Gospel Clarity - 1 Cor. 15:1-11
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· 23 viewsThe Scriptures clearly reveal the gospel of Jesus Christ so that it might be proclaimed and believed.
Notes
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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, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy 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 was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
The last few weeks have been interesting as fear and panic increases and the Corona virus spreads.
We see people resorting to almost animal like tendencies of self preservation hoarding toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
Brothers and sisters let us remember God has not give to believers a spirit of fear but power, love and self control.
Let us be wise and use our common sense but let us not live as if God is not our Father and in complete control.
Let us not forget that throughout history these times give us the opportunity to be what God has called us to be. A people kept by God, a people loves our neighbors and a people who lives on mission.
3 You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
12 O Lord, you will ordain peace for us,
for you have indeed done for us all our works.
We welcome everyone watching from home today and give thanks for technology.
Make no mistake during time a difficulty we need gospel clarity.
Our action during times of difficulty and tragedy demonstrate what we believe.
So let us orient ourselves with Gospel this morning.
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, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy 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 was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
Pray
The Scriptures clearly reveal the gospel of Jesus Christ so that it might be proclaimed and believed.
Why Did the Corinthians church need gospel clarity?
Context: Controversy/lack of clarity Over the Resurrection
Context: Controversy/lack of clarity Over the Resurrection
Those denying the bodily Resurrection; not necessarily Christ but their own.
In Paul’s day, almost everyone held to a supernatural worldview that encouraged belief at least in life after death.
Most Greeks and Romans, however, did not see that this entailed bodily resurrection.
Their rejection reflects a typical Greek and pagan view in which the body was rejected as inferior.
The context was a defense of bodily ress but how about today?
By and large even those who accent to Christianity functionally live as if this live is all there is, yes even how we see people reacting can reveal this.
What you believe about this life and the next matters.
Wrong thinking and wrong believing lives to wrong living.
What the big deal if someone doesnt believe in their own bodily Reurrection?
Wrong living stems from wrong believing
Wrong thinking stems from wrong believing
-Humenaeus & Phelitus
and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.
To correct wrong belief or wrong living Paul had one main approach: back to the gospel.
The answer: Back to theology.... As Christ was resurrected so shall we.
Paul repeatedly drew his readers back to the gospel.
He begin and ends this letter with gospel clarity
to an understanding of the implications of their belief in Christ crucified (1:17–25; 5:7; 6:20; 11:17–32)
The clarity from Scripture is that the local church carries a corporate call to proclaim the gospel so that the lost might believe.
to the recognition that until “the end,” the “day of the Lord” ( 4:5)
This call is both individual and corporate. - 1 Cor. - all things corporate.
they are sustained by God’s grace (3:10)
God is faithful (1:9).
He has repeatedly demonstrated that they must live, knowing that the present age will come to an end in judgment and resurrection (7–8; 2:9, 13; 7:29).
Therefore, it is always to the “faith,” the “gospel” of Jesus Christ, that Christians must constantly return.
The Scriptures clearly reveals the gospel of Jesus Christ so that it might be proclaimed and believed.
The Scriptures Clearly Reveals the Gospel of Jesus Christ - V.3-8
The Scriptures Clearly Reveals the Gospel of Jesus Christ - V.3-8
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
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, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
V.3a - I delievered what I received.
How did Paul receive the gospel?
For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,
Gospel verified & unified - - Read v.1-2 & v.6
1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me.
Gospel Revelation
Gospel clarity thru a Gospel creed: Creedal statement that goes back to the very inception of the Christian faith.
Of first importance - principle thing - the essential thing
Ex: Tongues? No - Gospel -yes
Pews -no - Gospel - yes
Color of the walls - no - gospel -yes
Christ Died and was buried
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,
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
Historically - Tacitus Roman historian and hostile witness - testimony p.120-121,EDV - speaking to the fires set by Nero and how he blamed it on a group of people called Christians.
Jospehus - Jewish historian records the same
Christ death and burial was testified to by those who loved and hated him.
Died Sacrificially for our sin
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
-Read v.25
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Christ death brough us peace -
23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ death delivers us from our sin
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Forgiveness and power over sin - it will no longer reign in our lives.
Fulfilling Scripture prophetically -
4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
Evidence that demands a verdict pg. 183-192
And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
Yes! Jesus died According to the Scripture.
historically
The emphasis on the burial accentuates the fact and the glory of the resurrection.
Prophetically
Christ rose from dead -
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
Prophetically
Prophetically
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.
The Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and did as they pleased to those who hated them.
he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
Christ appeared to witnesses
10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
he has put him to grief;
when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
- Christ predicted it of himself
The emphasis on the burial accentuates the fact and the glory of the resurrection.
46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
Christ appeared to witnesses -
4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
Historically
Historically -
for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
Two things are taught in this:
Two things are taught in this:
as in the preceding verse—first, the truth of the gospel facts (Historically)
Second, that those facts had been predicted. (Prophetically)
2-3 witness nec. to establish credible testimony
Cephas -
saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”
The 12 -
And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
500 at once - not sure when this happened - possibly
Mention of five hundred “at once” (ἐφάπαξ), together with the other people mentioned, adds weight to the truth of the witness.
It is highly doubtful that over 500 people all had a hallucination simultaneously, and the reference to the same time indicates that Paul was not referring to individual private experiences.
James the unbelieving brother
James was an unbeliever during Jesus’ ministry (cf. ; )
Jesus had family that did not believe just like we do…
Presumably Jesus’ appearance to James brought him to faith.
James also seems to be counted among the apostles (), and he functioned as the leader in Jerusalem (; )
- pillar of the church
9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
Paul himself - untimely born - who would have thought?!
Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Disciples saved and followed Christ
Paul hates christ and his followers and yet was saved.
Because I persecuted the church. The forgiveness of sin does not obliterate the memory of it; nor does it remove the sense of unworthiness and ill-desert.
The Resurrection is essential for our salvation
;
25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
The Scriptures clearly reveal the gospel of Jesus Christ so that it might be proclaimed v.9-10
The Scriptures clearly reveal the gospel of Jesus Christ so that it might be proclaimed v.9-10
For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy 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 was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
Saved by grace
Given v. 10 and Paul’s insistence that as an apostle he is what he is by God’s grace, it may be best to understand him as drawing attention to his state as all but “dead” save for the sovereign redeeming work of Christ that gave him a new and purposeful life ().
- Dead but God made us alive, by grace we are saved through faith.
New !
Empowered to - live by grace
Future message: The Ressurrection life and depression
Given v. 10 and Paul’s insistence that as an apostle he is what he is by God’s grace, it may be best to understand him as drawing attention to his state as all but “dead” save for the sovereign redeeming work of Christ that gave him a new and purposeful life ().
At this point, Paul concerned himself with one particular aspect of God’s grace in his life. Divine mercy had great effect, or result, on his service to the body of Christ.
At this point, Paul concerned himself with one particular aspect of God’s grace in his life.
Divine mercy had great effect, or result, on his service to the body of Christ.
To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
1 Cor. 15:
more concerned on what tongues look like in worship than that you know how to share the gospel with my coworker?
Ex: Honduras: Sharing the gospel for the first time - nursing moms everywhere… how did I overcome? Do it! over and over…
Love for them more than my fear of crowds, speaking or being rejected.
Honestly, your pastor never had so much fun than talking to those precious souls about the great story of the Bible.
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Am I individually and BCC collectively proclaiming the gospel?
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
It is the gospel of God working through the Spirit of God that call the people of God.
The Scriptures clearly reveal the gospel of Jesus Christ so that it might be believed. v.1-2
The Scriptures clearly reveal the gospel of Jesus Christ so that it might be believed. v.1-2
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
The Gospel - Christ is the fulfillment returning his people from exile; bringing a new land of promise, establishing a new creation
The cross to creation
The Cross to Noah
The Cross moses
The Cross to 10 commandment
The cross to Proverbs, hosea, the prophets
The cross to David
The word gospel (euangelion and the verb euangelizomai translated as preached; see also ) reaches back to the promise of return from exile in the Old Testament (; ; ; ).
Paul sees this gospel—the fulfilment of all God’s saving promises—as realized in the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Paul sees this gospel—the fulfilment of God’s saving promises—as realized in the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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.
Received/believe in
Received the gospel -
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
Stand in the gospel -stand in the gospel Grace & Faith -
( - grace) ( - faith)
Stand in
- faith)
Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
In Paul’s day being a Christian was more than intellectual assent to a group of doctrines.
The social price that followers of Christ paid forced them to take a stand in a hostile world.
If you hold fast - present -active indicative - belief with action
Believers are saved by the gospel—that is, they are rescued from the wrath of God which will be poured out on the last day (cf. ; ; ).
In vain = “without effect”—that is, to no purpose (as in and 4:11
Thus, it is that God’s gracious act in Jesus Christ is both the content of the gospel and the power of the gospel in producing salvation (Rom.1:16)
So What?
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Am I believing the Gospel?
I’m not asking did you pray a prayer, or whether you intellectually believe information but are you standing in what you say you believe?
Three common mistakes about gospel centrality include:
The gospel is something that happened merely in my past.
The gospel is something I need only occasionally in the present.
The gospel is primarily about what is going to happen in the future. (Um 259-260)
The gospel is intended to be part of the past, present, and future reality of a Christian’s salvific experience.
One’s past is settled. An individual’s present is secure. Our future is certain.
v.2 - Are you being saved? - That is, Is the grace of God working thru the Holy Spirit making you more like Jesus in your actual life?
Paul elaborates on the gospel through a series of four relative clauses that combine to emphasize the crucial importance of them by Paul;(2) they received it; (3) they stand on it; and (4) they are being saved through it.
“I remind you.”
1. He had preached the gospel .
2. They had received the gospel .
3. They then professed the gospel.
Otherwise, you have believed in vain. (without effect)
Three common mistakes about gospel centrality include:
The gospel is something that happened merely in my past.
The gospel is something I need only occasionally in the present.
The gospel is primarily about what is going to happen in the future. (Um 259-260)
The gospel is intended to be part of the past, present, and future reality of a Christian’s salvific experience. One’s past is settled. An individual’s present is secure. Our future is certain.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Brothers and sisters God has sent his son and calls all people to repent of their sin and put their faith in Jesus Christ and all who do he will save you and keep saving you until he brings you safely home.
We have been given this gospel so that we might proclaim it! Let us be about our Father’s business!
Paul the gospel is essential in the beginning and the end and living life in between! - (1:18–2:5)