“But ___________________ I am what I am”
There is a truth I have discovered during the past five years, an important truth that has changed, deepened, and humbled my faith.
“Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,
(1 Corinthians 15: 1-2 NASB)
by which also you were saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.”
- Have we ever wondered WHY we believe what we believe?
- Have we really considered WHAT we in actuality believe?
- Have we totally felt the depth of HOW we would be different—if we did not believe?
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
(1 Corinthians 15: 3-9 NASB)
and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;
then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;
and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.
For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”
There is a truth I have discovered during the last three weeks, a deep truth that has changed me and humbled my faith.
- Jesus Christ died; it’s a truthful historical fact!
- Jesus Christ was buried in a borrowed tomb; it’s a proven, historical fact!
- Jesus Christ was raised from the dead on the third day; it’s a fact recorded & held as truth since the 1st Century!
- Jesus Christ was seen by MORE THAN 500 individuals; it’s recorded within the Bible!
- Jesus Christ died & rose from the grave for all humanity; men such as Saul of Tarsus, one who persecuted the early Christ followers, proclaims this TRUTH!
We are only able to share (like the apostle Paul) with those who are lost—that which we have also received—“that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, . . .” (1 Corinthians 15: 3b-4 NASB)
“But ___________________ I am what I am”
- Have we ever wondered WHY we believe what we believe?
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, . . .” AMEN!
- Have we really considered WHAT we in actuality believe?
“and His grace toward me did not prove vain; . . .” AMEN & AMEN!
- Have we totally felt the depth of HOW we would be different—if we did not believe?
“but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” (1 Corinthians 15: 10 NASB).
THANK YOU, GOD, FOR YOUR MERCY & FOR YOUR AMAZING GRACE!
There is a truth I have discovered during my time since I first believed at the age of fifteen, a deep truth that has changed me and humbled my faith.
“Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
(1 Corinthians 15: 11-19 NASB)
Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised;
and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.
Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.
For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised;
and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.
Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”
- Are we pitied?
- Is our faith worthless?
- Are we still in our sins?
- Is our faith in vain?
Listen to the melody: “Let The Waters Rise” by Mikeschair to be reminded through song of the ultimate truth—“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” (1 Corinthians 15: 10 NASB)
TRULY, OUR FAITH HINGES UPON EXACTLY WHAT JESUS DID UPON THE CROSS & IN THE GRAVE!
IT’S NOT “IF” HE DID BUT WHAT HE HAS ALREADY DONE!
“And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.
(The Revelation To John 19: 11-16 NASB)
His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.
He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.
From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written,
KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
- MAY WE ASK GOD TO SPEAK TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD!
- MAY WE ALSO ASK GOD TO REVEAL TO US WHERE WE MAY PUT HIS TRUTH INTO PRACTICE—TODAY!
- MAY WE THANK GOD TODAY FOR OUR OPPORTUNITY TO CALL HIM—LORD!