April 18, 2021

Breaking Open the Scripture Scripture for April 18th: Acts 3:12-19, Psalm 4, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36-48; Theme: We are God’s Children; Song: God of Grace, God of Glory UMH 577 1 John: This is another scripture about the importance of community in the church. This is another scripture about how difficult a task that can be. But we are encouraged to understand that all things are possible with the power of God. There were many divisions in John’s congregation. There were also a lot of broken dreams. People were dying before the dream was fulfilled. It was becoming clear that this was a new community that had nothing in common with the Jewish community. So many started to believe that if the Jews were children of God, then the Christians were not. John is reminding us that in spite of everything, we are indeed children of God. Not because of anything that we may have done, but because of the powerful love of God. We are reminded that God loves us, God also calls each of us to love one another. It is that love that gives us a sense of community. Acts: After the Resurrection Peter and the other disciples go out into the streets to tell others of the amazing deeds of Jesus Christ. He does not explain how or why Jesus died. But he does tell us that because he died, we have salvation. Because he died we are initiated into the family of God. Because he died we have a fair chance for repentance in our own time and our own age. God always finds a way to bring us back into the fold of his love. Jesus showed us God’s love in our time. Jesus’ story is not over, it continues to expand. Until he returns, the story continues. It is important for us to see ourselves on both sides of the story – we are the cause of Jesus death, but we are the beneficiaries. When we look back at the story of salvation, we can be grateful, and more important repent and turn around back to God. Questions: Jesus is called the author of life – how is the resurrection to beginning of life? How does love help us to be in community with others not like us? How do you need to repent? How have you rejected Jesus teachings in your life?