The Gospel (The "DBR")

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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:

Death

What's good about death? Nothing, that is if we are talking about physical death for you, for me, for our family and friends. Death often brings sadness. Nobody likes to lose someone that they dearly loved and cared for. We learn from Romans 6:23a that the wages (consequences) of sin is death. "For the wages of sin is death." Death entered the picture after Adam first sinned in the Garden (Gen. 3; Rom. 5:18a). Humanly speaking, death is no good. But, we're not just talking about any man's death. We are talking about the Lord Jesus Christ's death. What did Christ's death accomplish for you and for me? Well, 2nd Corinthians 5:19 puts it this way. 2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. God was in Christ not imputing or not counting the world's sins against them. He has reconciled the world unto Himself in the person of Christ (who is God as well, John 1:1,14). We just read in Romans 6:23 that the "wages of sin is death." So, in order to pay for sin a sacrifice is required. That's why Israel was required to offer animal sacrifices. Their sin was imputed on the sacrifice. But, instead of offering animal sacrifices today, Christ Himself is that once for all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). Our sins were imputed to Christ on the cross. His death paid for all of our sins. Therefore, He is no longer counting our sin against us today, because it was already counted or imputed on Him when He hung from the cross of Calvary. That work is finished. As Christ called out on the cross, "It is finished (John 19:30)."

Burial

Once again we ask what's good about the burial? Or what is good about burying people? Humanly speaking, it is no good. It follows naturally right after death, when people gather to bury their loved ones. But, once again we are not talking about any man's death and burial. We are talking about the Lord Jesus Christ. Why is Christ's burial important? The first time burial is mentioned in Scripture it is when Abraham buries his wife Sarah in Genesis 23:19. To bury someone or something is to put it out of sight. Christ died for our sins by becoming that once for all sufficient sacrifice and was buried, therefore, our sin too was buried. In other words, Christ put our sins away forever. He left them buried. He put it out of His sight. To sum up so far, Christ has died for all of our sins and has buried them, putting them out of His sight forever. What great news this is!

Resurrection

But, we are not done yet. As proof that Christ did what He said He did, he arose from the grave. He rose again so that you and I might have eternal life in Him in Heavenly places. The last part of Romans 6:23 says "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." As well as Romans 5:18b, "through one Man's  (Jesus Christ) righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life." This free gift is offered to all men (all mankind). In order to receive eternal life in Christ, all you have to do is believe. Believe what? Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins on your behalf, was buried, and rose again the third day! Simply believe what Christ said He has already done. Then you will be justified or made righteous. You will be made "the righteousness of God in Him" (2nd Corinthians 5:21). Believe today!