Foundations of Truth

Building Lives On The Gospel Foundation

• Dr Timothy Mann

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What holds when everything you’ve built starts to shake? We open 1 Corinthians 15:1–11 and trace a straight line back to the gospel Paul calls “of first importance,” not as a slogan but as the ground under our feet. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day—according to the Scriptures—and that reality changes how we live, lead, and endure.

We walk through the foundation many Christians assume but often sideline, exploring how gospel drift usually begins with distraction, not denial. Pastor Tim unpacks the core of the good news: substitution at the cross, the significance of the burial, and the power of the resurrection. Then we weigh the historical evidence—Cephas, the Twelve, more than five hundred witnesses, James, all the apostles, and Paul himself—to show why Christian hope is anchored in an event, not opinions or trends. If Jesus didn’t rise, faith is empty; because He did, grace is solid, hope is durable, and mission is worth everything.

Finally, we look at how the gospel reshapes a person and a church. Paul’s confession—least of the apostles, unworthy, yet sustained by grace—becomes a model for humility without self-loathing and labor without burnout. From Sunday worship to weekday decisions, we keep returning to the same center: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. That’s how shame loses its grip, performance loses its throne, and fear gives way to forgiveness and new life. If you’ve felt the pull to build on programs, personalities, or relevance, this message invites you to stand again on Christ alone.

If this encouraged you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs steady ground, and leave a review so others can find it. What’s functionally at the center of your week right now?

SPEAKER_00:

Pastor Timothy Madd and Providence Church, Orman Beach, Florida. Providence Church is a local assembly of followers of Jesus Christ dedicated to helping people become committed and mature followers of Jesus Christ. Now, here's Pastor Timothy Madd teaching the word.

SPEAKER_01:

But today we're in 1 Corinthians 15, 1 through 11. And so I'm going to pick up in verse 1 and read through verse 11. The Apostle Paul was writing to this church in the city of Corinth, Greece, moving into a very powerful and important chapter. And as he does this, he talks about something that is of most importance to us as Christians today. He writes and says in chapter 15, verse 1, he says, Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel, which I preach to you, which also you received, and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preach to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures, that he was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that he was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remained to the present, but some have fallen asleep, that is to say, they've died. After that he was seen by James, then by all the apostles, and then last of all he was seen by me also, as one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach, and so you believed. We'll stop here. This is God's word. You know, you can build a beautiful house, but it, if you build it on a broken foundation, it won't last. It won't last. Everything may look strong and well placed for a time, but eventually cracks will begin to show. Walls will shift, floors will sink, because the weight of what's built will collapse what's beneath it if the foundation isn't right. And this can happen in your life as well. It can happen in your life. You can try to build your life with all the materials and accessories that you think makes it look successful, but unless your foundation is strong and solid, you will set yourself up for collapse. The same thing happens to churches. You can have excellent programs, you can have great music, you can have strong attendance, you can have active ministries, and still lose the very thing that gives life to it all. The gospel. The gospel. And that's not a hypothetical danger, it's a historical reality. Because many churches that once held the gospel boldly now barely mention it. It was assumed, and then it became kind of background noise, and now it's absent. The gospel wasn't attacked, it was replaced. That's why, in my view, this series is actually so very important. Because last week we we looked at Romans 1.16, where the apostle Paul declared, I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. And now today we're listening to another powerful passage. This 1 Corinthians 15, 1 through 11, where the Apostle Paul reminds the church at Corinth of the gospel that he first preached to them. And it's not just a reminder for them to have a reminder, it's really a rescue at this point in 1 Corinthians. Because the Corinthians, as a church, the Corinthians were drifting. Oh, they had spiritual gifts, they had lively worship, they had a numerically growing congregation, but they were beginning to lose the center. And so the Apostle Paul brings them back. He brings them back to what matters most. He brings them back to what he calls of first importance. And Providence Church, and including our guests today, especially, but if you're a member of Providence or a longtime attendee, this is where we must stay anchored to. Because with all the growth, all that God has been doing in our church, new families coming, lives being changed, new plans unfolding, it's not enough to grow. We have to build on a solid foundation. We have to continue to build on a solid foundation. So this morning from 1 Corinthians 15, just for the next few minutes, we're going to see four reasons why the gospel must stay central in our lives, in our church, and in our mission. So let's look again at God's word and let's let the Holy Spirit remind us what we must never forget. The gospel must stay central in our lives, in the church, and our mission, because, first of all, the gospel is our foundation. The gospel is our foundation. Verses 1 and 2. Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preach to you, which also you received, and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preach to you, unless you believed in vain. And so the apostle here begins with a reminder. The word declare here in this verse, in verse 1, can be translated remind or restate. So he's not introducing something new. He's actually calling them back to something they already knew, but they were beginning to lose their grip on. He says, I declare to you the gospel. It's the same gospel he had already preached. It's the same gospel they had already received. It's the same gospel that had changed their lives. And yet, they needed to hear it again. And so do we. So do we. Now I want you to notice, let's do a little Bible study here. I want you to notice three gospel verbs in verses one and two. Three gospel verbs in verses one and two. First of all, he says, which you also, which also you received, which also you received. That's past tense. That is how they came to faith in Jesus. Then he says, in which you stand. That's present tense. This is where they are to remain. And then he says, by which also you are saved. This is ongoing. This is how God continues his saving work in them. The Apostle Paul is showing them and us this morning that the gospel is not just the entry point into Christianity. It's not just the entry point into a relationship with Jesus. It's the solid ground on which we stand every single day. Every single day. And it's the only foundation stable enough to support a growing life, a healthy church, and a future with eternal hope. And I want you to notice the warning in this verse. If you hold fast, unless you believed in vain. Now, don't take it wrong. He isn't saying here that salvation is earned by perseverance, but he is saying that genuine saving faith is marked by perseverance. Genuine saving faith is marked by perseverance. Holding fast doesn't save us, but those who are genuinely saved will hold fast to the truth. It's evidence of authentic faith in Christ. Listen, the gospel is not a box we check and then move on from. It's a truth that we cling to every day until we see Jesus face to face. And so listen, Providence Church, this is why the gospel must remain our foundation. Because if we build on anything other than the truth, no matter how good it seems, it won't stand. If we build on tradition, we'll end up resisting the very renewal the gospel brings. If we build on what we think is relevance, we'll end up drifting into compromise. If we build on personality, the church will rise and fall with human leaders. If we build on activity, we'll wear ourselves out doing what looks like ministry, but without power. But if we hold on, if we build on the gospel, I'm talking about the life and the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If we build on the gospel, we will be rooted, we will be stable, and we will be fruitful no matter what comes. This is why our mission, our discipleship pathway, our preaching, our teaching, our planning must all revolve around the gospel. It's not just our message, it's our method, it's our motive, it's what we're, it's how we model. Individually, it's how we grow, it's how we suffer in hardship in life, it's how we forgive, it's how we endure, it's how we lead. And so just as the Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians, we too need to be reminded. Because gospel drift doesn't come through denial, it comes through distraction. It comes when we slowly shift our attention from Christ's finished work to our own busyness, to our own burdens, and to our own preferences. Some of you have received the gospel already, but you've forgotten to stand in it. You're standing in shame. Or maybe you're standing in performance. Or standing in fear. And this morning, God is calling you back to where you started. In the righteousness of Christ, not your own. Some of you may have heard the gospel, but you've never truly received it. It's been close to you, but not in you. And today might be the day that God opens your heart to believe and be saved. For all of us as a church, this is a moment to recommit. We will stand in the gospel. We will preach the gospel, and we will build on nothing less. The gospel must be the foundation for our lives and for this church. It has to be. Now the Apostle Paul gives us another reason why the gospel is so central. And it's really all about Jesus. The other reason the gospel here must be central is the gospel is of first importance. First importance. Everybody say first importance. I'm glad to know you're awake. That's good. First importance. Look at the scripture, verse 3 and 4. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received. That Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. The apostle here doesn't leave us guessing about the content of the gospel. He tells us plainly what it is, and what stands at the center of everything he believes, everything he preaches, and everything he builds on. Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day. And I want you to notice the phrase that begins it all. For I delivered to you first of all. Now some translations say of first importance. Because that is the meaning actually behind the words used in the original language. This wasn't just the first thing chronologically that he told them. It was the first thing in priority. It was the first thing in weight. It was the first thing in centrality. This is the heartbeat of the gospel. This is the good news, not something else added to it. This is the gospel. And what is it? Well, Christ died for our sins. Not just died, but died for our sins. This is the doctrine. This is the biblical doctrine of substitution. Jesus did not merely die as an example, a martyr, or a moral protester. No, he died in our place, bearing the wrath of God against sin that we deserved. That wrath that we deserve. Isaiah 55, verse, Isaiah 53, verse 5 says, He was wounded for our transgressions. 2 Corinthians 5.21 says, He, meaning God the Father, made him, meaning God the Son, who knew no sin to be sinned for us. This is actually what makes the gospel good news. What makes it good news is not that we can fix ourselves, but that Christ paid it all. That's the good news. That Christ paid it all. Look, you need forgiveness, not improvement. We need forgiveness, not improvement. We actually need rescue, not reform. And Jesus provided it fully at the cross, where he died for our sins. He was buried. He was buried. Now this isn't just a detail, it's a declaration. He really died. He really died. It was not, his death was not symbolic, his death was not spiritual, it was physical, and it was final as a man in that moment. And he was placed in a tomb. The Son of God was laid in a grave. And the burial confirms the death. And it sets the stage then for the most significant reversal in history. He rose again the third day. That's what it says. He rose again the third day. This is the triumphant note of the gospel. Hey, the cross is not the end of the story. Jesus rose. He rose bodily, he rose historically, and he rose victoriously. Now listen now, listen. His resurrection proves that the payment for sin was accepted by God. His resurrection proves. His resurrection breaks the power of death and gives eternal life to those who believe. His resurrection gives us a living Savior, not just a religious memory. And the Bible says it all happened, look, quoting it, according to the scriptures. This wasn't plan B. It was always God's plan. I'm talking about from the prophets to the Psalms to the promises. Always God's plan. And the Bible teaches us this is of first importance. The Apostle Paul is saying, don't forget what I told you from the beginning. Don't forget what I told you first of all. Don't forget what is of first importance. In other words, don't get distracted by the side issues. Don't replace the gospel, church, with a ministry model. Don't replace the gospel with a theological trend. Don't replace the gospel with some kind of cultural adaptation, because this is what matters most. This is what matters most. And providence, this is what must remain for us too. The gospel must come before preferences. The gospel must come before programs. The gospel must come before opinions. The gospel must come before personalities. The gospel must come before politics. Listen, if we lose this, we lose everything. But if we hold on to this, we hold on to what matters most, even if we lose everything else. This is why our mission as a church isn't to make people religious, it's to proclaim the finished work of Christ and call people to repent and believe and be saved. This is why we don't gather on Sunday morning to be entertained, but to remember and to rejoice in and to respond to the gospel. This is why every sermon, every song, every baptism, every communion service, every prayer, every act of service must in some way point back to the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus because the gospel is of first importance. It's of first importance. Let me ask you. What is of first importance in your life right now? What is of first importance in your life right now? In other words, let me say it this way. What's functionally at the center of your week? What's functionally at the center of your thoughts? What's functionally at the center of your hopes? Is it Christ? Or is something else taking that place? I want to say to you this morning, this is a moment to return. To recenter. To remember this morning that your greatest need is not to be in control. Your greatest need is not to be successful. Your greatest need is not to be liked, it's to be forgiven. Made new and filled with the only life that Jesus gives. That's your greatest need. And that's precisely what the gospel offers. And it's also why the gospel must stay at the center. Oh, but that's not all. The gospel must also be at the center because look at this. The gospel is verified and powerful. The gospel is verified and powerful. Verses 5 through 8. And then he was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that, he was seen by over 500 brethren at once, of whom the greater part remained to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that, he was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all, he was seen by me also as one born out of due time. Now the apostle Paul has just declared the content of the gospel, Christ's death, his burial, and his resurrection. And now he gives the confirmation. The resurrection wasn't a metaphor, it wasn't a legend, it wasn't a spiritual experience. It happened. It happened. And people saw it. Lots of people. The Apostle Paul starts listing here the eyewitnesses. And these aren't vague stories that have been passed down through hearsay. These are real names, real faces, real people who encountered the risen Christ. He says Cephas, that's also Peter. Peter, the one who denied Jesus, who's now restored and commissioned. The twelve, he's talking about the core group of disciples who walked with Jesus and now serve as foundational witnesses. And then over 500 believers at once, most of whom were still alive when Paul wrote this. In other words, go ask them. You don't believe me? Go ask them. James, the brother of Jesus, the physical half-brother of Jesus, who once rejected him, but later became a key leader in the church. Then he says, all the apostles, that's a collective witness of those sent out to declare the resurrection. And then the apostle Paul himself, he says, as one born out of due time, now the former persecutor, now the preacher. You know, in Old Testament law, if you remember this when we studied Exodus, y'all remember when we studied Exodus? For two years. In Old Testament law, a person could be convicted of a crime on the basis of just two witnesses. Just two. Today, in our legal system, witness testimony is a powerful form of evidence. Physical evidence, yeah, forensic analysis and circumstantial evidence can also play crucial roles in a conviction. But in some cases, a single credible witness is sufficient to support a conviction. Particularly if it is, if their testimony is compelling and supported by other evidence. So often a single witness also is enough to write a credible news story, if there is such a thing these days. But a single witness is often enough to write a credible news story. Listen, hundreds of eyewitnesses saw and attested to the resurrected Jesus, and not only did they see and attest to the resurrected Jesus, they were willing to die themselves for their testimony and their faith. This isn't mythology, this is history. It's history. Let me tell you why this matters. The Christian faith is not built on ideas. The Christian faith is not built on philosophy. The Christian faith is actually not even built on the teachings of Jesus, as important as they are. The Christian faith is built on an event in history where Jesus died, was buried, and then what? Rose. If Jesus did not rise, then there is no gospel. Later in the same chapter, you should read this entire chapter. It's all about the resurrection. Later in the same chapter, the apostle Paul says in verse 14, he says, If Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is also empty. But he did rise. The tomb is empty. Death was defeated. And that means the gospel we preach, the gospel I preach, the gospel you talk about in your Bible fellowship groups or with friends or family, the gospel you witness to. It's not just wishful thinking. It is verified, victorious truth. The resurrection vindicates everything Jesus said and did. It proves that He was who he claimed to be. It means that sin was truly paid for. It means that eternal life is truly offered. And I'm so glad this morning, Brenda, you're going to know what I'm talking about. It means that there is hope that doesn't expire with death. Sherry, there's hope that doesn't expire with death. Isn't that wonderful? It's verified. Oh, but it's still powerful today, too, the gospel. It's not just historically verified, it's personally powerful. I mean, think of the Apostle Paul himself. I touched on this last week, but this is actually why he includes his own story here. He says, Then, last of all, he was seen by me also. I hope you know that Paul wasn't looking for Jesus. He wasn't wrestling with questions of faith. He was actually hunting down Christians and trying to shut the gospel down. But Jesus found him. You know that's what happened in your life, don't you? You say, Oh, no, Pastor, you don't. I was I was looking for Jesus nuts because I wanted to come to Jesus so bad. It's because he had already sought you out and found you first. He was already all up in the middle of your business. Uninvited and unannounced. The risen Lord appeared to him, changed him, and sent him. And Providence, if Jesus can save Paul, he can save anyone. And he still does. He still does. The same risen Savior who transformed a murderous man into a missionary is still changing lives today. Right here in this room, in this church. We're going to witness at the beginning of the next service two people publicly profess their faith in Jesus. And one is going to be a very senior adult woman, and one is going to be an 11-year-old boy. Both ends of the spectrum today. The gospel is still the power of God to salvation. The gospel still breaks sin's chains. The gospel still opens spiritually blind eyes. The gospel still softens hard hearts. It brings peace where there was chaos. It brings forgiveness where there was guilt. And it brings life where there was death. The gospel does that. So if you've ever wondered, can I really believe this? Yes. If you've ever wondered, is this still powerful today? Yes. If you ever wonder, is the resurrection something I can stake my life on? Absolutely, yes! You're not following a myth. You're not believing a fable. You are trusting a living Savior who rose in history, who was seen by hundreds, and still changes people by his grace and his power. Praise his name today. Praise his name. Now let's see what the gospel does when it truly takes hold of someone. Let's look at now how the gospel humbles us and shapes us and sends us. The gospel must stay central because, here it is, the gospel produces humility and transformation. The gospel produces humility and transformation. Verses 9 through 11. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. But I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preached and so you believed. So after giving us the facts of the gospel, the Apostle Paul here ends with a very personal word. He basically says, Let me tell you what God through the gospel has done in my life. That testimony. Let me tell you what God through the gospel has done in my life. If you can't tell somebody that, something's missing. Let me tell you what God through the gospel has actually done in my life. And notice where he starts. He doesn't start with his accomplishments, but he starts with his past. I am the least of the apostles because I persecuted the church of God. That's not false humility, it's just an honest memory. The Apostle Paul remembered who he was before Jesus found him. He remembered the damage he caused. He remembered the rebellion he lived in. And he remembered the mercy that he didn't deserve. That's what the gospel does. It humbles us.

SPEAKER_00:

The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of God stands forever. That's Isaiah 48. Thanks for tuning in to the Foundations of Truth podcast with Pastor Timothy Mann from Providence Church in Ormond Beach, Florida. Join us next time. And until then, keep building your life on God's eternal truth, the Bible.

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Dr Timothy Mann

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