1 Corinthians 15:3-5: “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.”
Paul gives a synopsis of the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3-5. After Jesus’s death and burial, and He has His resurrected body, Paul states Jesus made a special appearance to Peter (Luke 24:34). It might have been because there was a particular need for comfort and restoration in Peter that Jesus wanted to provide for him. Then Jesus appeared next before His disciples. This was the meeting where Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit. Then during the time before His Ascension, Jesus met with many followers (more than 500), James, and even to Paul, that saw the living proof that Jesus had indeed died and rose again exactly as the Scriptures had prophesied. They saw the living proof right before their eyes, and it revolutionized their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. This is a historical fact.
The power of the gospel has the ability to change lives. The longer Paul lived, the more he was aware of his own sin and admitted that it was the work of the grace of God in him that changed his life from one of hate to a man cleansed, forgiven, and full of love in spreading the gospel. There is history behind the word “gospel.” The Greek word was “evangelion.” Soap Merchants, in Biblical times, would advertise their products by calling out “Good News!” upon entering a town. Remember in those days before the arrival of cologne or deodorant, bars of soap was good news! These salespeople that sold soap products would enter the town and advertise their wares by shouting “Good News!” They shared the good news of making oneself clean. Hence, Paul and the disciples shared the Good News, the gospel, so that people could be cleansed from the stench of their sin, and were like their counterparts, soap merchants, and were therefore called evangelists.
How has God showed you grace and mercy?
Since Jesus is alive right now and that by His Spirit, lives within us that have accepted His free gift of salvation, He is praying in Heaven for you and for me today and every day. Do you realize every day is Easter Sunday?
What do you struggle with in living out the gospel before others, such as in your workplace? What is your biggest challenge? I will share mine. Why am I surprised that others do not have the same expectations I do? I struggle with this because I have to rely on others to get my job responsibilities accomplished so our company’s sales goals can be achieved and be profitable. The root problem is I am a competitive, goal-orientated person, but those strengths can also be a weakness. I run into conflict with those that don’t share my passion in these similar traits. I then feel defensive, and the people I depend on sometimes leave me confused and bewildered and frustrated because I have been quick to judge in taking action. The solution is I need to alter my expectations of others. I need to mull over in my mind, use my pause technique with interoffice communication, instead of solely in a sales call, and quickly pray for wisdom in my response in times of conflict. Can you relate?
So let us be living examples of the “Good News” of grace, mercy, and great blessings we don’t deserve that God has given us and remember that every day is Easter Sunday. When you see bars of soap, remember the historical origin of the Greek word “evangelion.”
Listen to Big Daddy Weave Alive (Official Music Video) YouTube. Feb. 8, 2019.