THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS: 1 CORINTHIANS 15:3-4

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Romans 1:16a For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth….

Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:11-12 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness: but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Paul said I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes.  In his wisdom, God has designed the perfect plan of salvation to deliver man from sin.  It is in our death with Christ that we are freed from sins dominion and power (Romans 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin). God does not destroy or eradicate sin.  But as we believe and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, sin is made inoperative by removing its power to control.  Note this next verse.  Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.  

Sin’s dominion over us is directly tied to living under a law operating system.  1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin: and the strength (power) of sin is the law.  The law gives sin its strength or power.  But those who believe that Jesus died for their sins, was buried and raised the third day according to scripture are dead to the law (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held: that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

How does the law give sin its power or strength?  Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  If you live under a law operating system, you must meet all of its demands to keep the whole law.  If you do not, you sin.  Make no mistake about it; sin knows that the law is a no win operating system and uses it to its advantage.  When you through self effort try to keep the law, you are in effect saying, I can handle sin.  I can suppress that sin.  I can control sin. That’s where you are wrong.  Paul went through the struggled of trying to keep the law and this was his conclusion. Romans 7:15 For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. Romans 7:19 For the good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  The thing is he was already delivered.  He was dead to the law.  But at that particular time in his life, he just didn’t realize it.  Romans 7:4a Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ

Our death with Christ is the way of freedom from the power of sin. Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.  The law was never intended to be a way for us to be righteous.  When men try to keep the law, they are depending on their own self righteousness for acceptance before God.  Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

The purpose of the law is that men would have knowledge of sin.  Romans 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.   Romans 7:7b…I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust; except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.  Living by the law can only bring death.  Romans 7:10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. 

So if we are not intended to live under an operating system of law, how are we to live?  Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. Now the believer should live in newness of spirit by a new law called the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.  Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.   We have been made righteous in Christ.  2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.  Since we have been made righteous by the finished work of Christ, it is not necessary for us to try to attain righteousness by self effort.  Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

As a new creature in Christ old things are passed away and all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).  So we should be fruitful in every good work but not to attain righteousness but as a result of being made righteous in Christ.  Colossians 1:10  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.  Therefore, we should be renewed in the spirit of our mind and put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:23-24).  Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and everlasting life.

Romans 6:3-4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  This is a spiritual baptism of the believer into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:12).  The life which the believer now lives is a crucified life dependent on Christ alone.  Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

 

WHAT CHRIST DOES FOR US

CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS:  Sin kept fallen man from having a relationship with God.  Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death…  But beyond the physical death that man will face, there is an eternal death which will separate man from God (2 Thessalonians 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power).

Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.

Colossians 1:13-14 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. In whom we have redemption (to release on payment of a ransom) through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

Ephesians 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

2 Corinthians 5:21  He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Isaiah 53:6b We have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins, and in him is no sin.

5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. Reconciled – to restore to friendship of fellowship.

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  We have been justified and are saved from his wrath (anger exhibited in punishment against sin).

Wrath of God (3709 orge) refers to a settled, determined indignation, not to the momentary, emotional and often uncontrolled anger (thumos) to which human beings are prone.  In this verse it is Gods holy anger against sin.

Romans 1:18, Ephesians 5:6, Colossians 3:6

Men are by nature the children of wrath – Ephesians 2:2-3

God’s wrath is directed at the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (Romans 1:18).

Colossians 2:12 And having spoiled (strip or disarm) principalities and powers (angels and demons), he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

 

WHAT CHRIST DOES IN US

HE WAS BURIED: 

Death comes before burial. 

Colossians 2:12  (We are) Buried with him in baptism (not water), wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 

To be buried means something is dead.  When the believer dies with Christ and is buried with him, what happens? 

Romans 6:2 God forbid.  How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized (immersed) into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death.  (This is not water baptism. The Spirit immerses the believer into Christ).

6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 

6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin6:8 Now, if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.  6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.  Romans 7:4a Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of ChristRomans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held: that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.  Romans 8:10a And if Christ be in you the body is dead because of sin (the physical body is not dead, but as a result of Christ being in you, the body is dead to the power and dominion of sin over it).   Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ

Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Colossians 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances.

HE ROSE AGAIN: 

What does is mean for the believer when they are risen with Christ?

Romans 6:4 that like as Christ was raise up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

6:5  For if we have been planted in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.  Romans 6:11b We are alive unto God.  

Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things of the earth.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.   

2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Colossians 1:10  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

1 Corinthians 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.

 

HOW TO MAKE IT A REALITY

Romans 1:16b The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation TO EVERYONE THAT BELIEVETH…..

What has just been presented to you is the gospel of Christ which has the power to deliver man from sin.  However, this gospel will only benefit those who believe.  It was through Adam that sin entered the world, bringing judgment on all those born in him.  Romans 5:12 Whereas by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.  

Without the Father’s intervention, Adam’s choice to disobey God would have sealed every man’s fate forever.  Deliverance from this condition of sin is made possible through the last Adam, Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:45)Romans 5:19a For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.  

There is no other plan by which men can be saved apart from Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 1:12-13 That we should be to the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.   1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

WHAT DO WE BELIEVE

We believe that through his death, Jesus has paid the debt for all sin and this has satisfied God’s judgment on sin for those who put their trust in Christ.  Jesus was the propitiation (atonement, expiate-atone for guilt or sin, appease-satisfied God’s demand) for our sins.  Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. 

We believe that we died with him. Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death.  The Holy Spirit immerses the believer into Christ body. 1 Corinthians 12:13a For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.  In death, the believer has been severed from their old life of sin.  Romans 6:2b How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

We believe that we are a new creature in Christ.  2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.   Our victory over sin begins with knowing that we are dead to our old life of sin through the body death of Christ and that we are a new creature that is now alive unto God.  Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We believe that we lose that false identity, where we thought we lived independently.  Man has always been the servant of another.  Romans 6:16 -18 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

We believe that as a new creature our new identity is in Christ.  Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  Knowing who we are in Christ is paramount to our victory over the power and dominion of sin.  The life that we now live in the flesh is a life dependent upon Christ.  We died so there is no more I that liveth but Christ liveth in me, as me.  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.  1 Corinthians 3:16, Romans 14:7-8

The realization of our deliverance from the power and dominion of sin will be determined by what we believe.  God does not destroy or eradicate sin, so it will still be a power to be reckoned with.  But when we believe and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, sin is made inoperative by removing its power to control. Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.   Sins power to control is tied to whether we are living our lives under a performance management system called the law.  Or whether we are we are living under grace?  Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.  Not of works, lest any man should boast. Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believe in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

When a believer knows they are dead, they can say with assurance those feelings of temptation to sin is not who they are.  Romans 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  Romans 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  Paul identified the problem.  It was not the new Paul in Christ but sin dwelling in his members.  So the believer is instructed not to let sin reign.  Romans 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.   

The temptations to sin are directed to the old man, and he is dead.  So we can ignore those feeling of temptation because that’s not who we are anymore.  The feelings seem to contradict who we really are.   But when sin comes knocking, just say the man who previously lived here died.  A new man lives here now and he doesn’t do sin.  Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.