Glorious Day
Easter 2020
1 Corinthians 15:1-14
The Greeks saw the human body as weakness and so Paul deals in 1 Corinthians 15 with the Corinthian’s denial of, and misunderstanding about, the future bodily resurrection of Christians. He begins with the historical fact of the resurrection of Christ.
“But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?”
1 Corinthians 15:12
- Christianity is first and foremost the announcement of . (vv. 3-6)
- 3 Christ died for my sins
- 4a Christ was buried
- 4b Christ was raised from the dead on the third day
- 5, 6 Christ appeared to over 500 people
“If Christ has not been raised our preaching is useless.”
1 Corinthians 15:14
Preaching means .
What was the message that was announced and that changed them? !
- The message of the gospel, is that something happened that .
If Christ was raised from the dead then there are many very .
Acts 26:24-26
The early Christian church was built on the message that the .
So what changed Paul? !
“God declared him to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection.” Romans 1:4
- Death could not !
“O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?”
1 Corinthians 15:55
“I give them eternal life, and they will never die, and no one can steal them out of my hand.” John 10:28
“And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:26
“. . . Because I live, you also will live.” John 14:19
“To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12
“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life and NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME.” John 14:6
We receive Christ by an act of faith.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8, 9
“Lord Jesus, I’m sorry for all the things I’ve done wrong in my life. I thank You for Your forgiveness and now turn from everything that I know is wrong to follow You. Thank You for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit . . . and thank You for Your promise to never leave me or forsake me. We pray, for all of us, that the resurrection would not just be something we believe in (though we must believe in it) . . . but that we know your power in our daily lives. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.
Daily Meditations
Memory verse: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures . . .” 1 Corinthians 15:3b-4
Monday
Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-58. Why did Paul pass on what he had received? See verse 3.
In verses 3-8 what are the main points?
Tuesday
Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-14 and then re-read verses 5-8. Why did Paul emphasize the facts of Christ’s resurrection?
For what reason was Paul able to call himself an apostle? See verse 10.
Wednesday
Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-14 in a modern translation or paraphrase. What do you think most people you know believe about the afterlife?
In verse 2 what were some Corinthians saying that troubled Paul?
Thursday
Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-14 and underline the key words, phrases or verses for you.
If Christ had not in fact been raised, what would be true of Christianity and Christians?
Friday
Read 1 Corinthians 15, the whole chapter. What does the promise of eternal life mean to you personally?
When is it best to reason logically with people who doubt the gospel?
Saturday
Read 1 Corinthians 15, the whole chapter, again. What hope does Jesus’ resurrection provide for your daily life?
How can you be more effective in sharing the message of salvation with others?