Welcome to Tom and Leping this morning. It was great to have you all in our class. Everyone, please continue to keep Wayne in your prayers as he manages the loss of his grandfather.
As you have probably figured out by now, I will try to send out notes and references from our class and discussion when it seems appropriate, and if I can manage the time to get them "written down" before my Sunday afternoon crash. Funny, I used to make fun of my parents for napping on Sunday afternoon, but I can't seem to avoid it any more.
BTW, my homework from last week is available here on my blog Consistently Inconsistent. If any of you wrote a paragraph per our instruction/exercise, I'd like to hear about it.
Couple of business items.
1. I'd like for us to plan a weekend retreat for Late Spring or Summer as a class.. with kids. I am thinking that we would do a short trip maybe a retreat center, or a State/National park... We could camp or cabin it, and spend some time together outside of class. We may not get everyone, but we will do our best to schedule to accommodate as many as possible. An overnight would be preferable and we will be discussing a plan in coming weeks. Maybe we invite a special "facilitator" to take us on a tour and even integrate a family learning and fun time into our schedule. More to come on this...I am open to your ideas/suggestions. There is so much that we can do within driving distance of Richmond, it shouldn't be too hard.
2. I'd like to begin a rotation of teachers as soon as possible. We have a ton of talent in this group and we will all benefit from the diversity of style and approach to the lessons. Upcoming lessons are listed below... look for a telephone call from me and be thinking about how you might like to participate. Team teachers are welcome, and this isn't a long term committment unless you choose for it to be. We all have something to share, and this is a chance for you to "witness" in a safe, secure environment. Remember, we learn from each other and all of us have something to share. We must choose to do so.
An Unforgettable Church
April 6 -- Unfinished Business Acts 1:15-26
April 13 -- Unimaginable Power Acts 2:1-21
April 20 -- Unfeigned Devotion Acts 2:37-47
April 27 -- Uncompromising Witness Acts 4:23-31
Lesson today was on the Luke passage on the Upper Room and the beginning of Pentecost. My question was... What now?
Jesus' imperative to the apostles was to wait for the power, and then to go out to the world and share. "Witness"
Bert-- Christ's Presence is corporeal, visceral, innate and learned. Love is not an intellectual exercise...It must be experienced not just
discussed and simply studied.
Luke 24:36-53: (THE MESSAGE)
36 -41 While they were saying all this, Jesus appeared to them and said, "Peace be with you." They thought they were seeing a ghost and were scared half to death. He continued with them, "Don't be upset, and don't let all these doubting questions take over. Look at my hands; look at my feet—it's really me. Touch me. Look me over from head to toe. A ghost doesn't have muscle and bone like this." As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. They still couldn't believe what they were seeing. It was too much; it seemed too good to be true. 41 -43He asked, "Do you have any food here?" They gave him a piece of leftover fish they had cooked. He took it and ate it right before their eyes.
44Then he said, "Everything I told you while I was with you comes to this: All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms have to be fulfilled." 45 -49He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way. He said, "You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations—starting from here, from Jerusalem! You're the first to hear and see it. You're the witnesses. What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high."
50 -51He then led them out of the city over to Bethany. Raising his hands he blessed them, and while blessing them, took his leave, being carried up to heaven.
52 -53And they were on their knees, worshiping him. They returned to Jerusalem bursting with joy. They spent all their time in the Temple praising God. Yes.
Wonder, Worship Witness--- HOW..
What did Jesus do in the story?
What does he command us to do?
Why Wait?
-- From the online resources: Often when we feel we most need a fresh encounter with God's Spirit, we are made to wait. In a culture that demands immediate results, it's no wonder that we cry foul and get frustrated. What we fail to realize is that a season of suspense is anything but passive. It is instead preparatory.We often balk at God's inefficient policy on Spirit-sending and Spirit-leading. When we do, we run the risk of pulling our team out prematurely and missing a great blessing--a blessing that does not come easy, but always at the right time and in the right season.
Questions for Discussion
• How can Pentecost happen in such crowded lives and schedules? Who is even paying attention?
• How can we prepare ourselves for Pentecost while we await its arrival?
• When was your last Pentecost? Did you discover the significance of your wait?
• Are we to wait alone and figure it out by ourselves? How significant is friendship to the practice of waiting for Pentecost?
Matrix.. Oracle tells Neo that he will know when/if he is the one. The power is within us. Neo had to choose to embrace it.
Listen: God is speaking all around us, working all the time. Question is only whether we join him. It is our choice. We are not the drivers, we are the vessel. (August Rush)
GREAT COMMISSION: WITNESS imperative -- DO THIS!
Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age. (Message)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)
Explore how each of us can do this.. through our own lives, abilities and experiences.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Resurrection Relevance
I am so proud to have the opportunity to learn with each of you on Sunday mornings. I am glad you came today. Thank you.
Please remember Wayne and his family at the loss of his Grandfather.
Next week we will talk about the Upper Room and focus more on our own Witness. The attached PDF might help you both as you prepare for our Life community next week, and as a good reference point for writing your news article/homework..
INVITE your friends, colleagues, etc to our class. Without your invitation, they won't know we are there. The Door is Open, even when it is closed.. ;-)
Happy Easter. HE IS RISEN!
jeff
---------------------------------------------
We talked about a lot today. My discussion points come from a lot of places, but I relied heavily on a post from a prayer group blog I read regularly. I think Wayne participates too. Click here to read the entire post.
Think about your "assignment" whatever that may be. Easter is a season, not a Sunday. We celebrate for the next 6 weeks.
Live your life and make the resurrection relevant to today, to your daily grind, to your kids, to you and your spouse... As you see the trees blooming, the flowers blossoming, and the life returning to the Earth around us. Take time to think a bit. Enjoy the colors and the palettes. Listen to the wind and the sounds. Experience the world around you in your moment so that you can be more aware of God in your life.
He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed!
My assignment to you... for all that is worth. Write a headline and an article explaining the resurrection of Christ in your words. Tell about the event. Think in terms of perspective, setting, facts, heresay, faith, etc... Make it real in your mind. To do that, I would suggest that you find and read the story in the other Gospels, and that you explore the entire passion story, and the pentecost writings in Acts. Choose today to complete a simple act, of reverence to explore your own abilities, ideas.
Whether or not you share it with Open Door or anyone else is up to you. We would like that . Personally,
I would love to read what you think and discuss, but that is not the point. My challenge to you is that you WITNESS. Embrace, a spirit of Wonder, Worship the Lord, and Witness to YOUR world. Start small, with a conversation, an article, etc.
Just say to a neighbor.
"HE IS RISEN."
Don't be afraid to step outside of your norm. Be not afraid, for Jesus is with you, even unto the end of the age.
The story (Matthew 28:1-10 NIV) this morning was built on three central happenings...
1. Deep wonder as they beheld the angel who stood before them as a shaft of lightning.
2. Worship as they fell at the feet of Jesus.
3. Witness as they obeyed the Lord to "go and tell."
We have to go beyond the head to the awe-struck wonder of the heart.
Wonder leads to worship . . . and worship leads to witness.
Age of Reason vs Faith. Do you require proof?
How do you deal with your doubt?
Do you fear Death?
This passage is a and the resurrection as a whole is a Call to action, not complacency
How do you use this church, this class, to fulfill YOUR mission, YOUR call?
Is spreading the Gospel, the mission of the church or its people? What is the difference?
The Resurrection(NIV)
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
Matthew 28:1-20(The Message)
Risen from the Dead
1 -4 After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God's angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn't move.
5 -6 The angel spoke to the women: "There is nothing to fear here. I know you're looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed.
7 "Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, 'He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.' That's the message."
8 -10 The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples. Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. "Good morning!" he said. They fell to their knees, embraced his feet, and worshiped him. Jesus said, "You're holding on to me for dear life! Don't be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I'll meet them there."
11 -15 Meanwhile, the guards had scattered, but a few of them went into the city and told the high priests everything that had happened. They called a meeting of the religious leaders and came up with a plan: They took a large sum of money and gave it to the soldiers, bribing them to say, "His disciples came in the night and stole the body while we were sleeping." They assured them, "If the governor hears about your sleeping on duty, we will make sure you don't get blamed." The soldiers took the bribe and did as they were told. That story, cooked up in the Jewish High Council, is still going around.
16 -17 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.
18 -20 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."
Please remember Wayne and his family at the loss of his Grandfather.
Next week we will talk about the Upper Room and focus more on our own Witness. The attached PDF might help you both as you prepare for our Life community next week, and as a good reference point for writing your news article/homework..
INVITE your friends, colleagues, etc to our class. Without your invitation, they won't know we are there. The Door is Open, even when it is closed.. ;-)
Happy Easter. HE IS RISEN!
jeff
---------------------------------------------
We talked about a lot today. My discussion points come from a lot of places, but I relied heavily on a post from a prayer group blog I read regularly. I think Wayne participates too. Click here to read the entire post.
Think about your "assignment" whatever that may be. Easter is a season, not a Sunday. We celebrate for the next 6 weeks.
Live your life and make the resurrection relevant to today, to your daily grind, to your kids, to you and your spouse... As you see the trees blooming, the flowers blossoming, and the life returning to the Earth around us. Take time to think a bit. Enjoy the colors and the palettes. Listen to the wind and the sounds. Experience the world around you in your moment so that you can be more aware of God in your life.
He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed!
My assignment to you... for all that is worth. Write a headline and an article explaining the resurrection of Christ in your words. Tell about the event. Think in terms of perspective, setting, facts, heresay, faith, etc... Make it real in your mind. To do that, I would suggest that you find and read the story in the other Gospels, and that you explore the entire passion story, and the pentecost writings in Acts. Choose today to complete a simple act, of reverence to explore your own abilities, ideas.
Whether or not you share it with Open Door or anyone else is up to you. We would like that . Personally,
I would love to read what you think and discuss, but that is not the point. My challenge to you is that you WITNESS. Embrace, a spirit of Wonder, Worship the Lord, and Witness to YOUR world. Start small, with a conversation, an article, etc.
Just say to a neighbor.
"HE IS RISEN."
Don't be afraid to step outside of your norm. Be not afraid, for Jesus is with you, even unto the end of the age.
The story (Matthew 28:1-10 NIV) this morning was built on three central happenings...
1. Deep wonder as they beheld the angel who stood before them as a shaft of lightning.
2. Worship as they fell at the feet of Jesus.
3. Witness as they obeyed the Lord to "go and tell."
We have to go beyond the head to the awe-struck wonder of the heart.
Wonder leads to worship . . . and worship leads to witness.
Age of Reason vs Faith. Do you require proof?
How do you deal with your doubt?
Do you fear Death?
This passage is a and the resurrection as a whole is a Call to action, not complacency
How do you use this church, this class, to fulfill YOUR mission, YOUR call?
Is spreading the Gospel, the mission of the church or its people? What is the difference?
The Resurrection(NIV)
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
Matthew 28:1-20(The Message)
Risen from the Dead
1 -4 After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God's angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn't move.
5 -6 The angel spoke to the women: "There is nothing to fear here. I know you're looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed.
7 "Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, 'He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.' That's the message."
8 -10 The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples. Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. "Good morning!" he said. They fell to their knees, embraced his feet, and worshiped him. Jesus said, "You're holding on to me for dear life! Don't be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I'll meet them there."
11 -15 Meanwhile, the guards had scattered, but a few of them went into the city and told the high priests everything that had happened. They called a meeting of the religious leaders and came up with a plan: They took a large sum of money and gave it to the soldiers, bribing them to say, "His disciples came in the night and stole the body while we were sleeping." They assured them, "If the governor hears about your sleeping on duty, we will make sure you don't get blamed." The soldiers took the bribe and did as they were told. That story, cooked up in the Jewish High Council, is still going around.
16 -17 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.
18 -20 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."
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