God Speaks
Paul Teaches about the Resurrection and Gives Final Greetings
Verse of the Day: For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
1 Corinthians 15
Reflection: In this great chapter Paul first summarizes the Gospel (the good news) about Jesus Christ. The “good news” is that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah that the Scriptures said would die for our sins. He was raised from the dead just as the Scriptures foretold. To verify this resurrection, He appeared in person to several individuals such as Peter (one of His closest disciples) and James (His earthly half-brother) and groups, as many as 500 at one time, who could be interviewed as to the truth of these appearances. Paul gave himself as an example of a person who had personally met Jesus and had his life completely changed. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is a major tenet of the Christian belief system. If Christ has not been raised, no one else can or will be. Because of Adam’s sin, death entered the world. Because of Jesus’s righteous life, death, burial, and resurrection, resurrection from the dead is made available to all who will truly believe. While we are awaiting our resurrection, Christ Jesus is in the process of conquering all enemies and contrary rulers and forces, bringing them under subjection to Himself. When He has conquered everything, He will present it all, including Himself, to be in subjection to the Father who gave Him the authority to conquer in the first place. What will our resurrection bodies be like? We are not exactly sure, but we will be different like the beautiful, strong plant that grows is different from the small seed the farmer planted which died. Verses 48 and 49 tell us that now we have bodies like Adam, made from the earth. In the resurrection those who belong to Jesus will have bodies like His resurrection body, formed in heaven. The coming resurrection is a mystery. Not all of Christ’s people will die, but all will be changed into heavenly bodies like His. Victory will be declared and our perishable, mortal bodies will be changed into imperishable, immortal ones. Always remember your work in the Lord is never in vain.
Prayer: Dear Father God, thank You for sending Your one and only Son into the world to die for my sins. Thank You for raising Him from the dead just as the Old Testament writers said You would. Thank You, Jesus, for validating Your resurrection by staying on earth for those forty days and appearing to so many people. Thank You for appearing to Saul of Tarsus and changing him into the Apostle Paul, the most prolific writer of the New Testament which you have used to save my soul and change my life. Thank You for making the resurrection from the dead available to me and to all who will through their attitudes and actions show that they completely trust You. Thank You for giving believers the authority to cooperate with Christ to conquer and bring everything into subjection to Him and ultimately to the Father. Thank You that I can anticipate a new, imperishable resurrection body. Please help me to take good care of this earthly, perishable body until then. Help me and all believers to keep on laboring in the Lord, remembering that such work is never in vain. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will look for and act on an opportunity to discuss with someone quietly but firmly the importance of believing that Jesus is the Christ, He died for our sins, and He was raised from the dead, all according to the Scriptures.
- I will look up and write down several Old Testament scriptures that Jesus fulfilled in His life, death, and resurrection.
- I will strive to take good care of the perishable, earthly body God has given me for now as I wait for Christ’s return to receive the new, imperishable, Christ-like one He will give me at the resurrection from the dead.
- I will pray for all believers, but especially those suffering and under persecution, to remember that their labor in the Lord is never in vain.
1 Corinthians 16
Reflection: Paul begins this chapter with how the Corinthians are to take up an offering for the Christians in Jerusalem. Each person was to set aside a portion of his or her income weekly based on their ability and God’s leading. Gradually, this would grow until Paul arrived. According to his comments later in the chapter, this could have been for several months, perhaps the better part of a year. This orderly procedure would avoid a frantic, last-minute appeal that might embarrass some and/or fuel the pride of those who had access to ready cash. This collection was then to be delivered to the saints in Jerusalem by the Corinthians’ own chosen representatives, providing for good accountability. Paul was looking forward to spending some time (perhaps all winter) in Corinth after going to Macedonia. In the meanwhile, the Holy Spirit was giving him a fruitful though challenging time there in Ephesus. Paul went on to recommend and commend various Christian leaders both in Corinth and Ephesus. “Keep your eyes open for spiritual danger; stand true to the Lord; act like men; be strong; and whatever you do, do it with kindness and love.” First Corinthians 16:13-14 (TLB) provides a key nugget of instruction as Paul closes out this important letter. Paul signs off in his own handwriting, emphasizing the importance of loving the Lord, anticipating His return, living in His love and favor, and remembering that we belong to Christ Jesus.
Prayer: Dear Father God who cares for His children and instructs them to care for each other, thank You for the orderly way Paul addressed the problem of raising money to send to the poor and/or persecuted Christians in Jerusalem. May leaders look forward to spending time with the people in the flock to which God has assigned them, even if there are problems to be worked out or corrected. Holy Spirit, please give Christian leaders fruitful ministries in the midst of any opposition they may be facing in either the natural or spiritual realms. Lord, please help me to find concrete ways to commend and recommend the Christian leaders You have assigned to me. Also, please keep me alert to enemies and dangers, seen and unseen. I desire to stand true to You, Lord; act like a wise adult; be emotionally and spiritually if not physically strong; and most of all, act toward others out of Your kindness and love. Jesus, I look forward to Your soon return to straighten out my messy life and this messed up world. Please remind all us who belong to You of that glorious fact. AMEN
Action: (Ask the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will memorize 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 and use it as a guide in praying for myself and others. “Keep your eyes open for spiritual danger; stand true to the Lord; act like men; be strong; and whatever you do, do it with kindness and love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 TLB
- I will look for ways to encourage and help Christian leaders I know.
- I will begin setting aside money once a week to contribute to needy or persecuted Christians.
- I will pray for the Lord to protect believers from enemies and dangers, seen and unseen.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.