Sermon May 10
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
During my childhood in the 1970’s there was a trend to place a bowl of plastic fruit on the table. Busy moms needed life to look good even if they didn’t have time to buy fresh fruit every day. On the outside plastic fruit looked like real fruit but it had no power to give life. In a similar way, there are many religions that look like Christianity, but have no power to give life. This is why Jesus declares, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me.” It’s exclusive. In verses 1-2 Paul recognizes that there are many “gospels.” So, he uses the words, “the gospel I preached to you.” It’s a specific gospel. The word, “gospel,” is “evangelion” in Greek and means “good news.” Paul is clear here that he is referring to ONE SPECIFIC GOSPEL and that this gospel has the POWER to SAVE those who put their trust in it (“hold firmly).This gospel will save you “if” you “hold firmly. Otherwise you have believed in vain.” He is warning people who truly have faith (they believed) but fail to believe the gospel he preached. YOU CAN BE SINCERE AND STILL BE WRONG. THIS JUST MEANS YOU ARE SINCERELY WRONG. If you believe in a version of the gospel that is not true it will have no power to save you. You will die in your sins and spend eternity cut-off from God who is the source of life. Verse 3 says, “What I received I passed on to you.” No one made up the message. It was given by God to mankind and was revealed over centuries. WHAT PROOF IS THERE THAT JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD? More than 500 witnesses and the prophecy of the Old Testament are more than sufficient to prove the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus Christ is 100% God and 100% man. He came to the earth to die in the place of sinners. His death in your place paid your penalty of sin. His substitution in your place frees you from the curse if you choose to accept His free offer. This means dying to self, laying down your own life and giving your life to Him in return for receiving His life. This is truly good news and it alone has the power to save. All other so called “gospels” require you to perform to a standard. Only Christianity declares you cannot earn your way to perfection. It is a gift received not a reward that is earned. “It is by grace you have been saved.”
Discussion Questions
- In what ways do all world religions look the same? How do atheists express this same pattern of faith?
- What makes Christianity unique? How is the gospel Paul preached different from all others? Why does it matter that Jesus is fully God and fully man?
- What is the burden of proof that is upheld by the gospel of Jesus Christ? How does this compare to other “gospels?”
