1 Corinthians 15:1-11
(Message (summary) given at Faith Church on June 10, 2007, 1:30pm)
Heart to Heart
Speaking to you heart to heart came about few weeks ago. Normally, at faith church, we take a book in the bible and go through it in order but few weeks ago, during our anniversary dinner, my heart was struck with wanting to let all of you know what God has been laying on my heart. Thoughts and feelings for you and our church as your pastor and one of the leaders in our church. In a sense, this is very much a pastoral care message to everyone. I love you very much.
There are five things I would like to share with you but before we get to those, I want to let you know that they all five revolve around what is of most important in our lives. That is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you— unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:1-6 (ESV)
What is this Gospel? “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day …” and then he appeared to many people. To clarify, the opposite of the Gospel is Religion.
Religion is about what I do. Gospel is about what Jesus has done.
And the Bible says, this is of “First importance.” Because Religion leads to pride or despair; Gospel leads to humility and joy.
Why do we need to be reminded of the Gospel? Because Religion is death; Gospel is life.
Religion is not our goal; Gospel is.
Five things that the Gospel does in our lives. May you by FAITH in Jesus Christ embrace them.
First, be …
1. Humbled by the Grace of the Gospel.
Heart to heart – “Let us be humble.”
If you want to know if you are being humbled by the grace of the gospel, it will show mainly in your service to others.
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4 (ESV)
Now, if you are struggling with humility, let me remind you about something. Let me remind you, brothers and sisters of the Gospel. Because when we are reminded of the Grace of the Gospel, we are humbled.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)
Second be …
2. Transformed by the Power of the Gospel.
A permanent salvation transformation. Justified so that there would be a new walk with the Lord today. Sanctified so that there is a closer walk with the Lord today then yesterday. And one day to be Glorified so that there would be a perfect walk with the Lord.
This kind of transformation can only come from the power of the gospel.
Because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. 1 Thessalonians 1:5a (ESV)
If you want to know if you are being transformed by the power of the gospel, it will mainly show in your prayer life. The idea of prayer is one of dependence. We are saying to God that we cannot change on our own but need His help.
Heart to heart – Let us be prayerful.
Let me tell all of you who may not know Jesus Christ and have not accepted this gospel we are talking about. The truth is that we are praying for you. We are praying that you see Christ on the cross and you see that He died for your sins and rose again in victory. Simply we are praying for you to believe the gospel. And for all of you who do know Jesus Christ, you must also pray for your self and one another.
Now, if you are struggling with transformation, let me remind you about something. Let me remind you, brothers and sisters of the Gospel. Because when we are reminded of the Power of the Gospel (and thus not relying on the power of self), there is transformation.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. Romans 1:16a (ESV)
Third be …
3. Instructed by the Word of the Gospel.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
Please make sure you understand. The goal of God’s Word is not to prescribe to you and I how we can be more righteous or how we can be more in favor with God. That is religion. This is not Word of my religion but it is the Word of the Gospel. Meaning, the goal of God’s Word is to describe to you and I what a life with Jesus looks like. Description of faith in Jesus and embracing of His Gospel.
Bottom line is that the Bible is the Word of the Gospel because Jesus is the hero who has made the way for us to now walk with God.
Heart to heart – Let us love the Word.
If you want to know if you are being instructed by the Word of the gospel, it will mainly show in your love for the Word.
With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. Psalms 119:10-16 (ESV)
Now, if you are struggling with being instructed by the Word, let me remind you about something. Let me remind you, brothers and sisters of the Gospel. Because when we are reminded of the Word of the Gospel (that it is not just rules of do’s and don’ts, but a Word that leads to knowing Jesus), there will be a love for the Word.
Fourth be …
4. Affected by the Call of the Gospel.
Philippians 2 would say if you have been united with Christ then serve one another. Ephesians 2 would say there is good works God has prepared for us to do. Throughout the Scriptures, there is a clear understanding that when we have faith in Jesus Christ by embracing His Gospel this is an eternal life changing faith. That our whole life is affected. The purpose and vision that we live for has changed. The things that we desire have changed. The things we talk about have changed.
Jeremiah says … If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. Jeremiah 20:9 (ESV)
Heart to heart – Let us be passionate. Let us give our whole lives to this call of the Gospel.
If you want to know if you are being affected by the Call of the gospel, it will mainly show in your sharing of the Gospel.
Now, if you are struggling with being affected by our call, let me remind you about something. Let me remind you, brothers and sisters of the Gospel. Because when we are reminded of the Call of the Gospel, there will be an affect on our lives.
Fifth be …
5. Focused on the Glory of the Gospel.
It is about believing God, trusting God, and wanting to be with God. It is about staying focused on Him. This is the glory of the gospel. Gospel has made a way for us to have peace with God.
Heart to heart – Let us stay focused. There will be tough times ahead. So keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.
If you want to know if you are staying focused on the Glory of the gospel, it will mainly show in your desire for God.
Now, if you are struggling with staying focused on God, let me remind you about something. Let me remind you, brothers and sisters of the Gospel. Because when we are reminded of the Glory of the Gospel, we will stay focused.
I think we were all at one time proud religious self-trusting, self-absorbed individuals. However, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has taken a hold of our lives and now everything is different. Praise God.
