1 CORINTHIANS 15
5 Outlines
1 Corinthians 15:1-10
THREE REALITIES
People wonder about the authenticity and reality of
the Easter story.
Paul answers that question, by showing us three things
that are real that center around Easter.
THE REALITY OF REDEMPTION - Vss. 1-4
The facts of the Gospel of redemption are presented
very concisely here. Christ died for our sins. He was buried. He rose again.
THE REALITY OF RESURRECTION - Vss. 5-7
Here are witnesses of the fact that Jesus did rise
from the dead.
THE REALITY OF REGENERATION - Vss. 8-10
Jesus appeared to Paul. Paul was regenerated (born
again) by the Spirit of God. His life was changed!
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1 Corinthians 15:1-10
RESURRECTION FOR EVERYONE
On Good Friday we
remember the death of the Lord Jesus on the cross for our
sins. He died for
everyone. Anyone who trusts him can have forgiveness and eternal life.
On Easter Sunday we
remember the resurrection of Christ from the dead. Just
as the death of Jesus Christ was for everyone, so is the
resurrection. In 1
Corinthians 15:1-11 we
have list of witnesses to the resurrection. I find it
striking that the resurrection of Christ was for each witness. It
met a
need, having a purpose for witness. Perhaps as we study these
particular
people this morning you see yourself as having the same need as
one of these
witnesses.
Introduction - Vss. 1-4
(Stress the Gospel message of verses 3-4.)
THE RESURRECTION OF
CHRIST WAS FOR:
THE DENIER - Vs. 5 - Peter
who was so adamant about his loyalty denied
Christ 3 times. Matthew
26:70-74, Luke 23:54-62. When Jesus arose from the
dead, he appeared to Peter in Luke 24:52, and gave Peter special
attention
in John 21. Peter, the denier, needed to know that he was
forgiven and still
useful in ministry for Christ.
THE DESERTER - Vs. 5 -
The Apostles are called "the twelve" even though
there was now 11. They had run when Jesus was in His darkest
hour. Jesus
appeared to them with a message of Peace and commission. See John
20:19-23.
THE COMMON MAN - Vs. 6 -
Here was a group of believers who hadn't
necessarily denied Christ. They were not necessarily distinguished
people.
They were probably an
average cross section of people, and yet Jesus
appeared to them. This reminds me that one does not have to be
special to go
to Heaven, become saved, and feel the touch of the
resurrection.
THE UNBELIEVER - Vs. 7 -
This James was half-brother to Jesus. John 7:5
tells us that His brethren didn't believe on Jesus. James was touched
by the
appearance of his brother. He became a believer.
THE MESSENGER - Vs. 7 -
Here they are referred to as the apostles. They saw
Jesus more than once. As apostles, they were sent as messengers with the
Gospel. The Lord commissioned them to go out in Matthew 28:18-20.
Because
they had seen the risen Lord they were effective messengers for
Him. A true
witness for Christ must see Him as risen, or he has no message.
THE PERSECUTOR - Vss.
8-11 - Not only did Paul not believe in Jesus, but he
persecuted Jesus' followers. See Acts 8:1 and 9:1-2. The risen Jesus
appeared to Paul on the
Even those who persecute
Jesus and His followers can be saved!
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1 Corinthians 15:20
CHRIST IS RISEN!
This morning's Easter Services have been a celebration
of the fact that Christ is risen from the dead. If there is one truth as necessary as the
substitutionary death of Christ on the cross, it is the resurrection of Christ
from the grave. The great news, however is that Christ indeed is raised from
the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
1 Corinthians
This little verse tells us three important things
about the resurrection. It tells of:
THE IMMEDIACY OF THE RESURRECTION
We live in a "now" society.
We want immediate gratification.
That's one of the reasons credit card debt is so high
for so many. We don't want to wait to save
to buy something. We want it now.
Most of us don't like to wait for anything.
There is one thing we don't have to wait for. We are not waiting for the resurrection of
Christ to take place. We are not hoping
that one day Jesus will come out of the grave. He has already come out of the
grave. But now is Christ risen from the dead
The fact that Christ is already risen
from the dead is important because it shows us that God accepted the sacrifice
that Jesus made for our sins.
The immediacy of Jesus' resurrection is also important
because of where Jesus is. He is in Heaven! Acts 1:9-11, Hebrews 1:1-3
The one who died for you,
sits at the right hand of the throne of God to represent you! He is your
advocate! 1 John 2:1-2
If you are a born again Christian, Jesus died for your
sins.
Because you are a Christian God does not want you to
sin.
However, there are times when we do sin.
When we fail God we have an advocate, a lawyer,
"one called along side to help", sitting at the right hand of the
throne of God. He is there to represent
us. I imagine that when we sin, He might
say to God the Father, "Father, He's mine, I died for that sin."
As Christians, we should strive to live holy lives. 1
Peter 1:15-16
And when we sin, we are to confess that sin, and
forsake it. 1 John 1:9
But isn't it nice to know that we have a risen Savior,
who's there representing us when we sin.
Sin should never be taken lightly, but it's nice to have help.
Not only is Jesus in Heaven now as our advocate, He's
there as our high priest. Hebrews 4:14-16
I have had the pleasure of having friends who can
sometimes say, "I know exactly how you feel, because I've been through the
same thing."
In Heaven, you have a high priest that not only speaks
in your behalf to the Heavenly Father, but He knows just how you feel and what
you are going through. He was tempted just like we are. Now Jesus might not have faced the same
situation that you do, but He has faced the same types of temptations that you
have faced.
·
Have you been tempted to worry? So has Jesus.
·
Have you been tempted to give up? So has Jesus.
·
Have you been tempted to steal? So has Jesus.
·
Have you been tempted to be dishonest? So has Jesus.
·
Have you been tempted to be lazy? So has Jesus?
·
Have you been tempted to lose your temper? So has
Jesus?
What's the difference between your temptation and that
of Jesus? Jesus was tempted and never
sinned. We have been tempted and often succumbed to sin.
Because Jesus is alive now and sitting at the right
hand of God,
You are encouraged to "come boldly before the
throne of grace to find grace to help in time of need."
So, when you worry, come to Jesus.
When you want to quit, come to Jesus.
When you are tempted to do wrong, come to Jesus.
He is there for us.
When we don't know which way to turn because problems
seem so great, come to Jesus!
All of the great work that is
done is by the Lord Jesus Christ is done by a resurrected Jesus Christ! For NOW is Jesus risen
from the dead!
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RESURRECTION
But now is Christ risen
from the dead
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is
important, because the death of the Lord Jesus is important.
Every one of us will face death unless Jesus comes
back before we die.
For most of us, when we die it will not be
international news or even national or state news. Our death will only be significant to a few
people.
Jesus death was important because of who He was.
He was God in the flesh.
He was God in human form. John 1:1-4
Jesus' death
was also important because of why he died.
Ezekiel 18:4 - …the
soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Jesus did not
sin. Therefore Jesus was not required to die.
So why did He die?
He died to pay for your sins and mine. Isaiah 53:5-6,
2 Corinthians 5:21
When Jesus died on the cross He had accomplished
everything He was supposed to accomplish in this life. That's why He cried
"It is finished!
So we know why Jesus died. He died for us. His death is important. But His resurrection is also important. When Jesus rose from the dead, it proved that
God had accepted Jesus' sacrifice for sin.
Isaiah 53:10
The resurrection of Christ from the dead is also
important, because it is a living Savior who offers us eternal life. It is a man who conquered death that is
offering us forgiveness and a life in Heaven!
It is a living Savior who says in Revelation 3:20, Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if
any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup
with him, and he with me.
It is faith in
this living Savior that brings us forgiveness and eternal life. Romans 10:9-10
Romans 10:9-10 - That
if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine
heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For
with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession
is made unto salvation.
Have you placed your faith and trust in Christ?
THE IMPLICATION OF THE RESURRECTION
1 Corinthians
According to John MacArthur, when it was harvest time
in
The implication of the resurrection for us is that
Christ is the "first fruits" of them that slept. Those who sleep are those who know Christ as
Savior but are dead.
The fact that Christ is the first fruits of the
resurrection implies that others will follow. In fact this resurrection is
promised right in 1 Corinthians 15:22-23
What does this mean for us?
It means that one day we, who are Christians, will
have a new, resurrection body.
It means that not only need we not fear death because
our spirits go to Heaven, we need not fear death
because we, like Christ, will rise out of the grave. 1 Corinthians 15:52-55
This also means that all those Christians whom we have
loved who have passed away will also have resurrection bodies. 1 Thessalonians
4:13-18
What tremendous implications we have.
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1 Corinthians 15:58
HANDLING CHANGE
1 Corinthians
unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye
know
that your labour is not in vain in the
Lord."
(from
The King James Version, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1988, by
Biblesoft)
Our church in
as anyone can remember it has been called "
recent meeting a majority of our members voted to change the name
to "Mt.
the legal work is done. Most of us feel that the name change is
long
overdue.
But there are a few who struggle
with the new name because change is often
hard to handle.
As we go through life we
will encounter change. Our family situations
change. Our work situations change. Our church and social
situations change.
Our own health and the
health of those we love often changes.
1 Corinthians
concludes "The Resurrection Chapter" of the Bible. The
resurrection is a
sure thing, therefore we can stand firm no matter what changes
we face in
our lives.
OUR POSITION - "be ye stedfast, unmoveable..."
Because of the hope of
resurrection we should be steadfast and unmoveable in
at least three ways:
In Doctrine - We should
hold on to the doctrine or teachings of the Word of
God. Ephesians 4:14
In Devotion - We should
be steadfast in our commitment to Christ. Romans
12:1-2
Against The Devil - We
should resist the Devil at all times. 1 Peter 5:8
OUR PROGRAM -
"always abounding in the work of the Lord..."
The work of the Lord is
summed up in the Great Commission of Matthew
28:19-20.
We are to bring people
to Christ, baptize them, and continually teach them
to obey the teachings of Christ.
OUR PROMISE -
"...forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not
in vain in
the Lord."
Our labor in the Lord is
not in vain because:
His Word never returns
to him void. Isaiah 55:10-11
His Reward for us comes
at the Judgment Seat of Christ. 1 Corinthians
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1 Corinthians 15:51-58
BECAUSE OF EASTER
Because of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, we look forward to
our own resurrection. Here we find:
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
1 Corinthians 15:51 - Behold,
I shew you a mystery; We
shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
SOMETHING DYNAMIC
1 Corinthians 15:52-53 - In
a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall
sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality.
SOMETHING DELIGHTFUL
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - So
when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall
have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is
written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [55] O death, where is thy sting? O
grave, where is thy victory? [56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength
of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God, which
giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
SOMETHING DEMANDING
1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore,
my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
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