Hebrews 8:7

Order of Service

• Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 15:1-8
• Sermon
• Prayer of Closing

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Sermon Title: The Nature and Content of Gospel Preaching

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

I. The Situation of Preaching

A. Paul preached the gospel; the Corinthians received it — this is the ordinary pattern of God's grace B. The Westminster Larger Catechism Q&A 159 on how ministers are to preach

1. Sound doctrine, preached diligently, plainly, faithfully, wisely, zealously, and sincerely
2. Aiming at God's glory and the conversion, edification, and salvation of hearers
3. No minister fulfills this perfectly; ministers need the congregation's prayers C. The Westminster Larger Catechism Q&A 160 on how hearers are to receive the Word
4. Attend with diligence, preparation, and prayer
5. Examine what is heard by the Scriptures
6. Receive truth with faith, love, meekness, and readiness of mind
7. Meditate on it, hide it in the heart, and bring forth fruit in life D. Preaching is an ordinary means of grace — not flashy, but given by an extraordinary God for an extraordinary purpose

II. The Goal of Preaching

A. Paul's stated goal: "by which you are being saved, if you hold fast" — 1 Corinthians 15:2 B. The vision of dry bones in Ezekiel 37 illustrates the life-giving power of God's proclaimed Word

1. God commanded Ezekiel to preach to dead, dry bones
2. By the power of God through proclamation, the bones were raised into a great army C. Faith comes through hearing the preached Word — Romans 10:14-15
3. Preaching is the primary means by which God calls dead sinners to life and faith
4. Preaching is also the primary means by which God sustains and sanctifies his people
5. "By which you are being saved" encompasses both justification and ongoing sanctification

III. The Content of Preaching

A. Paul identifies the content as being "of first importance" — 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

1. Described by a seminary professor as "the center of the center of the center of Paul's gospel"
2. Not social justice, not eschatology alone — Paul himself names what is first B. What Paul preached, he also received — it is not a human message
3. Paul received his gospel by direct revelation of Jesus Christ — Galatians 1:11-12
4. Ministers today deliver what has already been fully revealed; there is no new revelation C. First element: Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures
5. His death was real — he bore the curse pronounced on Adam for sin
6. Vicarious atonement: the sins of his people were imputed to Christ; his righteousness is imputed to believers by faith
7. Foretold in Isaiah 53:4-6, 10 — he bore griefs, was pierced for transgressions, crushed for iniquities; the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all D. Second element: Christ was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures
8. Christ himself claimed authority over his own resurrection — John 2:19; John 10:17-18
9. The New Testament predominantly speaks of the Father raising Christ — Acts 2:24; Romans 8:11
10. The same Spirit that raised Christ will raise believers — a comfort to the people of God
11. Foretold in the Old Testament: Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 53:10; Hosea 6:1-2 E. Every sermon should carry the death and resurrection of Christ in its DNA, even when preaching from the Old Testament F. Call to hold fast to the gospel preached — as Hebrews also urges — resting in God's eternal purpose and plan, promised beforehand and fulfilled in Christ