1. Reminder about the gospel (1-8)

Paul begins this breathtaking section of his letter by taking the Corinthians back to the basics of the gospel. Everyone agreed to these essential facts: "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..." One evidence of the gospel's truth was the Corinthian church itself. They received the gospel, took their stand upon it, and were being saved by it. They knew that Christ was alive. He was living in their community! The evidence for the resurrection went far beyond the Corinthian church, however. The resurrected Christ appeared to a wide variety of witnesses at different times and places. The good news of the Lord's resurrection was true.

2. Paul's testimony (9-11)

The truth of the resurrection had an amazing effect on Paul's life. The moment he met the resurrected Christ, his life was completely changed. He went from terrorizing believers and persecuting the church to sacrificing his own life for it. By the grace of God he was saved, appointed, and empowered to do God's work. The resurrection of Christ changes every aspect of our lives by giving us a new hope and spirit. By this gospel we have been saved.