DON’T BUDGE
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Opening Prayer
Father in Heaven, open my heart to receive truth from your Word today, truth that will not only encourage me but will challenge me to live a life more committed to serving you.
Read 1 CORINTHIANS 15:1–11
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
The Resurrection of Christ
15 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas,[b] and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve 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 to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 15:3 Or you at the first
- 1 Corinthians 15:5 That is, Peter
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
‘On Christ the solid rock I stand.’*Despite tensions in Corinth, something held them together. They had all heard and gladly received the good news about Jesus. They now stood together on that solid ground. Like them, remaining loyal to that commitment is critical for us because ‘final salvation will not come without perseverance.’** As Jesus taught us, sprouting seeds may have inadequate roots or life choked out of them (Matthew 13:20–22).
Can you sum up the gospel in one word? ‘Jesus’ is Scott McKnight’s answer.*** Sometimes it’s made primarily about us and our needs! Jesus is the fulfillment of all God’s plans. He died and was buried to confirm it. He rose again and his appearance to numerous people validated it. His death accomplishes something that has plagued humanity since creation: the separation sin causes between humans and God. Jesus’ resurrection proclaims that sin and death could not hold him (Acts 2:24). Far from simply passing on a story, Paul is personally wrapped up in this. To his immense surprise, Jesus chose to appear to him (v. 8). Personal testimony has its place; the reality of Jesus ‘appearing’ to us. But of first importance is centering people’s attention on Jesus, his death, and resurrection. This is a life-giving story that draws people to give themselves unremittingly for Jesus.
Apply
What’s so good about the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection? Why do you think so many don’t think it’s good news? Can we change that?
Closing prayer
Once again, Lord Jesus, I come to you to affirm my faith in you. I offer you my praise and adoration for, indeed, you are the Solid Rock on which I stand.
*‘My Hope is Built on Nothing Less’, Edward Mote, 1863.
** 1 Corinthians, TR Schreiner (IVP, 2018), 301.
*** ‘The One Word Gospel’, S McKnight, Substack blog, 3 July 2023.
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