This sermon explores 1 Corinthians 15, emphasizing that the gospel is both a message we receive and a reality in which we stand. Pastor Luke teaches that while spiritual gifts are important, the resurrection of Christ is of "first importance." The message confronts the tendency to blame the devil for our choices, calling believers to humble confession of their past while embracing their future in Christ. The sermon emphasizes that God's primary characteristic is redemption rather than prevention, and that Christ's resurrection guarantees our own future resurrection. The pastor challenges listeners to move from merely avoiding hell to embracing abundant life in Christ, culminating in an invitation to baptism as a public declaration of faith.

Key Points:

-The gospel (euangelion) means "news of victory" - we stand in the position of Christ's victory over sin and death

-Of first importance: Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose on the third day, and appeared to many witnesses

-Humility acknowledges we have a past; faith acknowledges we have a future

-We must stop blaming the devil for choices we made - confession requires taking personal responsibility

-Shame says "I am bad because I did something bad," but the gospel says we are new creations in Christ

-Satan sinned against humanity first before humanity sinned against God - we were sinned against before we chose to sin

-God's primary characteristic is redemption, not prevention - He doesn't violate human agency but redeems and restores

-Love must be voluntary, which is why God doesn't remove the temptation to sin

-In Adam we all die, but in Christ we all live - death is without choice, but life is within choice

-The resurrection of Christ guarantees our own resurrection with glorified bodies like His

Scripture Reference:

1 Corinthians 15:1-22 (primary focus)

1 Corinthians 12-14 (context for spiritual gifts)

Genesis 3 (the Fall and mechanics of sin)

John 3:16 (God's love for the world)

Romans 5:8 (God's love while we were still sinners)