SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

OBSERVATION:
A simple source for the Apostles’ Creed: Christ died, was buried, rose on the third day.
Paul suggests that many witnesses to the resurrected Jesus remain alive at the time of writing; in other words, see and hear for yourself if you have doubts.
The believers ‘took their stand’ (v.1) on this message about Jesus, but they needed to ‘hold firmly’ (v.2) to the message.
If the message is untrue, then it is not good news, and their faith is empty, pointless.
Paul downplays his own place in the story, a one-time enemy of Christ-followers (also named Saul, Acts 8:1-4).
Is not the miracle of Paul’s life-change also amazing (think of Henry Morgentaler being converted to pro-life, it was this kind of change).
Grace (God’s undeserved favour) changes us and makes us something we don’t deserve to be.

APPLICATION:
Gospel = message of good news, that someone survived the judgment of death would indeed be hopeful news, if it could be marketed the demand would be HUGE!
Has my life been radically changed because of this message, does the resurrection mean something to me?
Do I ‘take my stand’ on this teaching, am I ‘holding firmly’ to this belief?
Is there a point to life if there is no life after death?

PRAYER:
Lord, I cannot imagine what life would be like without hope, without purpose, without eternal life! Thank You for making it possible for me to live eternally already now! Amen!