5/21/2017
First Things First
…what I received I passed on to you as of first importance…1st Corinthians 15:3
The Death, Burial & Resurrection of Christ Is Where Christianity Begins
1st Corinthians 15:1-4 I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…
Eyewitnesses of the Resurrection Are A Select Group
1 Corinthians 15:5-9 …and that He appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all He appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
It Serves As THE FOUNDATION of the Church
1st Corinthians 3:11 …no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:19-20 …God’s household, (is) built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief Cornerstone.
Rev 21:14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb.
The Church Was Established On Christ’s Death & Resurrection
Luke 24:46-49 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His Name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what My Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
The Church Has The Blessing of The Lord
Luke 24:50-53 When He had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Worship Him or Doubt Him He is The Risen Lord
Matthew 28:16-17 The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
We Are All In Cross-Cultural Missions
Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,(ethnos) 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. Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Waiting in Communion is a Priority
Acts 1:4-5 On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Our Priority Is To Live In His Service NOW
Acts 1:6-8 So when they met together, they asked Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. 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.”
He Came He Went He Will Come Again
Acts 1:9-11 After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, Who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”