Read the Book: July - SeptemberSample

Week 39

Our Stance

1 Corinthians 15

Paul writes 1 Corinthians to a church that he had started in Corinth, and this specific chapter addresses the importance of keeping our focus on what is important. There are some things that we can disagree about within the church, and it shouldn’t really make us that uncomfortable. There can be several views among Christians on certain matters, and that’s okay. However, if an issue affects your view of the gospel, that is worth fighting for. 

We see that Paul addresses the basics of salvation. Jesus was born, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Paul wants to make sure that they believe him, so he lists a long list of names of people who saw Jesus after His resurrection, to give some credibility so any unbelievers could actually travel to Jerusalem and speak to people who saw Him after He was raised from the dead. It was really important that the Corinthians understood this because Christ’s resurrection is what shows His power over death and sin. In verse 17 he says “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile”. Paul considered this to be a crucial issue that they needed to work out.

When Adam sinned, he brought death on the entire human race that would come after him. We all have a sinful nature because of our ancestry in Adam. When Christ came, He reversed that. Through Christ, the “last Adam” (1 Cor. 15:45) we can receive His resurrection so that when we die, we can spend eternity in heaven with Him. We will get a new body, untouched by the sin in this world. That is the entire reason that Jesus had to be born, be killed, and come back to life.

Within the church, we are going to disagree on things. We have different backgrounds and experiences and interpretations. There are, however, things that are worth fighting for. Issues pertaining to the gospel and Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection are worth taking a stand to protect. 

Family Connection: What makes Jesus different from anyone who has ever lived? Jesus is alive! He did not stay dead. He defeated sin and death by living a perfect life and being the sacrifice for us. Take some time and write or draw some of your favorite stories about Jesus. Thank Him for everything that He has done and everything that He will do! We do not worship a god who is dead and gone, we worship a Savior who is alive and loves us!