1 Corinthians 15. Day 166 - The New Testament in a Year
Episode Notes:
Today's Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15 (CSB)
Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a Year
Bible Reading Plan: Navigators Bible Reading Plan
Contact Sean: (seanbailey1985@gmail.com)
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In Today's Episode
The Gospel We Stand On. The Resurrection Changes Everything. Victory Over Death.
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" — 1 Corinthians 15:57
First Corinthians 15 brings us to the very heart of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul begins by reminding the Corinthians of the gospel he had preached to them, the same gospel they received and upon which they now stand. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, He was buried, and He was raised on the third day. Paul then points to the many eyewitnesses who saw the risen Christ. Christianity is not built on a philosophy or simply a collection of good teachings. It is built on a historical claim that changes everything: Jesus was dead, and Jesus is alive.
Some in Corinth were questioning whether there would really be a resurrection of the dead, and Paul shows just how much is at stake. If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless, our faith is worthless, we remain in our sins, and those who have died in Christ are lost. But then Paul gives us two of the most important words in the chapter: "But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead." Because Jesus lives, those who belong to Him will live as well. Paul calls Christ the "firstfruits" of those who have fallen asleep. His resurrection is not an isolated miracle. It is the guarantee of what God will one day do for every believer.
Paul then explains the hope of our own resurrection. The bodies we have now are perishable, weak, and mortal, but God promises that they will one day be raised imperishable, glorious, powerful, and immortal. Death does not get the final word. Because of Christ, death has been swallowed up in victory. That future hope should change the way we live right now. Paul closes by telling believers to be steadfast, immovable, and always excelling in the Lord's work because our labor in the Lord is not in vain. First Corinthians 15 reminds us that because the tomb is empty, we can face life with purpose and death with hope. Whatever we are walking through today, we know how the story ends. Christ is risen. Death is defeated. And in Jesus, victory is ours.
