THE ESSENCE OF THE GOSPEL

Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Key verse: 3,4

NIV

The Resurrection of Christ

15 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel(A) I preached to you,(B) which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved,(C) if you hold firmly(D) to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

3 For what I received(E) I passed on to you(F) as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins(G) according to the Scriptures,(H) 4 that he was buried,(I) that he was raised(J) on the third day(K) according to the Scriptures,(L)

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 15:3 Or you at the first
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Resurrection of Christ

15 Now I would remind you, brothers,[a] of the gospel (A)I preached to you, which you received, (B)in which you stand, 2 and by which (C)you are being saved, if you (D)hold fast to the word I preached to you—(E)unless you believed in vain.

3 For (F)I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died (G)for our sins (H)in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised (I)on the third day (J)in accordance with the Scriptures,

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 15:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 6, 31, 50, 58
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. By this gospel you are saved (1-2)

The church in Corinth had many complicated problems, and in this letter Paul had written about many of these in detail. Most of us have problems. But if we have the gospel in our hearts, every problem is an opportunity to grow in the inner person. So Paul turned away from the problems and pointed to the risen Christ and his gospel, the solution to every problem. If we hold firmly to his word we are saved. This is his promise.

2. Of first importance (3-4)

Christ died for our sins, was buried and was raised on the 3rd day. This event is the climax of God's redemptive history. It is the turning point of human history. Jesus' death and resurrection defeated the power of sin and death and set us free from slavery to the devil. When we receive this gospel and believe it in our hearts, we are saved. This is God's grace. It is the turning point of our lives.

Prayer: Lord, I believe that Jesus died and rose again for me. Thank you for providing a way for me to come to you.

One Word: Christ Jesus died and rose for me