In our text this morning, the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, in response to the issues faced by the church. The doctrine of Christ’s resurrection is central and fundamental to the Christian faith.The church in Corinth had received conflicting teachings. There was the influence of Greek philosophy and that of the belief of the Sadducees, that there’s no resurrection of the body. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians was to address these concerns.These false teachings endangered the very essence of the gospel - the death, resurrection and the ascension of Christ.

Paul defends the gospel of Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15: 2 “By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.”

According to the apostle Paul, we believe in the resurrection because “we saw the risen Christ.” It is written in the scriptures and he appeared to the witnesses:

1. He appeared to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9), who went to tell the other women.
2. He appeared to Peter and the other disciples
3. He appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:34)
4. He appeared to his disciples without Thomas and then with Thomas (Mark 16:14, John 20:24-29)
5. He appeared to the apostles to assign them the Great Commission (Matt 28:16-20
6. He appeared to 500 of his apostles (1 Corinthians 15:6-7)
7. He appeared to Paul.

The resurrection of Christ 

• Is a call to make disciples, Matthew 28:19-20 “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…”
• The gospel has power, Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”
• The resurrection of Christ gives us victory. 1 Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The apostle ends this chapter with these words of encouragement. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters. STAND FIRM. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

1. What sustains your faith?
2. How do we go and make disciples? What makes a disciple?
3. Pastor Mauricio’s challenge to Village this morning is that God has called each villager to proclaim his gospel. Have you shared your faith with anyone? Do you see yourself as a witness to Christ’s resurrection?
4. How do we pray and support each other in this Great Commission challenge