Messages with Meaning


Sermons delivered at Sanlando Springs by Pastor Jack Parrott

Don't Pity Christians

1 Corinthians 15:1-26
Presented on March 2, 2008, © Dr. Jack Parrott
I. Introduction

  1. Two things in life: death and taxes; more than that: death and doubt. Paul responds by saying: (v 3) "I want to remind you [they knew, but seem to have forgotten] of the gospel."
  2. His letter addresses two questions about death:
    (1) Is there life after death? and
    (2) If so, what's it like?
  3. The Corinthians have come to doubt the Lord's bodily resurrection. "How is it some of you are saying there is no such thing as resurrection of the dead?" (verse 12)
  4. Paul helps us to respond to the doubts about life after death by encouraging at three points (that follow)
II. Confirm our confession of faith
  1. Paul outlines the fundamental aspects of the gospel message ("first importance") This is perhaps the oldest summary of the Christian message in existence. It is not original to Paul; it was given to Paul soon after his conversion.
    1. That Christ died for our sins (see Isaiah 53) The cross is the key aspect of the gospel message. There is no Christianity w/o the cross. Paul: "I preach Christ and him crucified."
    2. That he was burried
    3. He was raised on the 3rd day and continues to be raised
    4. Jesus was seen by Peter and the other apostles
III. Consider the consequences of denying the resurrection
  1. Part of the Corinthian confusion is some believed you could say Jesus rose from the dead while also maintaining that there is not life after death for other people. It was an attempt to merge together of their beliefs as a Christian with their Greek cultural beliefs.
  2. If our confession is not true; if we have believed in vain (falsely), which means then ...
    1. Christ is not raised
    2. Our message is empty/useless (and we are still in our sins because there was no real remedy)
    3. The messengers are liars
    4. The dead are lost
    5. We are deluded, hopeless, and to be pitied
IV. Celebrate the conquest of death by Christ

  1. Christ Jesus was raised by God
  2. He reigns from heaven over His spiritual kingdom
  3. He will rule together with God the Father as King of the new heaven and earth.


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