Saturday, October 27, 2012

November 4, 2012 - All Saints Day

Scriptures for November 4th: Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 24; Revelations 21:1-6a; John 11:32-44; Theme: All Saint’s Day; Song: For all the Saints – UMH 711 Revelation: It seems that only on special occasions that we seem to look at the verses of Revelation. The book contains seven visions of the end times. This is the last of those visions. But it is not a vision about heaven, it is a vision of earth. As a matter of fact heaven descends and becomes home on earth. We can celebrate the fact that God is with us. We can celebrate the fact that all of those bad things about life have passed away, and we can celebrate a new day. Life has been fulfilled. Being a saint is not about those who have passed on, we are all saint. Our life in eternity begins today – in how we choose to live our life and the role we let Christ and his salvation play in our life. John: This is the one New Testament story that addresses death head on. A close friend of Jesus dies. Mary and Martha understand that Jesus has the ability to heal – they tell him that if he has been there, then this would not have happen. They have no idea of the power of resurrection. They don’t know that Jesus has power over life and death. When we think of those in our lives who have died, we all say to Christ, had you been there this would not have happen. They would still be here. Forgetting that God gives us free will. God allows life to take its course. Death is a part of life. Resurrection is a part of our faith in things unseen. Medicine has learned to prolong death, but it still happens. Eventually Lazarus passed on again. But his family and their faith had changed forever, they now knew that there is something beyond nature. There is God and eternal life. Questions: What are the events that you will stop crying about when the new heaven comes to earth? What does it mean to live in eternity now? Would you prefer to go up to God or have God come down here to you? What does it mean to be a Saint? What is the difference between healing and resurrection? Who are we looking for God to resurrect in our lives? What would happen if there was new life in your world today?

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