October 2
The Foundation
of the Gospel
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures...
Daily Steps
Having committed to the Call to Mission (Day 276), the new believer must know the exact message they are commanded to share. This passage, written by the Apostle Paul, defines the core content of the Gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins.
The peace in this principle is found in simple certainty:
The Priority of the Message: Paul emphasizes that this message is of first importance. This means that all other aspects of the Christian life—disciplines (Day 260), service, or lifestyle—must be secondary to the proclamation of Christ's saving work. Our Legacy of Joy (Day 271) is rooted in this truth.
The Core Events: The message is simple, verifiable, and threefold:
Christ died for our sins: This is the purpose of the cross (The Redemption of the Cross, Day 225). His death was a substitutionary payment for our transgressions (The Forgiveness of Sins, Day 216).
He was buried: This proves the reality of His death and the finality of the sacrifice.
He was raised on the third day: This is the ultimate proof of Christ's Authority (Day 273) and power over death, securing our own hope for the Final Triumph (Day 227).
The Fulfillment of Scripture: Each core event happened according to the Scriptures. This is crucial, as it confirms that Jesus fulfilled God's ancient, divine plan (The Unfailing Assurance, Day 222). Our message is therefore not a new myth, but the climax of God's redemptive history.
Your peace is secured by simple certainty. Embrace your Call to Mission today by ensuring the foundation of the Gospel is the central message you share: Christ died for our sins and was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures.
Reflective Question
If you had one minute to share the Gospel, would the core content you shared match the simplicity of 1 Corinthians 15:3-4? How can you commit to focusing your personal witness on these three essential facts today?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my tendency to complicate the Gospel. I thank You for making the message of mission simple and certain. I pray for the clarity and boldness to pass on what is of first importance: that Christ died, was buried, and was raised on the third day. Secure my peace today in this simple certainty and use me to share the foundation of the Gospel. Amen.
