1 Corinthians 15:1-2
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, ² by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

In a world of many lies, do you know the greatest truth of all time?

1 Corinthians 15:3
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures…

Before we can see the cross as something done for us, we must first see it as something done by us.

1 Corinthians 15:4
and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…

Because Christ was buried for your sins, you don’t have to be buried by your sins.

and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…

Our faith isn’t based on fables or feelings, it is based on facts.

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1 Corinthians 15:5
And that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.

Christ’s dying is greater than our denying. Christ being risen is greater than our ruin.

1 Corinthians 15:6-8
After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

The evidence of Christ being seen alive after His death is proved by those who gave up their lives for Him unto death.

Job 19:23-25
Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! ²⁴ That they were engraved on a rock with an iron pen and lead, forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth…

The Good News is not just that Jesus lived and died, but that He died and now lives.

Additional Scriptures Referenced: Daniel 9:24-26; Zechariah 13:7; Luke 18:9-14; 1 John 2:2; Isaiah 53; Jonah 1:17; Matthew 12:39-40; 1 Corinthians 15:54; Luke 22:31-34

Discussion Questions

1. How does the concept of seeing the cross as something done by us before seeing it as something done for us challenge or deepen your understanding of Christ’s sacrifice and its implications for your life?
   

2. The Gospel often emphasizes Christ’s death on the cross and subsequent resurrection. Why is it crucial to also acknowledge Christ’s burial, as stated in 1 Corinthians 15:4, “and He was buried”? (Refer to Matthew 12:39-40 / Jonah 1:17). How does recognizing Christ’s burial for our sins impact our perspective on guilt and forgiveness?
   

3. How does the testimony of eyewitnesses, outlined in 1 Corinthians 15:5-8, bolster the credibility of Christ’s resurrection?
   

4. In what manner does the martyrdom of early Christians authenticate the reality of Christ’s resurrection?
   

5. How does the resurrection of Christ provide hope and assurance for believers? How does Job’s proclamation in Job 19:23-25 resonate with the message of Christ’s resurrection?