Bible Chapter: I Corinthians 15

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    The resurrection - according to the scriptures.  Not only is this important, it very exciting.  Think of the amazing fact that Jesus said He would lay down His life and then He would come back to life.  He did that for all the people of the world.  Think of what it was like that first day when those who were following Jesus realized that He was alive again.  Before He returned to heaven, Jesus appeared to more than five hundred people.  The evidence is overwhelming that Jesus really did rise from the grave.
    What does that mean for us?  It means that we have eternal hope.  Without the resurrection Paul said that our faith is futile, we have no forgiveness from sin, we have no hope for the future.  Without the resurrection we are most miserable.  But there is an amazing promise.  This mortal will put on immortality and this corruptible body will be replaced with one that will never fade away.  Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    The resurrection and promise of eternity are powerful influencers for life.  They impact thoughts and decision.  Since Jesus rose from the grave and He returned to heaven preparing a place for all who serve Him, that must affect all my decisions and actions.  What we do will impact our relationship with Jesus and our eternal destiny.  Since we as believers in Jesus do not fit into the category of the most miserable, we must let the future impact our present.  Many short term decisions destroy eternity.  I must be careful to not get caught up in bad decisions.  This chapter ends with a great challenge - stand firm and don’t let anything move you.  This is awesome advice.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I can help people see the reality of the resurrection.  Why do I believe in it?  What evidence is there to show it to be true?  There is much evidence and I must share it with others so they can have the same hope in Jesus.  The whole resurrection story is not some historical myth, but historical fact that impacts eternity.