“The Foundation of the Gospel”
Text: 1 Cor. 15:1-8
MESSAGE SUMMARY
Introduction: According to the Scriptures, the message of the Gospel was given to Paul by “Divine Revelation”, and it is
based upon four fundamental truths: The Death, Burial, Resurrection and Glorification of Christ. Our text presents
several facts about the Gospel.
I.
It Concerns A Divine Person (1 Cor. 15:3b) “How that Christ…”
A.
B.
II.
Christ is the essence of the Gospel.
Christianity is Christ, and apart from Him, there is no Christianity.
The Gospel Unfolds A Divine Passion (1 Cor. 15:3c) “Christ died.”
A. This is the central fact of the Gospel.
B. Christ’s death assures us of the love of God for sinners (Rom. 5:8).
III.
The Gospel Reveals A Divine Purpose (1 Cor. 15:3d)
“How that Christ died for “our” sins.”
A. Christ died as a divine substitute for the sinner.
B. He bore the penalty which was belonging to the sinner.
IV.
The Gospel Was According To A Divine Pattern (1 Cor. 15:3e)
“According to the Scriptures”
A.
B.
V.
The Gospel Was Based Upon Divine Proof (1 Cor. 15:4a)
“And that he was buried”
A.
B.
VI.
Christ was prophesied, pictured and presented in the Old Testament.
He fulfilled every Old Testament prophecy and picture of Him.
There was no doubt as to the death of Christ.
The Roman soldiers made sure their work of execution was done, and it was the dead body of Christ that was
buried in a sealed guarded tomb.
The Gospel Was Attested By A Divine Proclamation (1 Cor. 15:4b)
“And that he rose again”
A. The resurrection of Christ is God’s proclamation to the world of His approval and acceptance of the
finished work of Christ.
B. It is God’s Amen! To Christ’s words, “it is finished”.
VII. The Gospel Was Made Known By A Divinely Ordained Preacher
(1 Cor. 15:1) “I declare unto you.”
A. The Gospel was committed to “Paul, as a sacred trust (Acts 26:16-19).
B. He proclaimed it lovingly and faithfully (Acts. 20:18-24).
VIII. The Gospel Resulted In A Divine Assured Possession (1 Cor. 15:2)
“By which ye are saved.”
A. We are saved from the doom of sin (Rev. 20:12-15).
B. We are saved from the dominion of sin (Rom. 6:14).
Conclusion: Do you know the Christ whom the Gospel clearly presents?