The Good News of the Resurrection
(1 Corinthians 15:1-8; 20-24)
Sermon Notes
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
As it pertains to our thinking about the resurrection – None of this works this way! We celebrate the resurrection, but do we fully comprehend what the celebration is all about.
The Resurrection is good news because it changed my eternal condition.
Several questions and answers on the resurrection and my condition.
What was my condition?
I was without hope, I was separated from God, and I was lost. Ephesians 2:1
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What was the cause of my condition?
I was inherently sinful. Romans 5:12. No one taught me to sin. I was born into sin. Romans 7:14-24 (NLT)
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What were the consequences of my condition?
I will face eternal death and eternal punishment. Romans 6:23
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What did it cost for my condition?
My condition costs Jesus dying on a cross (his life) Romans 5:6-9. It was an act of love. Jesus is the only one who died, and it mattered.
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How did Jesus’ resurrection conquer my condition?
The good news. 1 Corinthians 15
The gospel is the good news that Jesus died, buried, rose again and was seen. Jesus wasn’t revived or resuscitated. He was resurrected (to stand up again).
Christ is the prototype of what will happen to every believer. 1 Cor 15:20.
My eternal condition has been changed. I am no longer a slave to sin and no longer bound. I am brand new because of what Jesus has done for me. He now hands me the victory.
