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The powerful Gospel–first importance

Scripture reading for September 14th: 1st Corinthians 15

Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 15:3-8 “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared also to me.”

As Paul was concluding his letter to the church, he emphasized the importance of the Gospel message as recorded in Scripture and fulfilled. The Gospel includes the death of our Lord on the cross for our sins, His burial in a tomb for three days, and His glorious resurrection and many confirmation appearances to His followers. Without the resurrection, our faith would be on shaky ground. If Jesus were not raised from the dead, we could not have assurance that we would also be raised. Jesus was raised in a glorious body, bearing the scars of His crucifixion. Death could not hold Him because He was the sinless Son of God. His resurrection stands as a beacon of what is to come for all who follow Him and believe the Gospel message!

1st Corinthians 15:14-16 “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that He raised Christ, Whom He did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.”

Faith confession and prayer: Father God, I thank You for the Gospel message and the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead. In Him I have hope and confidence. I believe the Scriptures and the many witnesses to Christ’s resurrection. I look forward to seeing Jesus when He comes and enjoying a glorified body, like His glorious body. Help me to clearly preach this powerful Gospel that brings hope and salvation.

1st Corinthians 15:51 “Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall all be changed.”