A message delivered to Northland Bible Church by Henry Mukonda, a pastor from Zambia. Sunday, May 13, 2018

The Scripture we will consider is I Corinthians 15:1-4. The book of I Corinthians shows us how the church should live. Previously, in chapters 12-14, Paul talked about the use of spiritual gifts. Chapter 15 deals with life after death.

Is there life after death? Yes! Everything that the Gospel tells us is based on the fact that it is "according to the Scriptures."

• Jesus died for our sins (I Corinthians 15:3).
• Jesus was buried and rose again the third day (I Corinthians 15:4).
• Jesus is coming again (I Corinthians 15:22-23).

Think about the value of the Written Word of God! When words are important to us, we engrave them in wood or stone. This makes them last longer. They can not be altered or rearranged. They cannot be deleted. Even so, God wants to engrave His Words into our hearts! He wants them to be a permanent, unchangeable influence and presence in our lives. This happens to be Mother's Day. Everyone is talking about mothers. Remembering and appreciating motherhood is important. Even so, every day we have the Scriptures, so that we can talk about God and His Son continually! It is a privilege to have the written Word of God.

The Written Word of God

Written language points us back to the one who wrote. Scripture points us to the author, God. We must notice that God said it and He is still saying it today.

God writes His Words on our hearts so that it will have a lasting effect. When God's does this, He creates thanksgiving in our hearts.

The preaching of God's Word should be doctrinal. We need the facts / the truths that will make us free.

Scripture unites us.

• The Gospel unites our hearts and minds:
• All have sinned. All need a Savior
• Jesus is the only Savior. There is no other name whereby we can be saved.
• The Gospel gives us a united message and ministry.
• We all should be centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ
• We have one Lord and one Faith - One Gospel.
• We have a valid and essential unity, focused on the identity of Jesus Christ: our one true Savior

Scripture Is Our Food

Americans love food. Eating brings pleasure. So, we should hunger for God's Word. Scripture should bring pleasure.

Food needs to be well prepared or we will become sick. Some people do not prepare God's Word properly. Then people are led astray. People trust the television too much. They believe what they are told and do not search the Scriptures to see if those things are true.

Scripture Is Our Strength

We can Stand on it.

We can Fight with it.

We are protected by it.

We can Face Death because of it.

Scripture Is Our Work

It is our work to make others know the Lord. We present the Scriptures.

It is our work to live by the Scriptures. They regulate our life and we become examples of truth.

With our words and our lives, we hold God's ways before the World. God's ways are above the world's standard. The Gospel tells us that there is life after death. When we receive the Gospel, we are able to stand up and be strong (I Corinthians 15:1). As the Gospel facts are "according to the Scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:3-4), so everything we do in life should be according to the Scriptures. This should be the joy of our life. Consider Philippians 2:14-17.