March 30, 2024, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, "Love Flowed The Color Of Red", (Full)

1 Corinthians 15:3-4, the Gospel is the Good News, from Calvary, to salvation by grace, being born again, the eternal security of the believer, and the future, etc. Here in these verses, the Gospel appears again. If anyone asks what the Gospel is, these verses can certainly help. Some items that appear directly or indirectly here:
. God is love (otherwise it would make no sense for Him to save the world), he died for sinners according to the scriptures, and rose on the 3rd day according to scriptures
. God brought salvation into the world, and those who accept and acknowledge Him therefore, will be saved
. the first fruits: Christ was the first resurrection of the first resurrection (those who are in the first resurrection with Christ, will be safe from the second resurrection mentioned in Revelation)

Genesis 3:7, 21, the first mention of the blood atonement (someone had to die and have their blood shed, for coats of skins to be made to cover Adam and Eve's sin).

Hebrews 9:22, The wages of sin is death. Shedding of blood is required by the law, otherwise there is NO remission of sins.

John 3:16, the quality of God's love: there is no sin that Jesus Christ cannot cover.

Isaiah 53:1-6, Jesus Christ's act of love foretold in the Old Testament.

1 Corinthians 13:4-13, Love (appears as "charity" in some older English translations). 3 words used for "Love" in scripture:
. eros (ἔρως, érōs) (example: erotic)
. phileo (φιλία, philía) (example: brotherly love)
. agape (ἀγάπη, agápē) (example: Godly love)

John 21:15-17, agape love is mentioned here ('do you love me?', 'lovest thou me?'). Simon Peter's first, second, and third response to Jesus's 3 questions was phileo. Jesus Christ's first 2 questions were actually 'do you agape me?', and His 3rd question then became 'do you phileo me?', signifying at this time Peter did not catch onto Jesus' question. According to history, by the time Peter and his wife were executed, he had matured into agape love for Jesus Christ.

John 3:16, 1 John 4:16, not only did God love, He himself is love

1 John 4:9-10, the object of God's love became the believer. Jesus Christ became the mercy seat- He appeased God the Father (God the Father was angry with people all the time due to their never ending sin) by shedding His (the Son) blood on the cross (Jesus became the object of God-the-Father's anger on the cross). Then the temple veil was torn down (before only the high priest could enter).

1 John 4:19, God first loved the believer- He instigated Christ's work. It was never possible for people to love God, unless God first loved people.

1 Peter 4:8, God's love covers sin.

Romans 5:8, Jesus Christ died for sinners, because of God's love.

Colossians 2:13-15, certificate of indebtedness was taken away and nailed to the cross (paid in full). God's forgiveness is and was complete.

1 Corinthians 13:4-6, selflessness versus selfishness, or: "I need you because I love you" (mature love) versus "I love you because I need you" (immature love)

John 3:16, love GIVES and it does not take: for God so loved the world He gave...

Ephesians 2:8, love was GIVEN by God

Ephesians 2:4-5, love initiates action. The riches of God's love and mercy quickens believers.

1 Corinthians 13:13, 7-8, love triumphs all and never fails. God is love. God never fails. So love never fails.

1 Corinthians 17:34, the Lord's supper.

[songselect.ccli.com songs]
The Old Rugged Cross, 19722
Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross, 36736
Because He Lives, 16880