You Are Saved by Works (Just Not Yours)

INTRO

This morning we’re wrapping up First Things First and our journey through 1 Corinthians.

I told you at the very beginning it would take six weeks…

and here we are — week six.

With a brief intermission thanks to an ice storm in the middle.

But we made it.

And if you’ve been here for this whole series, you know — Paul doesn’t let you stay comfortable for very long.

He confronts, corrects… then confronts and corrects the next thing.

And that’s exactly what the gospel is supposed to do.

We have to become comfortable being uncomfortable.

Because comfort rarely produces transformation.

THE SHOCK LINE: YOU ARE SAVED BY WORKS

This morning we’re wrapping up the last two chapters — 15 and 16.

We’re going to end on a bang.

We’re going to get uncomfortable…

I need to tell you something up front this morning

You are saved by works

Some of you just got nervous.

Good. Stay with me.

1 Corinthians 15 is very important.

If you misunderstand chapter 15, you misunderstand the gospel.

And if you misunderstand the gospel, you misunderstand everything.

Turn with me to 1 Cor. 15

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 ESV

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word 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 in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

Pray

AWARENESS SPIKE

It’s been well documented that I have ADHD. I’ve shared that with you many times.

What I haven’t shared much about is that back in November I started realizing there might be something else going on inside my head too.

At the end of January, I was officially diagnosed with Autism.

So now I’ve got what they call AuDHD.

I mentioned the diagnosis a few weeks ago, but something I haven’t talked about is a process both my psychiatrist and therapist warned me about…

They said now that i have finally gotten some clarity about how your brain works, something strange happens.

You start noticing everything.

All the ways you compensate.

All the ways you mask.

All the moments you misunderstood.

All the patterns that were always there but you couldn’t see.

It’s like someone turns the lights on — and suddenly what used to feel normal feels obvious.

And for a while, it’s overwhelming.

Because once you see it… you can’t unsee it.

They called it “The Awareness Spike.”

Let me give you an example:

A few days ago I was at a coffee shop I go to all the time. There’s an employee there I’ve joked with before, so I made what I thought was a playful comment while she was on the phone. I said, “Hey, you’re supposed to be working.”

She looked at me and said, “Did you need something?”

I said, “No.”

She said, “Okay then,” and went back to her call.

That was it. Ten seconds. Totally normal interaction.

Except my brain didn’t treat it like a normal interaction.

For days, it kept replaying:

Was that rude? Did I misread the moment? Did she think I was serious? Is she annoyed with me now? Is it awkward to go back?

Days later I was literally nervous to go back into a place I visit all the time… over a ten-second conversation that probably meant nothing to anyone else.

Nothing dramatic happened. No conflict. No confrontation.

But suddenly I could see how much mental energy I spend trying to decode social moments that most people forget immediately.

I went back finally after getting the courage and the interaction was great no awkwardness or anything at all…

And what really hit me was this:

I can stand on a stage and preach to room full of people without anxiety… but one ambiguous interaction can follow me around for days.

That’s the awareness spike.

Not that something new started happening — but that I suddenly realized what had been happening all along.

THE CHRISTIAN AWARENESS SPIKE

Here is why I’m telling you about this:

For a believer, 1 Corinthians 15 is an awareness spike.

Paul says, “Let me remind you of what is of first importance.”

He turns the lights on.

And once you know it you can’t unknow it.

He’s saying: You are building your faith on something.

Let’s make sure it’s the right thing.

Because once you truly see the resurrection for what it is…

You can’t unsee it.

The resurrection isn’t new information.

It’s clarifying information.

The resurrection of Jesus exposes what your faith is actually resting on.

That’s why I said what I said earlier.

If you misunderstand chapter 15, you misunderstand the gospel.

And if you misunderstand the gospel, you misunderstand everything.

Paul literally says the gospel he preached is “of first importance.”

Go all the way back to week one of this series.

1 Corinthians 2:1–2 ESV

1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Why?

Because it’s the most important thing.

Not spiritual gifts.

Not church structure.

Not personalities.

Not preferences.

Christ crucified.

Christ buried.

Christ raised.

That’s the foundation.

And if that foundation shifts — everything collapses

IF THE RESURRECTION ISN’T TRUE… NOTHING IS (1 COR 15:12–19)

Did you know the Bible — and Paul himself — tells you exactly how to disprove Christianity?

Bet you didn’t know that.

1 Corinthians 15:12–19 ESV

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Here’s Paul’s logic:

If there is no resurrection…

Then Christ hasn’t been raised.

If Christ hasn’t been raised…

Our preaching is useless.

Your faith is useless.

We are liars.

You are still in your sins.

The dead are gone.

And we are fools.

Translation?

If you want to disprove Christianity… you can.

All you have to do is produce a body.

Find the bones of Jesus.

That’s it.

Christianity doesn’t collapse because of science.

It doesn’t collapse because of culture.

It doesn’t collapse because of political pressure.

It collapses if the tomb wasn’t empty.

And Paul knows it.

That’s not weakness. That’s confidence.

Because Christianity is not built on vibes. It’s built on an event.

We live in a culture that loves to say,

“I follow the teachings of Jesus.”

You’ll hear people say,

“I’m not a Christian… but I like Jesus.”

“I just try to live by what He taught.”

“I follow the red letters.”

Okay.

But here’s the problem.

If Jesus stayed dead, His teachings are just suggestions.

If Jesus stayed dead, He’s just another moral voice in history.

You can admire Him.

You can quote Him.

You can post Him.

But you don’t have to obey Him.

Because dead teachers don’t have authority.

Christianity is not built on the teachings of Jesus. It’s built on the resurrection of Jesus.

Because if He walked out of a grave, then His teachings aren’t optional.

They’re authoritative.

If He walked out of a grave, He’s not just a good teacher.

He’s Lord.

And that’s exactly Paul’s point.

If Christ has not been raised…this whole thing collapses.

But if He has been raised…Everything changes.

But thank God….

BUT IN FACT… EVERYTHING CHANGES (1 COR 15:20–21)

1 Corinthians 15:20–21 ESV

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.

Not theoretically.

Not metaphorically.

Not spiritually only.

But In fact. Christ has been raised.

The firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.

Here’s what Paul is saying.

Death entered through one man — Adam.

Sin entered through one man — Adam.

The curse entered through one man — Adam.

But resurrection comes through one man — Jesus.

Death was a work.

Resurrection was a work.

Adam worked disobedience.

Christ worked obedience.

And because of that work…everything changes.

VICTORY WAS GIVEN, NOT ACHIEVED (1 COR 15:54–57)

Go all the way down to verse 54 with me:

1 Corinthians 15:54–57 ESV

54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

That verse should make Baptists run the aisles.

Death — swallowed.

Not managed.

Not postponed.

Not softened.

Swallowed.

“O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

Paul is mocking the grave.

He’s taunting the thing that terrifies every human being.

The sting of death is sin.

The power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God…

Not thanks be to you.

Not thanks be to your discipline.

Not thanks be to your church attendance.

Thanks be to God.

Who gives us the victory.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Victory isn’t achieved. It’s given.

CIRCLE BACK: SAVED BY WORKS, JUST NOT YOURS.

at the beginning I told you that you were saved by works.

And you are.

You are saved by works, Just not your own.

Jesus followed the law perfectly.

Jesus fulfilled every requirement.

Jesus bore the penalty.

Jesus did all of the work.

On the cross He said, “It is finished.”

Not “It is started.”

Not “Now you finish it.”

Finished.

Your salvation does not rest on your performance.

It rests on His.

And all you are called to do…is repent, believe, and surrender.

Let Him take His rightful place as Lord of your life.

Because if He walked out of that grave — He’s not just Savior.

He’s Lord.

THEREFORE: RESURRECTION PRODUCES WORK (1 COR 15:58)

In verse 58 Paul uses an important theological word….

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

 Remember last week I told you the old preacher saying —whenever the Bible says “therefore,” you better stop and figure out what it’s there for.

“Therefore…”

Because Christ has been raised.

Because death is defeated.

Because victory is given.

Because you are saved by His work and not your own.

Therefore.

Be steadfast.

Immovable.

Always abounding in the work of the Lord.

Notice what Paul doesn’t say.

He doesn’t say, “Work so you can be saved.”

He says, “Because you are saved — get to work.”

The resurrection doesn’t produce passivity.

It produces perseverance.

It produces stability.

It produces people who can’t be shaken because their foundation can’t be shaken.

Your labor is not in vain.

Why?

Because His wasn’t.

If Christ stayed in the grave, your work is pointless.

But because He walked out of it — everything you do for Him matters.

So what work do we have to do?

Of course we evangelize.

Matthew 28:19 —“Go therefore and make disciples…”

Yes. We go.

Yes. We preach.

Yes. We tell people about Jesus.

But that’s not the only work.

Let’s get uncomfortable…

RESURRECTION PEOPLE LIVE GENEROUSLY (1 COR 16:1–3)

1 Corinthians 16:1–3 ESV

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.

Paul is telling them to set aside funds to help with believers that are suffering in Jerusalem…

He’s talking about giving to the church so that the church can take care of people….

We sit around and want to debate tithing today….

I hear it all the time…

“There is no New Testament Mandate to Tithe…That’s Old Testament…”

My response to that?

You’re right. Let’s examine it…Lets see what Jesus said…

WHY GENEROSITY ISN’T THE EXCEPTION (MATTHEW 5)

Matthew 5:21–22 ESV

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Matthew 5:27–28 ESV

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Matthew 5:31–32 ESV

31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Matthew 5:33–34 ESV

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,

Matthew 5:38–42 ESV

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Matthew 5:43–44 ESV

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

What do you notice?

Every time Jesus addresses the Law, He doesn’t lower the standard.

He goes deeper.

He doesn’t relax righteousness — He intensifies it.

So why is it that when we get to generosity, we suddenly want the bar lowered?

“There’s no New Testament mandate to tithe.”

Okay.

You’re right.

There’s no command that says “10%.”

But the New Testament standard isn’t 10%.

It’s surrender.

It’s sacrificial.

It’s cheerful.

It’s generous.

GRACE DOESN’T LOWER THE BAR, IT RAISES IT

Under the Law, there was a floor.

Under Grace, there’s no ceiling.

And I want to be careful with what I’m about to say…

STOP LIVING IN THE BASEMENT

But too many Christians are living in the basement.

You’re saved.

You’re going to heaven.

But that’s it.

Minimal obedience.

Minimal generosity.

Minimal surrender.

Minimal risk.

You’re asking, “What’s the least I can give?”

“What’s the least I can serve?”

“What’s the least I can sacrifice?”

That’s basement living.

Paul says, “Always abounding in the work of the Lord.”

Abounding doesn’t mean scraping by.

Abounding doesn’t mean calculating the minimum.

It means overflow.

If Christ gave everything…

why are we negotiating percentages?

If the tomb is empty…why are we living small?

I need you to understand something that doesn’t make logical sense.

As a believer, your security is not in what you have.

It’s in the resurrection.

Your family’s security is not in what you leave behind for them.

It’s in the resurrection.

Your peace is not in your portfolio.

Your confidence is not in your possessions.

Your hope is not in your inheritance plan.

It’s in the empty tomb.

And one of the works we are called to do because of salvation — not for it — is to live generously.

Resurrection people are generous people.

Because when your future is secure,

you don’t have to cling to the present.

When your eternity is settled,

you don’t panic over temporary things.

We don’t give to earn favor.

We give because we already have it.

We don’t give to secure heaven.

We give because heaven is secure.

That’s resurrection work.

RESURRECTION PEOPLE STAY ON MISSION (1 COR 16:5–12)

Resurrection People are on mission and persevere.

1 Corinthians 16:5–12 ESV

5 I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 10 When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. 11 So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers. 12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.

Paul talks about travel plans.

Open doors.

Opposition.

Staying.

Going.

Sending.

It almost feels random.

But it’s not.

Resurrection people don’t retreat when things get hard.

Paul says there is a wide door for effective work… and many adversaries.

Did you catch that?

Opportunity and opposition in the same sentence.

Resurrection doesn’t remove resistance.

It gives you reason to endure it.

If Christ is alive, you keep going.

If Christ is alive, you stay faithful.

If Christ is alive, opposition doesn’t win.

Resurrection belief leads to mission and perseverance.

Then Paul lands it in verses 13–14:

STRENGTH SHAPED BY LOVE (1 COR 16:13–14)

1 Corinthians 16:13–14 ESV

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.

Not arrogance.

Not aggression.

Not ego.

Strength wrapped in love.

Watchful.

Firm.

Strong.

Loving.

That’s not natural.

That’s resurrection-shaped living.

Resurrection people live in strength.

Here is where I want us to land this morning.

WORK FROM GRACE, NOT FOR GRACE

Resurrection people do work. We just work from grace — not for grace.

We don’t give to earn approval.

We give because we’re already approved.

We don’t serve to secure heaven.

We serve because heaven is secure.

We don’t persevere because we’re afraid of losing salvation.

We persevere because Christ already won it.

We are not trying to finish what Jesus started.

He said, “It is finished.”

So we stand firm.

We abound.

We give.

We serve.

We love.

Not to be saved.

But because we are.

You are saved by works.

Just not your own.

And because of that…

Be steadfast.

Be immovable.

Always abounding in the work of the Lord.

Because in Him— Your labor is not in vain.

Ladies and gentlemen this is how we make the first things first….