1 Corinthians 15-16

 Chapter 15 – Resurrection

Paul taught about the resurrection of Christ.  He wanted Corinthian believers to remember the gospel by which they were saved.  He wanted them to remember the importance of it.  “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scripture, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.” – 1 Corin. 15:3

The gospel means “good news”.  That “good news” is that we can be saved from the punishment we deserve from God because of what Jesus did for us.

Jesus appeared several different times after His resurrection: 

to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18)

to Mary mother of James (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10)

to Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Corin. 15:5)

to disciples on road the Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)

to the disciples without Thomas, (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25)

to the disciples with Thomas (John 20:26-29)

to seven disciples at the Sea of Tibernas (John 21:1-23)

to eleven disciples at mountain in Galilee (Matt. 28:16-17; 1 Corin. 15:6)

to His brother James and the apostles, to over five hundred (1 Corin. 15:7)

to the disciples before the ascension (Luke 24:49-53; Acts 3-11)

to Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-4)

There are 3 basic beliefs of a Christian found in 1 Corin. 15:3-4:

Christ died for our sins according to scriptures.

He was buried according to scriptures.

He was raised on the 3rd day according to scriptures.

Why are these facts important to your Christian faith?

How are you encouraged by these facts?

Resurrection isn’t merely life after death.  It is victory over death!  It is the continuation of life after death in glorified bodies.  Do you believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus?  If not, there is no hope.  You cannot be a Christian and deny the resurrection of Jesus.  If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.  If Christ has not been raised, preaching is useless and so is your faith.  If there is no resurrection of the dead, we have been found as false witnesses about God.  If the dead are not raised, then neither was Jesus.  “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” – 1 Corin. 15:13-18

We are secure in that one day that we shall rise from the dead just like Jesus.  We are eternally secure because Jesus saves.   We will be resurrected just like He was.  We are secure until we see Him face to face.

The End Time Events will take place in the right order:   Christ was the first to rise from the dead.  He will come again.  Then God will raise all those who belong to Christ.  Then the end will come when Christ hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroys all dominion, authority and power.  He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.  The last enemy to be destroyed is death.  Satan will be made subject to Christ.  God put everything under Christ, so that God may be all in all. – (1 Corin. 15:23-28)

When the Lord Jesus Christ returns, the believer’s body will be raised imperishable, raised in glory and power, and raised in a spiritual body.  It will bear the likeness of Jesus and will be changed in a flash, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality. – (1 Corin. 15:42-54)

Christ’s last words on the cross were “It is finished” (John 19:30).  He had destroyed the power of death.  God raised Him from the dead.  So He will also raise those who belong to Christ.

How can you show you believe in the power of Resurrection?  You could stand firm, let nothing move you, always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, be on guard, standing firm in faith, be men and women of courage, be strong and do everything in love.

Principle:  Jesus’ resurrection guarantees the resurrection of all believers.

Are you gratefully surrendering to Him as Lord?

What is going on in your life today that you need to call upon God?

How does the body of Christ look different than the world?

Does your life look different from the world?

Who in your life needs to hear about the resurrection?

Chapter 16 - Collections

Paul asked for a collection to be taken for the poor Christians in Jerusalem.  It should be done on the first day of the week according with their income.  This should be the business of all Christians to relieve the poor members of the church.  This is the Christian moral duty. (1 Phil 4:18). 

Paul had promised the church in Jerusalem that he would remember the poor people (Gal. 2:9-10).  The church supported a large number of widows (Acts 6:1-6).  They were also in the middle of a famine (Acts 11:27-30).   In 1 Tim. 5 Paul spoke of the responsibility of the church to honor widows. 

How do you help those in need?

Do you tithe and give offerings each week?

Does your giving reflect God’s love?

Paul planned to visit Corinth when he comes through Macedonia.  For now God had given him an opportunity in Ephesus.  Paul didn’t rely on his desires, but on God’s leading.  God had opened a great door for him in Ephesus.  He said he would be sending Timothy and asked that they respect him when he comes.   Paul also urged Apollos to go to Corinth who will go when he had the opportunity.

Do you rely on God’s leading?

Do you recognize when God opens door for you?

Paul gave final instructions for them to stand fast in the faith, be watchful, be brave, to love and to be strong.  This is a good lesson for us all.  We should be watchful, faithfully and eagerly for Jesus’ return.  Always be ready, because we don’t know when He will return.  He told them to love the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Paul means to watch out for the enemy of Christ.  The devil is like a lion looking for someone to destroy (1 Peter 5:8).  Don’t allow people with wrong ideas and beliefs make your faith weak (Acts 20:30-31). 

How can you grow in your love for the Lord Jesus?  You can make it a habit to pray, study His Word, claim His promises, love as He loved, serve as He served and wait patiently and eagerly for His return.

How do you stand firm and remain strong in your faith?

Principle: Believers have the privilege of loving like Jesus through giving.

Join me here next week as we go back to our study of Acts -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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