I Cor 15:1-11

Introduction

This morning we are going to begin through chapter 15 of I Corinthians. The apostle Paul begins the most comprehensive explanation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the entire Bible.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith. It’s not to be treated as the icing on the cake but something more akin to the flour or eggs. The final product doesn’t work without a main ingredient.

Paul is going to hammer this home in the next several verses. Today we are going to walk through Paul’s reminder to the Corinthian believers of the Gospel, the Priority that Paul saw in that Gospel, and Paul’s assumption of a humble status among the apostles. Lastly I hope to show you ways that this message changes how you live.

Notes from Theology of the Gospel

1 Corinthians 15:1–11 ESV

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. 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. 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. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

I. Paul reminds the Corinthians of the Gospel.

A. That he preached.

B. That they had recieved.

C. In which they stand.

D. By which they are saved.

if they hold fast

unless they believed in vain

II. The Priority of the Gospel for Paul.

A. What he had recieved.

The pattern of gospel transmission.

B. Paul outlines this gospel message.

Christ died for our sins - in accordance with the Scriptures.

He was buried.

He was raised on the third day - in accordance with the Scriptures.

He appeared to His followers. - Paul lists the appearances

Cephas

the 12

Then more than 500 brothers at once.

To James

To all the Apostles (hadn’t he already?)

Last of all: to Paul.

III. Paul assumes a humble status.

A. This is in opposition to the status seeking attitude of the Corinthians.

B. Grace not in vain.

i. What Grace Produced in Paul:

Conclusion and final application:

What grace has produced/produces in us: