Salvation Secured!

1 Corinthians 15.1-28

        In considering today as Good Friday and looking forward to Resurrection Sunday, we are reminded of the great redemptive work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. The accomplishment, the certainty, the hope of our salvation is only possible through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

        The Gospel of Jesus Christ is clear; Paul preached it unashamedly and consistently. The Corinthian believers had heard this message prior, but their lives did not always reflect what they confessed to be true; though they had been taught truth, they tended to forget and rely upon what they thought and wanted. Paul wrote so there would be no question as to the pure message of Christ which transforms lives and gives eternal hope. Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel, I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand… 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 (1 Corinthians 15.1-4). Paul’s purposed to remind all believers of the Gospel truth. In believing the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, the Son of God, in repenting of sin and trusting Christ for salvation, we are transformed by His grace and adopted into the family of God.

        The Gospel is clear, and it is the fulfillment of God’s plan which has been stated throughout Scriptures. Christ died in our place; He died to bear the penalty of our sins; He shed His blood as the pure and perfect sacrifice to make atonement for our sins; He died once and for all, completing the work of our redemption; He died, fully satisfying all requirements of the law, establishing us as holy before the Father; He died, and there is nothing we can do to add to His sacrificial, redemptive work. He was buried; the penalty was paid and the work was completed. He rose from the dead the third day. Death did not have its hold on our Savior; it was not the victor; it was not the final act. Christ rose, victorious over sin; Christ rose, victorious over the great enemy Satan; Christ rose, declaring indisputably the completion of our redemption and the certainty of our salvation; Christ rose giving us hope that we will also someday be raised from the dead to live eternally in His Holy presence.

One day when heaven was filled with His praises,
One day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,
Dwelt among men, my example is He!

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain,
One day they nailed Him to die on the tree;
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected,
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He!

One day they left Him alone in the garden,
One day He rested, from suffering free;
Angels came down o’er His tomb to keep vigil;
Hope of the hopeless, my Savior is He!

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door;
Then He arose, over death He had conquered,
Now is ascended, my Lord ever more!

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,
One day the skies with His glory will shine;
Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;
Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!

Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely, forever;
One day He’s coming: O glorious day!

J. Wilbur Chapman

May all who read this know Jesus Christ, trusting Him fully for salvation.

Having hope in the resurrection – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry