August 13, 2023 • Matt Kleinhans • 1 Corinthians 15:1–11
It's easy to see the greetings at the end of the letter as superficial. But in them we see an affectionate grace that we are to receive ourselves and extend to others as God has to us in Christ. Application Questions: 1. In what ways are you tempted to gloss over greeting? 2. How can you extend an appropriately affectionate greeting to your brother or sister in Christ? 3. How can accepting and embracing the grace of Jesus Christ help you this week?
Paul closes the book of 1 Corinthians with several short discussions on practical matters. But under these practical matters we find a deep theology. On three topics—money, plans, and church—we learn how to apply the gospel and find a better way to live in the practical issues of life. Application Questions: 1. How does the gospel give you a new way to think about money? 2. How does the gospel give you a new way to think about your plans? 3. How does the gospel give you a new perspective on life as a Christian in Los Angeles?
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is victory over sin and death. We may still feel the sting of death in this life, but the victory of Christ allows us to say, "O death where is your sting!?" Application Questions: 1. How does the future Kingdom of God speak to your present life now? 2. What are ways you distract yourself or cope with the reality of death in this world? 3. What fear(s) do you have about death? 4. How does the victory of the resurrection speak to your fears?
