First Things First---1 Corinthians 15: 1-19

Russ Kapusinski
Mar 23, 2008

~REFLECTION~

"What they need to know above all, if they are to grow as Christians, increasing in wisdom, power, patience, and thanksgiving, is the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ. The more they get to know, and know about Jesus Christ, the more they will understand who the true God is and what he's done; who they are as a result; and what it means to live in and for him."

"Take away the stories of Jesus's birth, and you lose only two chapters of Matthew and two of Luke. Take away the resurrection, and you lose the entire New Testament and most of the second-century fathers as well."

~Tom Wright

~COMMITMENT~

Scripture Lesson: First Corinthians 15: 1-19

1Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

9For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10But 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. 11Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

12But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

Sermon First Things First Russ Kapusinski

~COMMUNITY GROUP/FAMILY WORSHIP ASSIGNMENT~

1. Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world and why?

Read 1 Corinthians 15: 1-19

2. Paul states that the following, “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.” Do you see this truth as the most important thing in all of life? How do you practically bring your life in alignment with this truth on a daily basis?

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3. Paul is basically stating that if Christ is not raised from the dead everything that is done in a Christian church is just a “dumb show.” Why is this the necessary logic that flows if Christ is not -risen? -

4. In the sermon entitled “First Things First” what one thing particularly gripped you and what do you plan to do about it in way of applying it to your life? Share these things with one another and pray for each other.

5. Remember to “preach the gospel to yourself and to one another.” Whenever we have an encounter with God in His church and through His Word there are going to be areas highlighted where we haven’t lived according to His plan. “Preaching the gospel to ourselves and to one another” is reminding one another that Christ obeyed (always) where we have failed and that he paid the price for our failure on the cross—so we’re forgiven and free! Therefore, end your time with prayers of thanksgiving and praise to Christ for his wonderful gift of salvation!