For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.
– 1 Corinthians 15:3
Paul identifies the gospel as the matter of “first importance.” This means the gospel is not one value among many but the controlling truth that shapes all others. At its core, the gospel proclaims that Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead. A gospel-driven church therefore arranges its priorities in line with this truth. Sermons must centre on Christ’s death and resurrection. Ministries must aim to make disciples shaped by this message. Resources must be stewarded to ensure that the gospel advances both within and beyond the church.
When the gospel is treated as optional or secondary, the church loses its direction. Other agendas—whether political, cultural, or even religious—can easily take over. But when the gospel is truly of first importance, everything else finds its proper place. The gospel is the standard against which all programs and decisions are measured. It is the heart of the church’s message and the centre of its mission.
Prayer
Father, make the gospel of Jesus the first importance in my life and in our church. Help us order everything around this saving truth. Amen.
Meditation
What would change in my church if the gospel were genuinely treated as the matter of first importance?