December 4

1 Corinthians 15-16
As Paul brings this letter to a close, he reminds the Corinthians of the gospel and the importance of the resurrection.  Without the resurrection, there is no gospel.  If Jesus were not raised, He would not be the Messiah.  If we were not raised in a new spiritual body, our resurrection would be meaningless.  The gospel is a simple message.  It is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Nothing more, nothing less.  We share in that gospel by faithfully submitting to the watery grave of baptism, so as to be buried with Christ and raised with our sins washed away, so that we might live a new life in the Spirit!  This is the message we need to bring to the world.   This is the message that provides hope in the darkness many find themselves.  This is the message of love, God’s love, that saves for eternity!