TEACHING NOTES Introduction Today we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Each year we celebrate this day by going to church and spending time with family. It’s a wonderful day to be sure. Then, we go back to our normal lives. But is that what Jesus had in mind? Did He die on a cross and rise from the death just be celebrated once-a-year? Shouldn’t every Sunday be Easter Sunday? How did the resurrection story lose its power to be celebrated every day of our lives? Answer: We stopped being disciples of Jesus and became something called “Christians.” We have “believed” but have not began following Jesus. Today, I’m going to try to reclaim the power of the resurrection by calling us back to being disciples of Jesus who believe and follow Him. ​ 1 Corinthians 15:1–2 ESV 1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. In which you stand = Grk. histemi - to make a stand or found one’s life upon. By which you are being saved = Those who found their lives on the gospel, are “being saved” or being changed into being like Christ. This phrase is less about going to heaven and more about how the gospel changes us in this life. If you hold fast to the word = Grk. katecho - To continue faithfully by living out the gospel message. This implies that those who do not hold fast to the word by being faithful, are not being saved. Unless you believed in vain = Grk. eike - without reason or with no result. If we say we believe the gospel but are not being faithful in the way we live, we are believing in vain. ​ 1 Corinthians 15:3–5 ESV 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. First importance = Paul states that this basic outline of the gospel is the first step of the truth. Believing in the death, burial, resurrection, and appearance of Christ is the first step of being saved. Faithfulness must follow. Christ died for our sins = Genesis describes sin as something that is constantly trying to enslave us and destroy us. Jesus came to free us from our bondage to sin. Our only hope to have power over sin and its destruction is to follow Jesus. Raised on the third day = In the Old Testament, God often does major things on the third day (Gen. 1:13; 22:4; Ex. 19:11, 16). Jesus was sacrificed on Friday, rested in the tomb on the Sabbath, and resurrected on the third day. The resurrection took place on the first day of the week, which was seen in the Jewish mind as a type of new creation. Jesus rose to recreate the world. In accordance with the Scriptures = Paul is most likely referring to the Old Testament scriptures. When Jesus met with His disciples after His resurrection He told them, “everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44). For Jesus, the entire storyline of the Old Testament pointed to Him and all that He accomplished. ​ 1 Corinthians 15:6–7 ESV 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Appeared to more than 500 = This Paul’s way of proving the resurrection. Essentially, Paul is saying, “most of the 500 who saw him are still alive, go ask them if you have doubts.” James, then all the apostles = It’s important to realize that the apostles, and the brothers of Jesus, gave their lives for the gospel. They did not die for something they believed. They died for saying they saw Jesus alive after His death. They refused to deny the resurrection. ​ 1 Corinthians 15:8–9 ESV 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. Unworthy to be called an apostle = Here Paul gives us a picture of the grace of God. Jesus loves the worst of us. Our past is never the issue for Jesus. He is most interested in what He wants to do in and through you now. Paul’s Gospel: Christ died for our sins. Christ was buried. Christ rose on the third day. Christ appeared alive. Christ loves the worst of us. How did the first followers of Jesus respond? ​ Acts 2:42 ESV 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Devoted = Grk. proskartereo - to be persistent, committed, to stay close. For the early followers of Jesus there was no concept of an uncommitted Christian. There were only two categories: (1) Disciple of Jesus (2) Disciple of the World. The modern church has fallen into a false third category we have labeled “Christian.” What were they devoted to? Teaching = (Grk. didache) being students of God’s Word Fellowship = (Grk. koinonia) sharing material possessions Breaking of Bread = (Grk. klasis ho artos) sharing meals together The Prayers = (Grk. proseuche) daily prayers both individual & corporate ​ Acts 2:46–47 ESV 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. How should we respond to the Gospel? Stop being the typical Easter Christian and start following Jesus by becoming a disciple of Jesus. Conclusion Today, we respond with worship and communion. If you are ready to stop being a “Christian” and start being a disciple who follows Jesus, then come take communion as a sign of your commitment to Christ.