This Sunday AM

I hope everyone is having a great week! Please remember Josh and the Hyde Park mission team in Sudan this week as they are living the activities we will read about in Acts 2 this Sunday. Of course, we all should be living it here, but I think a trip to Sudan is much more focused and obvious!

We will be in Acts Chapter 2 this week, so please read the whole thing with a particlar emphasis in verses 14-41, if you will. As you read, ask yourself the following questions:

1. In verses 14-41, we see Peter as the main orator, basically giving a sermon. Compare and contrast (is this high school english class?) Peter in this passage versus how he acts in Luke 22:50 (cuts off an ear), Luke 22:55-62 (Peter denies Christ), and Luke 24:14. Is there a difference and if so...why?

2. When Peter quotes the prophet Joel in verses 16-21, how does Joel's prophecy relate to what was happening at that moment? Does the OT prophecy have implications beyond what was happening in Acts 2?

EXTRA CREDIT (we must be in high school again)...

Have you ever wondered why God chose the particular time, place, and people he did to reveal Christ and His holy spirit? Why didn't he reveal Jesus much earlier?

love you guys...see you Sunday!

-casey

Easter Sunday Lesson Overview and Additional Thoughts

Here are some closing thoughts and comments on Easter Sunday’s lesson from Luke 24:
In the marketing world we have a term called “FUD” or fear, uncertainty and doubt. We use it when one company spreads some negative press about a competing company’s product or service. Whether it was due to human nature, or possibly even Satanic influence, there definitely was some FUD among the disciples about Jesus’ and their own fates.

Though the events in Luke 24 all center on the resurrection of Jesus, they really seem to be more about how the disciples come to grips with it, and how Jesus helps them understand and overcome their FUD, rather than theological teaching on the resurrection itself. We spent a few minutes discussing the importance and theological impact of the resurrection, and I would refer you to 1 Corinthians 15 for further study there, but I think one way Luke’s witness of the resurrection is helpful to us is its example of overcoming our own doubts and fears of God as believers.

Jesus used two primary tools to calm and convince his followers that he indeed did rise from the dead and could be trusted to keep his word: the physical evidence of himself and the witness of scripture. I’d like to talk about how these can help us when we doubt God and his goodness and trustworthiness as well.

Even though it might seem completely sufficient for Jesus to just to have offered his own risen body as evidence, he made a strong appeal to scripture, even using it before he revealed himself to the two on the road to Emmaus. Why bother taking them through the OT when he could have just said, “Here I am, put your fingers in my nail holes!”? I think for a couple of reasons:

Jesus was a Jew (as were his disciples) and the Jews held the scriptures (think OT, here) in very high regard. It was important that what happened to Jesus had legitimate basis in the scriptures to have validity. Even though the event was miraculous in itself, if it wasn’t founded in what God’s word had to say about Messiah, it didn’t matter.

This begs the question, though, if the Jews regarded the scripture highly and studied it thoroughly, then how did they miss Jesus as fulfillment of the Messianic promises? The answer to this question is intertwined with the second tool Jesus used to dispel the FUD…himself. Remember if you will that on a couple of occasions in Luke 24 the scripture tells us that Jesus himself had to open the disciples’ minds so that they can understand the scripture. And so Jesus himself is the key to understanding the very scriptures and witness to him that they are. Studying the scriptures on their own without a humble and repentant faith leads to nothing but empty head knowledge.

CONCLUSION:

Today we have the scriptures of the Old Testament in addition to the New Testament to provide truth and guidance in our lives, even the very Word of God. It is easy to criticize the disciples for their lack of faith and trust in Jesus and what he said, but if we are honest many times we realize that we don’t believe God in all he has to say in our lives. Our fear and doubt can put a wall of separation between us and the risen Lord…not allowing him to work in us. The solution? I think the example is that we should seek what the scriptures say about the character and promises of God related to our lives…but we can’t stop there. The power to really understanding what the word has to say lies in focusing on Jesus and relying on his power via the Holy Spirit to open our minds. We have to trust, or at least want to trust, even when we doubt. We have to look at this beautiful crucified, yet risen, savior and fall in love with Him and the hope he gives us. If we approach the scriptures enamored with Christ, I believe the Holy Spirit will open our hearts to truly understanding what God’s word has to say to use so that we can be changed, and the FUD will be dispelled.

-casey

Easter Sunday!!! (Luke 24)

Otherwise known as Resurrection Sunday...

If I focus on it long enough, I get really excited about celebrating this day of most important significance with you! I say 'if I focus', because most of the time
I feel so distracted I can't focus on anything but what is right in front of me. I think our spiritual lives would greatly benefit from practicing some regular quiet times of focus on Him.

This Sunday morning we are continuing in Luke 24. I encourage everyone to please read it a few times and meditate on its meaning and let the Word impact you. What is the significance of the events described in the chapter? What main points is Luke trying to get across by framing his resurrection account how he does? At the very least, please consider the following two questions:

1. In between chapter 23 which we covered last week (the crucifixion), and chapter 24 this week (the resurrection), there is a period of about 36 hours. In this time what feelings and thoughts do you think the disciples and women were going through?

2. In what ways do we "look for the living among the dead"?

And for extra credit:

3. Compare the different gospel accounts of the resurrection and see if you can determine the sequence of the events of the first encounters the disciples and women have with Jesus and the angels. (Matt. 28, Mark 16, Luke 24 and John 20) It is probably more challenging than you think!

Postscript April 5th - Christ on the cross

Here are some main points discussed this Sunday as we read Luke 23. Number 4 is the most important so skip to it if you are low on time.

1) We discussed vs. 3 & 4 where there is fuel for people who would attack Christianity that Christ never claims divinity as we believe. The language in the verse can be translated to mean “YOU said it, not me” and then Pilate takes this as reason to find him innocent of the accusation that he claimed to be king. We need to have a deeper and broader understanding of the Gospels so that we cannot be tripped by such a false claim.

2) Since we are convinced that he does claim and die for the idea that he has a "Kingdom not of this world" and believe it is evident even to a non-Christian who would read the gospels - it is instructive to reflect on the "Liar Lunatic or Lord" idea as we read this passage. This challenge says that the claim that Christ was just a good religious leader, equal to others, is ridiculous. A man that dies with the accusation that he has claimed that he is the Messiah (sent by God, of God and brings eternal salvation) can't be "just a good teacher" he is likely just a crazy person, a deceiver, or who he says he is. This is a good question to put toward people if we can get them to read the gospels for themselves and see his claims, character, death and resurrection.

3) It was wisely said that we shouldn't expect this little evangelical tool to automatically convince someone and we shouldn't present it that way. While it might be evident to us that Christ’s person is completely different than Joseph Smith – who died in a gun battle trying to save himself, or Muhammad – who sanctioned and lead the mass murder of any dissention to his group, other faiths may also try this type of challenge. A person will not be argued into the kingdom and that isn't what I wanted to suggest when I brought this up, but that it is a good challenge to get them to at least start considering what their heart tells them... NOT their brains! What does their heart tell them he is after they have read the gospels and considered the choices?

4) An evaluation of the two criminals is eye opening. The interaction is an example of salvation being given to a person from Christ himself and a little illumination brings some clarification to salvation. Two initial observations are striking. One is – The man who was offered salvation didn’t ever ask for it…he just received it. He just asked that Christ remember him when he is in heaven. This man assumed that he would be in hell at that time! Two is – the other criminal is the one who asked for salvation! It is obvious to any reader that the difference really isn’t the asking, but the heart condition of the individual. This comparison clarifies for me that salvation is, truly is, an entirely free gift of amazing grace extended to the repentant. The clarification is made deeper when we consider whether “belief” or “faith” is what saves… and not meaning to cause any great issue I’d say the lesson is simply that neither of those is what saves… God saves those who are repentant. Consider also Paul who never ASKED to be saved! This was made even deeper by one person who reminded us that even repentance is granted by God. Point is – God is sovereign and gracious, handing out salvation at no cost to those who deserve it none at all.

The cross to toddlers?

Discussion prompt:

Everything about our faith needs to be entrusted to our children. It has come to my attention that there are some differing opinions about when and how to talk to our children about the wonderful truths of Easter. Here are some opinions. Please respond to this blog with opinions for all of us to benefit from.

1) The death and resurrection of Christ is paramount to our faith and thus should be shown, taught and explained to our children at the earliest possible time, with no filtering at all. Children should be made to understand his sacrifice in totality.
2) The death and resurrection of Christ is paramount to our faith and thus should be shown, taught and explained to our children at the earliest possible time, but the graphic nature of the story should be toned down and it should be made "kid friendly" so that it doesn't scare them.
3) The death and resurrection of Christ is paramount to our faith, but is too graphic of an idea for young children and should be avoided till they are older. Also, making it "kid friendly" miss-communicates the true suffering of Christ and cheapens his sacrifice by making it "pretty" and so it should only be communicated when it can be safely communicated in total truth.

lesser ideas to discuss:
4) The Easter bunny and eggs are to be avoided since they are "secular"
5) The Easter bunny and eggs are harmless cultural icons and can be used along side christian ideals.

Easter Egg Hunt!

We had a great time at our Easter Egg Hunt/Picnic/Playground time! We think over 75 kids participated. We handed out lots of fliers, gave and got several emails and had a good time visiting with the residents of Brackenridge! We also discovered ways to make next year even better (a megaphone!).
See slideshow below.

Easter Egg Hunt!

This weekend!

Hope to see everybody at the Egg Hunt. If you can't be there, then pray for us and that God will bring many out for the fun and to hear about the real reason for Easter and our church.

Sunday School:
To get back on schedule, we are now finished with Nehemiah. Remember: focus on the wall (or whatever God has given you to do)!
This week we'll start a four week series on Easter-the cruificition and Jesus.
Read Luke 23.