"Prayer Tip: Darkness or Light? (Star Wars: Rogue One)"Daily Scripture:
Ephesians 5:8-11; 6:10-13
Prayer Tip
Loving God,
As we enter into a new week, we are reminded to live as children of light. Thank you for being the light within us, so we can shine brightly for all those around us. Whether it's a neighbor, a co-worker, or a family member, allow them to see your love and grace through us. When it seems that darkness is crowding in, give us the strength and endurance to persevere, so we can bring hope and healing to a broken world.
In Jesus' name, Amen [Tino Herrera, Congregational Care Pastor]
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Sunday, July 16, 2017 "The Gospel in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – 'Darkness or Light?'”
Scripture:
Ephesians 5:8 For you used to be darkness; but now, united with the Lord, you are light. Live like children of light, 9 for the fruit of the light is in every kind of goodness, rightness and truth — 10 try to determine what will please the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the deeds produced by darkness, but instead expose them, and 6:10 Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength! 11 Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary. 12 For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. 13 So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing.
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"Jyn Erso: 'We have hope. Rebellions are built on hope!'”
Monday, 17 July 2017
Romans 5:1-4
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Ancient Greeks invented the literary form of the “tragedy,” a story that shows humans growing
stronger and more noble through enduring terrible suffering. In Romans 5:1-3, the apostle Paul
seemed to echo the idea that enduring suffering makes us stronger. But Pastor John Ortberg
noted, “At the end he added as a climax what would never have occurred to a noble pagan: “and
character produces hope.” *
• Pastor Ortberg went on to quote the more modern philosopher Friedrich Nietzche, who wrote,
“In truth, [hope] is the most evil of evils because it prolongs man’s torment.” Do you naturally
incline more to the view that hope is largely delusional, useless and damaging, or to Paul’s
view that hope (founded in God’s saving action) is an essential outcome of strong character?
What role, if any, has hope played in keeping you going at tough times?
• In Rogue One, many “realists” in the rebel group argued that the Death Star weapon’s power
made it futile to continue resisting the evil Empire. In Paul’s day, “realists” said that the
Christian message he preached had no chance of even altering the course of the all-powerful
Roman Empire, much less outlasting it. We have the benefit of 2000 years of hindsight. Can
you think of other instances (e.g. the American Revolution, the Civil Rights movement) in which
hope triumphed over seemingly immovable powers?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, so often this world seems dark and dangerous, and I feel like giving up.
Nurture the flame of your hope in my heart as a force that can carry me forward in your kingdom’s
work every day. Amen.
* John Ortberg, Who Is This Man?: The Unpredictable Impact of the Inescapable Jesus. Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan, 2012, p. 195.
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"Galen Erso: 'You're confusing peace with terror.'”
Tuesday, 18 July 2017
Ephesians 6:10-17
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To an Empire planner who embraced the “Dark Side” and said the Death Star would bring peace, Jyn’s
father replied with today’s title quote. “Confusing peace with terror” was certainly true of the historic pax
Romana—it meant “peace” for the Roman elite, and terror for everyone else. But Ephesians saw not
just human powers at work, but cosmic spiritual forces—and promised that God’s spiritual armor could
allow God’s people to defeat even “forces of cosmic darkness.”
• The city of Ephesus held temples of many pagan gods and cults. Paul’s list of the powers of
darkness in verse 12 spoke, as scholar Clinton Arnold put it, to “believers [who] came to the
Lord from a background in magic, astrology, witchcraft, goddess worship, and various mystery
cults.” * What forces in today’s world make it hardest for you to hold to your commitment to
God? Which parts of God’s armor have been most vital in pushing back the darkness in your
own life, and in the lives of others?
• The “realists” in Rogue One argued that physical survival was the highest goal, that in the end it
didn’t matter whether they stood for good against evil or not. We often think issues like money,
work, school, houses, cars, even health and illness are “the real world.” But Ephesians said the
spiritual world is the real “real world,” with eternal issues at stake. How can you connect more
fully with God, raising your gaze beyond “this-worldly” worries to focus your central life energy
in the “real reality” of God’s world?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, this broken, violent world did the very worst it could do to you—yet you
emerged alive and victorious. Help me to realize that my ultimate security lies with you and your
eternal kingdom. Amen.
* Clinton E. Arnold, commentary on Ephesians 6:12 in Clinton E. Arnold, gen. ed. Romans to Philemon:
Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, Volume 3. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002, p. 336.
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"Jyn Erso: 'I'm not used to people sticking around when things go bad.'”
Wednesday, 19 July 2017
Isaiah 43:1-3
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The rebels fighting the Empire in Rogue One faced dangerous, difficult tasks. As they stuck
together in the face of reverses, Jyn realized that this was different from many of her earlier life
experiences. Isaiah 43 reflected the truth that, sooner or later, difficult times come to all of us. The
prophet wrote, “When [not ‘if’] you pass through the waters…. When [not ‘if’] you walk through the
fire.” But the promise began with familiar words: “Do not fear.”
• A Hebrew tradition said evil King Manasseh killed Isaiah. We know Jesus was crucified, and
the Romans beheaded Paul the apostle. Does that history mean Isaiah 43’s promises were
false? Hebrews 2:15 said Jesus' resurrection can “set free [even] those who were held in
slavery their entire lives by their fear of death.” How might fear of “death” (perhaps not just
physical, but financial or social) limit your ability to live for God and others? To what extent has
faith in Jesus freed you from even that fear?
• Isaiah 43 emphasized God’s personal bond with God’s people—“I have redeemed you; I have
called you by name; you are mine.” It did not promise an easy, pain-free life, but pledged that
whatever happened, God’s presence was dependable. Do you have a family, good workplace
or other settings in which there are people you feel sure will stick around when things go bad?
How can you take in and value the fact that, beyond human caring, God will always stick
around when things go bad?
Prayer: Lord God, you’re the maker and sustainer of all that is, and your word says, repeatedly,
“Do not fear.” Increase my trust in your loving presence with me in both good times and bad.
Amen.
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"Cassian Andor: “I couldn't face myself if I gave up now... None of us could.”
Thursday, 20 July 2017
Acts 5:17-33, 40-42
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In Rogue One, the rebels with Jyn took great and costly risks as they faced the Empire’s fury and
power. When Jesus’ first followers faced a “furious” Sanhedrin, they said, ““We must obey God
rather than humans! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead…We are witnesses of
such things” (verses 30, 32). When the authorities beat them, we read that instead of complaining,
they astoundingly “left the council rejoicing because they had been regarded as worthy to suffer
disgrace for the sake of the name.”
• At the end of Luke’s gospel (of which Acts was “volume 2”), Jesus told his disciples: “A change
of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in [Christ’s] name to all
nations….You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:47-48). When the council and the high
priest ordered them NOT to preach, they were crystal clear about who they must obey. Have
you ever had to decide whether to obey God or some human authority? If so, what did you
decide to do?
• It’s worth reading again: The apostles “left the council rejoicing because they had been
regarded as worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of the name.” Before Jesus' death, the
apostles had squabbled about which of them should be greatest. How had they come to see
God’s priorities more clearly? How can you clarify God’s view of issues in your life?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, empower me to live a life that, in easy decisions and hard ones, glorifies you
through my loyalty and obedience. Help me to never give up on your calling to me. Amen.
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"Jyn Erso: 'They call it the Death Star. But they have no idea... there's a way to defeat it.'”
Friday, 21 July 2017
Matthew 21:33-45
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Jyn (and because of her, the rebels) knew something the arrogant Empire had overlooked. A small
flaw in the Death Star made it vulnerable to defeat. (If you’ve seen the first Star Wars movie, you
know how that worked out.) The arrogant religious leaders plotting to kill Jesus looked invincible,
too. But Jesus' story said they, like the vicious tenants in the vineyard, had forgotten the vineyard’s
owner (God). Killing the son didn’t make them owners—it only meant the true owner would hold
them accountable for their violent actions.
• The answer to Jesus' question was too obvious to avoid (verses 40-41). His hearers
pronounced sentence—on themselves. To what extent are you willing to submit your life to
Jesus? What people and experiences have shaped your willingness to respond to Jesus, either
positively or negatively? What steps can you take to ensure that you are not like the wicked
tenants in the vineyard?
• Through history, arrogance has been ultimately disastrous for nations, churches and
individuals. Read Psalm 2:1-5, originally written to honor an Israelite king’s enthronement, but
whose meaning reached far beyond any earthly throne. How can you, in your personal life and
in any organizations you help to shape, avoid choosing a course that defies God’s principles,
whatever short-term “benefits” it might seem to offer?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, keep growing me into a faithful, responsive servant in your vineyard. Deliver
me from the temptations of arrogance, that I may bear a rich harvest, not for my glory but for yours.
Amen.
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"Blockade Runner Pilot: 'What is it that they've sent us?' Princess Leia: 'Hope.'”
Saturday, 22 July 2017
Hebrews 6:11-20
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In Rogue One, retrieving the Death Star plans, and transmitting them to rebel headquarters cost
Jyn and Cassian their lives. It was a high price indeed, but it gave the rebels hope. Jesus' apparent
defeat in fact defeated evil, and gave all of God’s people an eternal hope. The writer of Hebrews
knew we don’t become deeply committed followers of God by chance. The letter called its readers
(including us) to make sure we grasp that hope and weave it into our way of life. Eugene Peterson
rendered v. 11 in The Message as “I want each of you to extend that same intensity toward a fullbodied
hope, and keep at it till the finish.”
• The Hebrews understood the Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies) in their sanctuary, and then
the Temple, as the place where God’s presence dwelt. A heavy, ornate curtain covered the
entrance, and only the High Priest could enter there, once a year, on the Day of Atonement.
The letter to the Hebrews said that Jesus had gone into God’s presence for us, that our hope is
the true High Priest who is in God’s presence continually, not just once a year. That is the hope
we must make sure until the end, the hope we must grasp and hold fast. What are the things
you pursue most intensely right now? How can you translate, and even magnify, that intensity
and focus into your spiritual life?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, forgive me for the times when I am apathetic to your presence in my life.
Teach me to hear your voice more clearly, and to have a gritty, engaged will to grasp your gift of
hope. Amen.
Family Activity: Gather your family into the darkest space of your home. (A closet or a dark
bathroom would be good options.) Bring a Bible and a very small reading light with you. When you
are all together, ask someone to read Luke 10:17-20. Describe how just as life can be dark at
times, so are our hearts, lives and the world without the light of Jesus. In an age-appropriate way,
discuss some of the evil in the world and how sad it makes us, and God. Then share how, as we
follow Jesus, His light lives within us and gives us hope. He wants us to share it with the world!
Open the door of the room, celebrate and be thankful for the light of Jesus together! Commit to
sharing the light and hope of Jesus with all people.
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Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer
Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
• Gail Boyce and family on the death of her husband Dale Boyce, 7/10
• George Melling and family on the death of his uncle Charles Melling, 7/10
• Jeanne Lillig-Patterson and family on the death of her husband Neal Patterson, 7/9
• Jim Mohr and Penny Hardesty Mohr on the death of their son Connor Mohr, 7/8
• Ellie Mohr on the death of her brother Connor Mohr, 7/8
• John Alholm and family on the death of his wife Janet Alholm, 7/7
• Gloria Carolus and family on the death of her husband Paul Carolus, 7/6
• John Jennings and family on the death of his brother Mark Jennings, 7/3
• Ria Howell and family on the death of her grandmother Louise Monaco, 6/24
• Tracy and Ria Howell and family on the death of their close family friend
Maddie Moorman, 6/24
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Like this post? Share it!
You might also like
When the world falls apart
A God who never ignores us
Focusing on unseen, but enduring, realities
Depression, sadness, suffering, panic—but “wait for the Lord”
Morning light even amid awful destruction
Or download this week's printable GPS.
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Like this post? Share it!
You might also like
When the world falls apart
A God who never ignores us
Focusing on unseen, but enduring, realities
Depression, sadness, suffering, panic—but “wait for the Lord”
Morning light even amid awful destruction
Or download this week's printable GPS.
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
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