After the Last Supper, Jesus heads off to the garden of Gethsemane, feeling the cross looming, spending time in prayer, while asking His disciples to be prayerful. When they are not, he is betrayed and the disciples fail at their promise to be around. We all fail at times, but there is a way to overcome temptation and be strengthened, Jesus is our example.

As Easter approaches, we pause to remember the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus for our salvation. Over the next few weeks, we will be revisiting the passion of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus' "passion" refers to his final suffering: his betrayals, arrest, trial, torture, crucifixion and death. All four Gospels given extended attention to Jesus' last hours, because his death and resurrection was the central reason he came. Let us walk again with Jesus down the dark and lonely road that leads to the cross.

As Easter approaches, we pause to remember the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus for our salvation. Over the next few weeks, we will be revisiting the passion of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus' "passion" refers to his final suffering: his betrayals, arrest, trial, torture, crucifixion and death. All four Gospels given extended attention to Jesus' last hours, because his death and resurrection was the central reason he came. Let us walk again with Jesus down the dark and lonely road that leads to the cross.

The Corinthians had lost sight of what it means to be a loving, gospel-shaped community. And so Paul has spent 15 chapters dealing problem after problem in the Corinthian church: lawsuits, sexual immorality, divisions, arrogance, neglect, spiritual competition, and even doubts about the resurrection. But in this final chapter, Paul shifts the focus from the dysfunctions in Corinth to the broader work of God beyond Corinth. The Corinthians not only need to be reminded of how to love one another in the gospel. They also need to be reminded that they are connected to a gospel network and gospel mission that extends far beyond their own congregation.

The Corinthians had lost sight of what it means to be a loving, gospel-shaped community. And so Paul has spent 15 chapters dealing problem after problem in the Corinthian church: lawsuits, sexual immorality, divisions, arrogance, neglect, spiritual competition, and even doubts about the resurrection. But in this final chapter, Paul shifts the focus from the dysfunctions in Corinth to the broader work of God beyond Corinth. The Corinthians not only need to be reminded of how to love one another in the gospel. They also need to be reminded that they are connected to a gospel network and gospel mission that extends far beyond their own congregation.

The ancient Greeks believed that when people died, their bodies rotted away while their souls went to the shadowy realm of the dead. So imagine how strange it would be for them to hear of Jesus, the savior risen from the dead. Or even more strange: those who trust in Christ will rise from the dead as well! That's why Paul answers philosophical objections to the doctrine of the resurrection in our passage. Paul's answers not only help us understand the resurrection better, but they spur us on in the Christian life by giving us a glimpse of the glory that awaits us.

The ancient Greeks believed that when people died, their bodies rotted away while their souls went to the shadowy realm of the dead. So imagine how strange it would be for them to hear of Jesus, the savior risen from the dead. Or even more strange: those who trust in Christ will rise from the dead as well! That's why Paul answers philosophical objections to the doctrine of the resurrection in our passage. Paul's answers not only help us understand the resurrection better, but they spur us on in the Christian life by giving us a glimpse of the glory that awaits us.

Some of those in the Corinthian Church believed there was no resurrection of the dead. Paul looks at the ramifications of such an idea. He openly states we are all waisting our time in going to church if there is no resurrection. But in Fact Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the firstfruits and we will follow. His victory over death leads to the conclusion of history where he presents the Kingdom to the Father. The fact of the resurrection gives meaning and purpose to our lives of service.

Some of those in the Corinthian Church believed there was no resurrection of the dead. Paul looks at the ramifications of such an idea. He openly states we are all waisting our time in going to church if there is no resurrection. But in Fact Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the firstfruits and we will follow. His victory over death leads to the conclusion of history where he presents the Kingdom to the Father. The fact of the resurrection gives meaning and purpose to our lives of service.

Gospel. It's a word that Christians use a lot. Gospel choirs sing gospel music, pastors preach gospel messages, missionaries take the gospel cross-culturally and home Bible study groups try to practice gospel community. At ECC, our children and youth are using a curriculum called "The Gospel Project." Pastors often encourage their congregations to share the gospel with people who aren't Christians. But all of this gospel talk begs a critical question: What is the gospel?