Notes: The Heart of the Gospel

The Heart of the Gospel, 1 Cor. 15:3-8, Tom Pennington (Countryside Bible)
Listen at: http://www.countrysidebible.org/CBC.php?t=23&p=Sermons&mainNav

Four propositions: buried, died, raised, appeared

1. Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, v.3

• sins: the violation of God's law or God's standard, Ps. 24
• king of all the earth, Ps. 47; the universe is not a democracy
• demands perfect obedience, James 2:10
• the law of God consists of two commands: love God perfectly & others
• we have all rebelled against God's rightful rule in our lives, "our sins"
• people believe God grades on a curve, but that's not what God says
• Rom. 3:9-12,23; 6:23, the outcome of our best effort is death
• Jesus came to live a perfect life and to die, 1 Pet. 2:22; Mark 10:45; 2 Cor. 5:21
• in accordance with the scriptures, Isa. 53:5-11
  

2. Christ was buried, v.4a

• important because evidence of Jesus' literal, physical death; you don't bury a live person
• everyone knew where Jesus was buried--enemies and friends
  

3. Christ was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, v.4b

• "has been raised", action with permanent results
• not the same kind of resurrection as those he had performed, i.e. Lazarus
  - Lazarus was raised in the same fallen body and died again
• Jesus was raised with a new, perfect body
• 1 Cor. 15:42, imperishable, power, glory, spiritual, real, touchable, physical
• third day: really about 36hrs (Fri PM - Sun AM), prophesied not to decay
• Isa. 53:10, he will see his offspring and prolong his days; implies resurrection
• important because, 1) it affirms Jesus' claims are true, Acts 2
• ...2) it affirms the Father accepted Jesus' payment for sins, Rom. 4:25
• ...3) it affirms that someday Jesus will be the judge of every human being, Acts 17:31
  

4. Christ appeared to eyewitnesses, v.5-8

• established the resurrection through more than 14 different appearances
• Peter: Luke 24:34; the twelve; more than 500 brethren, Matt. 28, most still living; James, Jesus' half brother, Acts 1:14, Mary & Jesus' brothers, James 1:1; all the apostles; Paul, Acts 9
• to believe in Jesus and His resurrection is not a leap of faith; exceeding evidence
  

Application:

• you have to personally respond
• Mark 1:15, repent and believe the gospel
• repent: turn from everything in your life that you know is sin and in rebellion
• believe: put your full reliance in Jesus Christ and Him alone (Rom. 10:9)