Transparent Believers
Opening Prayer
I praise You, Lord Jesus, risen from the dead and ruling forever as Lord and King over all!
Read 1 Corinthians 15:20-34
[20] But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. [21] For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. [22] For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. [23] But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. [24] Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. [25] For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. [26] The last enemy to be destroyed is death. [27] For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. [28] When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all. [29] Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? [30] And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? [31] I die every day-I mean that, brothers-just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. [32] If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” [33] Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” [34] Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God-I say this to your shame. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What does Christ's death and resurrection guarantee for us?Here Paul turns the attention of the Corinthians (and ours, too) to the person of the resurrected Christ—the only one with any claim to status or importance. Ultimately, Christ will turn all authority back to God the Father (28), who will be seen as supremely sovereign.
Paul also reminds the Corinthians of his struggles on their behalf (30,31)—not that he might be seen as important, but that their attention might not be drawn to those who preach that there is no resurrection from the dead. Why? He wants them to look only to Christ, the firstfruits, whose resurrection guarantees that all who trust in him will be raised with him.
Why? “That the light of Christ will be seen today, / In our acts of love and our deeds of faith” (Stuart Townend and Keith Getty © 2005, Thankyou Music). When we give Jesus the highest place in our lives, and become his “invisible” followers, he will be seen through us. Who do people see when they look at what you do?
Apply
What does Christ’s resurrection mean to you? How does Christ’s light shine through you to others?
Closing prayer
Pray that all your deeds, words and thoughts today would have Jesus at the center, and that others respond to him in you.
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