1 Corinthians 15:29-34

Be Still: Lord, thank you for your presence with us now. Thank you for your Word that speaks truth and life. Draw us closer to your heart I pray. Amen.

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:29-34

And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? I face death every day – yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. (v30 - 31)

Encounter: I listen to (and write) a lot of sermons. As listener, one of the parts where I sit up and take notice, is when the person preaching opens up, and shares a personal story. You get a window into their life, but also of how faith is worked out in practice, both in the joys and the challenge. At Gas Street church, one of our values is we should be Real. We want to be intentionally open with people – to be honest and share that we’re all on this journey of faith and discipleship together.

In this passage, Paul continues his case for the Resurrection. He’s not letting it go, and he’s imploring the Church in Corinth to take note, to act on what he's saying. This is a moment, where Paul is real with the Church. He shares the personal reality and cost of what he’s facing ‘I face death every day.’ Paul’s journey of transformation is remarkable – he had gone from being someone who persecuted others for their faith, to now being persecuted himself. Paul faced relentless, daily threats of death for preaching the Resurrection. What Paul was doing was costly and dangerous.

I believe he wouldn’t have done it if he didn’t believe unreservedly in the resurrection of Jesus. He wouldn’t have done it if Jesus hadn’t transformed his life. Paul was willing to risk everything to communicate the truth of who Jesus was so that others could be set free, and find the fullness of God.

Apply: How can we embrace the attitude of Paul today? How can we be free and confident in sharing who Jesus is, and what he’s done in our lives? Who could you reach out to today and share the life that Jesus has bought you? Step out in faith.

Devote: Lord, we pray for those today who are facing persecution because of their faith. Strengthen our brothers and sisters around the world. Today, would you give us opportunities to share our faith.