Good morning! Sometimes we listen to stories and we evaluate what part is true and what part is false. A lot of our evaluations are based on facts, while another part is based on the characteristics or flaws of the person delivering the message. Today we will pickup in verse 12 with Paul questioning the church on their belief and faith. Join me as we continue our reading in 1 Corinthians 15.
“12 But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? 13 For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 15 And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. 16 And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.
20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.” – 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 NLT
Paul was disturbed by members of the Corinthian church saying there would be no ressurection of the dead. He also elaborated on that by stating if there is no ressurection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. Paul continued to press the issue by stating, and if that was the case, then their faith was useless and they were still guilty of their sins.
However, Paul made a point to layout the facts about Christ when he stated in verses 3-6, “I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter[c] and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers[d] at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.“
Brothers and sisters, praise God for the facts, the community of eye witnesses so that we know and believe Jesus Christ died for our sins, was raised from the dead so that our sins can be forgiven and so that we can be reconciled with God.
Sisters and brothers, some churches and false teachers would still like for us to believe that Jesus Christ died and that was the end of it. But that is not the true story. The story didn’t end at the tomb. The story only got better, because on the third day Jesus rose from grave – the stone was rolled away. He conquered sin and death, and because of this we have been redeemed. Our faith is useful and we no longer have to live in guilt or shame. Jesus Christ has set us free. Believe it. Receive it. We once were lost but praise God, now we are found – found in Him.
Father God, thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ to save us – to redeem us. Lord thank you for seeing us at our worst and for making provisions for us to be saved and become our best. Lord, forgive us of the sins that we committed (known and unknown). Lord, strengthen our faith and our hope in you. Continue to transform us into faithful followers of you. Lord, when the enemy tries to lie and deceive us about our faith or belief in you, help us to recognize the enemy’s lies and turn to You – the truth and the light. Lord, we need you. Help us to put on our armor today and stand firm in your word. In Jesus name, amen.
Keep praying! Keep Trusting! Keep believing!
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