1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Called to the Gospel

Theological Proposition/Focus: The Gospel is the message of Salvation through he death and resurrection of Christ.

Homiletical Proposition/Application: We need to make sure that the thing we rally around, emphasize, and teach is the Gospel.

Introduction: Memory verse 1 Corinthians 14:40

Image: Remember the Alamo

The Battle of the Alamo took place between February 23 and March 6, 1836, in San Antonio, Texas, where a small group of Texan defenders held out against the Mexican army led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna.

Despite their eventual defeat, the Texans' bravery and sacrifice became a rallying cry.

"Remember the Alamo" became a powerful slogan used by Texan forces in subsequent battles, especially the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. General Sam Houston led Texan troops to victory against Santa Anna's forces,

effectively securing Texas' independence from Mexico. The phrase was used to inspire and motivate the Texan fighters, reminding them of the courage and sacrifice of those who had fallen at the Alamo.

Setting the Stage:

In chapter 14 Paul wrote about the importance of intelligibility and order in worship. The point Paul made was that edification of the body was the priority. Factionalism, arrogance, and self-centeredness were serious problems in Corinth. Paul dealt with those problems and now in chapter 15 he moves into a discussion of the main point, the focus, the Gospel.

Some theologians have noted that Paul saved the best for last. Perhaps Paul figured that after detailing all the problems he would go into the Gospel. The Gospel is the base and really we can't go wrong focussing on the Gospel.

Body

So, what do we need to know of the Gospel? What do we need reminded of when it comes to the Gospel?

The Gospel is that upon which we stand and are saved (1-2).

First let me state that.

The Gospel is an unchanging truth (1a).

Paul asks the Corinthians to recall the Gospel (τὸ εὐαγγέλιον).

The term "gospel" in the Bible is derived from the Greek word "euangelion," which means "good news" or "good tidings." The gospel is presented as the message of salvation and redemption through Jesus Christ. In the writings of Paul and other apostles, "gospel" refers to the proclamation of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the foundation of the Christian faith. Paul often emphasizes this in his letters, such as in Romans 1:16, where he writes, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes."

Paul reminds the Corinthians that the Gospel is the word he preached.

Later, in verse 2 Paul is going to equate the Gospel with "the word I preached to you." In Colossians 1:5, "the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel" the Gospel is called the message of truth or more literally the word of truth. Paul enjoys phrases like this on occasion.

Paul seems to emphasize that the message is not his own message, it is from God. God is unchanging and so we know that the Gospel is an unchanging truth.

After reminding the Corinthians that the Gospel was the message Paul had preached Paul moves on to remind them that the Gospel is that upon which they depend.

The Gospel is that upon which we should take our stand (1b).

Paul states that the Gospel is that upon which you have taken your stand.

The second person plural perfect ἑστήκατε emphasizes that the Corinthians had previously grounded themselves in the Gospel and that previous grounding has lasting effect into the present.

I am reminded of the first verse to the hymn On Christ the Solid Rock I stand

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 On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand

The Corinthians had shifted their priorities and so Paul is reminding them that their stand must be on the Gospel.

Sometimes the right thing to do is go back to basics and in this case going back to basics means being reminded of the Gospel.

Ultimately, Paul reminds them that

The Gospel is our salvation (2a).

Paul writes διʼ οὗ καὶ σῴζεσθε literally, through which also you are being saved.

The verb is passive - we do not save ourselves., The verb is present not aorist, imperfect, or perfect - we often speak of salvation as a point in time and it is, but we are continually saved from our sin as well.

Think about that for just a second. When we say the Gospel is our Salvation we don't just mean at some point way back in the past. What I mean is that

Without the Gospel all we do is in vain (2b).

You are going to die and there is nothing you can do to stop that.

You can spend every dollar you have and you probably won't live past 90, sorry it is true. If you are among the very luck you might live to 100, and rarely past 100.

No matter what you do, you are going to cease to be on this Earth. The Gospel, the resurrection, is all we have. The world will one day soon forget about you everything you have will eventually decay. The Gospel is our hope, our expectation.

Image: Help me Obi wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.

In Star Wars nearly all hope was lost and nothing conveys this better than the iconic line "Help me Obi wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope." That line is engraved in the minds of nearly all who watch the film because we get the idea of being helpless we get the idea of efforts being in vain, we get it but then we don't. So often we see the plights of others and the vanity of it all but fail to realize our own frailty and that so much of what we do is vain.

The Gospel is the truth of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection (3-8).

Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures (3).

Within 1 Corinthians Paul essentially leaves out any explanation for the origin of sin or even theological significance of sin.

The emphasis is not on sin, its origins, or even its effect. The emphasis is on the fact that Christ died for our sin.

But more, this was expected. Look at Isaiah 53:5-8

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished.

Paul seems to have in mind a theology of sacrifice and he sees Christ as the ultimate sacrifice.

Substitutionary atonement is a theological doctrine that explains how Jesus Christ's death reconciles humanity with God.

The core idea is that Jesus died as a substitute for sinners, taking upon himself the punishment that they deserved for their sins, thereby satisfying the demands of justice so that God can justly forgive sin. Jesus took the penalty for human sins upon himself. God’s justice demands a punishment for sin, and Jesus, by suffering and dying on the cross, bore that punishment in place of sinners. This allows God to forgive sin without compromising His justice.

But the story does not end there!

Christ was buried (4).

We know that Joseph or Arimethea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus.

After the crucifixion, Joseph courageously went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate granted his request, and Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of rock. This tomb was located in a garden near the site of the crucifixion.

The burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 53:9-10, which states, "He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death." The tomb was secured by rolling a large stone in front of the entrance.

9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

Christ rose from the dead without doubt (5-8).

Let me start by first going further in Isaiah with Isaiah 53:11-12

11 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Don't just take Paul's word on this, fact check him.

This passage is significant in supporting the historical claim of Jesus' resurrection because it serves as a form of early Christian testimony, likely based on eyewitness accounts.

Eyewitness Testimony:

Paul lists specific individuals and groups who saw the resurrected Jesus. These include Cephas (Peter), the Twelve apostles, more than 500 brethren, James (Jesus' brother), and Paul himself. Eyewitness testimony is a strong form of evidence in historical analysis.

Public Nature of Appearances:

The appearance to more than 500 people at once, most of whom were still alive at the time Paul wrote this letter (around AD 55), suggests that there were many witnesses who could corroborate the story. This public nature adds credibility, as the claims could be verified or refuted by those still living.

Consistency with Other Accounts:

The appearances mentioned by Paul align with accounts in the Gospels. For example, Peter and the Twelve are repeatedly mentioned as witnesses to the resurrection in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Inclusion of Skeptics and Persecutors:

James, the brother of Jesus, was initially skeptical of Jesus’ messianic claims but became a leader in the early church after witnessing the resurrection. Paul himself was a former persecutor of Christians who converted after encountering the risen Christ. The transformation of skeptics and opponents into believers adds weight to the resurrection claim.

Early Creedal Tradition:

Scholars believe that the creedal statement in 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, which includes the resurrection appearances, predates Paul’s letter and originates from the early Jerusalem church, likely within a few years of the resurrection event. This indicates that the belief in the resurrection was established very early among Jesus' followers.

The passage in 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 helps to fact-check the resurrection of Jesus by providing early, multiple, and specific eyewitness testimonies. These testimonies could be cross-examined by contemporaries of Paul, thereby bolstering the credibility of the resurrection accounts. The consistency with Gospel narratives and the transformation of skeptics and former persecutors further support the historical plausibility of the resurrection.

The Gospel is the source of our true identity (9-11).

In verse 8 Paul described himself in a very colorful way as "one abnormally born." This translation of the hapax legonenam ἐκτρώματι is a nicer way of translating the word that actually may be too nice. The word refers to "a birth that violates the normal period of gestation (whether induced as abortion, or natural premature birth or miscarriage

The conversion of the Apostle Paul is one of the most dramatic and significant events recorded in the New Testament. Originally known as Saul of Tarsus, Paul was a devout Jew and a zealous persecutor of early Christians. His conversion is detailed in Acts 9:1-19, Acts 22:3-16, and Acts 26:9-18.

Recall the account

Saul obtained letters from the high priest authorizing him to arrest Christians in Damascus and bring them to Jerusalem for punishment. As Saul neared Damascus, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:3-4). Saul asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The voice replied, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting" (Acts 9:5). Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes, he could see nothing. His companions led him by the hand into Damascus, where he was blind for three days and did not eat or drink (Acts 9:8-9). The Lord spoke to a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, instructing him to go to Saul. Despite his initial reluctance due to Saul's reputation, Ananias obeyed (Acts 9:10-17). Ananias laid his hands on Saul, saying, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 9:17). Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength (Acts 9:18-19). Saul began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God, astonishing those who knew his previous mission to destroy the church (Acts 9:20-21).

All titles pail in comparison with the Gospel (9-10a).

Paul had the title Apostle but that title was insignificant compared with who Paul really was, a Christ follower saved by grace.

Listen to the words of David K. Lowery on this passage "He realized, however, that his past was simply a backdrop on which to display the grace of God (cf. 1:3), the grace to which Paul had been so responsive. "

Image: The significance of the portrait and the significance of the backdrop.

Several of you are wonderful photographers and have taken numerous pictures of a lot of people. When taking family pictures there are a lot of things that matter. Guess what, the background really matters. But guess what else, the background is not the reason you are taking the picture. If you have been given the job of taking family portraits and you have the best background and never capture the family you wouldn't hope to get paid. You see, we get to be in the picture, but we are not the main attraction, the Gospel is the main attraction.

This means

The Gospel is the thing worth your energy (10b).

Paul worked hard, he previously worked hard persecuting the church, now he worked hard sharing Jesus. In fact, Paul claims he worked harder and the numbers don't lie

He had worked harder than any of the other apostles, as he traveled more, suffered more opposition, wrote more New Testament epistles, and founded more churches. Yet Paul knew and ministered with the recognition that it was not his power but God’s (2:4–5) which produced results (3:6).