By David Kobedi
In his book titled Christ-Centered Preaching, Bryan Chapell says that every passage of scripture has a ‘Fallen Condition Focus’. This is “the mutual human condition that contemporary believers [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Christians living in 2020 Johannesburg] share with those for or by whom the text was written that requires the grace of the passage to manifest God’s glory in his people”. In 1 Corinthians 15, the ‘mutual human condition’ that modern Christians shared with those who lived in Corinth was resurrection amnesia.
The culture of Corinth had permeated the Church so much that the lines between believers and non-believers were blurred. It seemed that they had forgotten the Gospel story that made them Christians to begin with. I use the word ‘seem’ because it is impossible that they had forgotten, however, their conduct contradicted their knowledge and what they claimed to believe. The reality of their mortality appeared more tangible than their Christian hope in the resurrection; and this led them to live as if this life is all there is.
So, Paul opens up a new section in his letter by saying: “Now I would remind you…” (1 Corinthians 15:1). He wants to provide a cure for their amnesia by presenting to them the same gospel story they had initially received. He quotes a well-known creed (statement of belief) in verses 3-5 which summarises the Gospel story:
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
Now, take note of the four aspects of this Christian story.
1. The man Jesus died on behalf of sinners.
No respectable historian denies the fact that there was a man called Jesus who lived around 30 AD; who was arrested and crucified. But one of the things that our culture has to deal with is the reality that only this death was enough to deal with human sin. So, the Christian story begins with the death of Jesus on behalf of sinful people.
2. His burial in a tomb.
This same Jesus who died was buried by a man called Joseph of Arimathea. Meaning that he was truly dead. So, contrary to some popular claims that he didn’t really die, he was cold, lifeless, and decomposing.
3. His resurrection on the third day
Now, here’s where the rubber hits the road. On a Sunday Morning, probably around 5th April, 33 AD, Jesus came back to life. The tomb that was closed with a heavy stone was empty.
4. His appearance before Peter and the 12
There is a weight of evidence for this resurrection. There were many eyewitnesses would could attest to that. And Paul keeps on saying: ‘in accordance with the Scriptures’ which means that God planned it and executed it.
So, if our fallen condition is resurrection amnesia, then, the glory of God’s grace in this passage is his well-executed plan of raising Christ from the dead. That is a powerful truth. And I wonder if that’s the truth that governs your life at this moment.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]