Message

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The Resurrection of Christ

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Key Verse:15:3,4 “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”

Prayer: Dear heavenly father! Thank you for Jesus who was raised from the dead and gave us the eternal life. It is Easter season. May God help me be filled with the resurrection faith to win a victory in my mission field. May God bless our Easter Bible conference abundantly. This time, be with me and help me accept the word of God. I prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Through this passage, Apostle Paul teaches us important lesson of Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection is very important to Christianity and Christian. If there was no Jesus’ resurrection, Christianity would not exist. Jesus’ resurrection was really foundation of the Christianity. Look at verse 1. “Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.” At that time, there were many kinds of problems among Corinthian’s church members even though they were Christians. When Paul thought about this matter, he wanted to remind them of the gospel again that he preached to them. The gospel was one that they received and had taken their stand. So, apostle Paul believed that the gospel could solve their problems and settle down all kinds of problems. That was why he wrote this letter to them. Then, what was the gospel? Look at verses 3,4. “For what I received I passed on to you as first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” In a word, gospel is Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. We will be saved if we hold firmly the gospel. The gospel is solution for all kinds of problems. These days, I and missionary Elizabeth have hard time. We are struggling to overcome our situation but things are not getting better. So what is solution for that? It will be that we hold firmly the gospel. We have to come back to God and trust God firmly. May God have mercy on us and help us holy firmly the gospel so that we might take our stand firmly. My key verse of this year is that Hebrew 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” I must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. I pray that I would seek and pray to God believing that he exists and rewards.

Paul is testifying that Jesus’ resurrection is a clear fact because there are so many witnesses. He said that Jesus appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. Jesus also appeared to five hundred brothers and James and even Paul himself. Even though Paul did not mention, Jesus also appeared to Mary Magdalene. All of them directly saw risen Jesus with their own eyes. After they saw risen Jesus, they were changed as witnesses of risen Jesus. One of good examples is Peter. When he saw, he was changed into a brave and faithful servant of God from a betrayer of Jesus. Their life changes reveal clearly that Jesus was resurrected. Most of all, Paul’s change is a clear evidence that Jesus was raised from the dead. He was a persecutor against the church of God before he met risen Jesus. But now he became most faithful servant of God and witness of Jesus who was raised. Jesus’ resurrection changed his life as a powerful servant of God. Jesus’ resurrection is not just one time event. Jesus’ resurrection changes our life and makes us useful servant of God. Jesus’ resurrection has power and ability that we might live a powerful and useful life in our life time. In the past, I was suffered from nihilistic thinking because of power of death. I thought that everything was over if I die. But Jesus’ resurrection changed my idea and my life. I was changed as a useful servant of God and kingdom worker for God’s ministry. Now I am living as a missionary in this country. That is a great change in my life when I think about my previous life. Jesus’ resurrection has power and ability that we might change as useful and powerful servant of God. If Jesus was not resurrected, my life would be not changed. If my life had not been changed, I would have lived a miserable life being suffered from the power of death. I thank God who made Jesus to be raised from the dead and made me meet the risen Jesus personally. I thank God who made me to be changed from a miserable life into useful servant of God. I believe that Jesus’ resurrection still can change my life more powerfully and usefully. I pray that I might win a victory believing Jesus’ resurrection more firmly. May God bless my missionary life when I more clearly believe Jesus’ resurrection. May God bless our Easter Bible conference. Amen

One word: Jesus’ resurrection has power and ability

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Attachment

• The Resurrection of Christ-message-2013-doc[1].doc