The Gospel Preached 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

The Gospel Paul Preached Sent to preach – 1 Cor. 1:17 A personal cost – 1 Cor. 9:12-18, 23 To the Gentiles – 1 Cor. 15:8 “out of due time” Rom. 1:1, Acts 9:15, 26:16-18

The Gospel Paul Preached Same gospel as other apostles – Gal. 1:11-12, 2:1-10 The difference was NOT the message, but the audience! The same gospel we must preach! Rom. 1:16-17, Gal. 1:6-9

“…which also you received…” 1 Cor. 15:1 The Gospel Preached “…which also you received…” 1 Cor. 15:1

The Gospel to be received They had received the gospel Παραλαμβάνω (paralambano) “to welcome, receive, accept” To receive means to obey – 1 Cor. 1:14-17, cf. Ac. 18:8

The Gospel to be received For the gospel to have real impact in our lives we must receive it! Accept its teachings! What they received – 1 Cor. 15:3-4

“…and in which you stand…” 1 Cor. 15:1 The Gospel Preached “…and in which you stand…” 1 Cor. 15:1

We have to stand in it Stand - ἵστημι (histemi) “to continue firmly or well-established in a particular state – to firmly remain” (L&N, 13:29) The gospel established them

We have to stand in it The gospel can sustain us! Not intended merely as a one time act, but to keep us where we need to be – pleasing God. 2 Tim. 3:16,17; 1 Pet. 1:3, Eph. 2:10, 6:11,13

“…by which also you are saved…” 1 Cor. 15:2 The Gospel Preached “…by which also you are saved…” 1 Cor. 15:2

We are saved by the gospel Our only hope is in keeping it! Rom. 1:16, 1 Cor. 1:18-24

We are saved by the gospel Isn’t it the blood of Jesus that saves us? Yes, but HOW that blood works is revealed in the gospel! Rom. 10:17 The gospel reveals how to be saved and how to STAY saved!

We are saved by the gospel Obeying the gospel is more than a one time act! It is the way we live our lives Phil. 2:12, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

“…if you hold fast that word I preached to you…” 1 Cor. 15:2 The Gospel Preached “…if you hold fast that word I preached to you…” 1 Cor. 15:2

We must hold fast to it Hold fast, κατέχω (katecho), to continue to believe, with the implication of acting in accordance with such belief” (L&N, 31:48)

We must hold fast to it A passage that warns of the possibility of apostasy. Also 1 Cor. 9:27, 10:12 2 Pet. 2:20-22 Luke 9:62, etc.

“…unless you believed in vain.” 1 Cor. 15:2 The Gospel Preached “…unless you believed in vain.” 1 Cor. 15:2

Believed in vain There was danger of their faith being rendered void! εἰκῇ, (eike) “pertaining to being without result” (L&N 89.54)

Believed in vain Paul is presenting a message that is FOUNDATIONAL! A message that must be properly understood. (Not just believing in the resurrection of Jesus, but that they too would be raised)

Believed in vain WHAT we believe IS important! This could include WHY we do something or HOW we do it. Some rationalize that it doesn’t matter what we believe “as long as we are sincere…”, etc. But it DOES matter!

Believed in vain That is why doctrinal accuracy is a test of fellowship! 1 Cor. 1:10, Phil. 2:1-2 That is NOT simply agreeing to disagree!

Believed in vain For example: Baptism Does it matter WHY we are baptized? Gal. 3:27, 1 Pet. 3:20-21, Ac. 2:38, 22:16, etc. These teach that until one is baptized he is still in sin!

Believed in vain For example: Baptism Many teach that you are saved and THEN baptized! Both views CANNOT be true! Because of this we CANNOT accept “just any” baptism!

Believed in vain To the Corinthian brethren, there was a need to clearly understand the resurrection! Cf. Gal. 1:6-9, 5:4 That is why doctrinal issues, moral issues, etc. matter!

The Gospel Preached 1 Cor. 15:3-4 “…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.” 1 Cor. 15:3-4

The Gospel Message Paul summarizes the gospel message! Jesus died, was buried, and arose the third day. The resurrection is KEY to the gospel. Distinguishes us from other world religions. Emphasized throughout Acts, etc.

The Gospel has been preached! Will you accept it?