Old Llantrisant Hill
- Continuing the Easter Theme
- In some ways 1 Corinthians is a reverse of Romans
- Romans – begins with the truth of the resurrection
- 1 Corinthians – deals with practical issues and ends with the doctrine of the resurrection
- The resurrection was the most important thing to Paul and the apostles
- v1-2: what are things the claimed to believe?
- What is the minimum you must believe to be a Christian?
- The closest answer in the Bible (v3-4)
- v3: Paul has received the gospel
- Paul had learnt these things
- Almost a creed
- v3: Of first importance – the most important thing
- Christ died for our sins (according to the Scriptures) – with proof
- Christ rose again on the third day (according to the Scriptures) – with proof
- Rooted in Scripture
- They teach of sacrifice – pointing forward to the Lamb of God who will take away the sin of the world
- Proved by the burial
- Proved by His appearance to many
- The resurrection and crucifixion foretold in the Scriptures
- The apostles referenced the Old Testament
- Jesus referenced the Old Testament
- If anyone takes their stand, believes in and depends upon their truths – they are a Christian
- Foundational truths
- "Christ died for our sins" – do you understand this
- The importance of the resurrection?
- Do we understand the full significance of this?
- Apostolic teaching – Acts 2
- Only one brief reference to Jesus’ death
- Instead about the exultation of Jesus – beginning with His resurrection
- Applications in Acts 2:36 – Jesus is Lord and Christ
- Romans 1:1-4
- Appointed by the Holy Spirit by the resurrection of the dead
- Not just declared but appointed
- Jesus is the Son of God
- v3 is about Christmas
- v4 is about Easter
- Appointed in power by His resurrection from the dead
- God is vindicating Jesus
- The resurrection bestows on Jesus a new status
- No wonder the resurrection lies at the heart of Paul and Peter’s preaching
- Acts 9:31 – Paul preaches that Jesus is the glorified Son of God
- Acts 13 – Preaches the resurrection from Ps 26, Isa 55, Ps 2
- Turning back to 1 Corinthians
- The proof of the resurrection – appearing to Peter, the twelve, the 500 people, then James, then all the apostles (v5-7)
- Then to Paul (v8)
- He is an apostle not because of anything in himself, but by the grace of God (repeated 3 times in v10)
- Application:
- We must rely on the Lordship of Christ and the grace of God