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TH E K I N G ’ S B U S I NE S S
Thus the "gospel” before us is "God’s story.” What a story, to tell to the na tions! It is the story from God,'for it originated with Him in a past eter nity. Before the foundation of the world, "Love drew salvation’s plan.” It is also the story about God, in that it reveals His love and grace. Studying the context of 1 Corin thians 15, we find a combination of terms, all related to our declaration of the gospel which the death and re surrection of Christ made possible. It is a pre-eminent message. “First of all” (v. 3). Paul’s principal message was the cross. In all our preaching and evan gelization today, the cross must have first place. It must be pre-eminent, because the death and resurrection of Christ are indispensable in the forgiveness of sins. Obliterate these cardinal truths, and we have no gospel to preach. It is a proclaimed m e s s a g e . "I preached unto you” (v. 1). The church at Corinth was founded as the result of gospel preaching (Acts 18:1-11). Paul determined to know nothing among the Corinthians save
Christ and Him1 crucified. The word “preach” is related to our word “evan gelist,” that is, one who announces glad tidings: Certainly, there is no story-as joyful as the one Paul told at every opportunity. It is a persistent message. “I de clare” (v. 1). Paul was forever reminding his hearers and readers of "the old, old story of Jesus and His love!” Calvary’s gospel bears repetition. It can never grow old. Persistently we must fling the cross into the face of a godless world. It is a proved message. “I delivered . . . that which I also received” (v. 3). The word “deliver” here means “alongside of” and infers that Paul only preached to others what he him self had proved. Having experienced the regenerating and transforming power of this Evangel, 1the apostle persuades others to receive it. Know ing in whom he had believed, Paul had no hesitation in beseeching those around him to be reconciled to God.. It is only the truth which we have experienced that can influence others as we proclaim it.
Application of the Evangel Another cluster of phrases, gathered from Paul’s resurrection sermon, in dicates that the work of Christ and His cross is only effectual as applied by the Spirit of God on the basis o'f faith. We have reception. “Ye have re ceived” (v. 1). While Christ died, dnd by dying made our redemption possible, it is only our reception of His salvation that'can make His death actual in our experience. We become children of God only as we receive the cruci fied One as our personal Saviour (John 1:11, 12). We have foundation. “Wherein ye stand” (v. 1). The cross is the center and circum ference of all. It Is not only our start ing point, but also our way of life. John’S Apocalypse makes it clear that ultimate triumph will be Christ’s Sis the Lamb. Modernism is out to destroy this foundation. It despises all preach ing of the blood. This “slaughter house” gospel, as it has been called, is repugnant to cultured minds. But,' “We have;no other argument, we have no other plea, It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me.” We have salvation. “Ye are saved” (v. 2). Actually this phrase is cast in the present tense, "Ye are being saved.” This implies not only initial deliver ance from the penalty of sin, but also a daily, perpetual emancipation from the power and practice of sin. We have retention. “Ye keep in memory” (v. 2). In instituting the Memorial Feast, Jesus urged His disciples to use the bread and wine not only as symbols of His sacrifice, but also as incentives to remembrance. “This do in remem brance of me.” Once we lose grip of the cross, our spiritual life is im poverished. Like Mary, we must ever stand by the cross. We have rejection. Believing “ in vain” (v. 2). How can one believe in vain? The answer is, when a person believes in an historical Christ, and yet remains ignorant of His efficacious death on his behalf. Later on Paul speaks, of grace being in vain (v. 10). Alas, it would seem as if all the anguish of Calvary were in vain, when we see how Christ is blatantly rejected! May grace be ours ever to rejoice in the shed blood of the Redeemer, and to exhibit the spirit of the cross in all our ways, enabling Jesus Christ, who brought the ^Easter Evangel, to see the travail of His soul and be satisfied!
Easter for the Saved One
Your penalty for sin has been paid; “His own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree. .. by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Pet. 2:24). You are justified before God. “Who [Christ] was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification” (Rom. 4:25). Your resurrection will be to eternal life. “Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also” (2 Cor. 4:14). “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). Your glorification is assured. “ If children, then heirs... with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified” (Rom. 8:17). If you want these resurrection blessings, receive Christ as your risen Redeemer and be a “saved one.” “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10:9).
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