God's Work in History - Himalayan Heights – June 8 Readings: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 – The True Gospel

 

1 Corinthians 15 - Our Risen Lord

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  1 Corinthians 15:1-11

1 Corinthians 15 explores the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

• Read the entire chapter today (and preferably every day this week)
• Focus on verses 1-11, which tell us about the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time, he also appeared to me.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it is I or they, so we proclaim and so you have believed.

Through the Bible Readings: 2 Kings 21-23, John 12:1–26, Psalm 71:15–24, Proverbs14:27-28

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: God's Work in History    

The Gospel. It is an important word, the center of all we believe, but it is often poorly defined. The Gospel is good news about Jesus and what he did for us, but beyond that what does it actually mean? We do not have to wonder, because Paul gave us a clear definition in 1 Corinthians 15. He tells us that the Gospel has two key points, each of which is proven by historical events.

History matters to us as believers. It matters that our God actually created the world. It matters that Adam and Eve were the first humans, that the Red Sea parted, that Jesus was born of a virgin, performed miracles, lived a sinless life, died for our sins and rose from the dead. These are not myths that we believe to give us meaning and hope. History matters. Every doctrine of the Bible is rooted in historical fact. The Gospel is two historical events that were proven by evidence.

First, in verse 3, Paul tells us that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. The sinless Son of God offered himself as the Lamb of God to pay for the sins of the world and on a hill outside of Jerusalem, he was lifted up on the cross and suffered. Jesus died for our sins. This historical event was demonstrated by the evidence provided in verse 4. Jesus was buried. You don't bury sick people. You don't bury injured people, you bury dead people. Jesus' burial is absolute proof that he died on the cross when he gave himself for your sins.

The story does not end there, and that is why the Gospel is good news. Jesus, according to the second half of verse 4, also rose from the dead. Death took him but it couldn't hold him. The final enemy of mankind was destroyed when Jesus burst forth from the tomb. His sacrifice for our sins was accepted by God and now death was defeated. Sin was defeated. Satan was defeated. Verses 5-8 give the proof of this historical event, the resurrection. Peter saw Jesus raised from the dead, then the Twelve did, then as many as 500 people at one time - most of whom were still alive. This was not delusion, but a factual event testified to by living people (at the time). Paul himself saw the Risen Jesus in a vision.

Our faith is not just about our feelings or what we believe on the inside. It is truth, spiritual truth based on historical facts. It is real. Jesus died for your sins and rose again as Lord of all. To all who trust in him, to those who believe in his name, he gives the right to become the sons of God. He saves us, forgives us, grants us eternal life and brings us into God's family.

Praise God. And trust Jesus.

Father, I thank you for your Son who gave life to all us through his death and resurrection. 

Think and Pray:

Consider the salvation wrought by Jesus Christ for you, and give thanks.
Meditate on what Christ has done for you.