REPEATING HISTORY: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GOSPEL

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Today, we find one of the most important chapters in the entire Bible. This chapter is a reminder of what is really important for every human being, that is the Gospel. Paul takes the Corinthians back to the basics, to remember what it is which had changed them. It wasn’t their city, their society, their culture, their position, or any other earthly thing. The only thing which could change them was the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the good news, the Gospel, which changes everything. It is only when we remember the importance of the Gospel that we can then get everything else in order. 

1. The gift of the resurrection 

1 Cor. 15:1-11 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy 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; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

• Paul emphasizes the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ as he was countering the false teaching of others at the time which denied Christ’s resurrection
• The resurrection is the greatest element of the Gospel message. If Christ is not risen, we are dead in our sins. Paul gives evidence to the resurrection of Jesus.
• Not only does emphasize and give evidence, he reminds them of the critical element of belief. (vs 11)

1. Brings us the hope we seek

1 Cor. 15:12-20 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

• Here, Paul pushes them further by reminding them of the devastating consequences of Jesus had not risen from the dead
• There is no hope for the living or the dead if Christ is not risen
• Those early witnesses of the resurrection were so convinced they were willing to die to tell others what they had seen
• As J. Vernon McGee states, “…men do not die for what they know is a lie.”[1]

1. The future we need

1 Cor. 15:21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead

• Here Paul reminds them once again of the hope we have because of Christ’s resurrection
• Through one man (Adam) came death, through another Man (Jesus) came our resurrection

Romans 5:18-19 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous

1. Be careful how you live

1 Cor. 15:33-34 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

• Paul’s warning here was to be careful who your friends are and who you listen to as it can have detrimental impact on your beliefs
• The Corinthians had already been influenced by false teachers and ideologies so Paul emphasizes once again the importance of remaining true to the Gospel

1. For eternity is real

1 Cor. 15:42-45 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

• Paul emphasizes the contrast between the here and now and eternity
• We are born in sin, we will be raised sinless because of Christ

1 Cor. 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

1. The victory is ours

1 Cor. 15:51-58 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has 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 your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

• This is a clear statement of the future promised to all believers
• We will be changed one day, either through death or the rapture
• Until then, as verse 58 indicates, stay true and on mission

Action Points:

1. Believe
2. Grow
3. Reflect

[1] J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary: The Epistles (1 Corinthians), electronic ed., vol. 44 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), 180.