READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l Whatever we do, we ask, “Is it worth all the effort and cost”? In a spiritual context, Paul answers this question of “Is it worth it” with an unequivocable “yes”! The reason is the resurrection hope.
1. The vision of resurrection hope (1 Cor 15:50-58). There were some people in the Corinthian church who did not believe in the resurrection. Paul reminds them not to lose sight of the vision of resurrection. Death was referred to by the early Christians as “falling asleep”. This tells us that we will wake up if we fall asleep in Christ. We will awake to see Christ on the Last Day. 1 Cor. 15:52 teaches of a quick transition to eternity. The perishable becomes imperishable; the mortal becomes immortal; and death becomes eternal life. Death will lose its effect as there is victory over the power of sin. The law condemns us as we are unable to fulfil it. Our hopelessness and helplessness are removed through the blood of Christ. What will our resurrection body be like? There is no point in speculating on what sort of body we will have. What we know is that we will have a quality of life that is without decay or decline. There will be no more pain or sin as God dwells with us. We will be with God forever. The implications of this resurrection hope:
a) We do not fear death. We may still have a fear of dying or grieve the loss of loved ones. We may not be totally fearless, but we should fear less. We are not crippled by death for we have hope – that we will be reunited with our loved ones again.
b) Persevere to the end. We are to remain in Christ. It is not how we start but how we finish our Christian journey. Vs 58 urges us to stand firm, to continue with our work for the Lord because it is not in vain. Our prayers matter; our work in raising our children matter; our ministries and missions matter; and all our labour for the Lord matters. For our life is full of hope and purpose.
2. Labour in love to God in response to our resurrection hope (1 Cor. 16)
a) Give faithfully (vs 1-3). The Corinthians were to set aside a gift offering as a testimony of their faith and hope. The end of Romans 15 tells of how these gifts were collected and distributed. Three principles (Andrew Wilson)
i) Priority (first day of the week) – giving our first fruits and our best to God.
ii) Possibility (each one of you) – everyone must give.
iii) Proportionality (in keeping with your income) – give what you have.
b) Serve courageously (vs 5-9). Opportunities and opposition go together as we see in Paul’s experience (Acts 19). Opportunities to serve come with a cost. Often, effective work meets opposition. Stand firm and serve with courage. There are many new doors opening in the post-COVID era. There are ministry needs to engage the next generation, care for the elderly, to reach out to the lost and the least. Will we step boldly into these doors?
c) Love consistently (vs. 14) – love is the key principle for all the issues faced in 1 Corinthians. As we pursue love, there will be unity (chapters 1-4); remain in sexual purity (chapters 5-6); honour each other in marriage and singleness (chapter 7); lay down our rights so that we do not stumble someone (chapters 8-11); use and desire gifts to bless others (chapters 12-14).
Paul concludes the letter with a longing. He cried out “maranatha” (Come Lord). The state of the world we live in highlights the urgency to walk right and to share the Good News, for Christ is returning. Are we ready for His return? May our hearts be centred on the resurrection hope rather than on temporal things.
Will we be a real church, rested in the resurrection hope, ready for His return?
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- From 1 Corinthians 15:50-57, how does Paul feel about the resurrection of the bodies of believers?
- What are the two implications of the hope of resurrection? How does that speak to you?
- How does this hope lead us to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord (1 Cor 15:58) and live for Him?
- What is faithful giving as defined in 1 Corinthians 16:2? What are the principles highlighted? What are your views about faithful giving?
- How does Paul illustrate courageous ministry in 1 Cor 16:8-9? Open doors do not mean there will be no opposition. Have you experienced this and God’s provision?
- 1 Cor 16:14 calls us to do everything in love. How is love the key principle governing the response to the different issues raised in the book of 1 Corinthians?
- How can you apply 1 Cor 16:14 in a particular situation you face? Share honestly and pray for each other.
- Pray that Wesley will be a real church built on real love, sustained by a real hope in Christ.
