9/22 Life

The Gospel is Key
(1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-11)
*Special guest preacher: Pastor Walter Teter
(Director of Discipleship, Hackberry Creek Church, Irving, TX)
 
Pause & Reflect
 

1. What has God been teaching you through last week’s message? Read the texts once more and discern what the holy Spirit is desiring to say through it.

 
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
 

1. [v.1-2] Pastor Walter reminded us that the gospel does not end when Jesus is received as Lord and Savior into one’s life. Rather, it is the starting point of a present and future salvation to come which encapsulates the whole of the gospel. This gospel is progressing us forward and helping us hold fast to the word of God into the future that will save us fully and finally at the last day. Has your life been surrendered to what has been preached to you, which you received, in which you stand? Is the gospel a one-time decision or a lifetime discipleship? What ways is God growing the word that has been preached to you? How is the LORD progressing, over digressing, what you received from Him? Are you standing stronger in it as the days go by? What are you holding fast to attain into the future?

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

1. [v.3-4] Pastor Walter reminded us that “the Scriptures” in those days were primarily the Hebrew/Old Testament (with parts of the New Testament already in circulation), which spoke sufficiently of Christ who “died for our sins… was buried… was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (see Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; Jonah 1:17; Luke 24:46). How are these historical facts about Jesus being attacked? Why is Jesus’ real and full death important? Why is Jesus’ real and full resurrection important? By these, how is Jesus becoming more real and full in your life? How are these truths the most important pillars of your life?

 
5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
 

1. [v.5-11] Pastor Walter reminded us that the gospel rests on real eyewitness testimonies, especially the author – the apostle Paul – who interacted, experienced, and claimed his identity on the grace of God. Thus far, no ancient writings have refuted Paul’s claims of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the hundreds that he asserts were eyewitnesses at the time. This is an argument from the silence of history – a very loud silence that supports the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. Although none of us were there to be eyewitnesses ourselves, how are we witnesses of Jesus through our personal testimonies? You may not have seen Jesus with your eyes, but how have you heard Jesus with your heart, that is far better than what your eyes can see? How have you experienced the work of the unseen holy Spirit through the circumstances of your life, renewing your mind to understand God’s grace in every part of it? Like Paul, how can you courageously claim your sonship/daughtership in Jesus Christ, simply by grace, simply because Jesus says so?

 

1. Pastor Walter charged our congregation with two exhortations – (1) remember the gospel is the key to everything, it is the power of God for salvation to all those who believe; (2) repeat the gospel, speak the gospel again and again – whether in worship, gatherings, meeting for lunch, etc. – let it ignite you and guide you into a deeper relationship with God and each other. Like the drum major that needs to be seen and hold the entire band together, lift up the gospel to be seen and let it hold it all together – that is, Jesus Christ, lift Him up and be held together by Him. How can we practice these two better as we begin our journey as Hosanna Church?

 

 
Holy Spirit Moment
Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray.
 
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18)
 
…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)