PREPARE

The psalmist pleads; “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Paul urges his beloved church to remember the gospel he preached, which they received and upon which they have taken their stand. While we walk this earth, where can we turn when we get bogged down with the weight of our sin, become discouraged by relentless circumstances, or forget the implications Christ’s resurrection has on our every day? The power and love He displayed in securing our future through His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead fuel a joy, strength and endurance unlike any other thing!
Join with us as we remember and rejoice over our Risen Savior, Lord, Overcoming King, and Faithful Friend!

LISTEN

Verses: 1 Corinthians 15:1-23

Main Point: Through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers us the reality of present hope and future glory.

1. The Evidence: (1 Cor. 15:1-8)

2. The Impact: (1 Cor. 15:9-11)

3. The Significance: (1 Cor. 15:12-23)

REFLECT

1. What impacted you most from this week’s message? What challenged you or encouraged you?
2. What is the importance of Jesus’ resurrection? What implications does it have for the world? How does the fact that Jesus resurrected change our understanding of the purpose of life?
3. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-8. Why did Paul stress the importance of believing in the Gospel he preached? What does it mean to “believe in vain”?
4. How did Paul define the Gospel? Why did Paul list off all of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances? What was unique about the people Paul listed?
5. Read 1 Corinthians 15:9-11. How did Paul describe himself in these verses? What did he credit for the changes he experienced?
6. What was the result of Paul’s conversion after seeing the resurrected Christ? How does believing in Jesus change a person?
7. Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-23. Paul wrote several “if” statement in this section to illustrate the importance of the resurrection. What are they? What is our situation if there is no resurrection? Why should Christians be pitied if there is no resurrection?
8. Paul made the point that Jesus has been resurrected. What implications of the resurrection did Paul write about? What does it mean that Jesus was the “Firstfuits”?

ACT

- What is one specific thing you can do this week to put into practice what you learned in this message?
- Who is someone you can share what you learned with?