Based on the LGG Study, Enduring Hope, w3d1
Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-28 / SOAP verses 16-19
And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.
1 Corinthians 15:16-19
The Gospel Paul preached was: Christ crucified, dead and buried, and raised from the dead. It is this Gospel that has the power to save (Romans 1:16) – and it is through our faith in Jesus, the focus of the Gospel that God’s grace has saved us! (Ephesians 2:8) However, if Christ really hasn’t been resurrected, as some were suggesting in Paul’s day, and some still doubt today – then Paul’s preaching was a waste of time and our faith is worthless.
And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is futile and your faith is empty
1 Corinthians 15:14
The bottom line is that we either believe in life after death or we don’t. For if Christ was not resurrected then no one else will be, and we are without HOPE. This means:
- Our faith is useless (1 Corinthians 15:14).
- We are still slaves to sin- as though we are dead (Romans 6:1-14)
- We are still enemies of God (Col 1:21).
To place our hope in this life – is to have no hope at all!
Response to God’s Word
Father, I believe Your Word and I stand firm in the faith of the Gospel message that Christ Jesus was crucified, dead, and buried – and that on the third day he rose from the grave! I believe that after revealing Himself, in His resurrected body, to His disciples – for a period of days – He then ascended into Heaven where He is now seated at Your right hand – where, among other things, He intercedes for us in accordance with Your will. I believe that He will one day return to claim His bride, the church, that we might forever live with You! In this is my hope and strength for each new day – without this there is no hope at all. Let us not become cynical in this world of chaos and hopelessness but rather help us to stand firm in Your truth and to be lights and voices of the promised Hope of Jesus’ return and the promise of eternity with You – and this that others might come to share in our HOPE – In the name of Jesus I pray – Amen and Amen!
song of Worship
Going Deeper
Don’t forget you can get more out of today’s passage by reading the Love God Greatly Blog Post