March 31, 1999

LIFE & WORK:
Resurrection is reason
of believer's hope, praise
___ 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 12-15, 17-20
___By Doug Riggs
___Woodland Heights Baptist Church, Bedford
___At the end of an Easter service, one parishioner making his annual appearance commented to the minister, "I think you're in a rut. Every time I come here, you preach about the same thing."
___There is no better day than Easter to share the gospel. Many people never attend church except on that day (or Christmas), and we have a great opportunity to minister on behalf of the resurrected Lord.
___ Easter signifies salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-2). Paul reminded the Corinthians of the gospel he had preached to them, a gospel that leads to salvation. Salvation denotes rescue or being made whole. We are saved to heaven and from hell, and we also experience the fullness of God's purpose in our lives. Only through Christ can we experience the abundance of eternal life for the present as well as the future.
___Paul's warning (v. 2) about believing in vain pointed to a perversion of the gospel, not ineffective salvation. Some denied that resurrection from the dead was possible. If someone believes part of the gospel but rejects resurrection, then their belief would be in vain.
___ Easter grows out of reality (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Paul defined the gospel in terms of the most basic beliefs. Jesus died for our sins (v. 3); he was buried and resurrected (v. 4); and he appeared to many afterwards as proof of the resurrection (vv. 5-8). Denominational doctrines may vary, but all Christians find common ground in these basic truths.
___Paul emphasized historical reality as the basis for the gospel as opposed to philosophy or myth. The Corinthians could corroborate the story by talking to others who had actually witnessed these incredible events. The reality of personal experience extended to the power of the gospel to change lives. The effect of Christ's resurrection changed Peter (v. 5) from a cursing coward into a confident convert. James (v. 7), the half-brother of Jesus and the pastor at the church in Jerusalem, moved from doubt (John 7:5) to a devoted follower. Paul (v. 8) the persecutor became a powerful preacher of the gospel. In short, the greatest evidence that the gospel is true and grounded is a changed life. People cannot argue well against the visible evidence of such a testimony.
___ Easter produces hope (1 Corinthians 15:12-15,17-20). In the classic movie "It's a Wonderful Life," George Bailey discovered what his world would be like had he not been born. The changes were astounding. But how much more so would life be turned upside down if Christ were not resurrected! The Corinthians seemingly were not denying Christ's resurrection as much as their own (vv. 12-13), but Paul linked the truth of both events together. The deductions were deadly (vv. 17-19).
___But because of the resurrection we have hope! Our faith is effective, our sins are forgiven, our deceased Christian loved ones are at home with Christ and our future is secure. Easter evokes the highest praise for the believer and the highest hope for the unbeliever. He is risen!

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