Rob's Expository Sermon Preparation | 1 Corinthians 15:1–19 (2)

Introduction:

· Back from the dead?

PAUL IS CHANGING THE SUBECT, TO ADDRESS ONE FINAL QUESTION – THIS CENTRAL CLAIM OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH – LET’S LOOK AT HOW THE RESURRECTION IS THE HEART OF OUR FAITH, AND THE HOPE OF OUR FAITH.

I) The Ressurection is the Essence of Faith (vv. 1-11)

A. The Resurrection is the Heart of the Christian Faith

i. Reminding of…the resurrection? (vs. 1-2)

1. Paul reminds believers of something they had heard a million times

2. The gospel is our standing before God (vs. 1b)

3. The gospel is the means by which we are spared God’s judgment (vs. 2)

ii. The Gospel in Sum (vs 3)

1. Jesus died to satisfy the claims of justice for our guilt

2. Jesus was buried (so: no question of his death) (See HC, LD 16)

3. Jesus wasn’t just a martyr/victim, but raised to life again

iii. The gospel is the center of the Christian Faith

1. SO: the gospel is the heart of Paul’s message to believers and unbelievers

2. APPLY: Whether a new, OR life-long believer: You need the gospel!

3. APPLY: the Church must never become social/moral reform

B. The Resurrection Is a Historically-Verifiable Event (vv. 4-10)

i. But can the resurrection be trusted?

1. Many today doubt (and assume the ancients didn’t!)

2. Not true: Resurrection has always been an astonishing claim to make

ii. The scriptural Evidence (vv. 3b, 4b)

1. Devout Jews believed that a suffering and dying Messiah wasn’t possible

2. Paul appeals to scripture to show that the death/resurrection of Jesus was always God’s plan

3. EXAMPLE: Isaiah 53; Psalm 16

iii. The Eyewitness Evidence (vv. 5-8)

1. Isn’t this circular reasoning: “But the bible can’t prove the bible”

2. Paul publicly invites anyone to verify his claims by talking to witnesses

3. EXAMPLE: Charles Colson experienced how the most powerful man in the world and his aides couldn’t keep a secret for 3 weeks

iv. The Experiential Evidence (vv. 9-10)

1. Paul moved from someone actively committing terrorist acts to preaching

2. EXAMPLE: Colson again: From Hatchet Man to prison pastor!

3. Christianity will never change you if it’s just a collection of rules!

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS IS THE ONLY POWER THAT WILL COMPLETELY TRANSFORM A PERSON

II) The Ressurection is the Hope of Our Faith (vv. 12-19_)

A. The Resurrection of Jesus Guarantees the resurrection of the Believer

i. Did we believe in vain? (vs. 2)

1. BUT: Paul seems to suggest that we can believe, but for no reason

2. However: Paul is not talking about a believer trying to believe…

3. But about those who deny the resurrection of the body (vv. 13-14)

ii. Only if we deny the resurrection of the body (vv. 12-13, 16),

1. Gnostic Greeks saw the body as a prison, and so denied the resurrection

2. But: Paul insists that resurrection of Jesus & the body can’t be separated

B. The Bodily resurrection Gives Believers Hope

i. We have the hope of forgiveness (vs.17)

1. Without resurrection we’re still in our sins, penalty hasn’t been paid

2. EXAMPLE: “What do you do with your guilt?”; Nietzsche

ii. We have the hope of eternal life (vv. 18-19)

1. Many people see Jesus as an example, teacher àPitied! (since we still have to face death)

2. Because Jesus has been raised, we ha ve hope for eternity

3. EXAMPLE: Watching mom w. dementia; grieving a loss; facing your own mortality à Jesus guarantees our resurrection!

Transition:

Conclusion

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