He is Risen! I Corinthians 15:1-8

Sometimes we try to make the Gospel clear and simple by reducing it to only a few words: “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures…He was buried… He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…” This is simple sounding, but yet it is deep and could be explained for hours.

• His death had a great purpose: “…for our sins…” (II Corinthians 5:14-21)
• His death was predicted: “…according to the Scriptures…” (Matthew 26:51-54; Luke 24:44-48)
• His death was physical and real: “…He was buried…” (Hebrews 2:9-11; 4:15-16)
• His death produced victory: “He rose again the third day…” (John 16:33; Romans 8:31-39; I Corinthians 15:12-23, 55-57)

But there are three more Gospel words to consider in this text: “He was seen…” Christ did not come back to life and then disappear so that we could academically argue with the world about the resurrection. He personally revealed Himself to his people. (Luke 24; Acts 1:1-11)

Have you realized that your greatest need before God is that your sins be forgiven and washed away? Do you know that the Gospel of the Scriptures is not that you should try to improve yourself and go to church? Rather, the Gospel tells us that Jesus came to conquer sin for us and gain God’s forgiveness for us. Do you know that it is God himself who became a man and suffered physically and spiritually to pay for your sins? Do you understand the victory is through faith in Christ? Has Christ personally revealed Himself to your heart and mind? Have you been born again? See Romans 3:9-26; 5:6-11; 6:23; 10:9-13; Ephesians 1:3-14; 2:1-10; Colossians 2:8-10; II Corinthians 5:17; I Peter 1:18-25.

He is Coming! I Corinthians 15:51-58; I Thessalonians 4:13-18 (“…if we believe…even so…” – vs.14)

Christ’s resurrection leads us to another great truth: Christ is coming again! He came to earth to die and to rise from the dead, so that He could deliver us from sin’s curse and power. He is coming the second time to deliver His people from Satan’s influence and from this present evil world. He is coming to rule the world in truth and righteousness (Galatians 1:4; II Peter 3:12-13; Hebrews 9:27-28).

Note I Corinthians 15: 20-26; 51-58. What motivation to live and to serve a living Savior, who is personally caring for us now and is preparing to return for us! See Hebrews 13:20-21; I Corinthians 1:4-9; Philippians 1:6; 3:20-21; 4:13; I Thessalonians 1:9-10; 5:23-24; James 5:7-8; I Peter 5:1-7.

Are you looking back at His death and resurrection to gain peace and acceptance with God? Are you looking forward to Christ’s return to get confidence, hope and a sense of direction to serve Him?