1 Corinthians 15"

This chapter in the Bible is the resurrection chapter. The four Gospels give the detail of our Lord's resurrection. This chapter tells us why the resurrection is the finished product of Christ's work in salvation's story. All that Jesus did, was a part of His ministry. His birth, His life, and His death had to be done exactly at the right time. The resurrection stands out as the one element that sets our Saviour apart. Without the resurrection, our preaching is in vain. Without the resurrection, our faith is in vain. The word "vain" means weak, void, worthless, having no substance, of no value or unimportant. In other words, what good is there in a dead god? Without the resurrection, we are still in our sins (vs. 17). Without His resurrection, we are most miserable (vs. 19). The Gospel of Jesus Christ would be no good news had not Christ resurrected Himself from the grave.

We, who have believed upon Him can now and forever rejoice because our Saviour did what only God could do. He has defeated every enemy man has. Death, Hell and the grave have been conquered by Christ. No longer is sin the victor, nor death, nor the grave. Our Lord has paid the sin-debt for us. He has taken the sting out of death and replaced it with peace, joy and blessed hope. He has robbed the grave of its darkness and replaced it with the Light of Heaven. Verse 57 says to us, "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

April 1st, 2018

From Your Friend & Pastor,

James H. Baker, Proverbs 3: 5-6