15:1-4 The content & proclamation of the gospel
It was preached, received & foundational.
By it you are saved, but it requires holding on to & believing.
It is of first importance.
It is that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, He was buried, raised & appeared.
v5-11 Evidence for the resurrection of Christ
* Appeared to Peter
* Appeared to the Twelve
* Appeared to more than 500 brothers at the same time, many of whom are still around
* Appeared to James
* Appeared to all the apostles
* Appeared to Paul, despite who he was and what he has done
v12-19 Consequences of denying the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead
* Not even Jesus has been raised
* Our preaching is useless, so is your faith
* We have lied about God
* Our faith is futile
* You are still in your sins
* Those who have already died are lost
* We are to be pitied more than everyone
The resurrection of Christ means our sins are dealt with, the last enemy to be destroyed has been (death), everything is under God's feet, God is all in all.
The analogy of the seed (v35ff) is a reminder that our heavenly bodies will be far better than our earthly ones, which will be given up like a shell - the bodies we will have will be different.
When Christ comes again, our bodies will be raised imperishable, in glory, power and raised as a spiritual body. It will happen in a flash, a twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet.
In view of this, stand firm - let nothing move us & give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord. Our labour is not in vain.
16:1 Christian living involves Christian giving - set aside money to be given for God's work
Christian workers should plan, strategise & we should send/go/receive others in the work.
MEN OF COURAGE (16:13)
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