Chapel Rock’s Vision:
To See the Whole Community
Whole in Christ
Casey Scott
Lead Pastor
Series: Messy Church
Sermon: Messy Hope
> 1 Corinthians 15
Today’s Big Idea
At the heart of the gospel is the resurrection, and it is only our certainty of that hope that allows us to stand firm in a messy world.
Introduction
The question before us today, the answer to which gives us the most hope in a messy world is: Are we certain of the Resurrection? Before you can answer that about us, we need to answer that about Jesus.
Paul gives three certainties. . .
CERTAIN THAT JESUS ROSE
> 1 Corinthians 15:1 – 11
Paul did not invent the message of Jesus’ resurrection. It was certified by eyewitness testimony – some of whom he killed – until the resurrected Jesus appeared to him too.
Paul was on track to be THE preeminent Jewish Rabbi within just a few years, and he gave that up because he was certain that Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead. The lynchpin of Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus.
“Why did Christianity arise, and why did it take the shape it did? The early Christians themselves reply: ‘We exist because of Jesus' resurrection.’ There is no evidence for a form of early Christianity in which the resurrection was not a central belief. Nor was this belief, as it were, bolted on to Christianity at the edge. It was the central driving force, informing the whole movement.”
~ N.T. Wright
For a Christian, it is necessary to believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus. If you don’t believe in that, you’re not a Christian.
CERTAIN THAT THE CHURCH WILL RISE
> 1 Corinthians 15:12 – 28
The lengthy section through the middle of this chapter (vs. 12-49) speaks to the Christian belief that one day, the whole church will be resurrected. This belief was part the church’s DNA from the very beginning.
Our certainty that we as the church will rise again one day is related to the idea and theme of the book of Revelation that "we win."
When you realize that you win because Jesus wins, it allows you to respond in love / wholeness when somebody at work/school gives you a hard time for living an authentic Christian life, or when you face sickness, struggle, and temptation in this life.
Your certainty allows you to give second chances to people that don’t deserve them. . .to show grace.
CERTAIN THAT I WILL RISE
> 1 Corinthians 15:50 – 58
The certainty that we will each rise again is where Paul goes at the end of this chapter. From verse 50 on, Paul describes what will happen on the day you and I are resurrected.
We each must be certain that one day the events that Paul describes here are going to happen to each of us! That’s the gospel, that’s what grace is about! It changes us – not just someday, but today!
The best news about the Gospel is that in Jesus, God puts to death the old you, and is raising up a new one that’s more like Jesus.
When we are certain of our own resurrection, it gives us the courage to embrace the life of grace.
+ You can love and serve God with reckless abandon.
+ You can practice unbelievable levels of forgiveness and generosity.
+ You might find yourself serving alongside friends who become family.
Conclusion
Ben Franklin’s Epitaph
The Body of B. Franklin, Printer
Like the Cover of an old Book
Its contents torn out,
And stript of its Lettering and Guilding,
Lies here, Food for Worms,
But the Work shall not be wholly lost:
For it will, as he believ’d,
Appear once more
In a new & more elegant Edition,
Corrected and amended by the Author
Read Ahead for Next Week
Daddy's Boy | Genesis 37:1-36