March 31, 2016

There is the old saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. This year, with Easter being at the end of March, well it makes this saying that much more true – except the lamb is Jesus.

Jesus has been raised from the dead – he is the first fruits of the resurrection – and we have had some time to consider our relationship with this Risen Jesus. March is done – kaput. April is upon us, and with April comes not only “showers” but stories about the risen Jesus and his encounter with the disciples. He will eat fish with them at breakfast, on the beach. He will show them his hands and his sides, marks of the crucifixion. And, he will pray that his followers will be one just as he and the Father are one.

So, it is time for a reset as we come to a new month. What goals do you have for your faith life this month? Is this the month to return to your promise to read the bible more? Or, maybe you should be more fervent with your prayer life. How about returning to faithful attendance with Sunday services or bible study. Or, maybe there is a ministry you have wanted to help out with, but haven’t committed the time and effort.

A new month is a great opportunity for new beginnings. In the resurrection, Jesus is a new creation. We then, as believers, are transformed into “new people” – so now is the right time for something new.

Pastor Dave

March 30, 2016

“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:30-31

In John’s Gospel, the writer ends his book with the idea that what was written in his gospel was just a tip of the iceberg for the deeds that Jesus did. It was not intended to be an “all inclusive” book of Jesus and his life. It was just an encapsulation of what John had witnessed.

It makes us wonder about the other deeds. What else did Jesus do that John just did not have the room to include in this edition? Were there greater things? We must realize there were lesser things, but what John did include was purposeful: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ…”.

So, how did John do? Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of
G-d?” Or do you have questions that linger? I stated in my sermon on Easter Sunday that we all walk away from the empty tomb, like Peter, wondering what were the possibilities that led to an empty tomb. We do not have all of the answers, but we do have 2000 years of witnesses who have lived their lives believing that Jesus was raised and will come again. We have a Great Cloud of Witnesses over time and space who have lived in the trust and faith that Jesus defeated death through the cross and the resurrection.

We don’t need proof as much as we need faith – and trust – living into the new creation that Jesus offers everyone.

Pastor Dave