1 Corinthians 15 (3)

Pray Psalm 16.10, 11.
For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Sing Psalm 16.10, 11.
(All to Christ: Jesus Paid It All)
Soon Your glory I shall see, for as Jesus rose again,
You will come to gather me to my home with You in heav’n.
Refrain v. 11
Make me know life’s way! Pleasures fill Your hand.
Fill my life with joy each day! Before Your face I stand.

Read 1 Corinthians 15.12-28; meditate on verses 12-28.

Preparation
1. What did Paul say about our faith if Jesus is not risen from the dead?

2. What does Christ’s resurrection guarantee for all who belong to Him?

Meditation
Evidently, there was some influence of the Sadducees operating among the Christian community in Corinth. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection. They did not think that resurrection was essential to a meaningful faith. Plus, Christianity was much more believable to the pagan mind if the resurrection were simply removed. All that loving, sharing, singing, and praying together seemed reasonable enough. If you set aside the resurrection, then you’ll attract a more sophisticated crowd.

Let’s make Christianity as easy and agreeable to our wrong-believing neighbors as we can. That way they might become Christians and join our church!

Yeah, that’s stupid.

Paul preached the resurrection as the heart and core of the Gospel (v. 15). If there is no resurrection, then there is no forgiveness of sin. No forgiveness, no hope of escaping judgment. You are still in your sins (vv. 16, 17). If you’re hoping in a resurrected Jesus when there is no resurrection, then you’re a fool, of all men most pitiable (v. 19).

But Christ is risen, just as Paul preached; and all who belong to Him will be raised with Him at His coming (vv. 20-23). And in that day His Kingdom will be fully established and He will put all His enemies under His feet, including the last enemy, death (vv. 20-26).

So don’t be stupid. Hold fast to the true Gospel and live in the resurrection life of Jesus, now and forever.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Neither Agatha Christie, nor Stephen King, have penned a more horrifying line than this:
“And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!
Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished” (1 Cor. 15.17, 18).
Alas, there is no hope. All is lost. We are bound for hell—eternally. All of us.

Still. In. Our. Sins.

But then here are the most exhilarating verses, which no writer can top for sheer joy:
“But now Christ IS risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Cor. 15.20-22).

All. Forgiven. Through the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ.

But if we are hoping for this without the shedding of blood, we are mistaken:
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul” (Lev. 17.11).
“And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission” (Heb. 9.22).
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Rom. 5.8, 9).

And if we are hoping for salvation without the resurrection of the sacrificed Lamb, we are mistaken:
“Jesus said to her, ‘I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die’” (Jn. 11.25, 26).
“…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection…” (Phil. 3.10).

The two men in shining garments, standing by the empty tomb, asked the dead-Body seeking disciples:
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!” (Lk. 24.5).

Indeed, He is risen, just as He said (Matt. 28.6).

And God is “all in all” (1 Cor. 15.28). Our hope is built on nothing less.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
(Edward More, 1834)

For reflection
1. Belief in the resurrection of Jesus is indispensable to true Christian faith. Why?

2. To you, what are the most important features believers enjoy in the new life Jesus has given us by His resurrection?

3. What do you most look forward to on the day when Jesus returns?

All who believe in Christ, have hope in him, as a Redeemer; hope for redemption and salvation by him; but if there is no resurrection, or future recompense, their hope in him can only be as to this life. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15.12-19

Pray Psalm 16.5-9.
Thank God that Jesus has risen from the dead and that He is your portion and cup! Rejoice in His salvation, and ask the Lord to give you someone to share Jesus with today.

Sing Psalm 16.5-9,11.
(All to Christ: Jesus Paid It All)
My portion and my cup are You, my Savior dear;
You help and hold me up and ever keep me near.
Refrain v. 11
Make me know life’s way! Pleasures fill Your hand.
Fill my life with joy each day! Before Your face I stand.

I bless Your Name, O LORD; my mind instructs each night;
You teach me by Your Word and guide me in the right.
Refrain

You are ever with me, LORD; in You I shall not fall.
But rejoicing in Your Word, I abide within Your call.
Refrain

T. M. and Susie Moore

The Church in Corinth was in need of revival. But there was much to be done before that would happen. The Church today is in need of revival, and the same is true for us. Our book, Revived!, can help us to discern our need for revival and lead us in getting there. Order your copy by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter, available by clicking here.