Stand Firm Let Nothing Move You

HOOK

500 Million downloads— that’s a remarkable achievement by the Lord and for the Lord!

We have read how the enemy of God did everything they can to prevent the Word of God from spreading— but all of them failed

For centuries scribes dedicated themselves to copying the Scriptures by hand—primarily on papyrus or animal skin parchment.

With the rise of monasteries, copying the Scriptures became the occupation for some monks— But it was truly a labor.

The idea that every believer or family could have a Bible was unthinkable

In the 1440s, the German Johann Gutenberg began experimenting with novel, mysterious ways of approaching printing. So did many other Europeans, all looking for a faster, cheaper way to produce books.

Usually, if Europeans didn’t write by hand, they used hand stamps or woodcuts—an improvement, but still painfully slow. And the printing methods used in the Orient, primarily block printing, were unknown in Europe

Gutenberg had an advantage— he was skilled in engraving and metal working.

While living in Strasbourg, Gutenberg perfected several unique ideas: a hand-held mold that could adjust to cast any letter accurately and in large quantities— a durable tin alloy that melted and solidified quickly and without distortion— an oil-based ink; and a modified printing press [SHOW ARTICLE]

553 years later…

The free YouVersion Bible App was launched in 2008 as one of the first 200 apps featured in the Apple App Store which debuted in July of that year.

Life.Church was founded by the Rev. Craig Groeschel, who originally started the church as Life Covenant Church in 1996

Bobby Gruenewald (born July 31, 1976) is Pastor and Innovation Leader at Life.Church, a multisite church based in Oklahoma

He is also the founder of the YouVersion Bible App and a former entrepreneur

In 2020, according to YouVersion, its Bible App features 2,062 Bible versions in 1,372 languages, audio Bibles for popular versions, offline capabilities, as well as over 800 Bible Plans on specific topics, portions of the Bible, the entire Bible, and devotionals.

Acts 12:24 (NIV)

24 But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.

So let us not take this Book for granted— it contains the truth— the gospel apostle Paul preached— the gospel that saves us

After addressing problems regarding their worship practices— Paul continues by addressing reports about the Corinthians’ beliefs

In this chapter, he focuses on the issue of resurrection— He begins by affirming the resurrection of Jesus Christ and then discuss the future hope of bodily resurrection and glorification for all followers of Christ

Keep in mind that the Church in Corinth is a mixed— Jews, Gentiles— and the Jews sneered on the idea of resurrection

Acts 17:32 (NIV)

32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”

BOOK | LOOK

RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

Paul gives a brief sketch of the gospel he preached

Salvation will be complete when Christ returns and we are unified with God for eternity

Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Paul emphasized the continuity of his message with the early church’s teachings

The resurrection is the great turning point upon which the whole Christian faith balances— without the resurrection, all that is Christianity collapses

JESUS INDEED RESURRECTED AND APPEARED TO MANY

Jesus indeed resurrected— He appeared to Mary Magdalene— Peter— Cleopas and an unnamed disciple [road to Emmaus]— 12 disciples— to more than 500— to James

1 Corinthians 15:4–5 (NIV)

4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.

THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD

The Corinthians were questioning the resurrection of the dead— despite claiming to believe in Christ’s resurrection

If Jesus Christ was not raised from the dead— then, there is no “Jesus Way”

Denying resurrection involves denying Christ’s redemptive work

OUR FAITH IS FUTILE IF CHRIST HAS NOT BEEN RAISED

1 Corinthians 15:17 (NIV)

17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

The core teaching of the early church presented Christ’s death and resurrection as the solution to sin

If the resurrection of Christ is denied, then a person not only has an empty faith but remains under condemnation for their sins

A man came death refers to Adam as representative of sinful humanity

A man came resurrection refers to Jesus Christ as the representative of those who will overcome death and receive eternal life

Paul wants the Corinthians to know that he would not have risked his life if he did not believe that the bodily resurrection was true

Paul warned them

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)

33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Paul chastised the Corinthians for their arrogance— in this context, their sin is the denial of the resurrection

THE RESURRECTION BODY

Paul anticipates the question from the Corinthians who doubt the truth of bodily resurrection— the question also implies that some Corinthians thought the resurrection was foolish

1 Corinthians 1:18–19 (NIV)

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

Paul used an example from nature to show the Corinthians that life can come from death

God raises and transforms them into glorified bodies

THERE ARE HEAVENLY AND EARTHY BODIES

1 Corinthians 15:40 (NIV)

40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another.

Not all flesh is the same— Paul contrasts heavenly bodies with earthly bodies to emphasize that the body of resurrected believers will be distinctly differently

Earthly bodies rot and decay while heavenly ones do not

v. 50 flesh and blood is not able to inherit the kingdom— eternal life with Christ and the inheritance of God’s kingdom will require a heavenly spiritual body like that of our Lord Jesus Christ

v. 51 Implies that not all believers will die before the Lord’s return

v. 52 at the last trumpet— Paul mentioned this also in

1 Thessalonians 4:16 (NIV)

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Those who are alive when the Lord returns will be changed— rapture

Paul alluded to

Isaiah 25:8 (NIV)

8 he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.

As a sign of a new age— in the age to come, the effects of humanity’s sin will be removed

Paul alluded

Hosea 13:14 (NIV)

14 “I will deliver this people from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction? “I will have no compassion,

Christ obtained victory over sin and death

Paul concluded by saying…

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

ILLUSTRATION:

THROWING IN THE TOWEL

I don't know whether you are a lover of boxing as a sport or not, but when a boxer has had enough, the trainer can 'throw in the towel." This signifies we just can't go on any further... We often use the turn of phrase to say were giving up.

If were honest, there may be times in our Christian lives that we feel like giving up in a particular situation. But our purpose is to stand firm, to continue fighting the good fight. Giving up is not really an option.

If we were to picture the Christian life as a boxing match, every Christian would have to be like the southpaw Joe Calzage , nicknamed "The Pride of Wales" or "The Italian Dragon," who has had 46 fights and won 46 fights. Yes, he has had many a bruising round with opposition; he has been knocked down on the canvas, but he got back up, he has stood firm, he has given himself fully to the task and has come out victorious.

Here, the apostle Paul is urging us to just that. "Brothers and sisters..." He is not only addressing those first century Christians in Corinth but us today in the 21st century.

There are three things that Paul wants to teach or remind us today

TOOK

I’LL BE MINDFUL OF WHO I AM HANGING OUT WITH

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)

33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Question: Who are you hanging out with most of your time? What influence does your circle of people (family, friends, co-workers) has on you?

I STAND FIRM NO MATTER HOW THEY DISCREDIT RESURRECTION

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Question: The enemy of God’s truth disproves the resurrection of the dead, how firm are you holding on to it?

I GIVE MYSELF FULLY TO THE WORK OF THE LORD

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Romans 12:1 (NIV)

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Question: With so many things competing for your time and attention, how would you manage to give yourself fully to the work of the Lord?