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add other discussion questions, or substitute other questions for the marked ones, at their discretion.
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"God gives us more grace—submit to God"
Friday, 27 October 2017
James 4:4 You unfaithful wives! Don’t you know that loving the world is hating God? Whoever chooses to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy! 5 Or do you suppose the Scripture speaks in vain when it says that there is a spirit in us which longs to envy? 6 But the grace he gives is greater, which is why it says,
“God opposes the arrogant,
but to the humble he gives grace.”[James 4:6 Proverbs 3:34]
7 Therefore, submit to God. Moreover, take a stand against the Adversary, and he will flee from you.
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Luther didn’t merely protest poor church practices. His deeper concern was that indulgences, relics, confession and the like led people to trust in their own activity instead of God’s grace. “He began to hear a new voice in the very texts of Scripture he was poring over…Luther was surprised to find what he called ‘the gospel,’ as something apart from ‘the law.’ Christ alone makes sinners right with God through faith only…. Then he was quickly led to a series of amazing conclusions about the church practices he grew up with.” *
Ø One crucial principle at Resurrection, of which Pastor Hamilton frequently reminds us, is that Jesus is the head of the church. Jesus called it “my church,” (cf. Matthew 16:18), and Ephesians clearly identified Christ as “the head” (cf. Ephesians 4:15-16). So James, like Luther, called Christfollowers to “submit to God,” rather than pursuing the ways of the world. In what ways have you
faced that choice during your spiritual journey?
• James, who is sometimes misread as saying we can try to earn God’s favor by being good, said God “gives us more grace.” The actions to which he called his readers (cf. James 2:14-18) were active expressions of gratitude for God’s saving grace, not in any sense a means of earning God’s favor. How can you use your gifts actively in God’s service, while never slipping into a belief that your service earns God’s grace rather than growing out the abundance of grace?
Prayer: God, when I need it, you always give me more grace. Thank you for your amazing patience
and forgiveness. Help me to live out your gift by blessing others in any ways you give me the gifts to do so. Amen.
* Steven Paulson, Luther for Armchair Theologians. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004, p. 7.
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Ginger RothhaasGinger is a graduate of Saint Paul School of Theology. She and her husband Rob have a son, a daughter, and a high energy dog. She loves writing, conversations over coffee, and teaching spiritual classes.
Internet searches on the reformation of the Church 500 years ago often name Martin Luther as the primary reformer. However, change was brewing prior to Luther posting his 95 Theses. Luther had the courage to post the list of church offenses and it “went viral,” but there were others who primed the movement with their own courageous voices.
Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam was one of those courageous voices. He had humble beginnings in Holland, but became an activist for reform as he saw the church drifting away from Jesus’ teachings and into financially motivated doctrine. He was known throughout Europe as an outspoken advocate of “inner” Christianity, a life aligned with the teachings of Jesus instead of the rituals and doctrine of the Church. “What good is it to be outwardly sprinkled with holy water if one is filthy within?” *
Justo Gonzalez, one of my favorite history authors from my seminary reading list, describes Erasmus: “In short, what Erasmus sought was the reformation of customs, the practice of decency and moderation, an inner devotion shaped by learning and meditation, and a church that encouraged these things.” *
Today, we throw around words like grace, surrender, humility, worship, following and honoring. Do we think clearly and carefully about what these words mean and how we live into them each day? It is easy to go through the motions and claim our Christianity on Sunday morning, but are we really living into that in our daily lives? We see online posts with people claiming their Christianity as a badge of honor or using it for political power. I think they are missing the mark big time!
To be Christian means to submit to love, to love God and others in life-giving, compassionate, kind, gentle ways. No one models and teaches this better than Jesus. Love people and love them unconditionally. That means--no hoops to jump through, no buying your way in, no perks for a select group. That’s what Luther, Erasmus, and other reformers were reminding Christians of their time. And their message continues to apply to us today.
As we honor the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation this year, let’s consider if it may be time for another reformation. A reform that starts in each of our hearts, evidenced by the way we choose love each day. A reform that then becomes a movement of love. Change is brewing. Consciousness is rising. Loving souls are finding the courage to speak. Who will be the Luther of our time, and what will the list include?
* Gonzalez, Justo L., The Story of Christianity Volume II: The Reformation to the Present Day, New York: Harper Collins, 2010.
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"A plea to return to God’s ways"
Saturday, 28 October 2017
Hosea 14:1 (13:16) Shomron will bear her guilt,
for she has rebelled against her God.
They will fall by the sword,
their little ones will be dashed to pieces
and their pregnant women ripped open.
2 (1) Return, Isra’el, to Adonai your God,
for your guilt has made you stumble.
3 (2) Take words with you, and return to Adonai;
say to him, “Forgive all guilt,
and accept what is good;
we will pay instead of bulls
[the offerings of] our lips.
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As Luther more fully internalized his understanding of God’s gracious ways, he became more prophetic in challenging medieval practices like selling indulgences to release souls from purgatory. At one point, he wrote, “If the pope does have the power to release anyone from purgatory, why in the name of love does he not abolish purgatory by letting everyone out? If for the sake of miserable money he released uncounted souls, why should he not for the sake of most holy love empty the place?” * It was unimaginable that the gracious God would sell spots in heaven to raise money. How, then, did the church, called to be the body of Christ, dare to act in ways God would not act?
Ø God’s people have needed to listen to Hosea’s heartfelt plea (“Return, Israel, to the Lord your God”) many times through the centuries. As we remember Luther’s powerful living out of that plea
500 years ago, we are challenged to look at our own lives, and those of the churches in which we worship God. Are we living lives that share the light of God’s grace with everyone with whom we come in contact? Are we organizing and sustaining our church activities in ways that express God’s wonderful grace?
Prayer: Great God, you always stand ready to flood our hurting world with your grace. Keep me and my church open and receptive to living out that grace in all we do and say about you. Amen.
* Roland H. Bainton, Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1950; paperback edition by
Mentor Books, p. 62.
Family Activity: What is your family’s experience of going to church each week? Are you excited, joyful and gracious to one another? Do you complain about the weather and the walk from the parking lot? Are you struggling to get dressed and out the door on time? Is your home filled with words of encouragement, or frustrated, hurried words? To remind yourselves that you are going to worship our
gracious God, consider playing some praise music as you prepare. Maybe you could say a prayer for a soft heart and positive spirit the afternoon or evening before you go. Read a story from the Bible to help center your mind on God. Nothing works perfectly in family life, but choose one way to try this week to help all of you appreciate a more grace-filled experience in God’s house!
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Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer
Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
• Carol Beasley and family on the death of her mother Evelyn Spangler, 10/15
• Bill Walters and family on the death of his father Robert W. “Bob” Walters, 10/11
• Jason Orenzoff and family on the death of his mother Pauline Quickel, 10/11
• Roxanne Petter and family on the death of her mother Madge Broz, 10/9
• Patsy Shipley and family on the death of her mother Mary Lee Lockard, 10/5
• Christal Heier and family on the death of her grandmother Mary Lee Lockard, 10/5
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©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
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©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
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