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.

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

1 Corinthians 15

1. The Resurrection of Christ
   
2. The Resurrection of the Dead
   
3. The Resurrection Body
   

Taken from the NIV Study Bible section headings.

My goal is to reflect upon this chapter for the next several days.

Resurrection?!

Paul debates the Athenians in Acts 17.

Some people "sneer" at the thought of resurrection, but others are open to considering the possibility.

Which side of this issue are you on, Dear Reader? Why?

Greater Than David

In Acts 2:29-36, Peter teaches that Jesus is greater than King David.

David is in the grave; Jesus is not.

King David prophesied about Jesus' resurrection in Psalm 110.

Witness

According to Acts 1:20-26, the apostles in the early church served as witnesses of Jesus' resurrection. This was one of their primary roles.
Do I serve as a witness to Jesus' work in my life?

The Sadducees are Sad, You See…

The word resurrection appears in the NIV exactly 45 times. It first appears in Matthew 22:23, as the Sadducees attempt to confuse and trap Jesus by presenting an unlikely hypothetical story about a very unlucky widow.

Jesus' reply is simple. We serve a God "of the living, not of the dead."

That's why Jesus' resurrection is so important. It's a reflection of the reality that humans are created in God's image, intended to live forever.