The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide for Tuesday, 20 February 2018 - "He traveled throughout Galilee"Daily Scripture
Mark 1:21 They entered K’far-Nachum, and on Shabbat Yeshua went into the synagogue and began teaching. 22 They were amazed at the way he taught, for he did not instruct them like the Torah-teachers but as one who had authority himself.
23 In their synagogue just then was a man with an unclean spirit in him, who shouted, 24 “What do you want with us, Yeshua from Natzeret? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God!” 25 But Yeshua rebuked the unclean spirit, “Be quiet and come out of him!” 26 Throwing the man into a convulsion, it gave a loud shriek and came out of him. 27 They were all so astounded that they began asking each other, “What is this? A new teaching, one with authority behind it! He gives orders even to the unclean spirits, and they obey him!” 28 And the news about him spread quickly through the whole region of the Galil.
29 They left the synagogue and went with Ya‘akov and Yochanan to the home of Shim‘on and Andrew. 30 Shim‘on’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever, and they told Yeshua about her. 31 He came, took her by the hand and lifted her onto her feet. The fever left her, and she began helping them.
32 That evening after sundown, they brought to Yeshua all who were ill or held in the power of demons, 33 and the whole town came crowding around the door. 34 He healed many who were ill with various diseases and expelled many demons, but he did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who he was.
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Yeshua got up, left, went away to a lonely spot and stayed there praying. 36 But Shim‘on and those with him went after him; 37 and when they found him, they said, “Everybody is looking for you.” 38 He answered, “Let’s go somewhere else — to the other villages around here. I have to proclaim the message there too — in fact this is why I came out.” 39 So he traveled all through the Galil, preaching in their synagogues and expelling demons.
***Reflection QuestionsThe only person who might have ever had a right to feel he should (or could) try to fix the world all at once was Jesus. But he didn’t! Yes, he healed sick people, drove out demons and ministered to the whole town gathered at the door of the house. But in the morning, without telling anyone, he left the whole crowd waiting while he prayed. When the disciples nervously said, “Everyone is looking for you,” Jesus replied, “Let’s go somewhere else.” He took the long view of God’s plans, and of his own place in them.
- Imagine for a moment how a modern PR expert might have planned for Jesus to “capitalize” on the crowds he drew in Capernaum. (He was, after all, the Lord of the universe come to live on earth.) In what ways did Jesus’ behavior differ from the advice you imagine him getting? In what ways can you learn from Jesus' example, and adopt his attitude toward “success” and letting God, not popular acclaim, define your true value?
- Verse 34 used language that, in Semitic idiom, implied that Jesus healed everyone who came to him. In his day’s view, it also took in virtually every human ill: he healed “all kinds of diseases” and cast out “many demons.” Today, God usually works through people trained in physical and emotional healing—but it’s still God at work. What hurt(s) do you bring to Jesus today? Are you open to God’s help and healing through today’s means?
Lord, you know even my most carefully hidden or deeply buried hurts and fears. I ask for your healing touch. I trust you to be at work for my good. Amen.
***
Denise MersmannDenise serves as the Early Childhood Coordinating Assistant at Church of the Resurrection.
When people saw that Jesus could heal the sick and drive out demons, they began seeking Him out to heal themselves or their loved ones. These people wanted more time with Jesus, more opportunity to engage with Him. Jesus could have easily stayed in one place continuing to preach to the people who wanted to hear from Him. Instead Jesus chose to move on to the next towns, preaching to different people who were not familiar with Him or his teaching.
Jesus chose to step away from the comfortable crowd and meet new people in new places in order to expand his area of influence.
I find it easier to stay in one place, talking with people who have similar beliefs to mine. I love those conversations where I say something and the people I’m talking to say, “Oh absolutely, you are so right, I agree completely”! While those conversations are a lot of fun, really affirming and a huge boost to my ego, they don’t challenge my beliefs or help me expand my understanding of other people’s viewpoints.
While I find talking with people like myself easier, it’s those challenging conversations where I have to think a little harder, dig a little deeper and explain my beliefs that leave me feeling excited about my faith. In the process of sharing and telling, I am reminded of just how amazing my God is. In explaining to someone all that Jesus brings to my life and how empty my life would be without Him, I remember that I need to keep my focus on Him and make worshiping Him a priority. It may not be the easiest way, or the most comfortable option, but as Christians we have an opportunity and an obligation to walk our walk and talk our talk not just at home, but in all the cities and towns we can.
***
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide for Monday, 19 February 2018 - "Announcing God's good news"
Daily Scripture
Mark 1:1 The beginning of the Good News of Yeshua the Messiah, the Son of God:
2 It is written in the prophet Yesha‘yahu,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare the way before you.”[a]
3 “The voice of someone crying out:
‘In the desert prepare the way for Adonai!
Make straight paths for him!’”[b]
4 So it was that Yochanan the Immerser appeared in the desert, proclaiming an immersion involving turning to God from sin in order to be forgiven. 5 People went out to him from all over Y’hudah, as did all the inhabitants of Yerushalayim. Confessing their sins, they were immersed by him in the Yarden River. 6 Yochanan wore clothes of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed: “After me is coming someone who is more powerful than I — I’m not worthy even to bend down and untie his sandals. 8 I have immersed you in water, but he will immerse you in the Ruach HaKodesh.”
9 Shortly thereafter, Yeshua came from Natzeret in the Galil and was immersed in the Yarden by Yochanan. 10 Immediately upon coming up out of the water, he saw heaven torn open and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; 11 then a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, whom I love; I am well pleased with you.”
12 Immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by the Adversary. He was with the wild animals, and the angels took care of him.
14 After Yochanan had been arrested, Yeshua came into the Galil proclaiming the Good News from God:
15 “The time has come,
God’s Kingdom is near!
Turn to God from your sins
and believe the Good News!”
16 As he walked beside Lake Kinneret, he saw Shim‘on and Andrew, Shim‘on’s brother, casting a net into the lake; for they were fishermen. 17 Yeshua said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you into fishers for men!” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
19 Going on a little farther, he saw Ya‘akov Ben-Zavdai and Yochanan, his brother, in their boat, repairing their nets. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zavdai in the boat with the hired men and went after Yeshua.
***
Reflection Questions
Scholar and pastor Eugene Peterson caught Mark’s urgency: “Mark wastes no time in getting down to business—a single-sentence introduction….There’s an air of breathless excitement in nearly every sentence he writes. The sooner we get the message, the better off we’ll be, for the message is good, incredibly good: God is here, and he’s on our side….Mark, understandably, is in a hurry to tell us what happened in the…life, death, and resurrection of Jesus—the Event that reveals the truth of God to us, so that we can live in reality and not illusion.”*- Mark reported Jesus' clear, urgent message. “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives.” “Come, follow me!” The Common English Bible renders the Greek word metanoia, often translated “repent,” with the phrase “change your hearts and lives.” The Greek literally meant “to turn around, change directions.” Jesus didn’t call people to a one-time emotional event, but to a lasting choice to live in a new way. What are some of the chief ways Jesus has led you to change your heart and life?
- Mark’s concise, action-oriented gospel gave a simple account of Jesus' baptism. The baptism set the stage for Jesus' entire ministry. In the words from heaven, discerning readers could hear echoes of Psalm 2:7 (a “royal psalm” the New Testament church applied to Jesus) and Isaiah 42:1, a “servant song” Jesus said shaped his mission. When were you baptized? How has that shaped your life? (If you’ve never been baptized, click here to learn how you can make this public commitment to Jesus).
Lord Jesus, your invitation must have been so appealing to move these busy fishermen to drop everything to follow you! Make me ever readier to respond to your call “right away.” Amen.
* Peterson, Eugene H. The Message Numbered Edition Hardback (Kindle Locations 58897-58901, 58907-58908). Navpress. Kindle Edition.
***
Roberta LyleRoberta Lyle has been on the Resurrection staff since 2006. She serves as the Program Director for Local Impact Ministries, concentrating on Education, Life Skills and Youth Focused Ministries.
Several years ago I took part in the excellent Disciple study, Jesus in the Gospels. This class covers the different approach taken by each of the Gospel writers in revealing the humanity and divinity of Jesus. Before I took this class I never realized how quickly this gospel gets to the point, starting with the proclamation that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah ready to launch his ministry. There are no stories about the birth of Jesus or his ancestry. This gospel starts with the proclamation that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah and shows him on the verge of beginning his ministry.
In a few short verses Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist and affirmed by God as His beloved Son. The world was ready for a savior. Today's passage tells us that "Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem" were hiking out to the wilderness, desperate to hear John's message of repentance and forgiveness. Back then when every day life was a struggle for survival it seems that any message of hope would have been welcomed and embraced, but we are clearly still in need of this message. Many of us attended Ash Wednesday services last week. I love the imagery of writing out my confession of sin and feel actual relief dropping it in the burning barrel, realizing this is what really happens to my sin when I confess Jesus as my savior. Pastor Karen threw a new wrinkle in this process this year, suggesting we divide our paper in half and write our sins of commission on one half and sins of omission on the other. It's easy to pride myself on being a good person who doesn't (usually) actively seek to do the wrong thing. But sins of omission, those times when I neglect doing the right thing is a whole other matter. I can find those instances so much easier to justify, but the plain truth is that whenever we neglect to do what God expects us to do it's a sin and I need to acknowledge that and ask God's forgiveness. But the season of Lent reminds me that to truly repent I need to not only ask for forgiveness but also ask God for strength to change my heart so that my will bends to His.
Many of us give something up for Lent. We discussed this last week in my small group and many of us had the same experience that giving something up for those 40 days had a lasting effect on our habits going forward. While I value the discipline of fasting as a way to remind me of my need for God this Lenten season I am asking God to help me spot and address my sins of omission as easily as I do those of commission. Of course my hope is that this focus continues beyond Lent bringing me closer to being the person God would have me be.
***
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide "Prayer Guide" for Sunday, 18 February 2018 - Prayer Tip: The Beginning of the Good News
Daily Scripture
Mark 1:1 The beginning of the Good News of Yeshua the Messiah, the Son of God:
The other day I realized that my car had not been washed since last November. There were several reasons – the weather being bad, the business of my week, or it was just too cold to get outside. However, when I finally cleaned it, there was a sense of joy that my car looked brand new.
It’s much like our lives. Over time, if we leave our hearts and souls unattended, they get messy. The season of Lent invites us to let God deal with the mess. That’s not to say that it teaches us about quickly cleaning things up and pretending they were never there, nor is it about ignoring the mess. Rather it invites us to roll up our sleeves and sort through the mess—the bad habits we have. It allows us to see the parts of ourselves we’d rather cover up and bring them into the light. This Lenten season, let us prayerfully consider the dirt and grime of our lives and ask God to wash us clean.
Lord,
As we journey with you to cross, reveal yourself to us. Reveal to us those things that hinder our relationship with you and others.Amen. (Tino Herrera, Congregational Care Pastor)
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Addison McCarty
Addison McCarty is a Sophomore at Blue Valley Southwest High School. She actively participates in rezlife student ministries including being part of a Wednesday night band. She also volunteers weekly with KidsCor.
I moved 1,069 miles this summer from Arizona to Kansas. To say that doesn’t break anything and hurt anyone is unrealistic. Before I moved here I didn’t feel close to God. I stopped paying attention in church. I stopped regularly attending my youth group.
When I moved and saw how important faith was to many people here I started to become active again. I got involved with rezlife, I started attending Bible study and I started volunteering in the nursery. After throwing myself into all of this newness I was worried that it still wouldn’t be enough for God. I worried that because I hadn’t gone to church for so long, I wouldn’t be truly accepted by God, or one day accepted into heaven.
Then I remembered a Bible verse that I learned in Vacation Bible School when I was little: John 3:16. “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life.” This gives me comfort knowing that God’s love is there for me, still and always. Verse 17 says, “God didn’t send his son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” Now I know I won’t even be judged in God’s eyes for stepping away from Him for so long. I’m thankful to be a part of a church that reminds me that God will always love me, no matter what.
***
Ginger Rothhaas
Ginger 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.
I teach self-compassion classes to amazing women who are driven and passionate about their work, loving to everyone they encounter, and faith-filled in their approach to life. Yet they attend my classes because they are awful to themselves. Instead of seeing their worth, they listen to a raging inner critic that reminds them they are never working enough, giving enough, loving enough, thoughtful enough, good enough, funny enough, smart enough, skinny enough, strong enough, etc.
These women understand the concept of God’s unconditional love. But they can’t seem to show it to themselves. They want to, but harsh self-judgment is a hard habit to break. I share with them mental training, tools, tricks, tips, research, theology, and testimonies. Yet the resistance I hear is that unconditional love for themselves seems like a slippery slope into becoming lazy, complacent, thoughtless, unmotivated, unhealthy, weak--and the list goes on.
In our classes, the working definition of unconditional love is: love that cannot be lessened by messing up and love that cannot be increased by improved performance. Unconditional love has no conditions upon what we do or do not do; the love remains unchanged, no matter what happens.
If I test this against the teachings of Jesus, it holds up. Jesus modeled unconditional love in everything he did and taught. However, if I test this definition with some other scriptures it can seem inconsistent. Throughout Scripture we can find many “if-then” statements that sound something like: if you do this, then God will be pleased; if you do this, then God won’t be pleased. Many religious institutions are built on doctrine that contributes to feelings of guilt, brokenness, receiving punishment for bad behavior, receiving rewards for good behavior, and earning more of God’s love by pleasing God.
In our society today, as small children we learn that it feels good to please adults. This desire to please certainly continues in our education system with grading scales, performance reports, and college acceptance letters: Do these things and you get an A. Do these things and people like you. Do these things and you are cool. Do these things and you get accepted into college. There are many messages of “if-then” being thrown at us in marketing, too. We are bombarded with images and words to the effect of: If you buy this product, you will be beautiful, happy, or healthy…and so will all of the people around you.
So we have an inner critic telling us we aren’t doing enough, a grading system telling us we aren’t good enough, and a competitive society telling us we don’t yet have enough. It is no wonder that God’s unconditional love is so hard to accept.
It is easy to get confused and begin thinking that unanswered prayer is a sign that God isn’t pleased with us or that our misfortune is a form of punishment. We are programmed by our culture to earn everything--work hard, be good, and get rewarded. It is natural that we may think God’s love works that way too. Jesus turns this way of thinking (like many other things) upside down. His message carries the tone of, ‘You are loved and you are enough, just the way you are. Come grow with me AS my beloved child.’
God is love. God loves us unconditionally. You can’t earn more of God’s love and you can’t do anything to lose God’s love. You are special to God and so is everyone else. If we can each accept that, then we can fully love others. Allow yourself to feel God’s unconditional love for you. Receive love, be love, and give love…that is what we are called to do.
***
Chris Abel
Chris Abel is the Young Adults Pastor at Resurrection, and he describes himself as a "Pastor/Creative-type/Adventurer." A former atheist turned passionate follower of Christ, he completed his seminary education in Washington, DC. Before coming to Resurrection, Chris was a campus pastor near St. Louis, MO.
This week I’ve had the incredible opportunity to travel with Pastor Adam and 50 young adults to the Holy Land. We’re actually walking where Jesus walked! It’s the strangest feeling to be present in the location I’ve spent my life reading about in scripture. The words are taking on new meaning.
One example of this is the Christmas story. You’ve heard of King Herod - the cruel first century leader who was so fearful of losing his power that he killed his own children - as well as all the newborn males in Bethlehem.
Herod was so obsessed with his own power and status that he even named a mountain palace after himself. He called it the “Herodium.” Here’s what it looks like today:
But when Jesus was born, he wasn’t born into power or privilege. He was born to common people in a simple cave. He didn’t build huge monuments to himself, but humbly served the “least.”
These are two very different lives. One served himself. The other served people.
And even though this happened 2000 years ago, you and I have these choices before us every day. We can choose the path of Herod—the path of self, or we can chose the path of Christ—of service.
But like our passage says today,
“People whose lives are based on selfishness think about selfish things, but people whose lives are based on the Spirit think about things that are related to the Spirit. The attitude that comes from selfishness leads to death, but the attitude that comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6
So what will you choose?
***
Jennifer Creagar
Jennifer Creagar is the Financial Care Program Director in Congregational Care at Resurrection Leawood. She is married and loves spending time with her family, and she enjoys writing and photography.
I love today’s GPS reading because, in these stories, we see how an encounter with Jesus himself completely changes lives. The people Jesus encounters weren’t changed by conversation, or a government plan to improve the lives of tax collectors and women who were living in unsafe, illegal relationships. They weren’t changed by the rejection of their community, or others telling them what bad people they were and pointing out their sins and bad behavior. They were changed by an encounter with Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who reached out to them with love and grace.
Zacchaeus was not very popular in his community because he was a tax collector, and in his culture that was most often an opportunity to get rich by cheating and putting pressure on your neighbors. He was not necessarily a nice man, but when Zacchaeus heard about Jesus, something tugged at his heart and spirit and he needed to see for himself. Jesus reached out and spoke to the outcast sinner. He didn’t say, “Hey Zacchaeus, God knows you are cheating your neighbors. No wonder no one wants to have anything to do with you, sinner!” Jesus said, “Come on down here, I need to meet you and spend time with you in your home today. You are not an outcast to me.” And Zacchaeus was changed, and because Zacchaeus was changed, the lives of people around him were changed as he sought to make amends for the wrongs he had done. Seeing Jesus’ face, hearing Jesus’ voice, feeling Jesus’ love and caring changed Zacchaeus.
The woman caught in adultery was probably even more of an outcast than Zacchaeus. Her life and her sin made everyone uncomfortable, and the Law of Moses demanded a horrible price for those sins. The Pharisees had all the power and the common interpretation of the Law on their sides. No one was going to speak for her. Then she encountered Jesus, who, instead of asking for someone to step up from the crowd and speak for her, asked the simple question, “Who here is without sin, and entitled to stone this woman? Who can throw the first stone?” And no one could. Then he reaches out to her and says, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, don’t sin anymore.” Jesus not only stood up for this woman and protected her from a horrible death, he told her that he accepted her and that there was a way for her to have a different life.
Neither one of these people was easy to love, or without real issues and sins. They weren’t just misunderstood. They were not living the way God wanted, but they were never going to be changed by rejection and judgment. Without Jesus’ love and grace, they would have continued to the sad end that their actions and the judgment of others made inevitable.
We are called to be Jesus to the people we encounter. We are standing in the crowd with the opportunity to dine with the outcast, to accept the sinner as a person who God loves and values. One person at a time. One face at a time. One opportunity at a time. It’s a scary thing, to think of ourselves as the face and hands and feet of Christ, but it’s a tremendous blessing, too. Because of Jesus, we can offer grace and friendship and support and acceptance just as Jesus has offered his grace to us.
***
Brandon Gregory
Brandon Gregory is a volunteer for the worship and missions teams at Church of the Resurrection. He helps lead worship at Vibe, West and Downtown services, and is involved with the Malawi missions team at home.
In today’s passage (Matthew 8:14 – 9:13, 35-38), we see Jesus work a multitude of miracles everywhere he goes. And it’s so easy to stop there. The miracles were an amazing sign of God’s power, to be sure—but they weren’t the point of the story. Jesus’s miracles were a sign of authority that enabled him to do his real work: transforming and loving people. Jesus’ words in 9:37-38 illustrate this: “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers for his harvest.”
Jesus wasn’t asking his disciples to go out and miraculously heal people—he was asking them to go out and care for people, meeting their emotional and spiritual needs and leading them to the truth. It’s easy to look at Jesus’s miracles and think of it as some far-off fantastical scenario that will never play out in your life. But Jesus’ real mission of saving people is something that still plays out today, if you’re willing to look for it.
I learned this for myself at 20 years old when my college campus ministry leadership team went to a busy public park in Orlando, Florida to go out and help people. We got there, prayed as a team, and went out two by two to just meet people where they were at. I was a little stumped, and so was my partner, Yadhira. But we weren’t about to give up, so we walked around until we found someone we could help.
We found an older man, by himself, loading bales of hay into a pickup truck. We stopped and asked if he needed any help. After a quick conversation, he agreed and we began helping him load the hay bales into his truck. His wife didn’t get out much and he had stopped going to church years ago, so he didn’t have much of a social network. He enjoyed the company as we talked and laughed about what was going on in his life and how it was oddly similar to what was going on in the lives of these two college kids.
By the time we finished up, the man was in a much better mood than when he started. But that’s when something amazing happened. The man began weeping, trying to contain his sobs, as he told us about his son who was battling cancer. The outlook was such that he had no idea if his son was going to live or not.
He’d told us he stopped going to church a long time ago, but we found out why: nobody cared. His wife got sick and nobody cared. He lost his job and nobody cared. Life kept happening to him and nobody cared. They were so busy with their own lives that they never made this man a part of them. So when his son came down with cancer, of course he didn’t think to go to the church. And because of his experience with the church, he never thought to go to God. But two college kids took the time to help him load bales of hay and ask about his life, and that was more than anyone had cared in a long time. He found himself gushing to us about his life because he had nobody else, besides his family, to talk to.
This experience shook me. Surely it was some divine appointment, some once-in-a-lifetime experience. But I started really working on being there for people—everyone in my life. I took the time to get to know and take a genuine interest in my coworkers and friends, and also people like restaurant and grocery store workers or even service workers that stopped in my house. And I was amazed to see that similar things happened all the time. Coworkers opened up about their failing marriages, grocery clerks opened up about their fears of never getting anywhere in life and their dreams for the future, Subway sandwich artists opened up about their parents’ divorces. People longed for human connection, and many of them were incredibly lonely.
That’s what Jesus meant when he said the harvest was big, but the workers were few. There are many, many people out there who need help: a listening ear, a nonjudgmental friend, or a shoulder to cry on. But, like the people who drove the man in that park away from church to begin with, many people are too busy to notice and care. And so most of us go through life pretending to be happy because we’ve sadly learned that nothing good comes from opening up about your struggles. People long to hear hope, love, and support, and it’s sadly hard to find.
Having deep and potentially life-changing interactions with people, even strangers, is easier than you think. Many people are waiting desperately for a chance to have an encounter like that. Be patient and nonjudgmental and genuinely care about everyone in your life, from coworkers to service workers, and these opportunities will pop up fairly regularly. Be the safe space people need, even when it looks like they don’t need it, and many people will eventually use it. The harvest is great, but the workers are few. Be one of the few that care enough to work every day at that.
***
Donna Karlen
Donna Karlen serves in Communications at Church of the Resurrection by creating and managing social media content.
What Should We Do?
Imagine standing in this crowd of people and hearing how you had crucified the “Lord and Christ”! Who among us wouldn’t cry out – just like those listening to Peter – “What should we do?” Peter’s response? “Change your hearts and lives.”
They got right on it! The new believers demonstrated their devotion to Jesus and began to answer their own "what should we do?" question by helping those in need.
2000 years later, God has added us to this community, and we are called to answer the same question...
A hurricane causes devastating damage to homes, schools, churches, crops – to the lives of millions in Puerto Rico.
What should we do?
https://cor.org/leawood/search?q=puerto+rico#d/serve/15468/cor_l
Not Emergency Response Trained yet? Sign up for the March 3 training.
https://gp-reg.brtapp.com/ERT-COR032018
Vulnerable children in Malawi live in extreme poverty – many are exploited and abused.
What should we do?
https://cor.org/leawood/globalimpact#malawi-partnerships
Cities in our own country are “home” to many who are homeless.
What should we do?
https://cor.org/leawood/globalimpact/usservetrips
In our own community, children are distracted at school because with no bed to sleep on, they don’t get the rest they need… or their stomachs rumble when they have no access to nutritious food over the weekends. Some of them dream of going to their school prom but have nothing to wear. Others don’t read at home because they have no books in the house.
What should we do?
https://cor.org/leawood/localimpact/in-kind-donations#beds-ministry-donations
https://cor.org/leawood/localimpact/serve-youth
https://cor.org/leawood/localimpact/in-kind-donations#prom-drive
https://cor.org/leawood/localimpact/serve-youth#bookmobile
Fifty years after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., racism still rears its ugly head in Kansas City.
What should we do?
http://alliesforracialjustice.org/
These are just some of the answers to our own “What should we do?” question. Just like those early believers, let us seek even more ways to demonstrate God’s goodness to everyone.
***
Daily Scripture
Mark 1:1 The beginning of the Good News of Yeshua the Messiah, the Son of God:
4 So it was that Yochanan the Immerser appeared in the desert, proclaiming an immersion involving turning to God from sin in order to be forgiven. 5 People went out to him from all over Y’hudah, as did all the inhabitants of Yerushalayim. Confessing their sins, they were immersed by him in the Yarden River.
9 Shortly thereafter, Yeshua came from Natzeret in the Galil and was immersed in the Yarden by Yochanan. 10 Immediately upon coming up out of the water, he saw heaven torn open and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; 11 then a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, whom I love; I am well pleased with you.”
12 Immediately the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by the Adversary. He was with the wild animals, and the angels took care of him.
Prayer TipThe other day I realized that my car had not been washed since last November. There were several reasons – the weather being bad, the business of my week, or it was just too cold to get outside. However, when I finally cleaned it, there was a sense of joy that my car looked brand new.
It’s much like our lives. Over time, if we leave our hearts and souls unattended, they get messy. The season of Lent invites us to let God deal with the mess. That’s not to say that it teaches us about quickly cleaning things up and pretending they were never there, nor is it about ignoring the mess. Rather it invites us to roll up our sleeves and sort through the mess—the bad habits we have. It allows us to see the parts of ourselves we’d rather cover up and bring them into the light. This Lenten season, let us prayerfully consider the dirt and grime of our lives and ask God to wash us clean.
Lord,
As we journey with you to cross, reveal yourself to us. Reveal to us those things that hinder our relationship with you and others.Amen. (Tino Herrera, Congregational Care Pastor)
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You might also like
- Jesus' summary: God's answer to our brokenness
- Jesus showed us: God is love and light
- Serving Jesus: the struggle and the victory
- Jesus' mercy and compassion
- Observing Jesus in action
- Or download this week's printable GPS.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide for Saturday, 17 February 2018 - Jesus' summary: God's answer to our brokenness
Daily Scripture
John 3:1 There was a man among the P’rushim, named Nakdimon, who was a ruler of the Judeans. 2 This man came to Yeshua by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know it is from God that you have come as a teacher; for no one can do these miracles you perform unless God is with him.” 3 “Yes, indeed,” Yeshua answered him, “I tell you that unless a person is born again from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Reflection Questions“In [John 3:16], we find the essence of Christian theology.”* Nicodemus, a member of the highest Hebrew religious council, saw Jesus’ obvious spiritual power, and wanted to talk to this new teacher. He came at night—he wasn’t ready to risk his status as a leader. John 3:16 sprang from their visit. Earlier in their talk, Jesus spoke about being “born again” (perhaps a pun with a serious point—the Greek word anothen translated “again” could also mean “from above”). When the council later moved to condemn Jesus, Nicodemus timidly asked them to give Jesus a fair hearing, but apparently backed off when they mocked him (cf. John 7:43-52).
The Bible teaches us about who Jesus was and all He did to help others. Create a stack of “Jesus Scriptures” for your home. Gather and distribute colorful index cards and pens or pencils along with a Bible to each family member. Ask each person to choose 3-4 favorite Bible verses or stories about Jesus and write one reference on each card. (If you have very young family members, invite them to draw pictures describing the verses or to help other family member with their stacks.) Collect the cards and keep them on the dining table. Before each meal, select a card, read the passage and pray to become more like Jesus. Also, thank God for Jesus. Place that card on the bottom of the stack and repeat each day. Add to your stack throughout the weeks ahead.
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, p. 115.
***
Daily Scripture
John 3:1 There was a man among the P’rushim, named Nakdimon, who was a ruler of the Judeans. 2 This man came to Yeshua by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know it is from God that you have come as a teacher; for no one can do these miracles you perform unless God is with him.” 3 “Yes, indeed,” Yeshua answered him, “I tell you that unless a person is born again from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
4 Nakdimon said to him, “How can a grown man be ‘born’? Can he go back into his mother’s womb and be born a second time?” 5 Yeshua answered, “Yes, indeed, I tell you that unless a person is born from water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. 6 What is born from the flesh is flesh, and what is born from the Spirit is spirit. 7 Stop being amazed at my telling you that you must be born again from above! 8 The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it’s going. That’s how it is with everyone who has been born from the Spirit.”
16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in him may have eternal life, instead of being utterly destroyed. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but rather so that through him, the world might be saved. 18 Those who trust in him are not judged; those who do not trust have been judged already, in that they have not trusted in the one who is God’s only and unique Son.
19 “Now this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, but people loved the darkness rather than the light. Why? Because their actions were wicked. 20 For everyone who does evil things hates the light and avoids it, so that his actions won’t be exposed. 21 But everyone who does what is true comes to the light, so that all may see that his actions are accomplished through God.”
***Reflection Questions“In [John 3:16], we find the essence of Christian theology.”* Nicodemus, a member of the highest Hebrew religious council, saw Jesus’ obvious spiritual power, and wanted to talk to this new teacher. He came at night—he wasn’t ready to risk his status as a leader. John 3:16 sprang from their visit. Earlier in their talk, Jesus spoke about being “born again” (perhaps a pun with a serious point—the Greek word anothen translated “again” could also mean “from above”). When the council later moved to condemn Jesus, Nicodemus timidly asked them to give Jesus a fair hearing, but apparently backed off when they mocked him (cf. John 7:43-52).
- With his keen sense of irony, John wrote that Jesus told Nicodemus (who came to him under cover of darkness), “This is the basis for judgment: The light came into the world, and people loved darkness more than the light, for their actions are evil.” The words must have jolted the cautious, comfortable Pharisee. When has someone or something brought you up short, and given you reason to think, hard, about your values and priorities? How did Jesus connect the ideas of “birth” and “new life” in this section? In what ways (if at all) do you believe your eternal life has begun due to the impact of God’s love on your life? How has God brought you from the darkness into the light?
The Bible teaches us about who Jesus was and all He did to help others. Create a stack of “Jesus Scriptures” for your home. Gather and distribute colorful index cards and pens or pencils along with a Bible to each family member. Ask each person to choose 3-4 favorite Bible verses or stories about Jesus and write one reference on each card. (If you have very young family members, invite them to draw pictures describing the verses or to help other family member with their stacks.) Collect the cards and keep them on the dining table. Before each meal, select a card, read the passage and pray to become more like Jesus. Also, thank God for Jesus. Place that card on the bottom of the stack and repeat each day. Add to your stack throughout the weeks ahead.
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, p. 115.
***
Addison McCartyAddison McCarty is a Sophomore at Blue Valley Southwest High School. She actively participates in rezlife student ministries including being part of a Wednesday night band. She also volunteers weekly with KidsCor.
I moved 1,069 miles this summer from Arizona to Kansas. To say that doesn’t break anything and hurt anyone is unrealistic. Before I moved here I didn’t feel close to God. I stopped paying attention in church. I stopped regularly attending my youth group.
When I moved and saw how important faith was to many people here I started to become active again. I got involved with rezlife, I started attending Bible study and I started volunteering in the nursery. After throwing myself into all of this newness I was worried that it still wouldn’t be enough for God. I worried that because I hadn’t gone to church for so long, I wouldn’t be truly accepted by God, or one day accepted into heaven.
Then I remembered a Bible verse that I learned in Vacation Bible School when I was little: John 3:16. “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life.” This gives me comfort knowing that God’s love is there for me, still and always. Verse 17 says, “God didn’t send his son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” Now I know I won’t even be judged in God’s eyes for stepping away from Him for so long. I’m thankful to be a part of a church that reminds me that God will always love me, no matter what.
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide for Friday, 16 February 2018 - Jesus showed us: God is love and light
Daily Scripture
1 John 1:1 The Word, which gives life!
Reflection Questions“I am a Christian because I believe Christianity offers the most complete and authentically human way to live. Following Christ moves us to love our neighbors and our enemies.”* The 27 New Testament books are first-century documents from people who knew Jesus in person or had talked to the apostles and others who knew him. These real people knew Jesus, bore witness to him, and worshipped him—all within a few decades (at most) of his death. Jesus showed that God loves us, John wrote—and that is the reason that we can love one another.
Lord Jesus, you are the ultimate source of love, the awe-inspiring model who shows me the lengths to which love went to reach me. Keep growing my ability to love you and others in all circumstances. Amen.
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, p. 127.
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Daily Scripture
1 John 1:1 The Word, which gives life!
He existed from the beginning.
We have heard him,
we have seen him with our eyes,
we have contemplated him,
we have touched him with our hands!
2 The life appeared,
and we have seen it.
We are testifying to it
and announcing it to you —
eternal life!
He was with the Father,
and he appeared to us.
3 What we have seen and heard,
we are proclaiming to you;
so that you too
may have fellowship with us.
Our fellowship is with the Father
and with his Son, Yeshua the Messiah.
4 We are writing these things
so that our joy may be complete.
5 And this is the message which we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him — none!
6 If we claim to have fellowship with him while we are walking in the darkness, we are lying and not living out the truth. 7 But if we are walking in the light, as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of his Son Yeshua purifies us from all sin.
8 If we claim not to have sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we acknowledge our sins, then, since he is trustworthy and just, he will forgive them and purify us from all wrongdoing.
10 If we claim we have not been sinning, we are making him out to be a liar, and his Word is not in us.
2:1 My children, I am writing you these things so that you won’t sin. But if anyone does sin, we have Yeshua the Messiah, the Tzaddik, who pleads our cause with the Father. 2 Also, he is the kapparah for our sins — and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.
3 The way we can be sure we know him is if we are obeying his commands. 4 Anyone who says, “I know him,” but isn’t obeying his commands is a liar — the truth is not in him. 5 But if someone keeps doing what he says, then truly love for God has been brought to its goal in him. This is how we are sure that we are united with him. 6 A person who claims to be continuing in union with him ought to conduct his life the way he did.
1 John 4:7 Beloved friends, let us love one another; because love is from God; and everyone who loves has God as his Father and knows God. 8 Those who do not love, do not know God; because God is love. 9 Here is how God showed his love among us: God sent his only Son into the world, so that through him we might have life. 10 Here is what love is: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the kapparah for our sins.
11 Beloved friends, if this is how God loved us, we likewise ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God remains united with us, and our love for him has been brought to its goal in us.
***Reflection Questions“I am a Christian because I believe Christianity offers the most complete and authentically human way to live. Following Christ moves us to love our neighbors and our enemies.”* The 27 New Testament books are first-century documents from people who knew Jesus in person or had talked to the apostles and others who knew him. These real people knew Jesus, bore witness to him, and worshipped him—all within a few decades (at most) of his death. Jesus showed that God loves us, John wrote—and that is the reason that we can love one another.
- John’s claim was (and is) amazing. He said he had heard, seen, and touched “the Word of life” which was “from the beginning”: i.e. God, creator and savior! This was no abstract theory. John wrote about someone he’d known. How can John’s direct eyewitness testimony give you a firmer basis for your faith? Does that quality of testimony help you trust that Jesus is “the eternal life that was with the Father”? When first-century writers said, “We knew Jesus,” how seriously should you take the implications of their claim?
- Most of us know the words: “God is love.” Are there life experiences and inner messages that make it hard for you to rely on God’s love? What helps you trust God’s love more? Which people do you find it hardest to love as God loves them? In what ways has God’s love, and the love of other people you know, helped you to keep living in love even when you face trouble, confusion, harassment or life knocking you down?
Lord Jesus, you are the ultimate source of love, the awe-inspiring model who shows me the lengths to which love went to reach me. Keep growing my ability to love you and others in all circumstances. Amen.
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, p. 127.
***
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.
I teach self-compassion classes to amazing women who are driven and passionate about their work, loving to everyone they encounter, and faith-filled in their approach to life. Yet they attend my classes because they are awful to themselves. Instead of seeing their worth, they listen to a raging inner critic that reminds them they are never working enough, giving enough, loving enough, thoughtful enough, good enough, funny enough, smart enough, skinny enough, strong enough, etc.
These women understand the concept of God’s unconditional love. But they can’t seem to show it to themselves. They want to, but harsh self-judgment is a hard habit to break. I share with them mental training, tools, tricks, tips, research, theology, and testimonies. Yet the resistance I hear is that unconditional love for themselves seems like a slippery slope into becoming lazy, complacent, thoughtless, unmotivated, unhealthy, weak--and the list goes on.
In our classes, the working definition of unconditional love is: love that cannot be lessened by messing up and love that cannot be increased by improved performance. Unconditional love has no conditions upon what we do or do not do; the love remains unchanged, no matter what happens.
If I test this against the teachings of Jesus, it holds up. Jesus modeled unconditional love in everything he did and taught. However, if I test this definition with some other scriptures it can seem inconsistent. Throughout Scripture we can find many “if-then” statements that sound something like: if you do this, then God will be pleased; if you do this, then God won’t be pleased. Many religious institutions are built on doctrine that contributes to feelings of guilt, brokenness, receiving punishment for bad behavior, receiving rewards for good behavior, and earning more of God’s love by pleasing God.
In our society today, as small children we learn that it feels good to please adults. This desire to please certainly continues in our education system with grading scales, performance reports, and college acceptance letters: Do these things and you get an A. Do these things and people like you. Do these things and you are cool. Do these things and you get accepted into college. There are many messages of “if-then” being thrown at us in marketing, too. We are bombarded with images and words to the effect of: If you buy this product, you will be beautiful, happy, or healthy…and so will all of the people around you.
So we have an inner critic telling us we aren’t doing enough, a grading system telling us we aren’t good enough, and a competitive society telling us we don’t yet have enough. It is no wonder that God’s unconditional love is so hard to accept.
It is easy to get confused and begin thinking that unanswered prayer is a sign that God isn’t pleased with us or that our misfortune is a form of punishment. We are programmed by our culture to earn everything--work hard, be good, and get rewarded. It is natural that we may think God’s love works that way too. Jesus turns this way of thinking (like many other things) upside down. His message carries the tone of, ‘You are loved and you are enough, just the way you are. Come grow with me AS my beloved child.’
God is love. God loves us unconditionally. You can’t earn more of God’s love and you can’t do anything to lose God’s love. You are special to God and so is everyone else. If we can each accept that, then we can fully love others. Allow yourself to feel God’s unconditional love for you. Receive love, be love, and give love…that is what we are called to do.
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide for Friday, 15 February 2018 - Serving Jesus: the struggle and the victory
Daily Scripture
Romans 7:14 For we know that the Torah is of the Spirit; but as for me, I am bound to the old nature, sold to sin as a slave. 15 I don’t understand my own behavior — I don’t do what I want to do; instead, I do the very thing I hate! 16 Now if I am doing what I don’t want to do, I am agreeing that the Torah is good. 17 But now it is no longer “the real me” doing it, but the sin housed inside me. 18 For I know that there is nothing good housed inside me — that is, inside my old nature. I can want what is good, but I can’t do it! 19 For I don’t do the good I want; instead, the evil that I don’t want is what I do! 20 But if I am doing what “the real me” doesn’t want, it is no longer “the real me” doing it but the sin housed inside me. 21 So I find it to be the rule, a kind of perverse “torah,” that although I want to do what is good, evil is right there with me! 22 For in my inner self I completely agree with God’s Torah; 23 but in my various parts, I see a different “torah,” one that battles with the Torah in my mind and makes me a prisoner of sin’s “torah,” which is operating in my various parts. 24 What a miserable creature I am! Who will rescue me from this body bound for death? 25 Thanks be to God [, he will]! — through Yeshua the Messiah, our Lord!
Reflection Questions
“I am a Christian because I have felt Christ’s presence in my life…. If you do not know Christ… you are missing out on a peace and a joy whose equal you simply cannot find anywhere else.”* Paul told the Romans plainly about the struggle between good and evil in his own life. Gritting his teeth and resolving to do better, he said, didn’t produce the good he sought. It was only as he trusted in Jesus' grace that he found, day by day, God’s power freeing him from evil’s grip. As The Message rendered Romans 8:1, “Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud.”
Lord Jesus, as a member of your family, I choose to focus on you and the power of your reconciling love, rather than on myself and my feelings of shame and despair. Thank you, Jesus, for making this new life possible. Amen.
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, pp. 130-131.
***
Daily Scripture
Romans 7:14 For we know that the Torah is of the Spirit; but as for me, I am bound to the old nature, sold to sin as a slave. 15 I don’t understand my own behavior — I don’t do what I want to do; instead, I do the very thing I hate! 16 Now if I am doing what I don’t want to do, I am agreeing that the Torah is good. 17 But now it is no longer “the real me” doing it, but the sin housed inside me. 18 For I know that there is nothing good housed inside me — that is, inside my old nature. I can want what is good, but I can’t do it! 19 For I don’t do the good I want; instead, the evil that I don’t want is what I do! 20 But if I am doing what “the real me” doesn’t want, it is no longer “the real me” doing it but the sin housed inside me. 21 So I find it to be the rule, a kind of perverse “torah,” that although I want to do what is good, evil is right there with me! 22 For in my inner self I completely agree with God’s Torah; 23 but in my various parts, I see a different “torah,” one that battles with the Torah in my mind and makes me a prisoner of sin’s “torah,” which is operating in my various parts. 24 What a miserable creature I am! Who will rescue me from this body bound for death? 25 Thanks be to God [, he will]! — through Yeshua the Messiah, our Lord!
To sum up: with my mind, I am a slave of God’s Torah; but with my old nature, I am a slave of sin’s “Torah.”
8:1 Therefore, there is no longer any condemnation awaiting those who are in union with the Messiah Yeshua. 2 Why? Because the Torah of the Spirit, which produces this life in union with Messiah Yeshua, has set me free from the “Torah” of sin and death. 3 For what the Torah could not do by itself, because it lacked the power to make the old nature cooperate, God did by sending his own Son as a human being with a nature like our own sinful one [but without sin]. God did this in order to deal with sin, and in so doing he executed the punishment against sin in human nature, 4 so that the just requirement of the Torah might be fulfilled in us who do not run our lives according to what our old nature wants but according to what the Spirit wants. 5 For those who identify with their old nature set their minds on the things of the old nature, but those who identify with the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 Having one’s mind controlled by the old nature is death, but having one’s mind controlled by the Spirit is life and shalom. 7 For the mind controlled by the old nature is hostile to God, because it does not submit itself to God’s Torah — indeed, it cannot. 8 Thus, those who identify with their old nature cannot please God.
9 But you, you do not identify with your old nature but with the Spirit — provided the Spirit of God is living inside you, for anyone who doesn’t have the Spirit of the Messiah doesn’t belong to him. 10 However, if the Messiah is in you, then, on the one hand, the body is dead because of sin; but, on the other hand, the Spirit is giving life because God considers you righteous. 11 And if the Spirit of the One who raised Yeshua from the dead is living in you, then the One who raised the Messiah Yeshua from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit living in you.
12 So then, brothers, we don’t owe a thing to our old nature that would require us to live according to our old nature. 13 For if you live according to your old nature, you will certainly die; but if, by the Spirit, you keep putting to death the practices of the body, you will live.
14 All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to bring you back again into fear; on the contrary, you received the Spirit, who makes us sons and by whose power we cry out, “Abba!” (that is, “Dear Father!”). 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our own spirits that we are children of God; 17 and if we are children, then we are also heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with the Messiah — provided we are suffering with him in order also to be glorified with him.
***Reflection Questions
“I am a Christian because I have felt Christ’s presence in my life…. If you do not know Christ… you are missing out on a peace and a joy whose equal you simply cannot find anywhere else.”* Paul told the Romans plainly about the struggle between good and evil in his own life. Gritting his teeth and resolving to do better, he said, didn’t produce the good he sought. It was only as he trusted in Jesus' grace that he found, day by day, God’s power freeing him from evil’s grip. As The Message rendered Romans 8:1, “Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud.”
- Paul’s picture of our inner struggles was not unique. The Roman philosopher Seneca wrote of “our helplessness in necessary things.” But Paul’s words did not end in despair. “Who will deliver me from this dead corpse? Thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (verse 24-25) When have you experienced Christ’s power, not wiping out the struggle, but empowering you to more and more come out on the right side of it?
- In Romans 8:3, Paul wrote that God sent “his own Son to deal with sin.” Moralistic religion often deepens condemnation by saying it’s up to you to “deal with sin” in your life. How can trusting that Jesus has already dealt with your sin and rid you of condemnation free your energy to live out the positive principles of service and community God calls you to? How can you keep your faith focused on Christ and the good he offers you, rather than focusing on the bad you don’t want to do?
Lord Jesus, as a member of your family, I choose to focus on you and the power of your reconciling love, rather than on myself and my feelings of shame and despair. Thank you, Jesus, for making this new life possible. Amen.
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, pp. 130-131.
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Chris AbelChris Abel is the Young Adults Pastor at Resurrection, and he describes himself as a "Pastor/Creative-type/Adventurer." A former atheist turned passionate follower of Christ, he completed his seminary education in Washington, DC. Before coming to Resurrection, Chris was a campus pastor near St. Louis, MO.
This week I’ve had the incredible opportunity to travel with Pastor Adam and 50 young adults to the Holy Land. We’re actually walking where Jesus walked! It’s the strangest feeling to be present in the location I’ve spent my life reading about in scripture. The words are taking on new meaning.
One example of this is the Christmas story. You’ve heard of King Herod - the cruel first century leader who was so fearful of losing his power that he killed his own children - as well as all the newborn males in Bethlehem.
Herod was so obsessed with his own power and status that he even named a mountain palace after himself. He called it the “Herodium.” Here’s what it looks like today:
These are two very different lives. One served himself. The other served people.
And even though this happened 2000 years ago, you and I have these choices before us every day. We can choose the path of Herod—the path of self, or we can chose the path of Christ—of service.
But like our passage says today,
“People whose lives are based on selfishness think about selfish things, but people whose lives are based on the Spirit think about things that are related to the Spirit. The attitude that comes from selfishness leads to death, but the attitude that comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6
So what will you choose?
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide for Thursday, 14 February 2018 - Jesus' mercy and compassion
Daily Scripture (Ash Wednesday)
Luke 19:1 Yeshua entered Yericho and was passing through, 2 when a man named Zakkai appeared who was a chief tax-collector and a wealthy man. 3 He was trying to see who Yeshua was; but, being short, he couldn’t, because of the crowd. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed a fig tree in order to see him, for Yeshua was about to pass that way. 5 When he came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zakkai! Hurry! Come down, because I have to stay at your house today!” 6 He climbed down as fast as he could and welcomed Yeshua joyfully. 7 Everyone who saw it began muttering, “He has gone to be the house-guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zakkai stood there and said to the Lord, “Here, Lord, I am giving half of all I own to the poor; and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four times as much.” 9 Yeshua said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, inasmuch as this man too is a son of Avraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.”
John 8:1 But Yeshua went to the Mount of Olives. 2 At daybreak, he appeared again in the Temple Court, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The Torah-teachers and the P’rushim brought in a woman who had been caught committing adultery and made her stand in the center of the group. 4 Then they said to him, “Rabbi, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 Now in our Torah, Moshe commanded that such a woman be stoned to death. What do you say about it?” 6 They said this to trap him, so that they might have ground for bringing charges against him; but Yeshua bent down and began writing in the dust with his finger. 7 When they kept questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “The one of you who is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Then he bent down and wrote in the dust again. 9 On hearing this, they began to leave, one by one, the older ones first, until he was left alone, with the woman still there. 10 Standing up, Yeshua said to her, “Where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, sir.” Yeshua said, “Neither do I condemn you. Now go, and don’t sin any more.”
***
Daily Scripture (Ash Wednesday)
Luke 19:1 Yeshua entered Yericho and was passing through, 2 when a man named Zakkai appeared who was a chief tax-collector and a wealthy man. 3 He was trying to see who Yeshua was; but, being short, he couldn’t, because of the crowd. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed a fig tree in order to see him, for Yeshua was about to pass that way. 5 When he came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zakkai! Hurry! Come down, because I have to stay at your house today!” 6 He climbed down as fast as he could and welcomed Yeshua joyfully. 7 Everyone who saw it began muttering, “He has gone to be the house-guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zakkai stood there and said to the Lord, “Here, Lord, I am giving half of all I own to the poor; and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four times as much.” 9 Yeshua said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, inasmuch as this man too is a son of Avraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.”
John 8:1 But Yeshua went to the Mount of Olives. 2 At daybreak, he appeared again in the Temple Court, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The Torah-teachers and the P’rushim brought in a woman who had been caught committing adultery and made her stand in the center of the group. 4 Then they said to him, “Rabbi, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 Now in our Torah, Moshe commanded that such a woman be stoned to death. What do you say about it?” 6 They said this to trap him, so that they might have ground for bringing charges against him; but Yeshua bent down and began writing in the dust with his finger. 7 When they kept questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “The one of you who is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Then he bent down and wrote in the dust again. 9 On hearing this, they began to leave, one by one, the older ones first, until he was left alone, with the woman still there. 10 Standing up, Yeshua said to her, “Where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, sir.” Yeshua said, “Neither do I condemn you. Now go, and don’t sin any more.”
***
Reflection Questions
“I am a Christian because… [Jesus] offers forgiveness—not cheap acceptance, but costly grace. Upon receiving that grace, people are changed; and a new life begins.”* Zacchaeus was a despised tax collector. When Jesus invited himself to eat with Zacchaeus, people grumbled. But Jesus' love, not condemnation, changed Zacchaeus’ life. The religious leaders in John 8, stones in hand, saw themselves as righteous. Jesus said, “Whoever hasn’t sinned should throw the first stone” (verse 7). Faced by this challenge, the “righteous” people slunk away. Jesus told the woman whose life he’d saved, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, don’t sin anymore.”
Lord Jesus, you don’t condemn me? You want to stay in my home, in my heart? I welcome you, I thank you, and I commit my humbled, grateful self to follow you. Amen.
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, p. 129.
***
“I am a Christian because… [Jesus] offers forgiveness—not cheap acceptance, but costly grace. Upon receiving that grace, people are changed; and a new life begins.”* Zacchaeus was a despised tax collector. When Jesus invited himself to eat with Zacchaeus, people grumbled. But Jesus' love, not condemnation, changed Zacchaeus’ life. The religious leaders in John 8, stones in hand, saw themselves as righteous. Jesus said, “Whoever hasn’t sinned should throw the first stone” (verse 7). Faced by this challenge, the “righteous” people slunk away. Jesus told the woman whose life he’d saved, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, don’t sin anymore.”
- Somehow, in Zacchaeus, the self-serving tax collector, Jesus saw a man who could be generous. To the townspeople’s amazement, he turned out to be right. Zacchaeus said, “I give half of my possessions to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone, I repay them four times as much.” Do you know anyone who radically reoriented their life after meeting Jesus? What good qualities has Jesus drawn out or magnified in you?
- Around 1400, William Langland wrote, “All the wickedness in the world that man might work or think is no more to the mercy of God than a live coal in the sea.” Imagine yourself like the accused woman huddled on the ground. No matter what guilt or shame may haunt you, hear Jesus say, “I don’t condemn you.” How can those words open you to greater freedom, peace and joy? How can you share that life-giving message with other struggling people?
Lord Jesus, you don’t condemn me? You want to stay in my home, in my heart? I welcome you, I thank you, and I commit my humbled, grateful self to follow you. Amen.
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, p. 129.
***
Jennifer CreagarJennifer Creagar is the Financial Care Program Director in Congregational Care at Resurrection Leawood. She is married and loves spending time with her family, and she enjoys writing and photography.
I love today’s GPS reading because, in these stories, we see how an encounter with Jesus himself completely changes lives. The people Jesus encounters weren’t changed by conversation, or a government plan to improve the lives of tax collectors and women who were living in unsafe, illegal relationships. They weren’t changed by the rejection of their community, or others telling them what bad people they were and pointing out their sins and bad behavior. They were changed by an encounter with Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who reached out to them with love and grace.
Zacchaeus was not very popular in his community because he was a tax collector, and in his culture that was most often an opportunity to get rich by cheating and putting pressure on your neighbors. He was not necessarily a nice man, but when Zacchaeus heard about Jesus, something tugged at his heart and spirit and he needed to see for himself. Jesus reached out and spoke to the outcast sinner. He didn’t say, “Hey Zacchaeus, God knows you are cheating your neighbors. No wonder no one wants to have anything to do with you, sinner!” Jesus said, “Come on down here, I need to meet you and spend time with you in your home today. You are not an outcast to me.” And Zacchaeus was changed, and because Zacchaeus was changed, the lives of people around him were changed as he sought to make amends for the wrongs he had done. Seeing Jesus’ face, hearing Jesus’ voice, feeling Jesus’ love and caring changed Zacchaeus.
The woman caught in adultery was probably even more of an outcast than Zacchaeus. Her life and her sin made everyone uncomfortable, and the Law of Moses demanded a horrible price for those sins. The Pharisees had all the power and the common interpretation of the Law on their sides. No one was going to speak for her. Then she encountered Jesus, who, instead of asking for someone to step up from the crowd and speak for her, asked the simple question, “Who here is without sin, and entitled to stone this woman? Who can throw the first stone?” And no one could. Then he reaches out to her and says, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, don’t sin anymore.” Jesus not only stood up for this woman and protected her from a horrible death, he told her that he accepted her and that there was a way for her to have a different life.
Neither one of these people was easy to love, or without real issues and sins. They weren’t just misunderstood. They were not living the way God wanted, but they were never going to be changed by rejection and judgment. Without Jesus’ love and grace, they would have continued to the sad end that their actions and the judgment of others made inevitable.
We are called to be Jesus to the people we encounter. We are standing in the crowd with the opportunity to dine with the outcast, to accept the sinner as a person who God loves and values. One person at a time. One face at a time. One opportunity at a time. It’s a scary thing, to think of ourselves as the face and hands and feet of Christ, but it’s a tremendous blessing, too. Because of Jesus, we can offer grace and friendship and support and acceptance just as Jesus has offered his grace to us.
***
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide for Tuesday, 13 February 2018 - Observing Jesus in action
Daily Scripture
Matthew 8:14 Yeshua went to Kefa’s home and there saw Kefa’s mother-in-law sick in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, the fever left her, and she got up and began helping him.
Reflection Questions
“I am a Christian because in Jesus I find the most authentic, compelling, moving picture of God and his love that I can imagine.”* In today’s reading, we see the heart of Jesus. We see him tirelessly working to restore people’s physical, emotional and spiritual wholeness. He was, literally, “a man on a mission.” One key to the early Christians’ power was their attitude toward those around them, an attitude they learned from Jesus.
King Jesus, well-being and wholeness, in many forms, seemed to spring up wherever you went. I need that, too, so I’m grateful that you continue to work in my life today. Amen.
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, p. 129.
***
Daily Scripture
Matthew 8:14 Yeshua went to Kefa’s home and there saw Kefa’s mother-in-law sick in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, the fever left her, and she got up and began helping him.
16 When evening came, many people held in the power of demons were brought to him. He expelled the spirits with a word and healed all who were ill. 17 This was done to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Yesha‘yahu,
“He himself took our weaknesses
and bore our diseases”[Matthew 8:17 Isaiah 53:4]
18 When Yeshua saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 A Torah-teacher approached and said to him, “Rabbi, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 Yeshua said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds flying about have nests, but the Son of Man has no home of his own.” 21 Another of the talmidim said to him, “Sir, first let me go and bury my father.” 22 But Yeshua replied, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
23 He boarded the boat, and his talmidim followed. 24 Then, without warning, a furious storm arose on the lake, so that waves were sweeping over the boat. But Yeshua was sleeping. 25 So they came and roused him, saying, “Sir! Help! We’re about to die!” 26 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? So little trust you have!” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and there was a dead calm. 27 The men were astounded. They asked, “What kind of man is this, that even the winds and sea obey him?”
28 When Yeshua arrived at the other side of the lake, in the Gadarenes’ territory, there came out of the burial caves two men controlled by demons, so violent that no one dared travel on that road. 29 They screamed, “What do you want with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” 30 Now some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged him, “If you are going to drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” 32 “All right, go!” he told them. So they came out and went into the pigs, whereupon the entire herd rushed down the hillside into the lake and drowned. 33 The swineherds fled, went off to the town and told the whole story, including what had happened to the demonized men. 34 At this, the whole town came out to meet Yeshua. When they saw him, they begged him to leave their district.
9:1 So he stepped into a boat, crossed the lake again and came to his own town. 2 Some people brought him a paralyzed man lying on a mattress. When Yeshua saw their trust, he said to the paralyzed man, “Courage, son! Your sins are forgiven.” 3 On seeing this, some of the Torah-teachers said among themselves, “This man is blaspheming!” 4 Yeshua, knowing what they were thinking, said, “Why are you entertaining evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Tell me, which is easier to say — ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But look! I will prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” He then said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, pick up your mattress, and go home!” 7 And the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowds saw this, they were awestruck and said a b’rakhah to God the Giver of such authority to human beings.
9 As Yeshua passed on from there he spotted a tax-collector named Mattityahu sitting in his collection booth. He said to him, “Follow me!” and he got up and followed him.
10 While Yeshua was in the house eating, many tax-collectors and sinners came and joined him and his talmidim at the meal. 11 When the P’rushim saw this, they said to his talmidim, “Why does your rabbi eat with tax-collectors and sinners?” 12 But Yeshua heard the question and answered, “The ones who need a doctor aren’t the healthy but the sick. 13 As for you, go and learn what this means: ‘I want compassion rather than animal-sacrifices.’[Matthew 9:13 Hosea 6:6] For I didn’t come to call the ‘righteous,’ but sinners!”
***Reflection Questions
“I am a Christian because in Jesus I find the most authentic, compelling, moving picture of God and his love that I can imagine.”* In today’s reading, we see the heart of Jesus. We see him tirelessly working to restore people’s physical, emotional and spiritual wholeness. He was, literally, “a man on a mission.” One key to the early Christians’ power was their attitude toward those around them, an attitude they learned from Jesus.
- How did Matthew express the reason for Jesus’ compassion when he saw the crowds? To what extent do you think some of your neighbors, co-workers, maybe even people you see in church are “troubled and helpless… sheep without a shepherd” spiritually? How much do you care about their well-being? Is your attitude toward those with different beliefs or lifestyles one of condemnation, or more like the spirit Jesus showed in this passage
- Even in this relatively short excerpt, how many types of healing did Matthew describe? If Jesus had preached good news, but not healed anyone, how do you think that would have limited his effectiveness? What about if he had healed sick people, but not offered anyone the spiritual power of God’s Kingdom? What abilities and resources has God given you that you can use to help reach people with the multifaceted good news of Jesus?
King Jesus, well-being and wholeness, in many forms, seemed to spring up wherever you went. I need that, too, so I’m grateful that you continue to work in my life today. Amen.
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, p. 129.
***
Brandon GregoryBrandon Gregory is a volunteer for the worship and missions teams at Church of the Resurrection. He helps lead worship at Vibe, West and Downtown services, and is involved with the Malawi missions team at home.
In today’s passage (Matthew 8:14 – 9:13, 35-38), we see Jesus work a multitude of miracles everywhere he goes. And it’s so easy to stop there. The miracles were an amazing sign of God’s power, to be sure—but they weren’t the point of the story. Jesus’s miracles were a sign of authority that enabled him to do his real work: transforming and loving people. Jesus’ words in 9:37-38 illustrate this: “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers for his harvest.”
Jesus wasn’t asking his disciples to go out and miraculously heal people—he was asking them to go out and care for people, meeting their emotional and spiritual needs and leading them to the truth. It’s easy to look at Jesus’s miracles and think of it as some far-off fantastical scenario that will never play out in your life. But Jesus’ real mission of saving people is something that still plays out today, if you’re willing to look for it.
I learned this for myself at 20 years old when my college campus ministry leadership team went to a busy public park in Orlando, Florida to go out and help people. We got there, prayed as a team, and went out two by two to just meet people where they were at. I was a little stumped, and so was my partner, Yadhira. But we weren’t about to give up, so we walked around until we found someone we could help.
We found an older man, by himself, loading bales of hay into a pickup truck. We stopped and asked if he needed any help. After a quick conversation, he agreed and we began helping him load the hay bales into his truck. His wife didn’t get out much and he had stopped going to church years ago, so he didn’t have much of a social network. He enjoyed the company as we talked and laughed about what was going on in his life and how it was oddly similar to what was going on in the lives of these two college kids.
By the time we finished up, the man was in a much better mood than when he started. But that’s when something amazing happened. The man began weeping, trying to contain his sobs, as he told us about his son who was battling cancer. The outlook was such that he had no idea if his son was going to live or not.
He’d told us he stopped going to church a long time ago, but we found out why: nobody cared. His wife got sick and nobody cared. He lost his job and nobody cared. Life kept happening to him and nobody cared. They were so busy with their own lives that they never made this man a part of them. So when his son came down with cancer, of course he didn’t think to go to the church. And because of his experience with the church, he never thought to go to God. But two college kids took the time to help him load bales of hay and ask about his life, and that was more than anyone had cared in a long time. He found himself gushing to us about his life because he had nobody else, besides his family, to talk to.
This experience shook me. Surely it was some divine appointment, some once-in-a-lifetime experience. But I started really working on being there for people—everyone in my life. I took the time to get to know and take a genuine interest in my coworkers and friends, and also people like restaurant and grocery store workers or even service workers that stopped in my house. And I was amazed to see that similar things happened all the time. Coworkers opened up about their failing marriages, grocery clerks opened up about their fears of never getting anywhere in life and their dreams for the future, Subway sandwich artists opened up about their parents’ divorces. People longed for human connection, and many of them were incredibly lonely.
That’s what Jesus meant when he said the harvest was big, but the workers were few. There are many, many people out there who need help: a listening ear, a nonjudgmental friend, or a shoulder to cry on. But, like the people who drove the man in that park away from church to begin with, many people are too busy to notice and care. And so most of us go through life pretending to be happy because we’ve sadly learned that nothing good comes from opening up about your struggles. People long to hear hope, love, and support, and it’s sadly hard to find.
Having deep and potentially life-changing interactions with people, even strangers, is easier than you think. Many people are waiting desperately for a chance to have an encounter like that. Be patient and nonjudgmental and genuinely care about everyone in your life, from coworkers to service workers, and these opportunities will pop up fairly regularly. Be the safe space people need, even when it looks like they don’t need it, and many people will eventually use it. The harvest is great, but the workers are few. Be one of the few that care enough to work every day at that.
***
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide for Monday, 12 February 2018 - Peter's eyewitness case for following Christ
Daily Scripture
Acts 2:22 “Men of Isra’el! Listen to this! Yeshua from Natzeret was a man demonstrated to you to have been from God by the powerful works, miracles and signs that God performed through him in your presence. You yourselves know this. 23 This man was arrested in accordance with God’s predetermined plan and foreknowledge; and, through the agency of persons not bound by the Torah, you nailed him up on a stake and killed him!
Daily Scripture
Acts 2:22 “Men of Isra’el! Listen to this! Yeshua from Natzeret was a man demonstrated to you to have been from God by the powerful works, miracles and signs that God performed through him in your presence. You yourselves know this. 23 This man was arrested in accordance with God’s predetermined plan and foreknowledge; and, through the agency of persons not bound by the Torah, you nailed him up on a stake and killed him!
24 “But God has raised him up and freed him from the suffering of death; it was impossible that death could keep its hold on him. 25 For David says this about him:
‘I saw Adonai always before me,
for he is at my right hand,
so that I will not be shaken.
26 For this reason, my heart was glad;
and my tongue rejoiced;
and now my body too will live on in the certain hope
27 that you will not abandon me to Sh’ol
or let your Holy One see decay.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life;
you will fill me with joy by your presence.’[Acts 2:28 Psalm 16:8–11]
29 “Brothers, I know I can say to you frankly that the patriarch David died and was buried — his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that one of his descendants would sit on his throne, 31 he was speaking in advance about the resurrection of the Messiah, that it was he who was not abandoned in Sh’ol and whose flesh did not see decay. 32 God raised up this Yeshua! And we are all witnesses of it!
33 “Moreover, he has been exalted to the right hand of God; has received from the Father what he promised, namely, the Ruach HaKodesh; and has poured out this gift, which you are both seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into heaven. But he says,
35 ‘Adonai said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’[Acts 2:35 Psalm 110:1]
36 Therefore, let the whole house of Isra’el know beyond doubt that God has made him both Lord and Messiah — this Yeshua, whom you executed on a stake!”
37 On hearing this, they were stung in their hearts; and they said to Kefa and the other emissaries, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Kefa answered them, “Turn from sin, return to God, and each of you be immersed on the authority of Yeshua the Messiah into forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Ruach HaKodesh! 39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for those far away — as many as Adonai our God may call!”
40 He pressed his case with many other arguments and kept pleading with them, “Save yourselves from this perverse generation!”
41 So those who accepted what he said were immersed, and there were added to the group that day about three thousand people.
42 They continued faithfully in the teaching of the emissaries, in fellowship, in breaking bread and in the prayers. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many miracles and signs took place through the emissaries. 44 All those trusting in Yeshua stayed together and had everything in common; 45 in fact, they sold their property and possessions and distributed the proceeds to all who were in need. 46 Continuing faithfully and with singleness of purpose to meet in the Temple courts daily, and breaking bread in their several homes, they shared their food in joy and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having the respect of all the people. And day after day the Lord kept adding to them those who were being saved.
***
Reflection Questions
“I am a Christian because I believe the accounts of the eyewitnesses regarding Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.”* Fifty days after Jesus' crucifixion at Passover, Peter boldly laid out the case for faith in the risen Jesus at the feast of Pentecost. At the heart of Peter’s Spirit-guided sermon was verse 32: “This Jesus, God raised up. We are all witnesses to that fact.” Deeply convicted, the crowd asked the key question we must all ask when we encounter the claims of Jesus: “What should we do?”
Lord Jesus, those who knew you best unanimously said they were witnesses that you rose from the dead. By that same power, please continue to give me new life as I follow you. Amen.
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, p. 127.
** William Barclay, Daily Study Bible Series: The Acts of the Apostles (Revised Edition). Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1976, p. 29.
***
“I am a Christian because I believe the accounts of the eyewitnesses regarding Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.”* Fifty days after Jesus' crucifixion at Passover, Peter boldly laid out the case for faith in the risen Jesus at the feast of Pentecost. At the heart of Peter’s Spirit-guided sermon was verse 32: “This Jesus, God raised up. We are all witnesses to that fact.” Deeply convicted, the crowd asked the key question we must all ask when we encounter the claims of Jesus: “What should we do?”
- How Peter changed in just 50 days! The intimidated disciple who denied Jesus because his nerve failed (cf. Matthew 26:69-75) became the bold apostle in Acts 2. Based on what you know about people, do you think it likely that a made-up story about Jesus rising from the dead would have produced a change like that? If Peter and the others truly witnessed Jesus alive again, what does that tell you about the life-giving power God offers you?
- When the crowd asked, “What should we do?” Peter replied, “Change your hearts and lives.” Scholar William Barclay wrote, “When repentance comes something happens to the past. There is God’s forgiveness for what lies behind…. When repentance comes something happens for the future. We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and in that power we can win battles we never thought to win and resist things which by ourselves we would have been powerless to resist.”** Have you allowed Jesus' power to give you a fresh start from your past, and a future decisively altered for the better?
Lord Jesus, those who knew you best unanimously said they were witnesses that you rose from the dead. By that same power, please continue to give me new life as I follow you. Amen.
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, p. 127.
** William Barclay, Daily Study Bible Series: The Acts of the Apostles (Revised Edition). Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1976, p. 29.
***
Donna KarlenDonna Karlen serves in Communications at Church of the Resurrection by creating and managing social media content.
What Should We Do?
Imagine standing in this crowd of people and hearing how you had crucified the “Lord and Christ”! Who among us wouldn’t cry out – just like those listening to Peter – “What should we do?” Peter’s response? “Change your hearts and lives.”
They got right on it! The new believers demonstrated their devotion to Jesus and began to answer their own "what should we do?" question by helping those in need.
2000 years later, God has added us to this community, and we are called to answer the same question...
A hurricane causes devastating damage to homes, schools, churches, crops – to the lives of millions in Puerto Rico.
What should we do?
https://cor.org/leawood/search?q=puerto+rico#d/serve/15468/cor_l
Not Emergency Response Trained yet? Sign up for the March 3 training.
https://gp-reg.brtapp.com/ERT-COR032018
Vulnerable children in Malawi live in extreme poverty – many are exploited and abused.
What should we do?
https://cor.org/leawood/globalimpact#malawi-partnerships
Cities in our own country are “home” to many who are homeless.
What should we do?
https://cor.org/leawood/globalimpact/usservetrips
In our own community, children are distracted at school because with no bed to sleep on, they don’t get the rest they need… or their stomachs rumble when they have no access to nutritious food over the weekends. Some of them dream of going to their school prom but have nothing to wear. Others don’t read at home because they have no books in the house.
What should we do?
https://cor.org/leawood/localimpact/in-kind-donations#beds-ministry-donations
https://cor.org/leawood/localimpact/serve-youth
https://cor.org/leawood/localimpact/in-kind-donations#prom-drive
https://cor.org/leawood/localimpact/serve-youth#bookmobile
Fifty years after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., racism still rears its ugly head in Kansas City.
What should we do?
http://alliesforracialjustice.org/
These are just some of the answers to our own “What should we do?” question. Just like those early believers, let us seek even more ways to demonstrate God’s goodness to everyone.
***
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide for Sunday, 11 February 2018 - Prayer Tip: Christianity
Daily Scripture
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in him may have eternal life, instead of being utterly destroyed. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but rather so that through him, the world might be saved.
***
Prayer Tip
These last several weeks, we have had a wonderful opportunity to learn the basics about the world’s most common religions. Though we may not hold the same beliefs, it’s easy to see some of the similar practices incorporated within each faith. There are a few that stick out to me. I find it encouraging that the Jewish people take the time to remember who they are. I like the tolerance the Hindus have for individual paths to finding God. I love how Buddhists seek selflessness. I appreciate the daily fixed times for prayer in Islam.
Lord God,
We confess we don’t understand how the world’s religions all relate to you, but we know we can all learn from each other through them. It might be easier if there were only one religion, but it wouldn’t be as interesting. Help us to take the things we’ve learned these last few weeks and incorporate them into our lives so that we might connect deeper with you and love others better.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen. (Angela LaVallie Tinsley, Resurrection Funeral Ministry)
Daily Scripture
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in him may have eternal life, instead of being utterly destroyed. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but rather so that through him, the world might be saved.
***
Prayer Tip
These last several weeks, we have had a wonderful opportunity to learn the basics about the world’s most common religions. Though we may not hold the same beliefs, it’s easy to see some of the similar practices incorporated within each faith. There are a few that stick out to me. I find it encouraging that the Jewish people take the time to remember who they are. I like the tolerance the Hindus have for individual paths to finding God. I love how Buddhists seek selflessness. I appreciate the daily fixed times for prayer in Islam.
Lord God,
We confess we don’t understand how the world’s religions all relate to you, but we know we can all learn from each other through them. It might be easier if there were only one religion, but it wouldn’t be as interesting. Help us to take the things we’ve learned these last few weeks and incorporate them into our lives so that we might connect deeper with you and love others better.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen. (Angela LaVallie Tinsley, Resurrection Funeral Ministry)
Angela serves as the Funeral and Prayer Program Director, overseeing on-site funerals and assisting with prayer classes, vigils, walk, retreats, and other events. She began working at Resurrection in April 2007 and in that time has worked with the Singles, Seniors, Young Adults, and Guest Connections ministries.
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Joshua Clough
Joshua serves as one of the Congregational Care Pastors at Church of the Resurrection. He is a competitive runner, and because he grew up in Seattle, drinks a lot of coffee.
Recently, I’ve dedicated myself to the practice of reading the writings of the early church Fathers. No doubt there were also many early church mothers who contributed to the development and theology of the church. Yet most of what we are able to read today is from these fathers. Their work is sometimes tedious and complex, but always insightful. What inspires me about the early church fathers, such as John Chrysostom, Irenaeus, Athanasius and many others is that they wrote without the benefit of thousands of years of Christian theology. In many ways, their theology, what they knew and believed about Jesus as it was passed to them from the disciples, came to form our thoughts and beliefs today about Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world.
Belief is important. But so too is our experience of who Jesus is in our lives.
When I was a child my grandmother taught me the stories of Jesus. For her, Jesus was not just a good moral teacher or another rabbi. Instead, Jesus was the one who had met her in sickness and poor health, the one who met her in joy and through the love of family, and the one who also met her in death. She would stay up late with me sharing stories found in Scripture. She would pray with me. In her eyes, I could see her love for this person, Jesus. Her experience enabled me to experience Jesus in my life, too. In my grandmother I met, in a real way, the God of love through Jesus.
What might your life and our world look like if people saw Jesus within us? But what does this look like? How might we treat others who think or believe differently than us?
St. John Chrysostom wrote about the gift of Jesus to our world. He stated, “Let’s then show a seriousness worthy of the gift! We shall show it indeed, if we seriously cherish love, the mother of good works. Love isn’t empty words, or a mere sweetness in speaking to people; love is actually taking care of people, exerting itself by loving actions, such as relieving destitution, giving help to the sick, saving people from dangers, standing alongside those who are in trouble, weeping with those who weep, rejoicing with those who rejoice.”
When we practice this kind of love, we represent our belief in action. Even more, we become better neighbors in our church, community, and world. To whom can you show love today?
***
Darren Lippe
Darren Lippe helps facilitate Journey 101 “Loving God” classes, guides a 7th-grade Sunday school class, is a member of a small group and a men’s group, and serves on the curriculum team.
Since taking the Binder for Life class offered by the Crossroads Ministry at Resurrection, lists have been on my mind. (You took the class? Really? – Editor.) I know. I don’t look old enough to take such a class- DL. (No, I meant it usually fills up quickly-Editor.) Sigh. Yes, it does fill up quickly because it is an excellent presentation to help you & your loved ones prepare for unexpected events, medical emergencies, etc. And as an added bonus, I do enjoy any class that wraps up by 8:30 so I can get home & watch Matlock reruns.
Hall-of-Fame pitcher, Satchel Paige, offered these suggestions (1):
1 “How to Keep Young,” Baseball Almanac, www.baseball-almanac.com (April 5, 2015)
2 Shaun Usher, Lists of Note (Chronicle Books, 2015), 67
3 “Sam Levenson Quotes,” GoodReads, www.goodreads.com(February 8, 2009)
***
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide for 08 February 2018 - A common ideal: helping the poor
Daily Scripture
Matthew 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, accompanied by all the angels, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. 33 The ‘sheep’ he will place at his right hand and the ‘goats’ at his left.
“Muslims must pay their ‘purity of wealth’—a small percentage of their income that goes to the poor and the needy—once a year.”* Jesus’ story about the judgment clearly conveyed that caring for those in need is one of his Kingdom’s key priorities, too. Kingdom people, he said, care for the hungry and thirsty, the poorly-clothed and strangers, the prisoners and the sick—the people whom Jesus called “the least of these brothers and sisters of mine.”
** The full text of Wesley’s sermon is available if you click here.
Janelle Gregory
Janelle Gregory serves on the Resurrection staff as a Human Resources Specialist. Janelle finds that her heart is constantly wrestling with the truth that she needs a Savior, and the times when she's at her very best are when she's just too tired to put up a fight.
I had dreamed of going to the Parthenon since I took World Art History my freshman year of college. How magical it would be to stand in this iconic structure where ancient Greeks gathered atop the Acropolis. Seven years ago I got the chance to do just that with my husband, Brandon. Here we are in the famous ruins, with the same view as those who walked these steps 2,500 years before.
This picture nearly captures our entire experience. Looks extraordinary, right? What you’re not seeing is the ugly scaffolding I’ve cropped out.
The Parthenon was under construction at the time, and nearly all of it was surrounded by scaffolding, cranes, and building materials.
The cranes may have been there to restore this ancient structure, but they were simultaneously tearing down my romanticized image of what I should be seeing. So? I just crop them out. I pretend they weren’t there. I choose not to see them when I think back to my time at the Parthenon. I’d rather just live in my fantasized image.
If only cropping were limited to pictures. Unfortunately, I think most of us are prone to crop out beyond just photos. When we are faced with seeing the unpleasantries of life or the sufferings of others, we might crop those out as well. Just like an infant, we think if we don’t see it, it doesn’t exist. If only that were the case. According to a 2015 survey by World Bank, nearly 10% of the world lives on less than $1.90 a day. $1.90 A DAY! But we don’t have to travel outside the city to find poverty. In the last U.S. Census, we’re told that 18.3% of people in Kansas City, MO are living below the poverty line. That’s nearly 1 in 5! How many of these people have we cropped out of our awareness?
Editing out what we would rather not face makes for a much prettier picture, but I can’t imagine that it would be God’s desire for us. While we’re saved by grace, we’re also told that we’ll be held accountable for how we care for and support those most vulnerable. There’s a bit of me that is afraid I’ll get to heaven and have this conversation with Jesus:
Me: Lord, when did I see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?
Jesus: You didn’t, but it’s because you chose not to see me. You cropped me out.
The Christian life isn’t made to be cropped. When we edit out the suffering, we may just be editing out Christ himself. My hope is that we’ll expand our perspective to see Jesus in the world around us in the eyes of those most vulnerable. In catching this glimpse, may our hearts be moved to serve, for we’re told that when we serve the least of these, we are serving the Lord himself.
***
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide for Wednesday, 07 February 2018 - A common ideal: a prayer-filled life
Daily Scripture
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Always be joyful. 17 Pray regularly. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is what God wants from you who are united with the Messiah Yeshua.
Matthew 6:5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites, who love to pray standing in the synagogues and on street corners, so that people can see them. Yes! I tell you, they have their reward already! 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Kari Burgess
Kari is a part of Resurrection's ShareChurch team. She is involved with the marketing, guest registration, and volunteer coordination for the conferences we host, and she considers it a joy to serve, using her gifts to help renew God's church. She enjoys running and hiking and loves being a cheerleader for her girls at all of their sporting, music and school events.
I remember visiting a church several years ago while “church shopping” and the sermon was on The Lord’s Prayer. My memories of the actual points of the sermon are rather vague, but I do recall walking away with a new conviction to use an expanded version of The Lord’s Prayer in my daily prayer life.
I don’t recall the reasons why we determined not to continue to visit this church. It must not have been a good fit for other reasons; however, I now run by this church on a fairly regular basis and each time I do, I remember and give gratitude for my one visit which helped shaped my prayer life.
If you do a Google search on how to use the Lord’s Prayer as a daily prayer guide, you will find lots of examples and helpful resources. Below is a sample of how I use The Lord’s Prayer in my daily prayer life:
Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name:
First, I acknowledge God as my maker, creator, redeemer. He is holy and worthy of all my honor, praise and glory.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven:Ask for God’s will to be done here on earth – both in my personal life and more corporately for our world, nation, city and church. Here I ask for God to reveal His will to me, to guide me in discerning His will and ask for strength to wholly submit to His will (and not my own). I almost always say something like: May everything I do, everything I say and everything I think today be acceptable and pleasing to you and give you glory.
Give us this day our daily bread:Humbly present my requests to God for what I need today. I take time to tell God about my concerns and ask him to provide for me and guide me. This is also the portion of my prayer time devoted to praying for others: for my family, friends and acquaintances who are sick, distressed or in need.
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us:
Confession of my sins and asking for forgiveness. At the same time, acknowledging and forgiving anyone who I feel may have wronged me. Here I ask God to help me to forgive others and to release any grudge or grievance I may have against someone else.
And lead us, not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:Ask for God to lead me each and every moment of my day and help keep my paths straight. My heart and my mind easily wander toward things which are not helpful and not centered on Him. At the same time, I ask God for protection and to keep me and my family safe from harm.
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory forever.
I end my prayer time acknowledging once again who God is and praising God for His faithfulness and for the gift of Jesus Christ. Then, I entrust all my prayers to Him and once again submit my life to Him.
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- Prophet or divine Savior?
- A warrior or the Prince of Peace?
- A common ideal: helping the poor
- A common ideal: a prayer-filled life
- A common ideal: submission to God
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide for 10 February 2018 - Prophet or divine Savior?
Daily Scripture
Matthew 1:18 Here is how the birth of Yeshua the Messiah took place. When his mother Miryam was engaged to Yosef, before they were married, she was found to be pregnant from the Ruach HaKodesh. 19 Her husband-to-be, Yosef, was a man who did what was right; so he made plans to break the engagement quietly, rather than put her to public shame. 20 But while he was thinking about this, an angel of Adonai appeared to him in a dream and said, “Yosef, son of David, do not be afraid to take Miryam home with you as your wife; for what has been conceived in her is from the Ruach HaKodesh. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Yeshua, [which means ‘Adonai saves,’] because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:18 Here is how the birth of Yeshua the Messiah took place. When his mother Miryam was engaged to Yosef, before they were married, she was found to be pregnant from the Ruach HaKodesh. 19 Her husband-to-be, Yosef, was a man who did what was right; so he made plans to break the engagement quietly, rather than put her to public shame. 20 But while he was thinking about this, an angel of Adonai appeared to him in a dream and said, “Yosef, son of David, do not be afraid to take Miryam home with you as your wife; for what has been conceived in her is from the Ruach HaKodesh. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Yeshua, [which means ‘Adonai saves,’] because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this happened in order to fulfill what Adonai had said through the prophet,
23 “The virgin will conceive and bear a son,
and they will call him ‘Immanu El.”[Matthew 1:23 Isaiah 7:14]
(The name means, “God is with us.”)
Colossians 1:15 He is the visible image of the invisible God. He is supreme over all creation, 16 because in connection with him were created all things — in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, lordships, rulers or authorities — they have all been created through him and for him. 17 He existed before all things, and he holds everything together.
18 Also he is head of the Body, the Messianic Community — he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might hold first place in everything. 19 For it pleased God to have his full being live in his Son 20 and through his Son to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace through him, through having his Son shed his blood by being executed on a stake.
***
Reflection Questions
“Muslims regard Jesus as a prophet, perhaps the greatest prophet after Mohammed himself…. They do not think that he was in any sense the Son of God…. Mohammed rejected the idea that Jesus came to die for the sins of the world.”* Christian faith said Jesus was “the Christ” (a title—the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word Messiah). It’s a straightforward matter of history that it did not take centuries before Christians began speaking of Jesus as God. Scholar Larry Hurtado wrote, “In historical terms we may refer to a veritable ‘big bang,’ an explosively rapid and impressively substantial christological [understanding of Christ] development in the earliest stage of the Christian movement.”**
Lord Jesus, in Joseph’s dream, the angel said that you “will save his people from their sins.” I believe, and want to share, that astounding, life-changing truth. Amen.
Family Activity
John Wesley’s rule states, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.” As a family, talk about each of these phrases. What does the word “all” mean and are there any exceptions? Compare Wesley’s rule to Jesus’ greatest commandments found in Matthew 22:37-40(Matthew 22:
“Muslims regard Jesus as a prophet, perhaps the greatest prophet after Mohammed himself…. They do not think that he was in any sense the Son of God…. Mohammed rejected the idea that Jesus came to die for the sins of the world.”* Christian faith said Jesus was “the Christ” (a title—the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word Messiah). It’s a straightforward matter of history that it did not take centuries before Christians began speaking of Jesus as God. Scholar Larry Hurtado wrote, “In historical terms we may refer to a veritable ‘big bang,’ an explosively rapid and impressively substantial christological [understanding of Christ] development in the earliest stage of the Christian movement.”**
- Colossians 1:15-20 most likely quoted an early Christian hymn. Scholar William Barclay wrote of verses 19-20, “The object of [Jesus'] coming was…to bridge the chasm between God and man…. The initiative in reconciliation was with God. The New Testament never talks of God being reconciled to men, but always of men being reconciled to God. God’s attitude to men was love, and it was never anything else.”*** How does seeing that God was always on your side, always wanted to save and restore you, deepen your sense of trust in God? These verses didn’t try to explain all the mysteries about Jesus’ divinity. They just stated it as a reality renovating the early believers’ lives. In what ways has following Jesus changed your life for the better?
Lord Jesus, in Joseph’s dream, the angel said that you “will save his people from their sins.” I believe, and want to share, that astounding, life-changing truth. Amen.
Family Activity
John Wesley’s rule states, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can.” As a family, talk about each of these phrases. What does the word “all” mean and are there any exceptions? Compare Wesley’s rule to Jesus’ greatest commandments found in Matthew 22:37-40(Matthew 22:
37 He told him, “‘You are to love Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.’[Matthew 22:37 Deuteronomy 6:5] 38 This is the greatest and most important mitzvah. 39 And a second is similar to it, ‘You are to love your neighbor as yourself.’[
). Choose one world religion other than Christianity and explore how that faith would respond to the words of Wesley and of Jesus. What are the similarities and what are the differences, if any? Pray and ask God to help you love others as God loves you.
Matthew 22:39 Leviticus 19:18
] 40 All of the Torah and the Prophets are dependent on these two mitzvot.”
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, p. 83.
** Larry W. Hurtado, Lord Jesus Christ: Devotion to Jesus in Earliest Christianity. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2003, p. 135.
*** William Barclay, The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians (Revised Edition). Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1975, p. 122.
***
** Larry W. Hurtado, Lord Jesus Christ: Devotion to Jesus in Earliest Christianity. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2003, p. 135.
*** William Barclay, The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians (Revised Edition). Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1975, p. 122.
***
Joshua CloughJoshua serves as one of the Congregational Care Pastors at Church of the Resurrection. He is a competitive runner, and because he grew up in Seattle, drinks a lot of coffee.
Recently, I’ve dedicated myself to the practice of reading the writings of the early church Fathers. No doubt there were also many early church mothers who contributed to the development and theology of the church. Yet most of what we are able to read today is from these fathers. Their work is sometimes tedious and complex, but always insightful. What inspires me about the early church fathers, such as John Chrysostom, Irenaeus, Athanasius and many others is that they wrote without the benefit of thousands of years of Christian theology. In many ways, their theology, what they knew and believed about Jesus as it was passed to them from the disciples, came to form our thoughts and beliefs today about Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world.
Belief is important. But so too is our experience of who Jesus is in our lives.
When I was a child my grandmother taught me the stories of Jesus. For her, Jesus was not just a good moral teacher or another rabbi. Instead, Jesus was the one who had met her in sickness and poor health, the one who met her in joy and through the love of family, and the one who also met her in death. She would stay up late with me sharing stories found in Scripture. She would pray with me. In her eyes, I could see her love for this person, Jesus. Her experience enabled me to experience Jesus in my life, too. In my grandmother I met, in a real way, the God of love through Jesus.
What might your life and our world look like if people saw Jesus within us? But what does this look like? How might we treat others who think or believe differently than us?
St. John Chrysostom wrote about the gift of Jesus to our world. He stated, “Let’s then show a seriousness worthy of the gift! We shall show it indeed, if we seriously cherish love, the mother of good works. Love isn’t empty words, or a mere sweetness in speaking to people; love is actually taking care of people, exerting itself by loving actions, such as relieving destitution, giving help to the sick, saving people from dangers, standing alongside those who are in trouble, weeping with those who weep, rejoicing with those who rejoice.”
When we practice this kind of love, we represent our belief in action. Even more, we become better neighbors in our church, community, and world. To whom can you show love today?
***
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide for 09 February 2018 - A warrior or the Prince of Peace?
Daily Scripture
Matthew 5:38 “You have heard that our fathers were told, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’[Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21] 39 But I tell you not to stand up against someone who does you wrong. On the contrary, if someone hits you on the right cheek, let him hit you on the left cheek too! 40 If someone wants to sue you for your shirt, let him have your coat as well! 41 And if a soldier forces you to carry his pack for one mile, carry it for two! 42 When someone asks you for something, give it to him; when someone wants to borrow something from you, lend it to him.
“Mohammed was a warrior; leading an army was one of the roles he played….The teachings of the Quran [about war and violence] stand in marked contrast to those of Jesus.” * Jesus taught his disciples to avoid hating even the Roman soldiers ruling their land. God’s spirit, he said, must be ours. “No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously” (Matthew 5:42, The Message). The apostle Paul drew on Proverbs’ wisdom to teach Christians in Rome how to meet evil. He knew hatred or violence just beget more of the same. God will deal with evil better than we ever could. So, he ended, “Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good” (verse 21).
Lord Jesus, you were generous and inclusive. I want to keep learning to love all people as you loved them, regardless of gender, race, nationality or religion. Amen.
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, p. 82.
***
Daily Scripture
Matthew 5:38 “You have heard that our fathers were told, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’[Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21] 39 But I tell you not to stand up against someone who does you wrong. On the contrary, if someone hits you on the right cheek, let him hit you on the left cheek too! 40 If someone wants to sue you for your shirt, let him have your coat as well! 41 And if a soldier forces you to carry his pack for one mile, carry it for two! 42 When someone asks you for something, give it to him; when someone wants to borrow something from you, lend it to him.
43 “You have heard that our fathers were told, ‘Love your neighbor[Matthew 5:43 Leviticus 19:18] — and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 Then you will become children of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun shine on good and bad people alike, and he sends rain to the righteous and the unrighteous alike.
Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you — bless them, don’t curse them! 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be sensitive to each other’s needs — don’t think yourselves better than others, but make humble people your friends. Don’t be conceited. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but try to do what everyone regards as good. 18 If possible, and to the extent that it depends on you, live in peace with all people. 19 Never seek revenge, my friends; instead, leave that to God’s anger; for in the Tanakh it is written,
“Adonai says, ‘Vengeance is my responsibility; I will repay.’”[Romans 12:19 Deuteronomy 32:41]
20 On the contrary,
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
For by doing this, you will heap
fiery coals [of shame] on his head.”[Romans 12:20 Proverbs 25:21–22]
21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.
***
Reflection Questions“Mohammed was a warrior; leading an army was one of the roles he played….The teachings of the Quran [about war and violence] stand in marked contrast to those of Jesus.” * Jesus taught his disciples to avoid hating even the Roman soldiers ruling their land. God’s spirit, he said, must be ours. “No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously” (Matthew 5:42, The Message). The apostle Paul drew on Proverbs’ wisdom to teach Christians in Rome how to meet evil. He knew hatred or violence just beget more of the same. God will deal with evil better than we ever could. So, he ended, “Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good” (verse 21).
- Jesus set aside the model of proportional revenge set out in Exodus 21:24. He called his people to “love their neighbors” in bigger ways than anyone had dreamed of before. What ways of reacting to others might we take for granted in our culture until Jesus’ teaching calls us beyond them? When you feel like “getting even,” how can you become more like Jesus instead?
- Review all the specific positive actions Paul recommended to the Roman Christians in Romans 12. Which one or two of them are easiest for you to live out in your day-to-day life? Which one or two of them do you find most challenging? Who have you known who lived the most consistent “Romans 12 life”? How did that person’s presence affect you and others?
Lord Jesus, you were generous and inclusive. I want to keep learning to love all people as you loved them, regardless of gender, race, nationality or religion. Amen.
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, p. 82.
***
Darren LippeDarren Lippe helps facilitate Journey 101 “Loving God” classes, guides a 7th-grade Sunday school class, is a member of a small group and a men’s group, and serves on the curriculum team.
Since taking the Binder for Life class offered by the Crossroads Ministry at Resurrection, lists have been on my mind. (You took the class? Really? – Editor.) I know. I don’t look old enough to take such a class- DL. (No, I meant it usually fills up quickly-Editor.) Sigh. Yes, it does fill up quickly because it is an excellent presentation to help you & your loved ones prepare for unexpected events, medical emergencies, etc. And as an added bonus, I do enjoy any class that wraps up by 8:30 so I can get home & watch Matlock reruns.
Aside: Bucket Lists are all the rage with my peers. However, we should be mindful that not everyone has the same level of excitement about a bucket list – just ask a chicken.
Of course, as I organize my vital documents & financial statements for our Binder, I thought we all could probably benefit from having a few principles to help manage our lives.Hall-of-Fame pitcher, Satchel Paige, offered these suggestions (1):
- Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move
- Avoid running at all times
- Don’t look back
- Kiss June (His wife.)
- Don’t Kiss Anyone Else
- Call Mama
- Practice Piano
- Not be aloof - join in the community, celebrate & mourn with our neighbors
- Actively seek common ground & always try to think kindly of others
- To always show respect for others’ beliefs
- For attractive lips, speak words of kindness
- For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people
- For poise, walk with the knowledge that you’ll never walk alone
1 “How to Keep Young,” Baseball Almanac, www.baseball-almanac.com (April 5, 2015)
2 Shaun Usher, Lists of Note (Chronicle Books, 2015), 67
3 “Sam Levenson Quotes,” GoodReads, www.goodreads.com(February 8, 2009)
***
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide for 08 February 2018 - A common ideal: helping the poor
Daily Scripture
Matthew 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, accompanied by all the angels, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. 33 The ‘sheep’ he will place at his right hand and the ‘goats’ at his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you made me your guest, 36 I needed clothes and you provided them, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the people who have done what God wants will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and make you our guest, or needing clothes and provide them? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 The King will say to them, ‘Yes! I tell you that whenever you did these things for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did them for me!’
41 “Then he will also speak to those on his left, saying, ‘Get away from me, you who are cursed! Go off into the fire prepared for the Adversary and his angels! 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 a stranger and you did not welcome me, needing clothes and you did not give them to me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty, a stranger, needing clothes, sick or in prison, and not take care of you?’ 45 And he will answer them, ‘Yes! I tell you that whenever you refused to do it for the least important of these people, you refused to do it for me!’
Reflection Questions“Muslims must pay their ‘purity of wealth’—a small percentage of their income that goes to the poor and the needy—once a year.”* Jesus’ story about the judgment clearly conveyed that caring for those in need is one of his Kingdom’s key priorities, too. Kingdom people, he said, care for the hungry and thirsty, the poorly-clothed and strangers, the prisoners and the sick—the people whom Jesus called “the least of these brothers and sisters of mine.”
- In Jesus' story, the king surprised both those accepted and those he turned away. They expected to meet Jesus well-dressed in “religious” places, with choirs and lights, not on the street among the needy. Jesus said we should see him in all people who need help, and treat them as if they were Jesus himself. In what ways can you sense God reshaping your attitudes toward “the least of these” in your community and the wider world?
- In his sermon “The Reward of the Righteous,” Methodism’s founder John Wesley used the phrase “comprehensive charity” to define the lifestyle taught by Jesus' words, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto ME.”** What are the main ways you are involved in honoring God by serving others? Consider making your service more “comprehensive” by serving in one way you never have before. (If you need ideas, you’ll find many on our Serve page.)
** The full text of Wesley’s sermon is available if you click here.
The Reward of the Righteous by John Wesley
Sermon 99
(text from the 1872 edition)
"Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matthew 25:34
1. Reason alone will convince every fair inquirer, that God "is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." This alone teaches him to say, "Doubtless there is a reward for the righteous;" "there is a God that judgeth the earth." But how little information do we receive from unassisted reason touching the particulars contained in this general truth! As eye hath not seen, or ear heard, so neither could it naturally enter into our hearts to conceive the circumstances of that awful day wherein God will judge the world. No information of this kind could be given but from the great Judge himself. And what an amazing instance of condescension it is, that the Creator, the Governor, the Lord, the Judge of all, should deign to give us so clear and particular an account of that solemn transaction! If the learned Heathen acknowledged the sublimity of that account which Moses gives of the creation, what would he have said, if he had heard this account of the Son of Man coming in his glory? Here, indeed, is no laboured pomp of words, no ornaments of language. This would not have suited either the Speaker or the occasion. But what inexpressible dignity of thought! See him "coming in the clouds of heaven; and all the angels with him!" See him "sitting on the throne of his glory, and all the nations gathered before him!" And shall he separate them, placing the good on his right hand, and the wicked on his left? "Then shall the King say:" -- With what admirable propriety is the expression varied! "The Son of Man" comes down to judge the children of men. "The King" distributes rewards and punishments to his obedient or rebellious subjects: -- "Then shall the King say to them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
2. "Prepared for you from the foundation of the world:" -- But does this agree with the common supposition that God created man merely to supply the vacant thrones of the rebel angels? Does it not rather seem to imply, that he would have created man, though the angels had never fallen? Inasmuch as he then prepared the kingdom for his human children, when he laid the foundation of the earth.
3. "Inherit the kingdom;" -- as being "heirs of God, and joint heirs" with his beloved Son. It is your right; seeing I have purchased eternal redemption for all them that obey me: And ye did obey me in the days of your flesh. Ye "believed in the Father, and also in me." Ye loved the Lord your God; and that love constrained you to love all mankind. Ye continued in the faith that wrought by love. Ye showed your faith by your works. "For I was hungry, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and in prison, and ye came unto me."
4. But in what sense are we to understand the words that follow? "Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and gave thee meat or thirsty, and gave thee drink?" They cannot be literally understood; they cannot answer in these very words; because it is not possible they should be ignorant that God had really wrought by them. Is it not then manifest, that these words are to be taken in a figurative sense? And can they imply any more, than that all which they have done will appear as nothing to them; will, as it were, vanish away, in view of what God their Saviour had done and suffered for them?
5. But "the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it unto me." What a declaration this! Worthy to be had in everlasting remembrance. May the finger of the living God write it upon all our hearts! I would take occasion from hence,
I. First, to make a few reflections on good works in general:
II. Secondly, to consider in particular that institution for the promotion of which we are now assembled:And,
III. In the Third place, to make a short application.
I.
1. And, First, I would make a few reflections upon good works in general.
I am not insensible, that many, even serious people, are jealous of all that is spoken upon this subject: Nay, and whenever the necessity of good works is strongly insisted on take for granted that he who speaks in this manner is but one remove from Popery. But should we, for fear of this or of any other reproach, refrain from speaking "the truth as it is in Jesus?" Should we, on any consideration, "shun to declare the whole counsel of God?" Nay, if a false prophet could utter that solemn word, how much more may the Ministers of Christ, "We cannot go beyond the word of the Lord, to speak either more or less!"
2. Is it not to be lamented, that any who fear God should desire us to do otherwise? And that, by speaking otherwise themselves, they should occasion the way of truth to be evil spoken of? I mean, in particular, the way of salvation by faith; which, on this very account, is despised, nay, had in abomination, by many sensible men. It is now above forty years since this grand scriptural doctrine, "By grace ye are saved through faith," began to be openly declared by a few Clergymen of the Church of England. And not long after, some who heard, but did not understand, attempted to preach the same doctrine, but miserably mangled it; wresting the Scripture, and "making void the law through faith."
3. Some of these, in order to exalt the value of faith, have utterly deprecated good works. They speak of them as not only not necessary to salvation, but as greatly obstructive to it. They represent them as abundantly more dangerous than evil ones, to those who are seeking to save their souls. One cries aloud, "More people go to hell by praying, than by thieving." Another screams out, "Away with your works! Have done with your works, or you cannot come to Christ!" And this unscriptural, irrational, heathenish declamation is called, preaching the gospel!
4. But "shall not the Judge of all the earth" speak, as well as "do right?" Will not he "be justified in his saying, and clear when he is judged?" Assuredly he will. And upon his authority we must continue to declare, that whenever you do good to any for his sake; when you feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty; when you assist the stranger, or clothe the naked; when you visit them that are sick or in prison; these are not splendid sins, as one marvelously calls them, but "sacrifices wherewith God is well pleased."
5. Not that our Lord intended we should confine our beneficence to the bodies of men. He undoubtedly designed that we should be equally abundant in works of spiritual mercy. He died "to purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of" all "good works;" zealous, above all, to "save souls from death," and thereby "hide a multitude of sins." And this is unquestionably included in St. Paul's exhortation: "As we have time, let us do good unto all men;" good in every possible kind, as well as in every possible degree. But why does not our blessed Lord mention works of spiritual mercy? He could not do it with any propriety. It was not for him to say, "I was in error, and ye convinced me; I was in sin, and you brought me back to God." And it needed not; for in mentioning some he included all works of mercy.
6. But may I not add one thing more? (Only he that heareth, let him understand:) Good works are so far from being hindrances of our salvation; they are so far from being insignificant, from being of no account in Christianity; that, supposing them to spring from a right principle, they are the perfection of religion. They are the highest part of that spiritual building whereof Jesus Christ is the foundation. To those who attentively consider the thirteenth chapter of the First Epistle to the Corinthians, it will be undeniably plain that what St. Paul there describes as the highest of all Christian graces, is properly and directly the love of our neighbour [1 Cor. 13]. And to him who attentively considers the whole tenor both of the Old and New Testament, it will be equally plain, that works springing from this love are the highest part of the religion therein revealed. Of these our Lord himself says, "Hereby is my Father glorified, that ye bring forth much fruit." Much fruit! Does not the very expression imply the excellency of what is so termed? Is not the tree itself for the sake of the fruit? By bearing fruit, and by this alone, it attains the highest perfection it is capable of, and answers the end for which it was planted. Who, what is he then, that is called a Christian, and can speak lightly of good works?
II.
1. From these general reflections, I proceed to consider that institution in particular, for the promotion of which we are now assembled. And in doing this, I shall, First, observe the rise of this institution; Secondly, the success; and, Thirdly, the excellency of it: After which you will give me leave to make a short application.
(I.) On the First head, the rise of this institution, I may be very brief, as a great part of you know it already.
1. One would wonder (as an ingenious writer observes) that such an institution as this, of so deep importance to mankind, should appear so late in the world. Have we anything wrote upon the subject, earlier than the tract published at Rome in the year 1637? And did not the proposal then sleep for many years? Were there any more than one or two attempts, and those not effectually pursued, till the year 1700? By what steps it has been since revived and carried into execution, we are now to inquire.
2. I cannot give you a clearer view of this, than by presenting you with a short extract from the Introduction to the "Plan and Reports of the Society," published two years ago: --
"Many and indubitable are the instances of the possibility of restoring to life persons apparently struck with sudden death, whether by an apoplexy, convulsive fits, noxious vapours, strangling, or drowning. Cases of this nature have occurred in every country. But they were considered, and neglected, as extraordinary phenomena from which no salutary consequence could be drawn.
3. "At length, a few benevolent gentlemen in Holland conjectured, that some at least might have been saved, had proper means been used in time; and formed themselves into a Society, in order to make a trial. Their attempts succeeded far beyond their expectations. Many were restored who must otherwise have perished. And they were, at length, enabled to extend their plan over the Seven Provinces.
"Their success instigated other countries to follow their example. In the year 1768, the Magistrates of Health at Milan and Venice issued orders for the treatment of drowned persons. The city of Hamburgh appointed a similar ordinance to be read in all the churches. In the year 1769, the Empress of Germany published an edict, extending its directions and encouragements to every case that afforded a possibility of relief. In the year 1771, the Magistrates of Paris founded an institution in favour of the drowned.
4. "In the year 1773, Dr. Cogan translated the 'Memoirs of the Society at Amsterdam,' in order to inform our countrymen of the practicability of recovering persons apparently drowned; And Mr. Hawes uniting with him, these gentlemen proposed a plan for a similar institution in these kingdoms. They were soon enabled to form a Society for this excellent purpose. The plan is this: --
"I. The Society will publish, in the most extensive manner possible, the proper methods of treating persons in such circumstances.
"II. They will distribute a premium of two guineas among the first persons who attempt to recover anyone taken out of the water as dead. And this reward will be given, even if the attempt is unsuccessful, provided it has been pursued two hours, according to the method laid down by the Society.
"III. They will distribute a premium of four guineas, where the person is restored to life.
"IV. They will give one guinea to any that admits the body into his house without delay, and furnishes the necessary accommodations.
"V. A number of medical gentlemen, living near the places where these disasters commonly happen, will give their assistance gratis."
(II.) Such was the rise of this admirable institution. With what success it has been attended, is the point which I purpose, in the next place, very briefly to consider.
And it must be allowed to be not only far greater than those who despised it had imagined, but greater than the most sanguine expectations of the gentlemen who were immediately engaged in it.
In the short space, from its first establishment in May, 1774, to the end of December, eight persons, seemingly dead, were restored to life.
In the year 1775, forty-seven were restored to life: Thirty-two of them, by the direct encouragement and assistance of the gentlemen of this Society; and the rest, by medical gentlemen and others, in consequence of their method of treatment being generally known.
In the year 1776, forty-one persons were restored to life by the assistance of this Society. And eleven cases of those who had been restored elsewhere were communicated to them.
So the number of lives preserved and restored, in two years and a half, since their first institution, amounts to one hundred and seven! Add to these those that have been since restored; and out of two hundred and eighty-four persons, who were dead, to all appearance, no less than an hundred and fifty-seven have been restored to life. Such is the success which has attended them in so short a time! Such a blessing has the gracious providence of God given to this infant undertaking!
(III.) It remains only to show the excellency of it. 1.And this may appear from one single consideration: This institution unites together in one all the various acts of mercy. The several works of charity mentioned above are all contained in this. It comprises all corporeal (if I may so speak) and all spiritual benefits; all the instances of kindness which can be shown either to the bodies or souls of men. To show this beyond all contradiction, there needs no studied eloquence, no rhetorical colouring, but simply and nakedly to relate the thing as it is.
2. The thing attempted, and not only attempted, but actually performed, (so has the goodness of God prospered the labours of these lovers of mankind!) is no less, in a qualified sense, than restoring life to the dead. Is it any wonder, then, that the generality of men should at first ridicule such an undertaking? That they should imagine the persons who aimed at any such thing must be utterly out of their senses? Indeed, one of old said, "Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?" Cannot He, who bestowed life at first, just as well bestow it again? But it may well be thought a thing incredible, that man should raise the dead; for no human power can create life. And what human power can restore it? Accordingly, when our Lord (whom the Jews at that time supposed to be a mere man) came to the house of Jairus, in order to raise his daughter from the dead, upon the first intimation of his design, "they laughed him to scorn." "The maid," said he, "is not dead, but sleepeth." "This is rather to be called sleep than death; seeing her life is not at an end; but I will quickly awaken her out of this sleep."
3. However, it is certain, she was really dead, and so beyond all power but that of the Almighty. But see what power God has now given to man! To his name be all the praise! See with what wisdom he has endued these sons of mercy! Teaching them to stop the parting soul, to arrest the spirit just quitting the breathless clay, and taking wing for eternity! Who hath seen such a thing? Who hath heard such things? Who hath read them in the annals of antiquity? Sons of men, "can these dry bones live?" Can this motionless heart beat again? Can this clotted blood flow any more? Can these dry, stiff vessels open to give it passage? Can this cold flesh resume its native warmth, or those eyes again see the sun? Surely these are such things (might one not almost say, such miracles?) as neither we, of the present generation, nor our fathers had known!
4. Consider, I entreat you, how many miracles of mercy (so to speak) are contained in one! That poor man, who was lately numbered with the dead, by the care and pains of these messengers of God, again breathes the vital air, opens his eyes, and stands up upon his feet. He is restored to his rejoicing family, to his wife, to his (late) helpless children, that he may again, by his honest labour, provide them with all the necessaries of life. See now what ye have done, ye ministers of mercy! Behold the fruit of your labour of love! Ye have been an husband to the widow, a father to the fatherless. And hereby ye have given meat to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothes to the naked: For hungry, thirsty, and naked these little ones must have been, had not you restored him that prevents it. You have more than relieved, you have prevented, that sickness which might naturally have arisen from their want of sufficient food to eat, or raiment to put on. You have hindered those orphans from wandering up and down, not having a place where to lay their head. Nay, and very possibly you have prevented some of them from being lodged in a dreary, comfortless prison.
5. So great, so comprehensive is the mercy which you have shown to the bodies of your fellow-creatures! But why should their souls be left out of the account? How great are the benefits you have conferred on these also! The husband has now again an opportunity of assisting his wife in things of the greatest moment. He may now again strengthen her hands in God, and help her to run with patience the race that is set before her. He may again join with her in instructing their children, and training them up in the way wherein they should go; who may live to be a comfort to their aged parents, and useful members of the community.
6. Nay, it may be, you have snatched the poor man himself, not only from the jaws of death, but from sinking lower than the waters, from the jaws of everlasting destruction. It cannot be doubted, but some of those whose lives you have restored, although they had been before without God in the world, will remember themselves, and not only with their lips, but in their lives, show forth his praise. It is highly probable, some of these (as one out of ten lepers) "will return and give thanks to God," real, lasting thanks, by devoting themselves to his honourable service.
7. It is remarkable, that several of those whom you have brought back from the margin of the grave, were intoxicated at the very time when they dropped into the water. And at that very instant (which is frequently the case) they totally lost their senses. Here therefore was no place for, no possibility of, repentance. They had not time, they had not sense, so much as to cry out, "Lord, have mercy!" So they were sinking through the mighty waters into the pit of destruction! And these instruments of divine mercy plucked them at once out of the water, and out of the fire; by the same act, delivered them from temporal and from eternal death!
8. Nay, one poor sinner (let it never be forgotten!) was just coming down from the ship, when (overtaken by the justice and mercy of God) her foot slipped, and she fell into the river. Instantly her senses were lost, so that she could not call upon God. Yet he had not forgotten her. He sent those who delivered her from death; at least from the death of the body. And who knows but she may lay it to heart, and turn from the error of her ways? Who knows, but she may be saved from the second death, and, with her deliverers, "inherit the kingdom?"
9. One point more deserves to be particularly remarked. Many of those who have been restored to life (no less than eleven out of the fourteen that were saved in a few months) were in the number of those that are a reproach to our nation, -- wilful self murderers. As many of the desperate men who attempt this horrid crime are men who have had a liberal education, it is pity but they would consider those fine words, not of a poor narrow-souled Christian, but of a generous Heathen, nay, a Roman! Let them calmly consider that beautiful passage: --
Proxima deinde tenent maesti loca, qui sibi letum
Insontes peperere manu, lucemque perosi
Projecere animas. Quam vellent aethere in alto
Nunc et pauperiem, et duros perferre labores!
Fata obstant, tristique palus inamabilis unda
Alligat, et novies Styx interfusa coercet.
[Then crowds succeed, who, prodigal of breath,
Themselves anticipate the doom of death;
Though free from guild, they cast their lives away,
And sad and sullen hate the golden day.
O with what joy the wretches now would bear
Pain, toil, and woe, to breathe the vital air!
In vain! By fate for ever are they bound
With dire Avernus, and the lake profound;
And Styx, with nine wide channels, roars around!
Mr. Pitt's Virgil.]
Fata obstant! But in favour of many, we see God has overruled fate. They are brought back over the unnavigable river. They do behold the upper skies. They see the light of the sun. O let them see the light of Thy countenance! And let them so live their few remaining days on earth, that they may live with Thee for ever!
III.
1. Permit me now to make a short application. But to whom should I direct this? Are there any here who are unhappily prejudiced against that Revelation which breathes nothing but benevolence; which contains the richest display of God's love to man, that ever was made from the foundation of the world? Yet even to you I would address a few words; for, if you are not Christians, you are men. You too are susceptible of kind impressions: You have the feelings of humanity. Has not your heart too glowed at that noble sentiment; worthy the heart and the lips of the highest Christian, --
Homo sum: Humani nihil a me alienum puto!
[This quotation from Terence is thus translated by Colman: --
"I am a man; and all calamities
That touch humanity come home to me." -- Edit.]
Have not you also sympathized with the afflicted? How many times have you been pained at human misery? When you have beheld a scene of deep distress, has not your soul melted within you?
And now and then a sigh you stole,
And tears began to flow.
But is it easy for anyone to conceive a scene of deeper distress than this? Suppose you are standing by, just when the messenger comes in, and the message is delivered, "I am sorry to tell you, but you must know it; your husband is no more! He was making haste out of the vessel, and his foot slipped. It is true, after a time, his body was found; but there it lies, without any signs of life." In what a condition are now both the mother and the children! Perhaps, for a while, stupid, overwhelmed, silent; staring at each other; then bursting out into loud and bitter lamentation! Now is the time to help them, by assisting those who make it their business so to do. Now let nothing hinder you from improving the glorious opportunity! Restore the husband to his disconsolate wife, the father to his weeping children! It is true, you cannot do this in person; you cannot be upon the spot. But you may do it in an effectual manner by assisting those that are. You may now, by your generous contribution, send them the help which you cannot personally give. O shut not up your bowels of compassion towards them! Now open your hearts and your hands! If you have much, give plenteously; if not, give a little, with a willing mind.
2. To you who believe the Christian Revelation, I may speak in a still stronger manner. You believe, your blessed Master "left you an example, that you might tread in his steps." Now, you know his whole life was one labour of love. You know "how he went about doing good," and that without intermission; declaring to all, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." Is not that, then, the language of your heart? --
Thy mind throughout my life be shown,
While list'ning to the wretches' cry,
The widows' and the orphans' groan,
On mercy's wings I swiftly fly,
The poor and helpless to relieve,
My life, my all, for them to give.
Occasions of doing this can never be wanting; for "the poor ye have always with you." But what a peculiar opportunity does the solemnity of this day furnish you with, of "treading in his steps," after a manner which you did not before conceive? Did he say to the poor afflicted parent, (doubtless to the surprise of many) "Weep not?" And did he surprise them still more, when he stopped her flowing tears by restoring life to her dead son, and "delivering him to his mother?" Did he (notwithstanding all that "laughed him to scorn") restore to life the daughter of Jairus? How many things of a nearly resembling sort, "if human we may liken to divine," have been done, and continue to be done daily, by these lovers of mankind! Let every one then be ambitious of having a share in this glorious work! Let every one (in a stronger sense than Mr. Herbert meant)
Join hands with God, to make a poor man live!
By your generous assistance, be ye partakers of their work, and partakers of their joy.
3. To you I need add but one word more. Remember (what was spoken at first) the solemn declaration of Him whose ye are, and whom ye serve, coming in the clouds of heaven! While you are promoting this comprehensive charity, which contains feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, lodging the stranger; indeed all good works in one; let those animating words be written on your hearts, and sounding in your ears: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto ME."
Acknowlegements
Edited by Kristi A. Newlander, student at Northwest Nazarene College (Nampa, ID), with corrections by George Lyons for the Wesley Center for Applied Theology.The text for John Wesley's sermons originally came from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library.
***Janelle GregoryJanelle Gregory serves on the Resurrection staff as a Human Resources Specialist. Janelle finds that her heart is constantly wrestling with the truth that she needs a Savior, and the times when she's at her very best are when she's just too tired to put up a fight.
I had dreamed of going to the Parthenon since I took World Art History my freshman year of college. How magical it would be to stand in this iconic structure where ancient Greeks gathered atop the Acropolis. Seven years ago I got the chance to do just that with my husband, Brandon. Here we are in the famous ruins, with the same view as those who walked these steps 2,500 years before.
The cranes may have been there to restore this ancient structure, but they were simultaneously tearing down my romanticized image of what I should be seeing. So? I just crop them out. I pretend they weren’t there. I choose not to see them when I think back to my time at the Parthenon. I’d rather just live in my fantasized image.
If only cropping were limited to pictures. Unfortunately, I think most of us are prone to crop out beyond just photos. When we are faced with seeing the unpleasantries of life or the sufferings of others, we might crop those out as well. Just like an infant, we think if we don’t see it, it doesn’t exist. If only that were the case. According to a 2015 survey by World Bank, nearly 10% of the world lives on less than $1.90 a day. $1.90 A DAY! But we don’t have to travel outside the city to find poverty. In the last U.S. Census, we’re told that 18.3% of people in Kansas City, MO are living below the poverty line. That’s nearly 1 in 5! How many of these people have we cropped out of our awareness?
Editing out what we would rather not face makes for a much prettier picture, but I can’t imagine that it would be God’s desire for us. While we’re saved by grace, we’re also told that we’ll be held accountable for how we care for and support those most vulnerable. There’s a bit of me that is afraid I’ll get to heaven and have this conversation with Jesus:
Me: Lord, when did I see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?
Jesus: You didn’t, but it’s because you chose not to see me. You cropped me out.
The Christian life isn’t made to be cropped. When we edit out the suffering, we may just be editing out Christ himself. My hope is that we’ll expand our perspective to see Jesus in the world around us in the eyes of those most vulnerable. In catching this glimpse, may our hearts be moved to serve, for we’re told that when we serve the least of these, we are serving the Lord himself.
***
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide for Wednesday, 07 February 2018 - A common ideal: a prayer-filled life
Daily Scripture
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Always be joyful. 17 Pray regularly. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is what God wants from you who are united with the Messiah Yeshua.
Matthew 6:5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites, who love to pray standing in the synagogues and on street corners, so that people can see them. Yes! I tell you, they have their reward already! 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, don’t babble on and on like the pagans, who think God will hear them better if they talk a lot. 8 Don’t be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 You, therefore, pray like this:
‘Our Father in heaven!
May your Name be kept holy.
10 May your Kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven.
11 Give us the food we need today.
12 Forgive us what we have done wrong,
as we too have forgiven those who have wronged us.
13 And do not lead us into hard testing,
but keep us safe from the Evil One.
[Matthew 6:13 The latter half of verse 13 is not found in the oldest manuscripts.]For kingship, power and glory are yours forever.
Amen.’
14 For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you;
***
Reflection Questions
“Five times a day, Muslims kneel facing Mecca…. ‘Our praying is spread throughout the day as a reminder to keep on the path,’ says my friend Ahmed El-Sharif, one of the Muslim leaders in my community.”* The prayer Jesus taught his disciples was not a “show prayer” to repeat once a week in church. It was a model for an unbroken inner link with a God in whose love we trust. Paul’s counsel to “pray continually” took in everything from a formal spoken prayer to the wordless groans he referred to in Romans 8:26.
Lord Jesus, help me to worry less about whether my phone is connected. Guide me to directing more of that energy into maintaining a constant inner prayer connection with you. Amen.
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, p. 76.
“Five times a day, Muslims kneel facing Mecca…. ‘Our praying is spread throughout the day as a reminder to keep on the path,’ says my friend Ahmed El-Sharif, one of the Muslim leaders in my community.”* The prayer Jesus taught his disciples was not a “show prayer” to repeat once a week in church. It was a model for an unbroken inner link with a God in whose love we trust. Paul’s counsel to “pray continually” took in everything from a formal spoken prayer to the wordless groans he referred to in Romans 8:26.
- The Lord’s Prayer covered a wide range of concerns. It reached all the way from the lofty “bring in your kingdom” to the practical “give us the bread we need for today.” How secure are you in talking to God about the full range of your concerns in prayer? Are there wishes or subjects you avoid praying about, either because you fear God isn’t interested or because you’re afraid God might give you something other than what you ask for?
- Just before “Pray continually,” Paul wrote “Rejoice always.” Yet his letters also showed him voicing distress and concern (e.g. Romans 9:1-3, Galatians 4:10-16). In what ways could “praying continually” create an inner environment which could “rejoice always” at a level deeper than the stress and sadness you feel? If continual prayer keeps you linked with God, and God is the ultimate source of rejoicing in your life, how can Paul’s words guide you to a better, richer life?
Lord Jesus, help me to worry less about whether my phone is connected. Guide me to directing more of that energy into maintaining a constant inner prayer connection with you. Amen.
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, p. 76.
***
Kari BurgessKari is a part of Resurrection's ShareChurch team. She is involved with the marketing, guest registration, and volunteer coordination for the conferences we host, and she considers it a joy to serve, using her gifts to help renew God's church. She enjoys running and hiking and loves being a cheerleader for her girls at all of their sporting, music and school events.
I remember visiting a church several years ago while “church shopping” and the sermon was on The Lord’s Prayer. My memories of the actual points of the sermon are rather vague, but I do recall walking away with a new conviction to use an expanded version of The Lord’s Prayer in my daily prayer life.
I don’t recall the reasons why we determined not to continue to visit this church. It must not have been a good fit for other reasons; however, I now run by this church on a fairly regular basis and each time I do, I remember and give gratitude for my one visit which helped shaped my prayer life.
If you do a Google search on how to use the Lord’s Prayer as a daily prayer guide, you will find lots of examples and helpful resources. Below is a sample of how I use The Lord’s Prayer in my daily prayer life:
Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name:
First, I acknowledge God as my maker, creator, redeemer. He is holy and worthy of all my honor, praise and glory.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven:Ask for God’s will to be done here on earth – both in my personal life and more corporately for our world, nation, city and church. Here I ask for God to reveal His will to me, to guide me in discerning His will and ask for strength to wholly submit to His will (and not my own). I almost always say something like: May everything I do, everything I say and everything I think today be acceptable and pleasing to you and give you glory.
Give us this day our daily bread:Humbly present my requests to God for what I need today. I take time to tell God about my concerns and ask him to provide for me and guide me. This is also the portion of my prayer time devoted to praying for others: for my family, friends and acquaintances who are sick, distressed or in need.
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us:
Confession of my sins and asking for forgiveness. At the same time, acknowledging and forgiving anyone who I feel may have wronged me. Here I ask God to help me to forgive others and to release any grudge or grievance I may have against someone else.
And lead us, not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:Ask for God to lead me each and every moment of my day and help keep my paths straight. My heart and my mind easily wander toward things which are not helpful and not centered on Him. At the same time, I ask God for protection and to keep me and my family safe from harm.
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory forever.
I end my prayer time acknowledging once again who God is and praising God for His faithfulness and for the gift of Jesus Christ. Then, I entrust all my prayers to Him and once again submit my life to Him.
***
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide for Tuesday 06 February 2018 - A common ideal: submission to God
Daily Scripture
Romans 12:1 I exhort you, therefore, brothers, in view of God’s mercies, to offer yourselves as a sacrifice, living and set apart for God. This will please him; it is the logical “Temple worship” for you. 2 In other words, do not let yourselves be conformed to the standards of the ‘olam hazeh. Instead, keep letting yourselves be transformed by the renewing of your minds; so that you will know what God wants and will agree that what he wants is good, satisfying and able to succeed.
Matthew 16:24 Then Yeshua told his talmidim, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him say ‘No’ to himself, take up his execution-stake, and keep following me. 25 For whoever wants to save his own life will destroy it, but whoever destroys his life for my sake will find it. 26 What good will it do someone if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or, what can a person give in exchange for his life?
***
Randy Greene
Randy Greene is a part of the Communications team at the Church of the Resurrection. He helps develop and maintain the church's family of websites. He is also a student at Central Baptist Theological Seminary and loves to write stories about faith for his blog.
The thing that makes it so hard for me to “take up my cross” is that it means I have to leave something behind. The cross of Christ is not a trinket-–carrying it takes both hands and more strength than I have on my own, so I have nothing left with which to bring anything else with me on the journey.
I am happy to leave some things behind: hurts and pains, broken relationships, insecurity. But sometimes I have to leave good things behind, too: dreams and ambitions, rights, comforts. I’m guessing that’s what Jesus meant when he told his disciples that “All who want to save their lives will lose them.”
Pursuing Christ means I have to let go of some things I love, some things that I feel are vitally important to me, to give myself up to death and resurrection in Christ.
At times, I’m pretty sure I’m not up to the task. I don’t know that I can turn the other cheek, or go the second mile, or put away my sword. I don't even know that I want to! But I thank God that I do not walk this road alone. I am surrounded by a cloud of witnesses supporting and encouraging me, and I am given strength in the midst of my weakness by Christ who lives in me.
***
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide for Monday, 05 February 2018 - God loved Isaac and Ishmael, Abraham's sons
Daily Scripture:
Genesis 21:9 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom Hagar had borne to Avraham, making fun of Yitz’chak; 10 so Sarah said to Avraham, “Throw this slave-girl out! And her son! I will not have this slave-girl’s son as your heir along with my son Yitz’chak!”
***
Did You Know?
The Bible never spoke about Islam, because of a very simple fact of history: “Islam is the youngest of the world’s five major religions….Mohammed lived from AD 570 to 632 [that is, roughly 500 years after the writing of the Bible’s final books].” (Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, pp. 68-69.)
Reflection Questions
Arabic people—of whom Mohammed was one—trace their ancestry to Ishmael, Abraham’s son. When Sarah (eagerly) and Abraham (reluctantly) sent Hagar and Ishmael away, Genesis said God lovingly acted to save Ishmael and his mother. God reiterated the promise (given in Genesis 16:10, repeated in Genesis 17:18-20) that Ishmael, like Isaac, would father a great nation. Genesis gave no details, but said “Isaac and Ishmael buried him”—together. At least briefly, Abraham’s sons reached beyond any tension or separation that may have existed.
Lord of all, Abraham and Sarah lived out your saving covenant. Their descendants recalled your love for Hagar and Ishmael. Help me join in your saving mission, a mission that seeks to love and care for all your human children. Amen.
***
Melanie Hill
Melanie Hill is the Guest Connections Program Director at Resurrection.
A few years ago, I had the privilege to travel to Marrakech, Morocco, with my husband on a trip he had won through work. I have always loved learning about new cultures and traveling to new places so when I heard that we were going to have the opportunity to visit this ancient city, I started researching the culture and history.
I found that Marrakech has a rich religious history. Being on the northwest tip of Africa, a mere 8 miles from Spain, many religions had found a home there throughout the years. Christianity first arrived with the Romans, and many Jews who had been cast out of Spain called it home for a time. Over 90% of Morocco is Muslim, yet the city of Marrakech has found a way for all three to coexist. It seemed incongruous to me that Christians, Jews and Muslims called Marrakech home. That sounded like a recipe for tension at the very least. As our time got closer to traveling I began to be a little nervous about what it would be like to be an American woman in this city that was overwhelmingly Muslim.
When we arrived, what I found was vastly different than what I had been anxious about. Marrakech was a city where Jews, Christians and Muslims lived and worked together--and not just in a sense of tolerating each other, but with warm regard for each other.
One particular day we had the opportunity to go inside the old walled city center, the Medina marketplace, to visit the different shops and see the myriad of tradesmen working at their crafts. As we wandered from shop to shop we saw Jewish and Muslim shop owners in front of their shops laughing together. At one point we were allowed to visit one of the bakeries where everyone in the neighborhood brings their bread to be baked each day. Christians brought their bread as well as Jews and Muslims. It was a place to visit with neighbors and catch up. I was reminded of what Paul wrote to the Romans: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18 NIV)
That’s the key, isn’t it? “As far as it depends on you”? It’s easy these days to feel overwhelmed when you hear the rhetoric coming from both sides of the aisle on how we should regard Muslims both inside and outside our country. Sometimes it seems it would just be easier to close our eyes, cover our ears and tune it out. While that might be an option for preschoolers when they don’t want to listen, it’s not really an option for us. It’s not an option for me.
This weekend at the end of the sermon Pastor Adam asked the question, “Will we be the kind of Christian who stands up for their neighbor?” I don’t know about you, but I wanted to stand up in the middle of the sanctuary and shout, “Yes! Yes, I will!” Because it does depend on me. I may never agree with my Muslim friends about a great many things, but I can choose to live at peace with them. I can choose to break bread with them, to do life with them, to laugh with them, to raise my children alongside them.
And who knows, maybe somewhere along the journey they will see Jesus in me, and I can introduce them to the Prince of Peace.
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Daily Scripture
Romans 12:1 I exhort you, therefore, brothers, in view of God’s mercies, to offer yourselves as a sacrifice, living and set apart for God. This will please him; it is the logical “Temple worship” for you. 2 In other words, do not let yourselves be conformed to the standards of the ‘olam hazeh. Instead, keep letting yourselves be transformed by the renewing of your minds; so that you will know what God wants and will agree that what he wants is good, satisfying and able to succeed.
Matthew 16:24 Then Yeshua told his talmidim, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him say ‘No’ to himself, take up his execution-stake, and keep following me. 25 For whoever wants to save his own life will destroy it, but whoever destroys his life for my sake will find it. 26 What good will it do someone if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or, what can a person give in exchange for his life?
***
Did You Know?
When Christians or Jews pray in Arabic, they pray to “Allah.” The word does not denote some alternate Islamic deity—it is simply that language’s word for “God.” (From the Oxford Dictionaries website.)
Reflection Questions
“Islam is the religion of surrender or submission to Allah. A Muslim is ‘one who is submitted (to Allah.)’”* Similarly, Jesus called his followers to “take their cross.” When Jesus said this, no one sold “cross” jewelry. A cross was a hideous tool of torture and death, which “respectable” people avoided at all costs. The apostle Paul set a high standard for the way Christians go about our daily lives. Our “appropriate service” to God, he told the Christians in Rome, is to offer ourselves as a “living sacrifice.”
Dear God, I offer my life to you as a living sacrifice. Keep transforming me from the inside out, so that I don’t climb off the altar when you call me to something challenging. Amen.
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, p. 73.
***
When Christians or Jews pray in Arabic, they pray to “Allah.” The word does not denote some alternate Islamic deity—it is simply that language’s word for “God.” (From the Oxford Dictionaries website.)
Reflection Questions
“Islam is the religion of surrender or submission to Allah. A Muslim is ‘one who is submitted (to Allah.)’”* Similarly, Jesus called his followers to “take their cross.” When Jesus said this, no one sold “cross” jewelry. A cross was a hideous tool of torture and death, which “respectable” people avoided at all costs. The apostle Paul set a high standard for the way Christians go about our daily lives. Our “appropriate service” to God, he told the Christians in Rome, is to offer ourselves as a “living sacrifice.”
- In the ancient world, most people had made a sacrifice to some god. That usually meant killing an animal in the god’s temple or shrine. If that were your background, how would you need to shift your thinking and acting to respond to Paul’s call to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice”? In what ways are you willing to put yourself, your life, “on the altar” to live daily for God?
- Jesus asked what the point would be of gaining earthly wealth or prestige in a way that cost you a chance to live for eternity. “Why would people gain the whole world but lose their lives?” Today, virtually no one anywhere dies on a cross. What do you believe it means for you to choose eternal life, to “take up your cross” and follow Jesus?
Dear God, I offer my life to you as a living sacrifice. Keep transforming me from the inside out, so that I don’t climb off the altar when you call me to something challenging. Amen.
* Adam Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, p. 73.
***
Randy GreeneRandy Greene is a part of the Communications team at the Church of the Resurrection. He helps develop and maintain the church's family of websites. He is also a student at Central Baptist Theological Seminary and loves to write stories about faith for his blog.
The thing that makes it so hard for me to “take up my cross” is that it means I have to leave something behind. The cross of Christ is not a trinket-–carrying it takes both hands and more strength than I have on my own, so I have nothing left with which to bring anything else with me on the journey.
I am happy to leave some things behind: hurts and pains, broken relationships, insecurity. But sometimes I have to leave good things behind, too: dreams and ambitions, rights, comforts. I’m guessing that’s what Jesus meant when he told his disciples that “All who want to save their lives will lose them.”
Pursuing Christ means I have to let go of some things I love, some things that I feel are vitally important to me, to give myself up to death and resurrection in Christ.
At times, I’m pretty sure I’m not up to the task. I don’t know that I can turn the other cheek, or go the second mile, or put away my sword. I don't even know that I want to! But I thank God that I do not walk this road alone. I am surrounded by a cloud of witnesses supporting and encouraging me, and I am given strength in the midst of my weakness by Christ who lives in me.
***
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas United States Grow Pray Study Guide for Monday, 05 February 2018 - God loved Isaac and Ishmael, Abraham's sons
Daily Scripture:
Genesis 21:9 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom Hagar had borne to Avraham, making fun of Yitz’chak; 10 so Sarah said to Avraham, “Throw this slave-girl out! And her son! I will not have this slave-girl’s son as your heir along with my son Yitz’chak!”
11 Avraham became very distressed over this matter of his son. 12 But God said to Avraham, “Don’t be distressed because of the boy and your slave-girl. Listen to everything Sarah says to you, because it is your descendants through Yitz’chak who will be counted. 13 But I will also make a nation from the son of the slave-girl, since he is descended from you.”
14 Avraham got up early in the morning, took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child; then he sent her away. After leaving, she wandered in the desert around Be’er-Sheva. 15 When the water in the skin was gone, she left the child under a bush, 16 and went and sat down, looking the other way, about a bow-shot’s distance from him; because she said, “I can’t bear to watch my child die.” So she sat there, looking the other way, crying out and weeping. 17 God heard the boy’s voice, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What’s wrong with you, Hagar? Don’t be afraid, because God has heard the voice of the boy in his present situation. 18 Get up, lift the boy up, and hold him tightly in your hand, because I am going to make him a great nation.” 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. So she went, filled the skin with water and gave the boy water to drink.
20 God was with the boy, and he grew. He lived in the desert and became an archer.
Genesis 25:7 This is how long Avraham lived: 175 years. 8 Then Avraham breathed his last, dying at a ripe old age, an old man full of years; and he was gathered to his people. 9 Yitz’chak and Yishma‘el his sons buried him in the cave of Makhpelah, in the field of ‘Efron the son of Tzochar the Hitti, by Mamre,***
Did You Know?
The Bible never spoke about Islam, because of a very simple fact of history: “Islam is the youngest of the world’s five major religions….Mohammed lived from AD 570 to 632 [that is, roughly 500 years after the writing of the Bible’s final books].” (Hamilton, Christianity and World Religions. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2005, pp. 68-69.)
Reflection Questions
Arabic people—of whom Mohammed was one—trace their ancestry to Ishmael, Abraham’s son. When Sarah (eagerly) and Abraham (reluctantly) sent Hagar and Ishmael away, Genesis said God lovingly acted to save Ishmael and his mother. God reiterated the promise (given in Genesis 16:10, repeated in Genesis 17:18-20) that Ishmael, like Isaac, would father a great nation. Genesis gave no details, but said “Isaac and Ishmael buried him”—together. At least briefly, Abraham’s sons reached beyond any tension or separation that may have existed.
- In today’s reading, God’s mercy and love kept Hagar and her son Ishmael alive. The Hebrew people included these stories in their sacred history despite the messy, sometimes hate-filled relations between Middle Eastern peoples, then and since. How might God’s attitude toward both Ishmael and Isaac, and their coming together to honor their dead father, help to point a path toward greater peace in our world today?
- “God heard the boy’s cries” (Genesis 21:17). Do you believe the pain and suffering of all of Abraham’s Jewish, Muslim and Christian descendants (as well as all other members of the human family) still touch God’s heart? Are you confident that God hears your cries at moments of sadness, loss, pain or danger in your life?
Lord of all, Abraham and Sarah lived out your saving covenant. Their descendants recalled your love for Hagar and Ishmael. Help me join in your saving mission, a mission that seeks to love and care for all your human children. Amen.
***
Melanie HillMelanie Hill is the Guest Connections Program Director at Resurrection.
A few years ago, I had the privilege to travel to Marrakech, Morocco, with my husband on a trip he had won through work. I have always loved learning about new cultures and traveling to new places so when I heard that we were going to have the opportunity to visit this ancient city, I started researching the culture and history.
I found that Marrakech has a rich religious history. Being on the northwest tip of Africa, a mere 8 miles from Spain, many religions had found a home there throughout the years. Christianity first arrived with the Romans, and many Jews who had been cast out of Spain called it home for a time. Over 90% of Morocco is Muslim, yet the city of Marrakech has found a way for all three to coexist. It seemed incongruous to me that Christians, Jews and Muslims called Marrakech home. That sounded like a recipe for tension at the very least. As our time got closer to traveling I began to be a little nervous about what it would be like to be an American woman in this city that was overwhelmingly Muslim.
When we arrived, what I found was vastly different than what I had been anxious about. Marrakech was a city where Jews, Christians and Muslims lived and worked together--and not just in a sense of tolerating each other, but with warm regard for each other.
One particular day we had the opportunity to go inside the old walled city center, the Medina marketplace, to visit the different shops and see the myriad of tradesmen working at their crafts. As we wandered from shop to shop we saw Jewish and Muslim shop owners in front of their shops laughing together. At one point we were allowed to visit one of the bakeries where everyone in the neighborhood brings their bread to be baked each day. Christians brought their bread as well as Jews and Muslims. It was a place to visit with neighbors and catch up. I was reminded of what Paul wrote to the Romans: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18 NIV)
That’s the key, isn’t it? “As far as it depends on you”? It’s easy these days to feel overwhelmed when you hear the rhetoric coming from both sides of the aisle on how we should regard Muslims both inside and outside our country. Sometimes it seems it would just be easier to close our eyes, cover our ears and tune it out. While that might be an option for preschoolers when they don’t want to listen, it’s not really an option for us. It’s not an option for me.
This weekend at the end of the sermon Pastor Adam asked the question, “Will we be the kind of Christian who stands up for their neighbor?” I don’t know about you, but I wanted to stand up in the middle of the sanctuary and shout, “Yes! Yes, I will!” Because it does depend on me. I may never agree with my Muslim friends about a great many things, but I can choose to live at peace with them. I can choose to break bread with them, to do life with them, to laugh with them, to raise my children alongside them.
And who knows, maybe somewhere along the journey they will see Jesus in me, and I can introduce them to the Prince of Peace.
You might also like
- Prayer Tip: Islam
- All Christ-followers are Abraham's heirs
- Jesus-the ultimate revelation of God
- Jesus, David's "son," claimed the new covenant
- God's covenant with David and his descendants
- Or download .this week's printable GPS.
©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011 or The Complete Jewish Bible.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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