1 Corinthians 14:39

In this verse, Paul explicitly forbids the Corinthian church to forbid speaking in tongues.

However, in today's culture, very conservative churches forbid speaking in tongues.

Why do we take the message that women should keep silent in churches more seriously than Paul's teaching on tongues?

Death v. Life

In verses 50-58, we learn that life will ultimately win over death.

It doesn't feel that way when people I love have died. But I know this promise is true.

The power of resurrection is its victory over the apparent finality of death.

Heavenly Bodies

In verses 40-49, we learn that our current bodies are perishable. That's not news.

But when we are resurrected, our bodies will be eternal. Entropy and decay will no longer be unnegotiable realities.

What an encouragement, especially a day after jamming my hand into a brick wall!

Seed

Our resurrected bodies are no similar to our current bodies than a plant is to its seed.

An acorn is nothing compared to an oak tree.

We're just acorns, for now.

Deeper Resurrection Reflection

Sin entered the world via one person, Adam.

Forgiveness entered the world via one person, Jesus.

Even More 1 Corinthians 15

1. Last of all, Jesus appeared to Paul
   
2. Despite his persecution of the church
   
3. He worked hard teaching the good news
   
4. Through the power of Christ
   
5. If there is no resurrection, then Paul's teaching is useless
   
6. v. 19: Sums up Christianity's Achilles' heel
   
7. If Christ's body is found, then the Bible's message is proven false

More 1 Corinthians 15

1. Peter saw Jesus after his resurrection
   
2. Then the apostles
   
3. Then over 500 other witnesses
   
4. Most of these eyewitnesses were still alive when 1 Corinthians was written
   
5. Then James
   
6. Then "all the apostles"
   
7. How are "all the apostles" different than the previous categories of eyewitnesses, esp. #14 & 15?

#1-12

1. Paul reminds his Corinthian readers of the gospel again
   
2. He warns that their belief is "in vain" if they don't hold onto the message
   
3. This means that belief can be in vain
   
4. Belief does not always produce useful results
   
5. Belief can be misguided
   
6. Belief can be mistaken
   
7. Belief can get messed up
   
8. Belief itself is not what makes people right with God
   
9. Therefore, belief is not our ultimate goal
   
10. Paul then lists the most important elements of the gospel
    
11. Christ died for our sins
    
12. The Old Testament prophesied and foreshadowed this event