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Raised on the Third Day: Easter 2023

1 Corinthians 15:1-8 NIV

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: 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, 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.

Main Points

  1. The Gospel: The proclamation that brings salvation to those who believe.
  2. Christ died for our sins: His suffering and death atoned for the sins of mankind.
  3. He was buried: He was truly and verifiably dead.
  4. He was raised on the third day: The “firstfruits” of the those who have fallen asleep- the guarantee of our resurrection and the defeat of death at His second coming (vv. 20-26; 50-58).
  5. According to the Scriptures: Foretold and promised in Old Testament prophecy.
  6. He appeared: The list of witnesses confirms a literal and historical resurrection. Though we have not seen Him risen, we may still believe and be blessed (John 20:24-28).

1 Corinthians 15:50-58 NIV

50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Resurrection is the destiny of every person! Eternal life is the destiny of every person who is in Christ!