Reverend Adam Hamilton – Friday, 3 January 2014 - Dear
Resurrection Family,
Happy New Year! Did you make any New Year's resolutions? I
didn't make any resolutions, but did set some goals. One of these is to work
out more. Another is to continue to read and pray through the Psalms each day
in addition to my GPS readings. I'd like to see more of the fruit of the Spirit
in my life this year: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
One commitment I'd love for you to make is to be in worship each
weekend in 2014. If you can't make it in person, then online. If you think of
your worship attendance as a grade in school based upon percentage of weekend's
attended, what grade would you set for yourself this year? A B is 80%
attendance. An A is 90%. We log attendance (both those physically present and
those who worship online) here, though you have to sign in. In a couple of
weeks I'll be recognizing in my e-note those who attended last year 90% of the
time or more.
This weekend we kick off a new sermon series on the big
questions that are asked about Jesus. The title for this week's message is,
"Searching for the 'Historical' Jesus." Since the Enlightenment there
have been persons who suggested that the gospel accounts of Jesus were
exaggerated, and that the Jesus of history was different from the Christ of
faith. In that spirit Thomas Jefferson created a book originally titled, The
Life and Morals of Jesus Christ but now often simply referred to as
"Jefferson's Bible" which left out the miracle stories of the gospels
including the resurrection. Jesus was a great moral teacher who died for his
vision of the Kingdom of God.
In the last 150 years these efforts to uncover the
"historical Jesus" have been numerous. Reza Aslan's book, Zealot,
which was recently #1 on the NY Times bestseller list, is the latest in this
effort to uncover the "real" Jesus. I finally finished Aslan's book
this week. There were parts of his book I appreciated, though numerous points
at which I felt he widely missed the mark in his attempt to recover the
"historical" Jesus. If you are interested in a summary of Aslan's
views, check out this 18-minute interview with him by clicking here.
This weekend we'll discuss whether Jesus actually existed (no
surprise to you, my answer will be "yes" but how do we know?) and
whether the gospels are reasonably reliable witnesses to the historical Jesus.
We'll consider how the gospel accounts of Jesus differ from Reza Aslan's
portrayal of Jesus, and we'll end by considering Albert Schweitzer's picture of
Jesus - one which many Christians and non-Christians alike have found
compelling.
As an aside, Albert Schweitzer was one of the giants of the 20th
century. A genius and a humanitarian, a theologian and medical doctor, a writer
and concert pianist, a medical missionary to Africa and winner of the Nobel
Peace Prize. I've been reading his 1933 book, Out of My Life and Thought this
week - specifically the chapters containing his reflections on Jesus. These I
think will speak powerfully not only to Christians, but to your friends who are
earnest skeptics. Please invite them to join us as we begin our study of the
big questions being asked about Jesus.
I'll also announce the totals of the Christmas Eve offering in
worship. I won't find out myself what it is until this afternoon. I am looking
forward to knowing what the 31,815 who attended one of our Christmas Eve
services gave to minister to low income kids here in Kansas City and to help eradicate
Malaria among children in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Plan to be in worship on this first weekend of 2014! You'll be
glad you were here. I know the Chiefs' are playing in the play-offs Saturday
afternoon so, if you are watching the game, join us on Sunday. Or break away
for worship and wear your Chiefs' gear.
I want to thank those who sent gifts to me and my family at
Christmas. I've set aside Monday to write thank you notes. We were blessed by
your kindness.
I'm excited about the coming year at Resurrection. I believe God
has amazing things in store for us as we seek to know and do his will.
See you in worship!
Adam
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United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, KS 66224 United States
(913)897-0120
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