The Daily Guide. grow. pray. study. from The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, United States "Hope in God’s unseen glory—greater than illness, age, even death" for Thursday, 16 February 20172 Corinthians 4:6 For it is the God who once said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has made his light shine in our hearts, the light of the knowledge of God’s glory shining in the face of the Messiah Yeshua.
7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it will be evident that such overwhelming power comes from God and not from us. 8 We have all kinds of troubles, but we are not crushed; we are perplexed, yet not in despair; 9 persecuted, yet not abandoned; knocked down, yet not destroyed. 10 We always carry in our bodies the dying of Yeshua, so that the life of Yeshua may be manifested in our bodies too.
4:16 This is why we do not lose courage. Though our outer self is heading for decay, our inner self is being renewed daily. 17 For our light and transient troubles are achieving for us an everlasting glory whose weight is beyond description. 18 We concentrate not on what is seen but on what is not seen, since things seen are temporary, but things not seen are eternal.
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The apostle Paul wrote 2 Corinthians after a painful time, when many Christians in Corinth, biased by a set of false teachers, had turned against him. Later in the letter, he cataloged the many challenges he had faced in carrying out God’s mission (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:23-28). Yet Paul did not let any of that destroy him. In verse 10, he tied his struggles to Jesus’ death, which seemed the worst defeat of all and yet became a victory when he rose from the dead three days later.
• When did you last feel confused, harassed or knocked down? What resources helped you avoid being crushed, depressed or knocked out? Have you ever seen, in yourself or anyone you know, the truth of “even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day”?
• We often tend to feel shame about the realities of illness or aging. We see them as a sign of weakness or failure. Paul faced those realities, but saw them differently. Are there disciplines (e.g. Bible memorization, meditation, prayer) that help you access God’s strength to keep your inner self moving toward victory even when your outer self is breaking down? How has the Bible’s teaching that our eternal life starts now shaped your view of your limitations?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, on the days when life feels dark, when nothing seems to go right, help me not to be crushed or destroyed. Remind me always that “the worst thing is never the last thing.” Amen.
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“We don’t focus on the things that can be seen but on the things that can’t be seen.”
My step-dad has been in my life only since I was in my mid-20’s. He had never been a dad, and I had spent most of my childhood without a dad. So we didn’t really know how to do the “family” thing. But after a few months (years) of some bumpy conversations, he and I have learned how to talk to each other. He’s done a good job, and I’ve got all sorts of new advice in my repertoire thanks to him. One piece of advice is “never send an e-mail or text when you're emotionally charged.” Surprisingly I occasionally still make this mistake. I always regret testing this advice. Another piece of advice surprised me, though. It was more… spiritual… than his usual advice.
“Chris, the only thing you can take with you into the next life is your character. Nothing else can come with you. Not a relationship, not your body, not your mind, not money. Just your character.”
I’ve thought about it over the years and I think he was really onto something. It’s strange to think everything that makes you… you, will pass. Expect for your spirit. Your soul. Your essence.
Which is essentially shaped by qualities and virtues.
This part of ourselves is, strangely, the thing we most often work on the least in ourselves. We make our selves look attractive, we try to “keep up with the Jones’s,” we get educations, we get partners. And yet all of those parts of life are only aspects of life. Those things aren’t us. In a split second, all of that can be taken from us.
But not our character. Like the scripture says in today’s reading, “The things that can be seen don’t last, but the things that can’t be seen are eternal.” This is, obviously, referring to much more than human character. But it’s a similar idea.
The outside fades. The inside stays.
The invitation, then, is to let God into the insides. Into our deepest parts.
Think about it. The reason most people reject Christianity is because of Christians. They see qualities within people’s character that seem out of line with the character of Jesus. It’s amazing how even the most unbelieving person can can tell when a Christian’s character falls short of the ideals they claim.
But you’ve also met someone who really lets God go to work in their inner lives. They develop characteristics that embody peace and compassion and enthusiasm. Some Christians even explain this as “letting Jesus into your heart.” It’s not just a prayer or doctrinal statement.
It’s letting God work inside of you.
And that’s the part that lasts.
Christianity is the biggest investment you can make. You can’t take most of life with you. But you can invest and grow the part of you that will last.
And that’s not just advice from my step-dad. That’s advice from God. And He knows a thing or two.
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.
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"Resurrection defeated death forever"
Friday, 17 February 2017
Hebrews 2:14 Therefore, since the children share a common physical nature as human beings, he became like them and shared that same human nature; so that by his death he might render ineffective the one who had power over death (that is, the Adversary) 15 and thus set free those who had been in bondage all their lives because of their fear of death.
1 Corinthians 15:51 Look, I will tell you a secret — not all of us will die! But we will all be changed! 52 It will take but a moment, the blink of an eye, at the final shofar. For the shofar will sound, and the dead will be raised to live forever, and we too will be changed. 53 For this material which can decay must be clothed with imperishability, this which is mortal must be clothed with immortality. 54 When what decays puts on imperishability and what is mortal puts on immortality, then this passage in the Tanakh will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.[1 Corinthians 15:54 Isaiah 25:8]
55 “Death, where is your victory?
Death, where is your sting?”[1 Corinthians 15:55 Hosea 13:14]
56 The sting of death is sin; and sin draws its power from the Torah; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah!
Revelation 21:3 I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “See! God’s Sh’khinah is with mankind, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and he himself, God-with-them, will be their God.[Revelation 21:3 Leviticus 26:11–12; Isaiah 7:14; 8:8, 10; Jeremiah 31:33(34); Ezekiel 37:27; 2 Chronicles 6:18] 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will no longer be any death; and there will no longer be any mourning, crying or pain; because the old order has passed away.”
5 Then the One sitting on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new!” Also he said, “Write, ‘These words are true and trustworthy!’”
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From ancient Rome to today, the “ultimate” human threat is, “I will kill you.” Roman officials puzzled over how little that threat seemed to affect Jesus’ followers. Jesus, who died and rose again, set his followers free from even the fear of death. In 1 Corinthians 15, the apostle Paul boldly proclaimed a divine victory so sweeping that death would be “swallowed up.” In John Wesley’s sermon “On the Resurrection of the Dead,” he quoted Paul and said, “Let this especially fortify us against the fear of death: It is now disarmed, and can do us no hurt.” The Bible ended with Revelation’s glorious vision of a world in which “death will be no more.”
• Jesus faced evil and death at their very worst—you can read about his arrest, trial and crucifixion in any of the four gospels. Jesus defeated evil and death at their very worst—go on to read the Easter story in any of the four gospels. Early Christians staked their lives on the truth of Jesus’ victory over death. In what ways does fear of death subtly shape your life choices? How can Jesus’ death and resurrection set you free from that fear?
• When someone we love faces death, we often use “combat” language, sadly saying things like “she lost the battle.” But Paul quoted the prophet Hosea to deny that death “wins”: “Where is your victory, Death?” (cf. Hosea 13:14) For a Christian, death is not a defeat, but a transition into a new phase of our victorious walk with Christ. Does the idea of death cause you fear and anxiety? How can internalizing the full meaning of Jesus' resurrection lead you toward greater peace as you await God’s eternity, where death will be no more?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you went where most of us most dread going—the realm of death—and you emerged victorious! You offer me the choice to join you in that victory. I accept your offer of a life that lies beyond the power of death. Amen.
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When I started seminary, the topic of death was one I really wanted to dive into and try to understand from a theological perspective. I wanted to know why the Jewish and Muslim faiths handle death very differently than Christians. I wanted to know how our death rituals became what they are today. I wanted to understand from scholars, what heaven is and what eternal life is really all about. I thought if I studied it enough, I would find peace with the idea of death.
I read everything I could on the topic of death and afterlife and asked my professors tough questions. But I have found the greatest lessons on death came from the moments when I was with someone who was taking their last breaths. It is in those precious moments where the theology, Scripture, scholars, and traditions I have studied culminate into my knowing that Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s words are true: “We are spiritual beings having a human experience."
I find that when I am there in the last moments with someone, I can feel and sense the spirit of the person leaving their physical body. The Scriptures in our GPS today describe this change in form in different ways. It is such a hard concept to put into words, and humans throughout history have debated which words to use to best capture this concept. We each have to reconcile our levels of fear and faith around death. I have noticed over time, the more I accept that I am a spiritual being having a human experience, the more I find peace with death. I fear death less now and I am counting on a spiritual life beyond this human existence.
I was with eighth graders last week who are finishing their confirmation classes and could ask me any question--I was a “pastor on the hot-seat.” Their questions were deep, wondering, thoughtful, loving, and hopeful. Many of their questions were on the topic of death and afterlife. This is something universally feared and yet inevitable to every one of us. We fear our own death, and dread the death of those we love. We want to know what happens in death and we long for there to be more than we can see.
I shared with the teens that death will always be a mystery, and we will only fully know what occurs when we experience it. I count on the generations of humans who have shared near-death accounts and people’s final words to form an image of what death is like. The stories seem consistent over thousands of years, with elements like describing a bright light, someone reaching out a loving hand, transcendent peace, and a vibrational sound beyond our imagination. These sound similar to how Jesus showed up to the disciples after his physical death. And I think the reason each gospel tells it a little differently is because Jesus was still teaching, showing us multiple possibilities for our spiritual existence after our human experience.
Though mysteries remain, Scripture assures us that death is not the last word. Jesus taught us that by example. Death isn’t the final act--resurrection is. As people of faith, we believe in resurrection and life eternal. Our spiritual homework for our human experience is to live in connection to God, love unconditionally, seek justice for others, pray without ceasing, and emanate forgiveness, grace, and mercy. In doing that, we find peace and death is swallowed up in victory.
GINGER ROTHHAASGinger Rothhaas will graduate from Saint Paul School of Theology in May 2017. She is currently serving as a pastoral intern in Congregational Care and for the Saturday 5 pm worship service while Pastor Katherine Ebling is on maternity leave. She loves to learn, teach, and meet our congregants for coffee and spiritual conversation!
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“'Fear of the Lord:' the one life-giving fear"
Saturday, 18 February 2017
Psalm 111:7 The works of his hands are truth and justice;
all his precepts can be trusted.
8 They have been established forever and ever,
to be carried out truly and honestly.
9 He sent redemption to his people
and decreed that his covenant should last forever.
His name is holy and fearsome —
10 the first and foremost point of wisdom is the fear of Adonai;
all those living by it gain good common sense.
His praise stands forever.
Proverbs 2:2 paying attention to wisdom
inclining your mind toward understanding —
3 yes, if you will call for insight
and raise your voice for discernment,
4 if you seek it as you would silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure —
5 then you will understand the fear of Adonai
and find knowledge of God.
6 For Adonai gives wisdom;
from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, my dear friends, since we have these promises, let us purify ourselves from everything that can defile either body or spirit, and strive to be completely holy, out of reverence for God.
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This sermon series has called us to live above and beyond many of our most common fears. We’ve learned human therapeutic tools that work along with our trust in God to point us toward an unafraid life. There is one kind of “fear,” however, that the Bible fully endorsed: “the fear of the Lord.” Proverbs 3:6-7 gave a concise definition of the life-giving kind of “fear” today’s readings called us to: “Know him in all your paths and he will keep your ways straight. Don’t consider yourself wise. Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.”
• “While we tend to associate the word ‘fear’ with a ‘hair standing on end’ or ‘fight or flight’ feeling, ‘the fear of the LORD’ is better understood as reverent awe. Indeed, the Lord is ‘fearsome,’ but not in the sense that some want to run away from or escape from God’s presence. Rather, we are called to approach the Lord with a sense of awe while in the presence of the holy.”*
Can you recall times when you have experienced this healthy, lifegiving kind of fear in particularly vivid way? Why would this type of fear cause you to want to draw closer to God, rather than to shrink away?
Prayer: O God, let me never lose a sense of awe at the privilege you offer me to accept your love and to walk through my life in your presence, with you as my Lord and guide. Amen.
* Nancy L. deClaissé-Walford, study note on Proverbs 1:7 in The CEB Study Bible. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2013, p. 1007 OT.
Family Activity: Every day is a gift from God! No matter our situation or our age, we can celebrate and give thanks, even when we face challenges and fear. Encourage your family members to choose one day this week where they will be intentionally aware of the world around them. Invite them to use their senses of sight, sound, taste, touch and smell to soak in God’s presence in the everyday ordinariness of life. When you gather in the evening, ask each person to share God’s gifts in their day. You can draw, make a list or create a collage of what your family experienced. Seek to become more aware of God’s goodness and blessings on a daily basis and thank God often. When you feel anxious, review your lists or look at your pictures and thank God for being present always.
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Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer
Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
•Carol Owings and family on the death of her son Greg Owings, 2/5
•Naomi Mills and family on the death of her husband John Mills, 2/5
•Friends and family of Tim Clore on his death, 2/4
• Judy Lager and family on the death of her mother Jackie O’Keefe, 2/3
•Pam Earnest and family on the death of her mother Norma Elmore, 2/2
•Tom Galbraith and family on the death of his father Allen Galbraith, 1/31
•Rick Cooper and family on the death of his wife Judy Cooper, 1/30
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