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Wednesday, 10 January 2018
Joshua 24:1 Y’hoshua gathered all the tribes of Isra’el to Sh’khem; he summoned the leaders, heads, judges and officials of Isra’el; and they presented themselves before God. 2 Y’hoshua said to all the people, “This is what Adonai the God of Isra’el says: ‘In antiquity your ancestors lived on the other side of the [Euphrates] River — Terach the father of Avraham and Nachor — and they served other gods. 3 I took your ancestor Avraham from beyond the River, led him through all the land of Kena‘an, increased his descendants and gave him Yitz’chak., 14 “Therefore fear Adonai, and serve him truly and sincerely. Put away the gods your ancestors served beyond the [Euphrates]River and in Egypt, and serve Adonai! 15 If it seems bad to you to serve Adonai, then choose today whom you are going to serve! Will it be the gods your ancestors served beyond the River? or the gods of the Emori, in whose land you are living? As for me and my household, we will serve Adonai!”
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Left to ourselves, we humans always have an urge to make our “founding fathers” into grand figures, ideal examples of what we hope to be. Joshua’s final charge to the people of Israel took the opposite tack. Their ancestors, he said, “served other gods.” “The sites of Mari and Alalakh have yielded archives of cuneiform tablets from this period that attest to many deities worshiped by peoples of the region and same linguistic background as the patriarchs. This demonstrates that Abram did not come from a long line of unbroken monotheism.” *
• One hundred years ago, much popular Christian writing divided the world’s population into two groups: Christians and “heathen.” In those writings, there was little if any recognition of what Joshua knew clearly: our faith began when God reached out to “heathen,” and found honest hearts like Abram’s who responded to God’s call. If that happened back in the very beginnings of our faith, does it make sense that it may still happen today?
• After years preaching mainly to Gentiles, the apostle Paul wrote to Roman Christians about people beyond the “right” faith who “instinctively do what the Law requires,” who “show the proof of the Law written on their hearts” (cf. Romans 2:11-16). There is debate about some details of Paul’s meaning. But does it not seem clear that Paul knew there were (and are) honest people outside the Christian faith who love God? Can’t we, without compromising our own faith, believe God is also at work in their lives?
Prayer: Lord God, forgive me when I try, even unconsciously, to make you the exclusive possession of my religious “tribe.” Help me keep growing in my understanding of the wideness in your mercy. Amen.
* HarperCollins Christian Publishing. NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, eBook: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture (Kindle Locations 54384-54386). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
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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.
As Christians, we are called to tell others about Jesus Christ. In fact, the United Methodist Church mission statement says we are called “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” And here at Church of the Resurrection our Purpose is to build a Christian community where non-religious and nominally religious people are becoming deeply committed Christians. Our Vision is to be used by God to change lives, strengthen churches, and transform the world.
As part of the ShareChurch team within Resurrection, I have the privilege of focusing on the strengthening churches portion of the vision statement for my job. Our team works with leaders from other churches on leadership development through conferencing and providing tools and resources so these church leaders can be more effective in making disciples of Jesus Christ in the communities in which they serve. The ripple effect of the work our team does extends throughout the US, across denominational lines and beyond. How cool is that? This is rewarding and fulfilling work, knowing our work is impacting churches who in turn are reaching more people and teaching about the transforming grace of Jesus Christ.
But in what ways am I living out this vision and mission in my personal life?
If I’m honest, living in “the bubble” of Johnson County (as we often put it) it seems like most of the people I interact with already claim Christianity as their religion. My kids go to a relatively diverse school for the area (I think there are over 20 countries represented at the elementary school they attended), but most of my daily interaction is with other Christians. I have one good Jewish friend. And I have made small talk a handful of times over the years with parents from another religion or culture at a birthday party or school event. I remember asking a friendly acquaintance of mine one time about why she chooses not to wear the hijab. And talking to a Pakistani mom about henna tattoo art at the school’s cultural fair. But I’ve never invited any of these women to coffee or engaged with them on a deeper level. I wonder how many opportunities I have missed over the years to engage in meaningful conversation with someone from another religion? I feel certain I would grow more in my own faith journey by learning about someone else’s faith journey who sees things differently.
So, I’ve been anticipating this sermon series on Christianity and World Religions for quite some time. I’m eager to learn about the similarities and differences of other religions from around the world, to learn where there is common ground and understand other religious perspectives more fully. I’m open to where God might be leading me and challenging me to get to know and understand my neighbors of other faiths. I look forward to learning over the next few weeks and then seeing how God leads me to reach out to neighbors or parents at my children’s school who practice another religion. And how we might share our faith journey stories with each other, expand our mutual understanding and grow closer to God in the process.
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Left to ourselves, we humans always have an urge to make our “founding fathers” into grand figures, ideal examples of what we hope to be. Joshua’s final charge to the people of Israel took the opposite tack. Their ancestors, he said, “served other gods.” “The sites of Mari and Alalakh have yielded archives of cuneiform tablets from this period that attest to many deities worshiped by peoples of the region and same linguistic background as the patriarchs. This demonstrates that Abram did not come from a long line of unbroken monotheism.” *
• One hundred years ago, much popular Christian writing divided the world’s population into two groups: Christians and “heathen.” In those writings, there was little if any recognition of what Joshua knew clearly: our faith began when God reached out to “heathen,” and found honest hearts like Abram’s who responded to God’s call. If that happened back in the very beginnings of our faith, does it make sense that it may still happen today?
• After years preaching mainly to Gentiles, the apostle Paul wrote to Roman Christians about people beyond the “right” faith who “instinctively do what the Law requires,” who “show the proof of the Law written on their hearts” (cf. Romans 2:11-16). There is debate about some details of Paul’s meaning. But does it not seem clear that Paul knew there were (and are) honest people outside the Christian faith who love God? Can’t we, without compromising our own faith, believe God is also at work in their lives?
Prayer: Lord God, forgive me when I try, even unconsciously, to make you the exclusive possession of my religious “tribe.” Help me keep growing in my understanding of the wideness in your mercy. Amen.
* HarperCollins Christian Publishing. NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, eBook: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture (Kindle Locations 54384-54386). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
---
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.
As Christians, we are called to tell others about Jesus Christ. In fact, the United Methodist Church mission statement says we are called “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” And here at Church of the Resurrection our Purpose is to build a Christian community where non-religious and nominally religious people are becoming deeply committed Christians. Our Vision is to be used by God to change lives, strengthen churches, and transform the world.
As part of the ShareChurch team within Resurrection, I have the privilege of focusing on the strengthening churches portion of the vision statement for my job. Our team works with leaders from other churches on leadership development through conferencing and providing tools and resources so these church leaders can be more effective in making disciples of Jesus Christ in the communities in which they serve. The ripple effect of the work our team does extends throughout the US, across denominational lines and beyond. How cool is that? This is rewarding and fulfilling work, knowing our work is impacting churches who in turn are reaching more people and teaching about the transforming grace of Jesus Christ.
But in what ways am I living out this vision and mission in my personal life?
If I’m honest, living in “the bubble” of Johnson County (as we often put it) it seems like most of the people I interact with already claim Christianity as their religion. My kids go to a relatively diverse school for the area (I think there are over 20 countries represented at the elementary school they attended), but most of my daily interaction is with other Christians. I have one good Jewish friend. And I have made small talk a handful of times over the years with parents from another religion or culture at a birthday party or school event. I remember asking a friendly acquaintance of mine one time about why she chooses not to wear the hijab. And talking to a Pakistani mom about henna tattoo art at the school’s cultural fair. But I’ve never invited any of these women to coffee or engaged with them on a deeper level. I wonder how many opportunities I have missed over the years to engage in meaningful conversation with someone from another religion? I feel certain I would grow more in my own faith journey by learning about someone else’s faith journey who sees things differently.
So, I’ve been anticipating this sermon series on Christianity and World Religions for quite some time. I’m eager to learn about the similarities and differences of other religions from around the world, to learn where there is common ground and understand other religious perspectives more fully. I’m open to where God might be leading me and challenging me to get to know and understand my neighbors of other faiths. I look forward to learning over the next few weeks and then seeing how God leads me to reach out to neighbors or parents at my children’s school who practice another religion. And how we might share our faith journey stories with each other, expand our mutual understanding and grow closer to God in the process.
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"A prophet who resented God’s compassion"
Thursday, 11 January 2018
"A prophet who resented God’s compassion"
Thursday, 11 January 2018
Jonah 4:1 But this was very displeasing to Yonah, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to Adonai, “Now, Adonai, didn’t I say this would happen, when I was still in my own country? That’s why I tried to get away to Tarshish ahead of time! I knew you were a God who is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in grace, and that you relent from inflicting punishment. 3 Therefore, Adonai, please, just take my life away from me; it’s better for me to be dead than alive!” 4 Adonai asked, “Is it right for you to be so angry?”
What did Jonah think was “utterly wrong”? Jonah 3:10 said, “God stopped planning to destroy [the people of Nineveh], and he didn’t do it.” The story said when Jonah grudgingly went to Nineveh, his entire message was, “Just forty days more and Nineveh will be overthrown!” (Jonah 3:4). He wanted to see Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, flattened! This story was in the Bible, not to endorse Jonah’s spirit, but rather, through God’s challenge to the sulking prophet, to show that God’s love truly extended to the whole world.
• The writer of Jonah had a superb touch with irony. The book described an astounding preaching success—a whole city repenting and turning to God. The preacher’s attitude? “Jonah thought this was utterly wrong, and he became angry” (Jonah 4:1)! What made Jonah so angry? Is it possible for God to care about people without endorsing violent or other hurtful actions, like Assyria’s violence toward Israel?
• The story of Jonah ended with a question, not a statement. God asked Jonah, “Can’t I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than one hundred twenty thousand people who can’t tell their right hand from their left, and also many animals?” Is there any person or group of people you’d rather see God “zap” than to see them repent? Is it right for God to extend heaven’s offer of mercy to all people?
Prayer: Lord God, sometimes, like Jonah, I wish you’d hate people I hate. But you call me to change my attitude, not yours. Guide and lead me as I wrestle with that change of spirit. Amen.
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5 Yonah left the city and found a place east of the city, where he made himself a shelter and sat down under it, in its shade, to see what would happen to the city. 6 Adonai, God, prepared a castor-bean plant and made it grow up over Yonah to shade his head and relieve his discomfort. So Yonah was delighted with the castor-bean plant. 7 But at dawn the next day God prepared a worm, which attacked the castor-bean plant, so that it dried up. 8 Then, when the sun rose, God prepared a scorching east wind; and the sun beat down on Yonah’s head so hard that he grew faint and begged that he could die, saying, “I would be better off dead than alive.”
9 God asked Yonah, “Is it right for you to be so angry about the castor-bean plant?” He answered, “Yes, it’s right for me to be so angry that I could die!” 10 Adonai said, “You’re concerned over the castor-bean plant, which cost you no effort; you didn’t make it grow; it came up in a night and perished in a night. 11 So shouldn’t I be concerned about the great city of Ninveh, in which there are more than 120,000 people who don’t know their right hand from their left — not to mention all the animals?”
---What did Jonah think was “utterly wrong”? Jonah 3:10 said, “God stopped planning to destroy [the people of Nineveh], and he didn’t do it.” The story said when Jonah grudgingly went to Nineveh, his entire message was, “Just forty days more and Nineveh will be overthrown!” (Jonah 3:4). He wanted to see Nineveh, the Assyrian capital, flattened! This story was in the Bible, not to endorse Jonah’s spirit, but rather, through God’s challenge to the sulking prophet, to show that God’s love truly extended to the whole world.
• The writer of Jonah had a superb touch with irony. The book described an astounding preaching success—a whole city repenting and turning to God. The preacher’s attitude? “Jonah thought this was utterly wrong, and he became angry” (Jonah 4:1)! What made Jonah so angry? Is it possible for God to care about people without endorsing violent or other hurtful actions, like Assyria’s violence toward Israel?
• The story of Jonah ended with a question, not a statement. God asked Jonah, “Can’t I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than one hundred twenty thousand people who can’t tell their right hand from their left, and also many animals?” Is there any person or group of people you’d rather see God “zap” than to see them repent? Is it right for God to extend heaven’s offer of mercy to all people?
Prayer: Lord God, sometimes, like Jonah, I wish you’d hate people I hate. But you call me to change my attitude, not yours. Guide and lead me as I wrestle with that change of spirit. Amen.
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"A call to reach out to 'all nations'”
Friday, 12 January 2018
"A call to reach out to 'all nations'”
Friday, 12 January 2018
Matthew 28:16 So the eleven talmidim went to the hill in the Galil where Yeshua had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they prostrated themselves before him; but some hesitated. 18 Yeshua came and talked with them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore, go and make people from all nations into talmidim, immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the Ruach HaKodesh, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age.”
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A disciple is not just a person who knows some things about Jesus. A disciple intends to follow Jesus in all parts of life. So “making disciples” is not a one-time effort, but a continual choice to invest ourselves in making the lives of others better. According to Jesus’ “Great Commission,” that included (and includes) caring about “all nations.” As Paul wrote, after wrestling with questions of identity and faith, “God’s riches, wisdom, and knowledge are so deep!” (Romans 11:33)
• This passage offered a command, and a promise. Jesus addressed the command to all his followers: “Go…make disciples of all nations…baptizing them …and teaching them.” In what ways are you gifted to help carry out this commission? In what ways does this make “the church” like a hospital that is open 24/7 rather than a fortress with gates tightly shut against “enemies” or “outsiders”?
• Jesus’ promise was more priceless than anything a MasterCard could get you: “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” In what situations has it made your life better to remember and live in the light of that promise? How can knowing Jesus is with you give you courage, strength and peace to reach beyond your comfort zone to bless others?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I need you to stay with me, every day, every minute. Thank you for promising to do just that. Amen.
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A disciple is not just a person who knows some things about Jesus. A disciple intends to follow Jesus in all parts of life. So “making disciples” is not a one-time effort, but a continual choice to invest ourselves in making the lives of others better. According to Jesus’ “Great Commission,” that included (and includes) caring about “all nations.” As Paul wrote, after wrestling with questions of identity and faith, “God’s riches, wisdom, and knowledge are so deep!” (Romans 11:33)
• This passage offered a command, and a promise. Jesus addressed the command to all his followers: “Go…make disciples of all nations…baptizing them …and teaching them.” In what ways are you gifted to help carry out this commission? In what ways does this make “the church” like a hospital that is open 24/7 rather than a fortress with gates tightly shut against “enemies” or “outsiders”?
• Jesus’ promise was more priceless than anything a MasterCard could get you: “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” In what situations has it made your life better to remember and live in the light of that promise? How can knowing Jesus is with you give you courage, strength and peace to reach beyond your comfort zone to bless others?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I need you to stay with me, every day, every minute. Thank you for promising to do just that. Amen.
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“Now I know partially”
Saturday, 13 January 2018
“Now I know partially”
Saturday, 13 January 2018
1 Corinthians 13:9 For our knowledge is partial, and our prophecy partial;
The apostle Paul was a forceful advocate for his faith (as seen in Acts 17:16-34). Yet he spoke to the Athenian intellectuals with respect and humility. He honored their desire to serve an “unknown god,” and quoted from their writers in support of some of the truths he wanted to share. His deepseated faith didn’t make him arrogant, holding others in contempt. It made him humble, as he revealed in 1 Corinthians 13. He realized that his faith was about worshipping and serving the God who was bigger than everything even his exceptional mind could take in.
• 1 Corinthians 13:9 (“we know in part”) reminded us that we don’t know everything about God. Reflect on where you were in your faith journey 1 year, 5 years, 10 years ago. What have you learned in the meantime? In what areas, as you look back, can you sense how partial your understanding of God and God’s ways was? Could it be that at this time next year, or five years from now, you’ll have the same sense as you look back on some of the things you’re sure you “know” today? Given the scale and scope of the God we worship, do you think you will ever reach a point before eternity where you have nothing left to learn (or unlearn)? How does that realization shape the way you relate to other people with different beliefs?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of a mind that can grapple with the great realities of life, learning more of your principles and your ways, and yet remaining humble in the light of all that I have left to learn. Help me grow in my understanding of you during 2018. Amen.
Family Activity: Many world religions value treating others the way we wish them to treat us. We Christians find this in Matthew 7:12(Matthew 7:12 “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that sums up the teaching of the Torah and the Prophets.), often called the Golden Rule. Read this passage, then hand out an index card to each person in your family. Have each person write, “I did or said something kind” on one side of the card. On the other side write, “I did or said something hurtful.” Ask each person to pay attention to their words and actions each day. Encourage them to place a mark on the appropriate side of the card each time they do something kind or hurtful. No one else needs to see the cards. These are just for each individual and God. Each day, work towards having fewer marks on the “hurtful” side and more marks on the “kind” side. Pray for God’s help to treat all people near and far with love, kindness, forgiveness and grace.
10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass.
11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child,
thought like a child, argued like a child;
now that I have become a man,
I have finished with childish ways.
12 For now we see obscurely in a mirror,
but then it will be face to face.
Now I know partly; then I will know fully,
just as God has fully known me.
---The apostle Paul was a forceful advocate for his faith (as seen in Acts 17:16-34). Yet he spoke to the Athenian intellectuals with respect and humility. He honored their desire to serve an “unknown god,” and quoted from their writers in support of some of the truths he wanted to share. His deepseated faith didn’t make him arrogant, holding others in contempt. It made him humble, as he revealed in 1 Corinthians 13. He realized that his faith was about worshipping and serving the God who was bigger than everything even his exceptional mind could take in.
• 1 Corinthians 13:9 (“we know in part”) reminded us that we don’t know everything about God. Reflect on where you were in your faith journey 1 year, 5 years, 10 years ago. What have you learned in the meantime? In what areas, as you look back, can you sense how partial your understanding of God and God’s ways was? Could it be that at this time next year, or five years from now, you’ll have the same sense as you look back on some of the things you’re sure you “know” today? Given the scale and scope of the God we worship, do you think you will ever reach a point before eternity where you have nothing left to learn (or unlearn)? How does that realization shape the way you relate to other people with different beliefs?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of a mind that can grapple with the great realities of life, learning more of your principles and your ways, and yet remaining humble in the light of all that I have left to learn. Help me grow in my understanding of you during 2018. Amen.
Family Activity: Many world religions value treating others the way we wish them to treat us. We Christians find this in Matthew 7:12(Matthew 7:12 “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that sums up the teaching of the Torah and the Prophets.), often called the Golden Rule. Read this passage, then hand out an index card to each person in your family. Have each person write, “I did or said something kind” on one side of the card. On the other side write, “I did or said something hurtful.” Ask each person to pay attention to their words and actions each day. Encourage them to place a mark on the appropriate side of the card each time they do something kind or hurtful. No one else needs to see the cards. These are just for each individual and God. Each day, work towards having fewer marks on the “hurtful” side and more marks on the “kind” side. Pray for God’s help to treat all people near and far with love, kindness, forgiveness and grace.
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Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer
Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
• Libby Julo and family on the death of her father Hunter Harrison, 12/16
•Sandi Morgan and family on the death of her mother Lois Kinnaw, 12/22
•Bill Reed and family on the death of his wife Mary J. Reed, 12/25
• Matt Xiong and family on the death of his father Bon Xiong, 12/25
•Xai Vang and family on the death of his mother Choua Lor, 12/26
•Pattie Shaw and family on the death of her brother Isaac Pickett Jr., 12/27
•Valerie Burton and family on the death of her uncle Isaac Pickett Jr., 12/27
• Judy Schmidt and family on the death of her mother Betty Marie Stauffer, 12/28
•Carolyn Carlson and family on the death of her sister Mary Jo Hilyard, 12/28
• Mike Carlson and family on the death of his aunt Mary Jo Hilyard, 12/28
•RJ Scott and family on the death of his wife Sue Ann Sheridan, 1/30
• Joyce Hursman and family on the death of her daughter Kristen Hursman, 12/31
•Susan Yacos and family on the death of her husband John Yacos III, 1/1
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Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer
Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
• Libby Julo and family on the death of her father Hunter Harrison, 12/16
•Sandi Morgan and family on the death of her mother Lois Kinnaw, 12/22
•Bill Reed and family on the death of his wife Mary J. Reed, 12/25
• Matt Xiong and family on the death of his father Bon Xiong, 12/25
•Xai Vang and family on the death of his mother Choua Lor, 12/26
•Pattie Shaw and family on the death of her brother Isaac Pickett Jr., 12/27
•Valerie Burton and family on the death of her uncle Isaac Pickett Jr., 12/27
• Judy Schmidt and family on the death of her mother Betty Marie Stauffer, 12/28
•Carolyn Carlson and family on the death of her sister Mary Jo Hilyard, 12/28
• Mike Carlson and family on the death of his aunt Mary Jo Hilyard, 12/28
•RJ Scott and family on the death of his wife Sue Ann Sheridan, 1/30
• Joyce Hursman and family on the death of her daughter Kristen Hursman, 12/31
•Susan Yacos and family on the death of her husband John Yacos III, 1/1
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
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