The Importance of the Resurrection to the Gospel
1 Cor. 15:1-5a

Sermon Outline from the Evening Service - 9 January 2000

Overview of the chapter:
1-4 -- the resurrection is an essential part of the gospel
5-11 -- proofs of the resurrection
12-19 -- consequences of denying the resurrection
20-28 -- the resurrection in the order of things
29-34 -- what the resurrection means today
35-50 -- the nature of resurrection bodies
51-58 -- resurrection's victory over death

I. The gospel preached (1-3a)

A. Paul preached the gospel to the Corinthians
When Paul says "I declare to you..." he is reminding them of what he had already spoken to them about.
B. The Corinthians received the gospel
Received means accepting it as truth and believing it -- John 1:12.
C. The Corinthians were "standing" in the gospel

1. Salvation can be spoken of as past (from the guilt of sin), present (from the power of sin) and future (from the presence of sin).

2. The doctrine of the Preservation of the Saints means that they would never leave that standing. Rom. 8:35-39

D. The gospel is the means of salvation --"By which ye are also saved."

1. 1 Cor. 6:9-11 -- being "washed, sanctified & justified" is the work of God where He makes them acceptable to Himself.

2. Verse 2 -- it isn't possible for them to lose their salvation

a. salvation is not conditioned on our keeping it (1 Pet. 1:5).

b. "Believing in vain" refers to the object of our faith as being less than sufficient. It is possible to have one's faith in something less than / other than Christ Jesus.

The question -- If, at the gates of heaven, God were to ask you Why should I let you into My heaven?, what would you answer? -- brings us to what a person understands as the basis of his salvation.

E. Paul "delivered" what he received

1. Paul's information is "received," but it is no less valid for that.

2. "Delivered first of all" = delivered as of primary importance.

II. The content of the gospel (3-5a) the essential elements of the gospel

A. The person -- Jesus Christ

1. Understanding who Jesus is is vital to the "work" He did.

2. Neither you, I nor Lazarus would I qualify as a "Saviour" if we were to die and be raised back to life.

B. Jesus' death "for our sins according to the Scriptures"

1. His death was substitutionary. Our sins were placed on Him; He bore the punishment our sins deserved. He was able (because of who He was) to stand in our stead as a substitute.

2. This was foretold in Scripture -- Gen. 3:15; Ps. 22; Is. 53:1-9; Dan. 9:24-27; Zech 12:10; 13:7; Lk. 22:37; 24:45. It was preached by the apostles to the early church -- Acts 2:22-27; 3:13-15; 10:39- 40; 13:24; 17:3.

C. Jesus' resurrection "according to the Scriptures"

1. "Rose again" -- passive voice = has been raised
perfect tense = He is still raised, alive!

2. This, too, was foretold in OT -- Ps. 16:10-11; 68:18; Is. 26:19; 53:10-12; Hos. 6:2.