First Corinthians 15 Part 1 Standing Securely Upon The Gospel Of Jesus Christ.

I would like to introduce this chapter by using a quote from the Puritan preacher, Matthew Henry. 

This is one of the finest purpose statements regarding chapter fifteen.

"It is the apostle's business in this chapter to assert and establish the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, which some of the Corinthians flatly denied (See1 Corinthians 15:12). 

Whether they turned this doctrine into allegory, as did Hymeneus and Philetus, by saying it was already past (See 2 Timothy 2:17-18), and several of the ancient heretics, by making it mean no more than a changing of their course of life; or whether they rejected it as absurd, upon principles of reason and science, it seems they denied it in the proper sense. 

And they disowned a future state of recompences by denying the resurrection of the dead. 

Now that heathens and infidels should deny this truth does not seem so strange, but that Christians, who had their religion by revelation, should deny a truth so plainly essential is surprising, especially when it is a truth of such importance. 

It was time for the apostle to confirm them in this truth, when the staggering of their faith in this point was likely to shake their Christianity; and they were yet in great danger of having their faith staggered."

Preaching the gospel with power and clarity.

1 Corinthians 15:1-2  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2)  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 

Many of you may know that this chapter is Paul's passionate exposition of the doctrine of the resurrection of Christ and of all who are in Christ.

He starts chapter fifteen with a declaration of gospel truth since the resurrection of Christ is the central focus of gospel preaching.

Paul uses the word "brethren" because he is writing to believers in Christ at Corinth. This is glorious truth for all who have been regenerated and indwelt by God's Spirit and adopted into the family of God.

Paul is helping us gain a full knowledge of the truth of His resurrection by declaring powerful gospel truth.

The word "gospel" means the preaching of Jesus Christ who suffered death on the cross to procure eternal salvation for the men in the kingdom of God. 

The preaching of Christ as restored to life and exalted to the right hand of God in heaven, who will return in majesty to consummate the kingdom of God

The gospel is the glad tidings of salvation through Christ and the proclamation of the grace of God manifest and pledged in Christ.

Next Paul says I have "preached" this gospel to you. However, the Spirit of God directed to use the same word translated "gospel."

Literally, this could read I declared the gospel with which I "gospelized" you. 

What happened when Paul preached the gospel at Corinth and the people were "gospelized?"

They "received it" which means to fully accept and believe the gospel of Christ at the individual level. 

I cannot receive and believe the gospel for my children or grandchildren. The gospel is individual in its application. 

I can and do share the gospel with my family and pray that they will accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior. 

However, the decision to follow Christ or not, is a choice made by each person, by each family member. 

The gospel of Christ is the only way of salvation provided by God that each individual who hears it must either accept or reject. 

The gospel of Christ must be received in order for us to stand upon it. 

1 Corinthians 15:1-2  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2)  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 

Paul always preached the same gospel of Jesus Christ and he always taught the same truth wherever he traveled. 

It was the gospel of Christ that they had received. 

The Corinthians had been convinced of the faith, believed it is in their hearts, or at least made profession of doing so with their mouths. 

It was no strange doctrine but was made clear by Paul's plain but full expository preaching of God's truth.

Each Christian "stands" upon the rock of the gospel of Christ. To "stand" means to be firmly planted, immoveable, continuing safe and sound, standing ready or prepared.

To "stand" means to be of a steadfast mind like one who does not hesitate and does not waiver.

The gospel lifts us out of the mire of sin and puts us upon God's solid rock.

Psalm 40:1-4  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2)  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3)  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. 4)  Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 

King David was in trouble often but he waited patiently as he prayed to Jehovah for help. The LORD heard David's cry and lifted him out of the miry pit of clay and set him on the solid Rock.

This is a beautiful picture of God rescuing our soul from the muck and mire of sin that threatens to pull us under. 

When we receive the gospel of Christ, the Spirit of God sets our feet upon Christ, our Rock and Redeemer. 

When Jehovah established David's "goings" that is a picture of a new Christian walking in newness of life, and seeing the old way of life pass away (See Romans 6:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Putting a new song in David's mouth because of salvation, is a picture of the indwelling Spirit of God filling us and the Word of God dwelling richly in us (See Ephesians 5:18; Colossians 3:16). 

These blessings reflect what Paul is teaching us when he says we stand by faith on the gospel of Christ.

Those who receive the gospel are not ashamed of it. 

Romans 1:16-17  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17)  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Paul tells us that the gospel of Christ is the power of God that leads us to salvation and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. 

Those who are born again are never ashamed of the gospel of Christ because of what God does in our lives through the gospel. 

1 Corinthians 1:18  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:23-24  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24)  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Some Corinthians were seeking intellectual knowledge, worldly wisdom and acceptance like the Greek philosophers. To them gospel preaching of the cross of Christ seemed to be foolishness.

To those Corinthians who are born again, the gospel is the power of God that saves us from our sins. 

The gospel of Christ saves us if we remain true to its teaching and live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. 

It is the gospel of Christ in which the Corinthians (and all Christians) stand, and must continue to stand. 

If we give up this truth, we leave ourselves with no safe, solid ground to stand upon, no eternal salvation. 

The doctrine of Christ's death and resurrection is the foundation of Christianity. Remove this foundation and all our hopes for eternity disappear at once. 

It is by holding this truth firmly, by standing on Christ our Rock, that Christians can endure in a day of trial, and remain faithful to God.

Paul warns against being turned from the true gospel to follow a false one. 

Galatians 1:6-9  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7)  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8)  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9)  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 

Paul wrote to the churches in the Roman province of Galatia because he received word that apostates were trying to introduce a different gospel.

Heretics were introducing a gospel different from the pure gospel of Christ. It was a works oriented gospel that appealed to fleshly lusts. 

They perverted the gospel of Christ by changing the truth into a lie (See Romans 1:25). 

Paul was taken aback by how quickly those who professed faith in Christ, were swayed and moved away from gospel truth.

Paul said that even if any apostle or angel began to preach a gospel different from the gospel of Christ, they were accursed by God. 

This is the strongest of condemnation in the Greek language. "Accursed" means a false gospel that pretends to be of God and aligned with His purposes, even though it is a doctrine of devils from the depths of Hell.

This is why he expends energy teaching the Corinthians that they must receive and believe the gospel and must continue to stand upon its truth.

Those who reject the gospel of Christ will be judged by that gospel.

John 12:46-50  I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47)  And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48)  He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49)  For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50)  And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. 

Jesus also gave a very solemn and serious warning about rejecting His gospel. Those who hear not His word will be judged by the words of His gospel. 

The choice of life by believing and receiving the gospel or death by unbelief and rejecting the gospel is set before us.

This is the same powerful argument Paul is making to the Corinthians.

You must believe and receive the gospel in order to be born again.

You must remain faithful and stand upon gospel truth because this is the evidence of your salvation.

Those who move away from the gospel are guilty of unbelief and subject to the condemnation Jesus warned of.

Have we received and believed the gospel of Christ? Gospel preaching is God's instrument to reach sinners and to lead them to repentance and faith in Christ.

Are we born again and standing faithful upon the Jesus Christ, the Rock of gospel truth?

Are we living out the truth of Christ's gospel and telling others about salvation from God through faith in His Son?

May our Lord help us in being faithful in all things pertaining to the glorious gospel of Christ.

May we be bold witnesses telling others about sin, condemnation, death, hell and salvation, eternal life with God and heaven.

Bob