Dec 17, 2023 "Experiencing the Core Foundations of the Gospel" (1 Corinthians 15:1-11)

 

Experiencing the Core of the Gospel

 

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Paul addresses many problems of the Church of Corinth. In chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians , Paul addresses the Core of the Gospel. He looks at what the Gospel is and its reality and result.

 

Outline

I. The Reminder of the Core of the Gospel

II. The Reality of the Core of the Gospel

lll. The Result of the Core of the Gospel

 

I. The Reminder of the Core of the Gospel

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 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.

 

Without the Core of the Gospel , everything done in the church is done in vain. Paul then shows what is the most important point of the Gospel. Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins.

1 Corinthians 15:3 ESV

[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, 

II. The Reality of the Core of the Gospel

The second core was that he was buried and was raised from the dead after three days.

1 Corinthians 15:4 ESV

[4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 

 

John 12:24 ESV

[24] Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 

Unless we understand what it means to die and actually die to self, we cannot grow. 

 

1 Corinthians 15:14-15 ESV

[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.

 

1. Scriptural witness

Psalm 16:10 ESV

[10] For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

 

Acts 2:31 ESV

[31] he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 

 

2. Apostolic witness

Acts 2:32 ESV

[32] This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 

 

1 John 1:1 ESV

[1]  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 

 

3. Global Witness

1 Corinthians 15:6 ESV

[6] Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 

 

[8] Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 

 

lll. The Result of the Core of the Gospel

1 Corinthians 15:9 ESV

[9] For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 

 

Paul knows who he is because of the Gospel

 

1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV

[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. 

 

Gods

Riches

At

Christ's

Expense

 

Ephesians 1:7 ESV

[7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 

 

The Twofold Dimensions of Grace

1. Saving Grace for Salvation through the death of Burial of Christ.

2. Empowerment Grace for Service through the Resurrection of Christ 

 

Salvation Graces saves you whereas Empowerment Grace gives you the strength to serve. 

• How He Loves

• This I Believe (The Creed)

• I Surrender All