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"THE CLIMAX OF THE GOSPEL"
1 Corinthians 15:1-5
Strong's Concordance
Theme: The resurrection of Jesus Christ provides power to the Gospel of grace.

Introduction:

This past week, a group of people determined that their great hope was to escape the limitations of a place that had exceeded its usefulness. "In 1994, members began to talk more openly about leaving Earth for what they called "The Kingdom Level Above Human," which they said was a "real, physical" place." (CNN). They apparently believed that there was a UFO behind the approaching comet "Hale-Bopp" that would take them away to this "Kingdom." For the Christian, the resurrection of Jesus Christ removed such desperate efforts to attain such a destiny. The Lord Jesus Christ accomplished it all.

I. The AFFECT OF THE GOSPEL – 15:1-2

A. The Current Condition of the Believer – v. 1

The Gospel of grace is set aside from all other beliefs through one incomparable, unprecedented or duplicated feat: the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It is the truth of the resurrection that explains the constancy and conviction in the lives of those who obey the Gospel of Christ, serving as the reason for the life-change that occurs in the believer – "Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand."
It is the truth of the resurrection that causes men and women to "receive" the Gospel message centered in Christ Jesus.
"In which also you stand" - The believer’s ability to stand is derived from the power of the truth of the resurrection.
"Belief in the resurrection, the truth that this life is only a prelude to the life to come for those who trust in Jesus Christ, could not be obliterated by ridicule, prison, torture, or even death. No fear or dread in this life can quench the hope and joy of an assured life to come." (MacArthur, p. 398)

B. The Constant Characteristic of the Believer – v. 2

The Gospel is that "by which also you are saved . . ." – an reference to the believer’s deliverance from the power of sin and the condemnation attending it.
Because of the fact of the resurrection, we possess the power over sin and death and are no longer slaves to it – Romans 6:1-11
Paul’s great desire is to know the "power of the resurrection" practically, in his daily living – cp. Philippians 3:10
"hold[ing] fast the word which I preached to you . . ." – is the result of and evidence of their genuine salvation, without which, "you have believed in vain"
Such a statement is not teaching the loss of salvation, but that one can possess a form of godliness, but deny the power of it – 2 Timothy 3:5
People who are genuinely saved by the grace of God have "received" the truth, "stand" in the truth, were "saved" by the truth, and "hold fast the word" of the truth that was "preached" to them – what truth?

That Christ Jesus "died for our sin according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

II. THE ARTICULATION OF THE GOSPEL – 15:3-4

A. The Payment for Sin – v. 3

"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures" – a reference to the substitutionary role that Christ filled when he received the wrath of God on Himself because of our sin – cp. 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5
This was necessary because of the righteous judgment of God for sin – a sentence that required death – Romans 6:23; Ezekiel 18:20

B. The Product of Judgment – v. 4a

"and that He was buried" – a reference to the totality of the separation between the Son of God and the Father – cp. Mark 15:34
The grave is the final conqueror, the trump card of Satan.
Yet, Christ having yielded to the chains of death, knew the full consequence of sin – complete separation from the Father.

C. The Power of Life – v. 4b

However, the clutches of death could not keep Him – "and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scripture"
God had promised that He would not allow "His holy One to see corruption" – cp. Acts 2:22-28, 30-32
Now, death and the grave are a defeated foe – no longer the victor, having met a greater power – cp. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

III. THE AFFIRMATION OF THE GOSPEL – 15:5

A. The Emphasis on Grace

"and that He was seen of Peter" – this is a picture of grace – the unmerited favor of a loving God.
Peter is presumably mentioned first to emphasis the tremendous tenderness of Christ in healing Peter’s wounded heart following the denials.
This again demonstrates that we do not received from the Lord what is deserved, but that which He determines is best for us through His grace.

B. The Establishment of the Church

Finally, it is mentioned along with a host of others in the following verses, that He appeared "then to the twelve"
This is really where you see the power of the resurrection begin to revolutionize the lives of those who would be the recipients of the salvation promised and verified by the provision of the Holy Spirit of God at the birth of the Church.