Devotional Thoughts

1 Corinthians 15:19-23    “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” In the hours between Christ’s crucifixion and His resurrection, I doubt there were any on earth more miserable than His followers. The man they had loved, trusted in, and thought to be their Deliverer was dead. Their enemies undoubtedly made fun of them at the least and sought to do them bodily harm at the worst. Their very safety was in question. There are many today who are miserable. They are miserable because they have bought into a doctrine that says if their faith is sufficient they can have their fill of this world’s goods. Their ho...

1 Corinthians 15:15-18    “Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.” Since there were a number of Jews in the congregation at Corinth, the Ten Commandments would have been well known to them. Paul points to the law of God to reinforce the gospel he has preached to them by reminding them that the law says “Thou shalt not bear false witness (Exo 20:16, Mat 19:18, Rom 13:9). If God did not raise Christ from the dead, then he is guilty of breaking this commandment. Throughout his declaration of the resurrection, he refers to Jesus only as “Christ.” In this way, he is emphasizing the anointing of God upon the Messiah. He is constantly reminding them that he is not just talkin...

Psalm 139:15-18    "My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  (16)  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.  (17)  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!  (18)  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee." As I begin to write concerning these verses, my mind goes back to verse 6, "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it." Such knowledge is too wonderful ... It's filled with might and wonder and power and grace. When I was being formed in my mother's womb, God saw me and knew me. "All my members were written in thy book." I think of the Prophet Jeremiah, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and be...

1 Corinthians 15:12-14    “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” Are we still “preaching” today that Christ rose from the dead? Paul was not speaking of an academic presentation. He was not pointing to a debate, nor was he indicating that there was any doubt about the matter. It is important to note that Christ “be preached” that He rose from the dead. Preaching is more than just making a speech. Preaching is more than just being a good orator. Preaching implies the leadership and motivation of the Holy Ghost moving men to declare, as ambassadors of Christ, the truth that He reveals in the hearts of His people. Strong’s gives the Greek word translated as “preached” to mean “to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospe...

1 Corinthians 15:10-11    “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.” Paul readily admitted that he was not worthy to be called an apostle (see verse 9). This is a common theme of those who are truly called by God into His service. They do not consider themselves to be fit or able to serve Him, and truly, in our own strength, we are not. David recognized that every man in his best state is altogether vanity (Psa 39:5). There is only one thing that can change the situation for us. It is not our will or our works. We were what we were (as was Paul) according to our sinful nature, but by the grace of God we are made a new creature. By His grace alone, we are quickened from death unto life, and by His grace alone, we are called and blessed to become the s...