THE CORE - THE GOSPEL (Kent Smith Notes 9/24/23

THE ESSENTIAL CORE OF THE CHURCH:

THE GOSPEL

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

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Definition of what the church is:

“A group of Christians who gather regularly and who have some measure of commitment to each other to be the body of Christ together.”

THE CENTRAL DEFINING CORE OF THIS GATHERING IS A COMMON BELIEF IN, AND TEACHING OF - THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

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CONTEXT: Paul is writing a letter to the church

• Divisions * Freedom in Christ

• Church Discipline * Conduct in Worship

• Lawsuits * Spiritual Gifts

• Views on Marriage * The Church as the Body of Christ

• Eating Food sacrificed to idols * The Supremacy of Love

• Idolatry * The use of Tongues in Worship

• The Lord’s Supper * Order in Worship

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He has addressed several challenges in the church at Corinth

Now he turns his attention to the FACT of the resurrection of Jesus.

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That which is of FIRST IMPORTANCE

• Preamble:

  • I remind you of what I preached to you.

  • You received it and stand on it.

  • It is the gospel by which you are saved

  • Hold firmly to this word

  • Otherwise your faith is powerless.

• His testimony:

  • I received this word: the gospel

  • I passed it on to you as of FIRST IMPORTANCE

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1 Cor 15:1-3

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received,

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THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS

ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES”

• 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

• That He appeared to several witnesses

  • Peter and the 12,

  • 500 other witnesses, most of which were still living (when written),

  • James, and all the apostles,

  • And finally, to Paul himself.

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that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to [c]James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

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THE CENTRAL PROOFS OF THE GOSPEL

Jesus is the Messiah

According to the Scriptures

Jesus rose bodily from the dead

According to the Scriptures and eyewitnesses.

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Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in the life of Christ that point to Him as the Messiah.

Most of which He had no control over “making it happen.”

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THE CENTRAL TRUTHS OF THE GOSPEL

• Jesus is the Christ - The Promised Messiah

• He led a sinless life.

• He died a substitutionary death for sins.

• He was buried and He rose alive from the dead

According to the Scriptures.

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Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Isaiah 53:5-6

But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. 6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.

1 Corinthians 15:3

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

Isaiah 53:10-11 But the Lord was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If [m]He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand. 11 As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities.

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

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WE PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL

There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

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