The Gospel of Christ
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you – unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures
INTRODUCTION
A. Good News!
We all want to hear good news.
Doesn’t matter if it is national, local, or personal --- we are always ready for good news.
[For some this is especially true when that good news concerns their favorite college team – such as: Purdue beating Indiana (Tom) or Indiana beating Purdue (Jeff).] – [Of course we all know that the best “good news” concerning any college sports game is when Kentucky wins, especially if it is an SEC football game.]
B. Evangelion/Evangelizo
As most of you probably know the Greek word which is translated “Gospel” in our English translations basically means – “good news” [Vine’s Exp. Dict., p 275/6].
So when we speak of the gospel of the Bible – we are speaking of the “Good News” concerning Jesus Christ.
I. GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST
Vs. 1a, 3b-4
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel … that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He arose again the third day according to the Scriptures. - [The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus!]
A. Death
1. The soul that sins dies -
Death is an experience that we all will go through. Why? --- Because we all are sinners.
Ezekiel 18:20a – (cf. 18:1-32)
The soul who sins shall die.
Therefore --- physical death and spiritual death has continued among mankind since the fall of Adam – Are you dead in your trespasses and sins?
2. He who knew no sin died –
However --- Jesus was not a sinner --- Yet, He died! Why? --- In order to reconcile us to God.
2 Corinthians 5:19, 21 – (cf. 5:14-21)
God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. … For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Seeing that Christ died on the cross and bore the penalty of sin before God --- Have you taken your sins to Him?
3. He died for His own –
Christ died for sinners.
Matthew 1:21
[Mary] shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.
Jesus came to seek and save the lost – Are you still seeking the way to God?
Jesus said --- Enter by the narrow gate – for the broad way leads to destruction [Matthew 7:13-14] --- Strive towards the narrow gate, no matter how difficult it seems.
B. Burial
1. According to custom –
When people die --- they are buried.
John 19:38-40
Joseph of Arimathea … and Nicodemus … took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.
2. According to Scripture –
The Messiah was prophesied to suffer and die.
Isaiah 53:8-9 – (cf. 52:13-53:12)
He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of My people He was stricken. And they made His grave with the wicked – but with the rich at His death, because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.
3. As a picture for us -
Just as Jesus was buried, so too are we buried in the watery grave --- declaring that we are now dead to sin.
Romans 6:3-4a – (cf. 6:1-4)
Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized in His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death.
C. Resurrection
1. Satisfied God –
God demanded justice for sin’s penalty --- only Jesus was able to satisfy God’s demands with His atoning sacrifice.
Hebrews 10:10-14
We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this man [Jesus Christ], after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
Acts 2:22-24
Men of Israel, hear these words: [This] Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know – Him being delivered by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; … God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. - [underline emp. mine]
2. According to Scripture -
The Psalmist declared that the Messiah was not going to be contained by death.
Psalm 16:9-11
Therefore [since the Lord is Messiah’s portion – vs. 5] my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope. For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
3. As a picture for us –
How beautiful also does that of baptism show forth the resurrection when the believer comes forth from the watery grave.
Romans 6:4b –
Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
a. First-fruit –
Just as Jesus has been raised from the dead, so too will those who have believed in Him be resurrected. – (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23)
b. Hope –
W/O the resurrection of Christ we (believers in Christ) would be men most pitiable. – (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:12-19)
II. IMPORTANCE OF THE GOSPEL
A. First
We Must --- Believe Ourselves
Vs. 1b and 3a
The gospel which I preached to you … For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received.
How can we tell and show others how to come to Christ if we have never done so ourselves? --- As ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ – we must receive, believe, and stand firm on the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
B. Second
You Must --- Received --- Believed --- Stand Firm On
Vs. 1c-2
The gospel … which you also received and in which you stand, by which you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you – unless you believed in vain.
You must hear God’s message about the necessity of the Gospel, you must believe that message, and you must stand firm on that message.
CONCLUSION
A. Acceptance
Mark 1:15 – Jesus came … preaching … saying … “Repent, and believe the gospel.”
Repent and believe – where do you stand in relation to the Gospel today?
B. Invitation
John 3:14
As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.
All the Israelites had to do to be healed was to trust God and look up. ---- Where are you looking today?
Has God spoken to you today?
Has He revealed to you your need of a Savior?
Is He calling you into His fulltime service?
Whatever you think God is leading you to do today --- I urge you to look to Jesus, His Son.
Romans 1:16 – The gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
Come – Share with us – what God has done in your life today.
Bruce Allen
Edwardsport FBC
June 27, 2004
bea0210@hotmail.com
bcallen0101@aol.com
