The Gospel - [1 Corinthians 15:1-8]

Bethlehem Bible Church

0 views

January 11, 2015

00:00: Don't know if you caught that I did but I think mark while he was up here skip verse 4 almost
00:08: Did I catch that right mark? How how could you do that? That's the best verse of the hymn But I love you.
00:14: I'll forgive you for that Much warmer up here Pastor Mike and I concurred that that was the coldest water ever yet It's about 20 or so years ago when
00:29: I was living and ministering in New York City Back in the mid 90s. One of my ministries was surprised to college students and I was ministering on the campus of NYU and the campus group used to have a meeting every
00:45: Month, I believe and I had spoken there of a number of occasions and I was going there again to speak about the topic
00:52: I want us to look at briefly tonight about the gospel And I was getting in the elevator to go up to this
00:57: NYU meeting room in New York City There was a guy and a gal there who later on went to get married
01:03: Brad and Angela, I remember their names specifically and Angela made the comment in the elevator.
01:09: She said we're so glad you're back to speak to us again today And I thought to myself why
01:14: I felt kind of good, you know, I'm making an impact here with these students But then she went on to explain why she was happy that I was coming
01:22: Well when I used to teach the students in NYU, it was more like an IBS class So I would pass him notes with manila folders
01:29: And she informed me that she was running out of my note manila folders for her classes And she knew she would get more for my class.
01:36: So That's why she was excited that I was there But I addressed the students and asked them the simple question.
01:43: What is the gospel? And of course many times you get the Response many people think it's a genre of music along with country rock
01:52: R &B heavy metal and the rest of them Some might possibly even say well, it's the first four books of the
01:58: New Testament Matthew Mark Luke and John. That's the gospel But I went on to explain to them that the gospel is
02:07: Something that begins with God himself and we first looked at who God is then
02:14: I said after that we need to look at who we are who man is in light of of course of who
02:20: God is and Then of course who Jesus is and what was his work
02:26: For us and then finally, what is the response to the gospel every person response to the gospel?
02:32: But what is that response and we got to examine the gospel together with those NYU students
02:37: So I like us tonight to look at that a little bit if you would turn with me in the New Testament to the book
02:42: Of 1st Corinthians chapter 15 if you go back in the recesses of your mind when pastor
02:50: Mike was going through this book Back four years ago. We're gonna look at verses 1 through 8 together chapter 15 verses 1 through 8
03:03: Now if you're interested in an outline the way this portion of this can examine the whole chapter
03:09: But we're not going to verses 1 through 8 the first two verses are really the messenger of the gospel the messenger of the gospel and verses 3 to 8 are the message of the gospel and actually he expands on that through the rest of The chapter now,
03:27: 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
03:36: I preached to you unless you believed in vain For I delivered to you as a first importance what
03:43: I also received that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures that he was buried and that he was raised in the third day in accordance with the scriptures and That he appeared to Cephas then to the twelve
03:58: Then he appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time most of whom are still alive
04:05: Though some have fallen asleep Then he appeared to James then to all the Apostles last of all as to one untimely born
04:14: He appeared also To me in these first two verses as we said we see here the messenger of the gospel
04:25: It's the Apostle Paul and it's really broken down these first two verses into two parts The first one is as you will see from the very outset of the chapter the proclamation of the gospel
04:37: We see here the proclamation of the gospel Paul for them from the very outset introduces his topic now
04:44: I would remind you brothers of the gospel and By introducing the chapter in the way that he did now
04:52: I would remind you Paul is drawing attention to his readers to his audience to the
04:57: Corinthian Church pay attention to what I'm about to say because This is very important the gospel the
05:05: Apostle Paul was consumed That's a light word with the gospel
05:12: Listen to what he said to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 verse 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself
05:22: If only I may finish my course in the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God in Romans 1
05:33: Paul said he was set apart for the gospel in that same chapter He said I am
05:38: NOT ashamed of the gospel and in his last letter that he ever wrote 2nd Timothy chapter 1
05:44: He said that of this gospel. He was appointed a preacher an apostle and a teacher
05:51: Even in this book in 1st Corinthians, he said earlier in chapter 9. I do it all for the sake of the gospel
05:59: The Apostle Paul was consumed with the gospel. He lived the gospel. He ate the gospel.
06:05: He slept the gospel He breathed the gospel and it was that way till the very end of his life It's no wonder that at BBC we talk about gospel ministry
06:15: I Was reminded as I was studying this in my certificate of ordination and it says the following words solemnly and publicly set apart and ordained to the work of Gospel ministry.
06:28: That's what ministry is all about. It's about the gospel along with understanding
06:34: God's Distinguishing and electing love and choice of you that will get you motivated
06:41: For the Christian life as we heard this morning. The gospel is what pushed the Apostle Paul through to the very end
06:50: But the question arises because unlike the book of Romans, it seems like Paul might be taking a detour here
06:58: Corinthians unlike Romans is not very heavily theological I mean there are theological things in there, of course
07:05: But it's not like the book of Romans or he outlines and delineates in a logical fashion Like in a courtroom the gospel in Corinthians.
07:13: He addresses issues that the Corinthian Church faced sexual immorality lawsuits a misappropriation of spiritual gifts and a misunderstanding of it factions divisions and He speaks about the gospel
07:32: The question must be asked why would Paul mention the gospel to the Corinthian Church after addressing such behavioral issues?
07:41: very good question to ask to understand that question turn with me briefly to Acts chapter 18 and Then from Acts 18, we're going to look at the first chapter or 1st
07:51: Corinthians 1. Why is Paul in chapter 15? Addressing the issue of the gospel when he has just finished talking to them about factions divisions a wrong sense of leadership sexual immorality and lawsuits
08:07: This is on his missionary journey where Paul comes to Corinth Acts chapter 18 beginning in verse 1
08:15: After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth verse 4 and he reasoned in the synagogue every
08:24: Sabbath and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks Verse 7 and he left there and went to the house of a man named
08:32: Titus justice a worshiper of God His house was next door to the synagogue
08:38: Crispus the ruler of the synagogue Believed in the Lord together with his entire household and many of the
08:45: Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized Now turn with me to chapter 1 of our book 1st
08:54: Corinthians chapter 1 beginning in verse 10 that was
09:03: Paul's introductory ministry in Corinth as We read in Acts 18
09:10: Crispus believed you'll see his name mentioned here again in chapter 1 many of the Corinthians believed and they were baptized verse 10 of chapter 1
09:20: I appeal to you brothers by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that all of you agree in That there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment
09:33: For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you my brothers
09:39: What I mean is that each one of you says I follow Paul or I follow
09:44: Apollo So I follow Cephas or I follow Christ is Christ divided was
09:52: Paul crucified for you Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank
09:58: God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius So that no one may say that you were baptized in my name
10:05: I did baptize also the household of Stephanus beyond that. I do not know whether I baptized anyone else for Christ Did not send me to baptize
10:16: But what to preach the gospel? Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel
10:25: But wait, we just read in Acts 18 that Paul did baptize And he just Admitted here that yes,
10:32: I baptized Crispus and Gaius and the household of Stephanus. What's his point? His point is that the primary ministry that God had called him to was as we read in our text in chapter 15 was the proclamation of the gospel
10:47: Yes, he baptized. What does this have to do with the problems that Corinth's with facing with the factions and the divisions?
10:55: Paul made it very clear here. I Wasn't the one crucified It was
11:00: Christ You weren't baptized in my name. It was in the name of Christ that you were baptized
11:08: So in bringing forth the gospel and elevating the gospel to its rightful place in chapter 15
11:14: Paul is in essence saying to the Corinthian Church. It is the gospel that will bring unity among you and not factions
11:21: But if you focus on who baptized you well Apollos or I'm with Paul I'm up Cephas.
11:27: There of course is going to be factions and divisions But because it was Christ who was crucified the gospel is what brings
11:35: Unity within the body of Christ. That is the connection why Paul gets into the gospel in chapter 15 back to our text in verse 1
11:46: Now we remind you brothers of the gospel which what did he do? I preach to you says this twice verse 2 if you hold fast to the word
11:54: I Preach to you the preaching of the gospel the proclamation of the gospel
11:59: He said earlier in in the book in chapter 9 verse 16. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel
12:07: Woe to me in the Greek. It literally means what he says here the gospel. I preached to you the gospel
12:14: I gospel eyes to you the same noun is the same verb form in the Greek Evangelio come from two words, which means to announce as a herald as A representative of a king to announce something that is good good news
12:30: It's the same root word where we get the word angel in the New Testament. An angel was a messenger on behalf of God So a person who proclaims the gospel is sent by God because it is the gospel of God to announce to declare to proclaim good news
12:50: Of course, I believe it was attributed to st. Francis of Assisi Preach the gospel at all times if necessary use words.
12:59: I knew only a sissy would say that Only use words
13:06: If necessary What about Romans 10 the Apostle Paul says and how are they to believe in him who they have never what?
13:13: Heard and how are they to hear without someone Preaching so faith comes from hearing in hearing through the
13:21: Word of Christ. That is why in our text Paul says Evangelism I proclaim
13:26: I announce I declare the gospel with my mouth Paul did not say notice in the first verse now.
13:35: I will remind you brothers of the gospel. I lived before you Paul did not say
13:40: I would remind you of the gospel. I experienced The gospel cannot be lived.
13:47: It's a message to be proclaimed The gospel cannot be even experienced.
13:52: It's good news to be announced The proclamation of the gospel
14:01: But it doesn't end there as we see in verse 2. There's a response to the gospel whenever there's a messenger
14:07: There is always a response to the message that the messenger is sending And what was the response to the gospel well actually begins in verse 1
14:18: The gospel I preach to you which you received in which you stand and by which you are being saved
14:27: Paul had a unique relationship with a Corinthian Church He said in chapter 4 of this book
14:34: Listen to this for through though for though you have countless guides or tutors in Christ You do not have many fathers for I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel
14:48: Its gospel ministry and he says to the Corinthians verse verse 1 you receive the gospel
14:56: Did they truly receive it? It's the same idea as the Thessalonian Church first Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 13
15:03: Paul Explains this idea of receiving the gospel and we also thank God constantly for this that when you receive the
15:11: Word of God Which you heard from us you accepted it not as the word of men
15:17: But as it really is the Word of God They received it as the
15:23: Word of God, but they didn't stop there in which you Stand the end of verse 1 in which you stand
15:31: It's in the perfect tense the verb which literally means in which you stand and you are still standing
15:39: Continuously But he doesn't end there and by which notice verse 2 you are being saved.
15:46: You are being saved It's the tenses of salvation. Of course when scripture talks about salvation or where the term saved is used
15:54: It can be referring to salvation in the past that God has saved us from the penalty of sin
16:01: It can be referring to salvation in the present, which is what we call Sanctification from the power of sin or to our glory salvation from the presence of sin
16:10: But salvation is a package from beginning to end and he says here you are being saved.
16:16: It's a present tense and It's also in the passive voice. He wants to remind the Corinthians that it is the
16:23: God who does the saving I Don't save myself you Corinthians did not save yourselves it is
16:31: God who does the saving and by which you are being saved and then he finishes in verse 2 with this phrase if You hold fast to the word.
16:42: I preach to you unless You believed in vain two possible
16:49: Interpretations one is this notice later in our chapter Chapter 15 verse 12
16:55: Paul brings forth one of the issues that the Corinthians were having Verse 12 says now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead.
17:04: How can some of you? say that there is no resurrection of the dead and That's why he addresses that issue on the resurrection for the rest of the chapter
17:14: Verse 14 if Christ has not been raised then our preaching is in vain and what your faith is in vain
17:23: Verse 17 if Christ has not been raised your faith is futile and you are still in your sins
17:30: So one possible interpretation unless you believed in vain Well, if truly there is no resurrection of the dead then
17:36: Christ wasn't raised then your faith is in vain truly If you're trusting in Christ, and he hasn't been raised
17:44: Another option is what the Corinthians were dealing with Constantly with some of their behavioral issues
17:50: Paul talks to them about carnality in chapter 3 in chapter 6.
17:56: He talks to them about who can enter the kingdom of God in This second epistle in chapter 13 verse 5.
18:03: He tells them Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith test yourselves
18:10: This term as you see in verse 2 hold fast is the same term that our Lord used in the parable of the sower or the soils
18:17: Luke 8 15 as for that in the good soil There are those who hear in the word hold it fast in an honest and good heart and bear fruit with patience
18:31: Pastor John MacArthur highlights this phrase by saying quote Paul's qualifying phrase if you hold fast to the word
18:39: I preach to you unless you believed in vain does not imply that true believers are in danger of losing their salvation
18:45: But it is a warning against non saving faith So a clear rendering would be if you hold fast what
18:53: I preach to you Unless your faith is worthless or unless you believed without effect
18:59: The Corinthians holding fast to what Paul had preached was a result of and an evidence of their genuine salvation end quote
19:09: Paul is saying you receive the gospel you are standing in it. Even now You are being saved by it and it's evidenced by You're holding fast to the word.
19:21: That's the messenger of the gospel He proclaims the gospel Paul does in this case and the
19:26: Corinthians received the gospel in verse 3 He makes a little transition.
19:32: He says I'm the messenger of the gospel. I'm proclaiming the gospel I'm preaching the gospel But I want to want you to understand what the message of the gospel is and that's what he gets to into Verse 3 and the first thing he highlights is this the priority of the gospel the priority of the gospel
19:50: Remember, I mentioned earlier in verse 1. He used a phraseology now. I would remind you brothers which
19:57: Drew their attention to listen to what he had to say is very important and look what he says in verse 3
20:02: If I deliver to you as of secondary importance What I also received
20:08: I delivered it unto you as of tertiary importance I delivered unto you as of first importance
20:17: The gospel is a priority Back in those years when I was in NYU ministering to the students there.
20:24: I picked up a book It was entitled coming home the subtitle. Why Protestant clergy are becoming orthodox
20:33: It intrigued me so I picked it up One of the men who went to Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and for those who don't know it's a very reputable school
20:43: Men like DA Carson are there One of the mentors of Paul of John MacArthur his sons are teaching there others have gone by that school
20:53: It's a very reputable school and this man graduated from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School And he writes in one of the chapters
20:59: The chat the book is basically chapters of people who were in the Protestant faith who believed the gospel
21:05: Then we're drawn into the Orthodox Church, but why were they so this is father Paul Waisenden And he says this quote when we met father
21:14: John and Isabel Anderson and the Holy Transfiguration Orthodox mission and its people and saw 2 ,000 years of faithfulness to the gospel in its liturgy
21:24: Creed and sacramental life. I could see no grounds for anyone to be a Christian and be separate from this church end quote the gospel and its liturgy and in sacramental life, he said
21:40: Paul says the gospel is a first importance. But what is the gospel? There's confusion by even ministers
21:47: Who do such a thing? Why is the gospel of first importance well based from our context from the book of Corinthians Because it is the gospel that unites that doesn't brings factions
21:59: Because it was Christ who was crucified not Paul as he said in chapter 1 We're baptized in the name of Christ not in the name of Paul or Apollos or Cephas But the gospel is of first importance also because of its origin
22:12: Notice what he says here in verse 3 for I Paul delivered to you as a first importance watch this what
22:18: I also received It's something that Paul received. He didn't make it up How did he receive it?
22:27: Galatians 1 he gives us the answer Verses 11 and 12 He says Paul does for I would have you know brothers that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel
22:38: For I did not receive it from any man nor was I taught it but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ Paul received the gospel from a revelation from Jesus Christ.
22:52: It's not his gospel. He said Its origin is in God. That's why it's a first importance and Also, it's a it's a first importance because of man's condition
23:03: What is man's condition even if you just peruse and not go through the rest of the New Testament just the book of 1st
23:09: Corinthians man's condition 1st Corinthians 118 for the word of the cross is Literally moronic to those who are perishing 1st
23:18: Corinthians chapter 2 verse 14 The natural man does not accept the things of the
23:23: Spirit of God for they are folly or moronic to him And he is not able to understand them
23:30: So why the first importance of the gospel Because only the gospel
23:37: Romans 1 16 has the power of God for salvation nothing else does according to the scriptures
23:45: Only the gospel has the power of God to save a person who's totally depraved and radically corrupt out of their
23:52: Sinfulness, that is why it's a first importance But Paul goes on there after saying that the gospel is a first importance he then highlights this the historical facts of the gospel the historical facts of the gospel verses 3 to 5
24:11: Many scholars New Testament scholars believe that this was an early creed in the church that predated
24:16: Paul himself Some of the language that Paul uses is not typical Pauline language
24:23: Oxford scholar Terry Meath says this quote most New Testament Scholars point out that one of the ways we know first Corinthians 15 3 through 7 is a creedal statement
24:34: Is that it appears to have been a more primitive Aramaic and it's also in hymnic form
24:40: This means it was stylized Greek Non -Pauline words and so on which indicates that it predated
24:47: Paul and was widely used Probably even used and recited in worship experiences as a form of worship or song or a hymn or a creedal statement and Therefore it was universally
24:59: Acknowledged Paul didn't make up the gospel. It was a historical fact
25:06: I'll never recall when I was at Dallas Seminary and one of my favorite professors Jade white
25:12: Pentecost was teaching us through this marvelous book first Corinthians And he said something that kind of perked my ears
25:19: I came to chapter 15 and he's teaching through this and he made this statement He said the gospel is not the death borrow and resurrection of Jesus That perked my ears.
25:30: I thought I knew I should have gone to masters instead and I listened to him
25:39: He said let's look at the text That Christ died verse 3 for our sins in accordance with the scriptures that he was buried and That he was raised in the third day in accordance with the scriptures
26:00: He said the gospel is The death the crucifixion for our sins and the resurrection of Jesus Christ Where does it borrow and the rest of it come in?
26:09: We'll get to that but notice what he says about the death That Christ the anointed one the expected one the
26:16: Messiah Was to die for our significance in life Was to die to give us true meaning in our lives
26:25: You know, he died for our sins. That's the main issue to Paul. He died for our sins
26:30: That's the main issue to Paul because that is the gospel that he received from God from Christ That's the theological truth of the death of Christ the historical fact of his death
26:42: Martin Lloyd -jones quote one thing about the evangelical position today That really does alarm me so many people have this tendency to say that it does not matter very much what people believe
26:52: That the doctrinal definitions do not count as long as people talk about the cross It's very dangerous to assume that because a man is always talking about the cross
27:02: He may even have a cross suspended above the pulpit or somewhere else in his church that he has the true doctrine of the cross
27:09: No, the question is what do you believe about the cross? The cross of Jesus Christ Lloyd -jones says the death of Christ is still an offense to the natural man or woman and I sometimes
27:21: Think that they show that most plainly when they talk about it in a wrong and false way end of quote
27:28: The historical fact is that he died the theological truth of that He died for our sins because it is that sin that separates us from God And our greatest need is forgiveness of sins and to be reconciled to God It's no wonder that Paul at the beginning of this letter said for I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ in him crucified
27:52: But the historical fact of the gospel as we see here in our text is supported by prophecy even
27:58: What did he say that Christ died for our sins in accordance with what with the scriptures that which is graphy written down?
28:06: It's written revelation It's not just Paul's idea it was written down in the
28:12: Old Testament That's why even when he began the book of Romans Paul said The gospel of God which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the
28:22: Holy Scriptures concerning his son We don't have the time to go into the prophecies in accordance to the
28:30: Old Testament scriptures about the death of Christ But just a couple psalm 22 a messianic psalm verse 1 my
28:37: God my God Why have you forsaken me the words of Christ on the cross verse 16 talks about his pierced hands and feet
28:44: Verse 18 how they would cast lots for his clothes Or how about the Prophet Isaiah?
28:51: Looking at it first from a human perspective the death of Christ and then ultimately from a divine decree
28:57: Isaiah says in Isaiah 53 He was oppressed and he was afflicted yet He opened not his mouth
29:03: Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter and like a sheep that before it shares is silent So he opened not his mouth by oppression and judgment
29:11: He was taken away as for his generation who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living
29:17: Stricken for the transgression of my people and they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death
29:23: Although he had done no violence and there was no deceit in his mouth Yet it was the
29:30: Lord's will to crush him divine decree The death of Christ, that's the gospel, but then it doesn't end there his resurrection
29:40: He was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures The verb raised there again is in the perfect tense means that Christ arose at a certain point in history
29:51: And now he is in this risen state. He's the risen Lord That's whom Paul met the resurrected
29:57: Christ the risen Lord Psalm 16 verse 10.
30:02: You will not let your Holy One seed decay or corruption Paul Peter rather quoted from that in his message his sermon in Acts chapter 2 on Pentecost and Paul also wrote in Romans 1 verse 4.
30:16: He was declared to be the Son of God in power According to the Spirit of Holiness by his resurrection from the dead
30:24: Jesus Christ our Lord Both the crucifixion and the resurrection were in accordance with the scriptures
30:36: But it doesn't end there the historical facts of the gospel are proven. How about the death of Christ?
30:44: He died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures and then what happened verse 4 and he was buried that's significant
30:52: That was proof that he was dead Matthew 27 When it was evening there came a rich man from Arimathea named
30:58: Joseph who was also a disciple of Jesus he went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus then
31:03: Pilate ordered to be given to him and Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb when she had cut in the
31:11: Rock, and he rolled the great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away Mary Magdalene and the other
31:18: Mary were there sitting opposite the tomb the next day That is after the day of preparation The chief priests and the
31:24: Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said sure we remember how that imposter said while he was still alive after three
31:30: Days, I will rise Therefore order the tomb to be made secure Until the third day lest the disciples go and steal him away and tell the people
31:39: He has risen from the dead and the last fraud will be worse than the first Pilate said to them you have a guard of soldiers go make it as secure as you can
31:48: So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard
31:56: They wouldn't do that if there wasn't a dead body there The stone was rolled it was set secure with a seal and with a guard the burial is proof that Jesus truly had died
32:10: But how about the resurrection? He was raised in the third day in accordance with the scriptures and notice in the next few verses verses 5 through 8
32:17: No less than four times Paul uses the term that he appeared he mentioned six groups of people he appeared
32:25: First to Cephas that is to Peter He appeared to Peter You recall from the
32:33: Gospels that it was Peter and John who ran to the empty turn to him as they were running along He doesn't mention here
32:39: Paul doesn't as to when exactly he appeared to Cephas But he did then he appeared to the twelve that is listed in the
32:46: Gospels Luke 24 as They were talking about these things Jesus himself stood among them and said to them peace to you
32:54: But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit and he said to them Why are you troubled and why do doubts arise in your hearts see my hands and my feet that it is
33:04: I myself touch me and see for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have and Even in Acts chapter 1
33:13: Luke also writes he presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs
33:19: Appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God Then thirdly
33:26: Paul writes here He appeared to more than 500 and he
33:34: Emphasizes that it happened at one time and also that most of whom are still alive
33:39: Why do you would he write that? New Testament scholar
33:44: CH Dodd says quote there can hardly be any purpose in mentioning the fact that most of the 500 is still alive unless Paul is saying in effect.
33:53: The witnesses are there to be questioned, but he doesn't end there
33:59: He appeared to James Verse 7 the half -brother of Jesus who according to John 7 5 initially did not believe but later we know that he did believe he was a leader in the
34:10: Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 and According to Josephus the Jewish historian. He says quote
34:16: James was stoned to death Illegally by the Sanhedrin sometime after ad -60 for his faith in Christ Then again, he appeared to all the
34:27: Apostles and verse 8 last of all as to one untimely born
34:35: He appeared also to me Paul mentions himself last not first on the list
34:44: What does it mean when Paul says one untimely born? When did Christ call the disciples?
34:52: Luke 6 during his incarnate state he went up to a mountain and prayed when he came down He selected the disciples and called them all
35:00: Apostles When did he call the Apostle Paul? Post -resurrection on the road to Damascus in Acts 9.
35:08: It was the risen Lord that Paul encountered also one of the primary qualifications for an
35:16: Apostle according to Acts 1 when they were placing replacing Judas is what that they were an Eyewitness of what his resurrection while Paul continues to expound here in chapter 15
35:27: Paul was not an eyewitness of Christ's resurrection So in that sense he was untimely born yet God By his sovereign grace and infinite mercy called him by the risen
35:41: Lord as one untimely born Paul is saying to the
35:46: Corinthian Church. This is the gospel. It's a historical fact Christ died at a certain point in time and he died for our sins and the proof of his death
35:58: Was that he was buried his tomb was secured and Then three days later historical fact.
36:05: He rose again the third day and He proved his resurrection through his post -resurrection appearances
36:15: Paul was consumed with the gospel Paul knew that it was this gospel that would help the
36:20: Corinthian Church with all its factions With all its behavioral issues. Are you consumed with the gospel?
36:30: Are you Excited about gospel ministry when you think of the term ministry
36:35: What do you think of the first thing that ought to come to your mind is? the gospel
36:40: That Christ died for sins and then he rose again the third day because it is by that gospel that people
36:49: Are saved how about you? You heard the testimonies of people tonight?
36:56: Hug God by his sovereign grace Drew them out of their spiritual deadness
37:06: These Corinthians had received the gospel. They held fast to it
37:11: Have you received the gospel? I close with the words of my daughter
37:20: As she were telling her four -year -old cousin the gospel is
37:25: Jesus Christ died for your sins and you rose again the third day One day you will die
37:32: They will bury you and you will go to one of two places Heaven or hell the only way to get to heaven is to believe upon the
37:42: Lord Jesus Christ You don't want to go to hell. Do you believe upon the
37:47: Lord Jesus Christ? Let's pray Father we thank you for your word and for the truth that resonates with our hearts.
37:57: Thank you for Reminding us again of the simple yet profound and deep truth of the gospel that it is a first importance
38:03: It's the power of the gospel that saves and father help us to be consumed With gospel ministry like the
38:10: Apostle Paul was to proclaim to speak forth The historical truth of the gospel the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for people's sins and if there's anyone here who has never truly put their faith and trust and Believed upon the
38:27: Lord Jesus Christ that you by your sovereign grace and mercy would draw them to yourself We ask these things in Christ's name.