here
Today, we begin a new chapter of I Corinthians, chapter 15 is our chapter, and I’m very, very thankful for the direction of the Spirit of God to arrive at this marvelous chapter. And, I must say, I am just as thankful to be through I Corinthians chapter 14. I know, that it is a difficult chapter for many Christians, as it is for as many preachers. But the good news is, by the grace of God and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we made it through it, unscathed!
Most of you may know I Corinthians chapter 15, as the great resurrection chapter. As you can see by quickly glancing, it’s a rather lengthy epistle. It runs for 58 verses, so we'll likely be in this one a while. Tackling it several verses at a time. However, by the time we’re done, I pray that you’ll have a greater understanding of the wonder of resurrection.
Contrary to popular belief, this chapter is not particularly about the resurrection of Jesus Christ — although that is foundational to the resurrection — it’s about your resurrection and mine. So this is very personal. This is your story. Because, if you are a follower of Christ, this will happen to you. All of those who love Christ will one day rise from the dead. Those in the church will rise at the rapture of Christ. Those from the Old Testament and through the tribulation will rise at the resurrection of saints at the end of the tribulation, however, the point being, we will all rise. We will receive glorified bodies. like the resurrected Christs'. We will be real persons, just as we saw, in the case of Moses and Elijah. This is the promise of the Word of God. So, this is your future we’re talking about here.
This was a very important issue for people living in those days, and that is why the apostle Paul addresses the subject, because there were all kinds of mockers when it came to the matter of resurrection, especially in among the Greeks. They had become somewhat dualistic in the fact that they believed that spirit was good and matter was bad, and that the ultimate end of all people should be the complete deliverance from all things material so that you would end up as a floating spirit living in a spirit world.
Since the beginning of time, one of the oldest questions asked and certainly one of the most pondered, by mankind is, "If a man dies, will he live again?" - Job 14:14
In Jesus' day, some people didn’t believe in the resurrection of the dead, and they were a thorn in Jesus’ side, as we read in Luke 20:27, "Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came up and questioned Him:" and, the same is still true of some today.
We as Christians don’t believe in reincarnation, as do some religions, a kind of endless cycle where you could come back as a human being or a chicken or something. We don’t believe in annihilation, as some others religions teach. Nor do we believe in the eternal state of rest or "soul sleep". No, we believe that after life, we shall live, forever with our Lord Jesus Christ, in our eternal, glorified, resurrected bodies. This is our hope in Christ!
Let's bow our heads in prayer.
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for this glorious day, we thank You for the rich Word You have for us today, thank You for those who have been gathered together with us, both near and far. Thank You for the fellowship and love we share, and for the love You have given us. Lord, thank You for Your Holy Spirit, by illumination, teaches us all things. Father, we are so grateful for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and because He lives, we know that one day, we too shall live.
Lord, we pray that if any among us, have not yet been called by You to receive Christ, we just pray that today might be that day. That they wouldn't be without Your protection even one more day.
All these things we pray in Christs' precious name
Amen
Open with me your Bibles, to the 15th chapter of the book of first Corinthians. Today, before we begin, we'll start with a look at John, chapter 14, because our resurrection is based on Christ’s resurrection. It was Jesus, Himself, who said in John 14:19, a verse that for me is absolutely crucial, "In a little while the world will see Me no longer, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live too" Jesus resurrection is the guarantee of our resurrection. He is the first fruits of those who slept.
And, Philippians 3:21, tells us we will have a body like unto His glorious body. And His was a body that could be touched, as we know in the case of Thomas. His was a body that could speak and socialize, and yes, I know some of you are just dying to know, the answer to this, so yes, He ate, real food, as we saw with our Lord post-resurrection appearances. on several occasions.
I'm sure most of you remember in Luke 8:49-55, which teaches, "While He was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue leader’s house, saying, “Your daughter is dead. Don’t bother the Teacher anymore.”
When Jesus heard it, He answered him, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be made well.” After He came to the house, He let no one enter with Him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s father and mother. Everyone was crying and mourning for her. But He said, “Stop crying, for she is not dead but asleep.”
They started laughing at Him, because they knew she was dead. So He took her by the hand and called out, “Child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then He gave orders that she be given something to eat."
And Jesus said in John 11:25, "Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.
Follow along with me if you would, as I read to you from the incredibly rich text from the apostle Paul. I Corinthians 15:1-11
"Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed."
So, the apostle Paul begins his historical argument, by reminding the Corinthians by which he had proved to their satisfaction, the truth of Christ’s resurrection, and that this is no new nor unimportant matter. It is the original gospel which he had preached to them, they are being saved, not "are saved," as in the English. And, as I stated earlier, this is foundational.
Paul lived and preached Jesus and the resurrection. While in Athens, as recorded in Acts 17, while Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. and they even called him a babbler!
Today, there are a great many people who believe death to be annihilation, meaning it’s all over.
There have always been enemies of the doctrine of the resurrection, of Christ’s resurrection, and of believers! This is not a new thing.
The Greeks at Corinth did not believe in it. Even some in the church, began to doubt. Their skeptical attitude needed to be dealt with head on.
The word "Firstfruits," or the first 10%, main harvest, gleanings, represents Jesus’ resurrection-rapture of the church. Paul gives 4 evidences that Christ arose, that we might too!
Here’s evidence that demands a decision: Because conquering death sets Him apart from all others who’ve claimed to be God, it proves He is the One and Only, the true and living God!
In verses 2, Paul speaks your own salvation, "by which also you are saved." Paul had already been there, preached, and they had gotten saved. That was huge, because they had been greatly changed, so they knew it. Some were perverts, adulterers, thieves, drunkards, cheaters, and liars. And Paul says, a dead God couldn’t make that change…how do you explain yourselves?
Then, in verses 3 through 8, here it comes, "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also."
Beloved, some two thousand years later, the greatest evidence He’s alive is that He’s still changing lives, still saving souls! Some of which, were you and I! This is foundational. This is absolutely critical.
Paul starts off with a emphatic declaration, "Now I make known to you, brethren," — what is Paul making known? The Gospel! Paul had made known the gospel, to them. In other words, Paul is emphatically saying, 'I literally which I preached the gospel to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved.'
The point on which the future of our lives begin, is the gospel, it all begins with the gospel!
Paul gave it them, they received it. Remember he is the one God used to go into Corinth, and preach the gospel.
Turn back with me quickly to chapter 4 verse 15. Allow me to read this to you.
"For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel."In other word, Paul is saying, 'I want to begin by reminding you, that I am the one God used to bring you the gospel. I am your spiritual father in a sense, your are my spiritual children, in which you also stand' That's where you took your stand, and you still stand there.
The second proof is the Old Testament Scriptures.
So, in verse 3 and 4, Paul uses the phrase "according to the Scriptures." Now, we know that many times His death was predicted in the Old Testament, but what about His resurrection?
Let's take a look at Psalm 16:10, which says, "For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol;
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay."
And Psalm 2:2-4 says, "The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!” He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them."
He knew they would not have the last laugh!
So, we it is says He was stricken, smitten of God, bruised, beaten, crucified.
Now, turn back to chapter 9, verse 7, "There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this."
It sounds like it’s talking about 2 different people…so, how can this be the same person?
The Resurrection! There's only one way, a literal, physical bodily Resurrection!
The Old Testament validates it!!
I know that there are some religions that deny the resurrection. And, there are some "liberals," who have their theories of how the resurrection happened, especially since even secular historians document the empty tomb!
1. Stolen body theory—tho’ it was sealed, guarded…the disciples succeeded at this capital offense of breaking the seal, defeating the guards, and then talked over 500 people into claiming they had been a party to it!
Let me ask you a question: Would that not be almost as big of a miracle as the resurrection itself?
Scripture teaches that the authorities made the guards claim the disciples stole the body of Jesus while they were sleeping! If that were the case, how could they then know who "stole" His body?
2. Hallucination theory—all 500 plus were hallucinating! Even though Jesus appeared on 11 different occasions, to different groups, totaling over 514 people in several different locations! And, for the record, all these eyewitnesses’ stories were collaborated!…and all were willing to lay down their lives for it!!
With all these eyewitnesses and historical records of Jesus presenting Himself ALIVE, the liberals have had to come up with something better…their best effort was called the…
3. swoon theory—Jesus wasn’t really dead, but unconscious, and the coolness of the tomb revived Him! Give me a break here! These liberal minds would rather believe in bigger miracles than the resurrection itself! Like evolution!
Our third proof is the eyewitnesses! By the way, you can convict a person in a court of law with eyewitnesses! Yet, somehow, over 500 hundred witnesses, who's account collaborated, who were willing to lay down their lives for it!
Let alone, Pau's own witness! Anyone else remember what took place in Acts chapter 9, while Paul was on the road to Damascus?
Allow me to read to you verses 3 through 5.
"As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting"
In Closing....
Paul says, yes, there’s proof in the fact that you’ve been changed!
Yes, there's Old Testament prophecies and predictions that been fulfilled, and yes, you’ve got all these eyewitnesses…
Beloved, here’s how I know He lives: He lives within my heart!
Do you know Jesus?
If not, I'd like to invite you to become acquainted with Him today.
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
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