I. The Gospel Saves those who Believe and Hold on

1 GOSPEL…preached…received…stand 2  By which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word  I preached to you, unless you have believed in vain.  3 Christ died for our sins 4 buried…rose again 5 seen

Salvation reverses the effects of the Fall through: Justification (forgiveness); Sanctification (holiness); Glorification (restore to glory)

II.   The Gospel Produces Labor which Saves (Glorification v. 32)

(Gal 2:2; 4:11; Php 2:16; 1Th 2:1; 3:5)

10  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11…so we preach, and so you believed.  

III. The Gospel Saves (Glorifies) those who are Christ’s at His Coming

12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?…

14  And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain  17  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins. (2Cor 6:1) 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (Mt 27:52) 21  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead   22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  23  But every man in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

Mt 16:27  For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

A. Those who are Christ’s are Baptized (First step of discipleship…decide to die to self and old ways {See Survey of Discipleship})

29  Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

B. Those who are Christ’s Die Daily for Reward 30  And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 31  I affirm…I die daily. 32  If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

C. Those who are Christ’s Hang with the Holy 33 Be not deceived: evil companions corrupt good morals. 34  Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

(2 Pt 1:5 giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge)

D. Those who are Christ’s Receive Inheritances of differing degrees of Glory 35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36  You fool, that which you sow is not quickened, except it die: 39  All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40  There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41  There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differs from another star in glory. 42  So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43  It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 48  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption.

E. Those who are Christ’s are Victorious over Sin & Death 51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55  O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? 56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57  But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

F. Those who are Christ’s Unshakably Labor in the Lord and are Rewarded  58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.  1Co 4:5  Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Why doesn’t the Gospel always produce laboring energized by the grace of God (Eph 2:8-10)?

2. Why is it so difficult for believers to respond to the call for discipleship by dying to self and living for others?

3. Why does the concept of differential rewards (Christian Capitalism) frequently produce a violent reaction among believers?

4. To what degree has your relationship with fellow believers helped or hindered your relationship with God?

5. What motivates you to be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord? What tempts you to slack off?