Just what is being a Christian all about? Jesus preached and lived the good news and it was recorded in the Gospels, but what is its essence? How would you explain to someone in a 2-3 minute conversation just what the meaning of Jesus’ life and ministry is to you? In I Corintians 15 Paul writes his very condensed version of the gospel message well before the four New Testament gospels are written. Many credit him as being the first Christian theologian and we can see in his extensive writings the foundation of what is now the orthodox Christian message. Read and think about this telling of the essence of Christian belief and then reflect on what is even more important; your own personal understanding of the gospel message:
15 1-2 Friends, let me go over the Message with you one final time— this Message that I proclaimed and that you made your own; this Message on which you took your stand and by which your life has been saved. (I’m assuming, now, that your belief was the real thing and not a passing fancy, that you’re in this for good and holding fast.) The Message Version
Paul is writing to a congregation that he formed and taught; to people whom he personally evangelized and many whom he may have baptized. His relationship with them has been up and down over the years resulting in letters to them which alternately praised, cajoled, scolded and taught.
• How important is the Message that Paul proclaimed – what does he believed it did? How important do you think it is to him and how important should it be to those who read his words?
• What has been the impact of your interaction with the Christian faith? He says that it saved the Corinthian’s lives, how would you characterize its importance to you? How important do you think it is for others to incorporate a faith journey into their lives?
Paul now validates the message by describing what happened after the resurrection:
3-9 The first thing I did was place before you what was placed so emphatically before me: that the Messiah died for our sins, exactly as Scripture tells it; that he was buried; that he was raised from death on the third day, again exactly as Scripture says; that he presented himself alive to Peter, then to his closest followers, and later to more than five hundred of his followers all at the same time, most of them still around (although a few have since died); that he then spent time with James and the rest of those he commissioned to represent him; The Message Version
• What is the Message? How many sentences does it take to express it? Is it clear and unambiguous? Do you think that some crucial points are missed? You will have a chance to embellish later.
• What are some things he cites to support the validity of the message? What of what he says is new to you?
• How does this compare with your personal experience with the gospel message? Who or what experiences made it credible to you?
• Write down the major important points you would include in a very brief telling of the good news. Why is it valid for you and how would you authenticate it in your telling to someone?
Now Paul gives the source of his understanding of the gospel message:
and that he finally presented himself alive to me. It was fitting that I bring up the rear. I don’t deserve to be included in that inner circle, as you well know, having spent all those early years trying my best to stamp God’s church right out of existence. The Message Version
And it is even more clearly expressed in Galatians:
1: 11-12 Know this—I am most emphatic here, friends—this great Message I delivered to you is not mere human optimism. I didn’t receive it through the traditions, and I wasn’t taught it in some school. I got it straight from God, received the Message directly from Jesus Christ. The Message Version
• What is clear in Paul’s mind about the certainty of his theology – what gives it credibility? How much of it is spiritual; coming to him through his spiritual connection to God through Jesus Christ? What is your reaction to this assertion?
• What are the sources of your faith, your understanding of your relationship with God? How much comes from your “God moments” when the presence of God seemed close to you?
So what responsibilty do we have as hearers of the message - here is Paul's testamony:
10-11 But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I’m not about to let his grace go to waste. Haven’t I worked hard trying to do more than any of the others? Even then, my work didn’t amount to all that much. It was God giving me the work to do, God giving me the energy to do it. So whether you heard it from me or from those others, it’s all the same: We spoke God’s truth and you entrusted your lives. The Message Version
• Paul is an evangelist who is driven to spread the gospel message. What does he say drives and motivates him? What burden does he feel he takes upon himself?
• What kind of person would you picture speaking these words, is it someone you would relate to?
• Do you share his feelings that we should in our own way be workers spreading the good news? Mainline Christians are for the most part leery of being perceived as evangelical – why might this be the case? What are some consequences of being hesitant to share elements of our faith life? Who is the worst for it?
• What is your take away from reflecting on the scriptures and questions? Has any of your thinking changed? Has anything been reinforced? What do you want to explore with more study and discussion?
Closing Prayer
Loving God, thank you for your presence in my life.
Thank you for those who invited me to know you.
Guide me to those for whom I might prepare the way.
Give me the wisdom to know when to speak and what to say?
Amen
Next Week’s Scriptures: Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13
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