Easter Sunday - April 09 2023

Frankie / General

Easter / Resurrection / 1 Corinthians 15:1–11

1 Cor. 15:1-11

1. Happy Easter! The Lord is risen! Through his sacrifice, death, and resurrection, Jesus completed God's plan of salvation, and defeated death. As a result, we are now able to partake in God's grace, celebrate, and praise his resurrection. This is a great privilege and blessing given to us. Easter holds a significant meaning to us because it resets and renews our lives by pointing us to Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Let's take a moment to contemplate the great and wonderful love and work that Jesus has done. We were unable to complete God's salvation through our own efforts, but Jesus made it possible through his sacrifice and resurrection. Through his grace, we are able to partake in the salvation that Jesus accomplished, and we can boldly call God our Abba Father.

2. Many scholars have studied the beginnings of Christianity. Some argue that Jesus fulfilled God's promises and that Paul started Christianity, while others claim that Christianity was started by the disciples. All of these arguments are valid and reasonable. However, regardless of the argument, what we should not lose sight of is the fact that Jesus Christ is the center of Christianity. If we exclude Jesus from Christianity and make Paul and his teachings the center of our faith, then the salvation we have been given is meaningless, and we will have no hope for the coming return of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. Therefore, it is just as important for us as believers to meditate on the resurrection of Jesus and accept it by faith, as it is to celebrate Christmas when Jesus was born. Today, I would like to discuss the resurrection of Jesus and its implications through 1 Corinthians 15. Let us read 1 Corinthians 15:1-14.

1 Corinthians 15:1–2 NKJV

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:3–8 NKJV

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

1 Corinthians 15:9–11 NKJV

For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

1 Corinthians 15:12–14 NKJV

Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.

4. To summarize Paul's faith and theology, as I understand it, it revolves around God's providence, free grace, the resurrection and second coming. Paul's understanding of God's salvation does not allow for even the slightest bit of human righteousness and works. Instead, Paul emphasizes that Jesus Christ alone is our righteousness, and it is only by His grace that we are saved. Paul's teaching on salvation is grounded in God's providence and sovereignty. He believes that God is in control of everything, and that everything happens according to His divine plan. In addition, Paul emphasizes that salvation is a free gift from God that cannot be earned by human effort. We are saved by God's grace alone, through faith in Jesus Christ. Moreover, Paul's theology places great importance on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope of His second coming. The resurrection is the foundation of our faith, and it is through Christ's victory over death that we have hope for eternal life. Paul also emphasizes the importance of living in light of Christ's return, knowing that our ultimate hope is not in this world but in the kingdom of God.

Romans 3:21–26 NIV

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8–9 NET

For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast.

5. Paul's teaching on Jesus Christ, the righteousness of God, and His resurrection is remarkable, given that he was formerly a rabbi in Judaism. As a certified teacher in Judaism, he was highly educated in the Old Testament, making his teachings about Jesus and His resurrection all the more remarkable to those who knew him. What sets Paul's teachings apart is his personal experience of Jesus' death and resurrection. This experience transformed him from a persecutor of Christians to a passionate follower of Christ. It gave him a deep understanding of the righteousness of God, which he believes is only attainable through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul's conviction in his teachings about Jesus' resurrection and His second coming also stems from his personal encounter with Christ. He believes that Christ's resurrection is the foundation of our faith and that it gives us hope for eternal life. He teaches that just as Christ was raised from the dead, so too will we be raised to new life in Him.

Acts 7:59–8:1 (LEB)

And they kept on stoning Stephen as he was calling out and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” And falling to his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And after he said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was agreeing with his murder. Now there happened on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

6. After experiencing the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Paul no longer followed the teachings of Judaism or relied on his previous knowledge. Instead, he embraced a new knowledge and a new way of life centered on Jesus Christ. This transformation marked the death of his old self and the birth of a new self in Christ. For Paul, this newfound knowledge and direction meant living a new life in Jesus Christ, rather than clinging to his old ways. He recognized that it was only through the amazing grace of God that he had been saved and made new in Christ. This grace gave him the strength to live a life centered on Jesus Christ, even in the face of persecution and suffering. Paul's experience of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ gave him a deep appreciation for the power of God's grace. He knew firsthand that it was not by his own efforts or knowledge that he had been saved, but by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. This realization transformed his life and gave him the courage and conviction to preach the Gospel to all who would listen. This is Amazing Grace for him!

7. Paul, who had once persecuted Jesus' followers more than anyone else, became a disciple after encountering the risen Jesus on the Damascus road. This encounter transformed him and he became the most zealous witness to Jesus' resurrection and his love. For Paul, Jesus was the direction, purpose, and everything in his life. His deep love and devotion to Jesus led him to endure incredible suffering and persecution, including imprisonment and beatings. Despite these hardships, Paul remained steadfast in his faith, never wavering from his commitment to Jesus Christ. For Paul, death held no fear. The only thing that concerned him was bearing witness to Jesus Christ and sharing the Gospel with others. He was willing to risk everything, even his own life, to spread the message of God's love and grace. Paul's life and ministry stand as a powerful testament to the transformative power of encountering the risen Christ. His devotion and unwavering faith continue to inspire and challenge believers today, encouraging us to follow in his footsteps and live lives devoted to Jesus Christ.

Acts 20:17–18 NKJV

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you,

Acts 20:19–21 NKJV

serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 20:22–24 NKJV

And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

8. Growing up, my mother used to tell me that "money is everything" and that it can solve any problem. She often said this because she had to provide for our family and make ends meet. Consequently, I always believed that making money was the most important thing in life. However, I soon discovered that earning money was not as easy as I had thought, and my life became directionless and aimless. Then, I encountered Jesus Christ, and my perspective on life shifted. Like Paul, I experienced a renewal in my life through the love and resurrection of Jesus. Through prayer, worship, and reading the Bible, I discovered a new direction for my life that was centered on Christ. Paul's confession, "Old things have passed away, behold, they have become new," became my own confession, and I began running towards Jesus Christ alone as my source of hope and purpose.

Philippians 3:12–14 NKJV

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

9. I made the decision to dedicate my life to witnessing and praising His love and grace, as well as the amazing things that Jesus has done, and so I became a pastor. My motivation for doing so wasn't to make money, to become a famous revivalist, or to build a large congregation, but instead, it was to follow and bear witness to the risen Jesus who saved me through His sacrifice and love. To me, this is an amazing grace.

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now I'm found
Was blind but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone I've been set free
My God my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love amazing grace

10. What does the resurrection of Jesus mean to you? Is it just a religious practice or is it a true source of hope in your life? As believers, let us put our hope in Jesus who has saved us through his love and sacrifice. Let us become partakers of his resurrection and live our lives as his devoted disciples. We are not here simply to follow Jesus as a moral teacher, but to fully surrender ourselves to him and to worship and serve him with our whole being. For us, Jesus is everything. May our lives be a testimony to his love and resurrection.