February 17, 2019

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for February 17th: Jeremiah 17:5-10, Psalm 1, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20; Luke 6:17-26: Theme: What does it mean to be blessed? Luke: This text is commonly called the sermon on the plain or sermon on a level place. It gives us 4 blessings and 4 woes in living a faithful life. Jesus gives blessings to those who are poor, those who are hungry, those who are grieving, and those who are unfairly persecuted. He gives woes to those who are rich, those who have enough and don’t share, those who laugh when others cry and those who are spoken well of. God has a habit of turning the tables on life, and this is what he is doing. He encourages us to pay attention to those in need, and to know that God has heard their cry. That is why it is called the sermon on a level place, it reminds us to stay balanced in life. To know that our fate in life in in the hands of God. Life is not intended to be all wonderful, there will be struggle. But when that struggle comes, God will get us through. In our times of struggle, we have to know that we are blessed children of God, and God is on our side. 1 Corinthians: In this whole chapter, Paul is speaking of the resurrection. Paul is reminding us that the faith that we inherited frim Christ, is a faith in the resurrection. If we believe that Jesus was resurrected, there is no reason to believe that God won’t do the same for us. We will be able to celebrate. As a matter of fact, the real work of the soul does not begin until we die and we are brought to life by God. That does not mean that we are to take life for granted. God put all of us here for a reason. We need to help others in mission. We have to teach others the definition of resurrection. Life brings death, but faith in God brings life. When we are born, we take on death. We have no choice that is the world that we are born in. In order to be resurrected, you first have to die. Christ brings us hope and power to overcome death. Questions :How do you use the power of resurrection in your everyday life? How does life drain you? How are your restored in your belief in God? What are your doing to help the poor, hungry, grieving and persecuted? How are you blessed in your individual situation?

February 10. 2019

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for February 10th: Isaiah 6:1-13; Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11 Theme: the things are faith is made of. 1 Corinthians: This is Paul’s witness to the gospel message. Paul testifies that even though he was not an original disciple, the Jesus did come to him. Paul is a witness to the spiritual resurrection. He is recounting not how Jesus died, but why Jesus died. Jesus died to free us from our sins. He was making a sacrifice for us. We are forgiven when he is resurrected. That is why it is so important for us to follow Jesus and to live out his mission. We need to tell our story of salvation, but we need to make that story available for others. The spirit of Christ appeared to Peter, then to Paul and now to you and me. There is still work that needs to be done, that is why Jesus is still alive and working within us. Luke: This is the story of how Jesus came to meet the disciples and to get them to follow hm. They were fishers, Jesus comes and watches them at work. At first they are discouraged because they have not caught anything. Jesus is not a fisherman, but Jesus tells them how to get more fish. When they are successful, Jesus says that they will become fishers of men. Jesus does not know much about church growth – but he knows what it is that attracts people. – Love and care. This boat belongs to Peter, and Peter eventually becomes bishop of Jesus church. He starts out skeptical, listening to Jesus, but not understanding a word. He continually doubts Jesus, but time and time again, Jesus comes through and helps Peter to understand what true faith means. Questions: Why do we celebrate the resurrection? How do we tell the faith story to new people? How are we like Peter, questioning everything that Jesus says? What does it mean to become fishers of men? When was the last time when our efforts made a difference and saved lives?