Gospel Reading Plan: Acts 19-20
Paul’s First Letter to
the Corinthians: DAY 18
READ 1 Corinthians 15
In your journal, write
down the things that stick out to you from today’s Bible reading. Respond to
what God shows you as you feel led.
Lastly, Paul addresses a very important point that is
vital to the survival of the church and to the spread of the gospel: the
truthfulness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many in the Greco-Roman world
believed that life ceased entirely after death, and if there was any sort of
afterlife, it was an unsubstantial, ethereal thing. The church was confused
about life after death and the bodily resurrection of Christ.
This is such an important chapter for us in the 21st
century as the Bible’s claims are being questioned on all fronts. We must not
forget the basis of historical Christianity, as Paul outlines in verses 3-8.
The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are all times in literal human
history; we’re not talking fantasy or make-believe here! This is why Paul makes
a point to mention in detail the numbers and some specific names of those who
had seen the risen Christ – so that the truthfulness of this claim could be
affirmed by many!
Paul points out the implications that exist if Jesus did not rise from the dead: “your faith is
futile and you are still in your sins”! (v 17) And then: “If in Christ we have hope
in this life only, we are of all people the most to be pitied.” (v 19). If
Jesus did not rise from the dead, He did not conquer death and we will perish
in our sinfulness, never to receive our resurrected bodies. Praise God that He
is risen! Yes! He is risen indeed!
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
1.
Ask God how He wants to use this
chapter to grow your faith. Ask Him how He wants to use this chapter to make
you a bolder witness.
2.
Consider what the truthfulness of the
resurrection means for you personally. Meditate on verses 54-57. Thank Jesus
for His power over death.
3.
Finally, meditate on verse 58. Do you
ever feel that your service or obedience to the Lord is in vain? Ask the Lord
to encourage you through what you have learned today.
