"GOD'S EMPOWERING SPIRIT"

                                                          PETECOST

To: Jesus Christ From: Kingdom Analysis HR.             Subject: Twelve Management Trainee Evaluations.

Thank you for placing your confidence in Kingdom Analysis HR and submitting the resumes of the 12 men you have picked for management trainee positions in your new organization. Your keen insights have been helpful in our evaluation, but we have gone a few steps further. All 12 have taken our scientifically developed aptitude tests and met one on one with our psychologist and other consultants. Although you have complete confidence in the 12. It is the Kingdom Analysis HR staff opinion that most of your management trainee nominees lack the proper background, education and aptitude for what you are doing. Fundamentally they have no team experience or overall concept what a team does.

More specifically: Simon Peter has fits of anger and could be said to be emotionally unstable. Andrew has failed to exhibit any documented qualities of leadership. Sons of Thunder - James and John only show a drive for personal gain --- company loyalty is not in their vocabulary. Thomas questions everything and it has been determined that this attitude would eventually undermine team morale and cause division. Matthew did not qualify to interact with the Scribes and Pharisees in Jerusalem. James, the son of Alphaeus and Simon-the Zealot definitely could be described as clinically depressed, and indications are they stirrup everyone they meet. We highly and collectively recommend you continue searching for management trainees.

Our suggestion is to look for people with experience, managerial ability and proven leadership. There is a however a slight ray of hope - one of the candidates shows marked potential. He tested well in creative ability. Our staff has concluded he meets people well and exhibits a keen business mind. He is either a nifty name dropper or sincerely has contacts in high places. He ranked highest in motivation, ambition and innovation.  Our staff overwhelming agrees to recommend Judas Iscariot for the position of Chief Operating Officer and potential Chief Executive Officer of the future. The remaining profiles were all clearly suspect as to ability, loyalty or adaptability so we need not pursue their qualifications. We believe this will save you a great deal of money by not continuing our evaluations of this group.

We wish you every success in your new venture.

Kingdom Analysis HR *

God's Empowering Spirit demonstrates that

  God does not call the Equipped ...

  God Equips those God Calls ...

That is what happened 50 Days after Jesus’ Apostles abandoned him, and Peter denied knowing Jesus.  Peter had been an unstable leader during Jesus’s early ministry.  Bravado was his downfall.

As we learned in a past blog: "Called Twice,"), Jesus forgave and restored the humbled Peter.  Now he is boldly speaking to thousands from all over the Mediterranean area. (Read Acts 2:1-21)

 How did that happen?  According to Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit came upon these fishermen, tax collector and zealots they were empowered.

God’s empowering Spirit not only enabled and equipped the Disciples to witness of Jesus, God’s empowering Spirit enables and equips us to do the same.  We are not expected to do God’s work in our own strength or resources.

                                   

 Three Soul-Shaking Aspects which are also with us.

Experiencing God’s Divine Presence.

(Re-read: Acts 2:2-4)

This is what Jesus said to Nicodemus (John 3:8)

Jesus: Holy Spirit is like the wind...

Fire: In the Old Testament = God’s Presence.

John the Baptist: After me will come one who will Baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire. (Matthew 3:11)

Presbyterian Symbol: Flames/

               

God’s presence was known in a spectacular way:

The Holy Spirt came as violent wind and tongues of fire. 

Jesus: Where two or three are gathered in my name, their I AM.

When we gather in Jesus’ name, we are promised of His presence.

We accept God’s Divine Presence by Faith.

 There are times when God’s presence seems more real than others: Retreats, intense prayer or gathering of large numbers of Christians in conferences or crusades.

Often, we “try recapturing that “presence.” It rarely works. 

God’s Presence was revealed in different ways:

After the Prophet Elijah defeated the Prophets of Baal,                                        on Mount Carmel. (I Kg18:18-39) he was threatened by Queen Jezebel. Elijah ran for his life to the desert.  Often after a great spiritual experience, we have a letdown or feel attacked. That was the case with Elijah.  After a period or sleep and nourishment, "The Word of the Lord" came to Elijah asking" "What are you doing here?" (Read I Kings 19:9-13) (Notice God was Not in the earthquake, wind or fire, but in still small voice...gentle whisper.

 Pentecost reminds us that the way we Experience God’s Divine Presence is through the Holy Spirit.  Like wind, we cannot grab a hold of it.  We will experience God’s Empowering Spirit just as did those early disciples.  

The second Soul-Shaking experience was:

Experiencing God’s Divine Power 

As soon as God’s Spirit came upon the disciples, they immediately began speaking of what following Jesus meant in their lives. They began speaking in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them.

These disciples, who 50 days earlier, were hiding behind locked doors, were impelled onto the streets and likely into the Temple, loudly speaking about Jesus.

What a ruckus.  Each disciple speaking in a different language all at the same time.  They drew a crowd of curious pilgrims who had come to Jerusalem for Pentecost.    (Acts 2:8,11-13).

Are not all these men... speaking, Galileans? How is that we hear them speaking our language? Amazed and perplexed, they asked what does this mean? Some of these men are drunk.                                                                           

When the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples, barriers of language and culture were demolished through God’s unifying Spirit. 

What seemed like chaos was God’s restoring order and communication lost at the Tower of Babel, built to reach God on their own terms.  (Genesis 11:7)

Result: God confused their languages ... spread to different parts of the world.   Pentecost began reversing that process.  God made it possible for people to hear in their own language what Jesus had done for them.  The Miracle was not so much that the disciples spoke in other languages but that the Holy Spirit opened their ears ... to hear the good news.

Throughout Acts the Holy Spirit lead Jewish Christians through cultural barriers.  Samaritans (8:14-17), Gentiles (10:44-48) -Transforming Saul into Paul. (Ac 19:1-19)

Since the disciples were all speaking at one time, Peter stood and began clarifying what was happening. (Reread Ac. 2:14-18)

This uneducated fisherman gave an eloquent explanation: What is occurring is a fulfillment of the Prophet Joel.  Peter elaborated on how Jesus of Nazareth, whom the authorities had crucified, 50 days ago, God had raised from the dead.  Peter eloquently showed how Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies of the promised Messiah. 

Following the rather short message 3,000 people made the decision to accept what Peter said was truth and place their lives under the guidance of Jesus Christ.

                     Change your life.  Turn to God and be baptized, each one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

When God’s Divine Power (1:8) gripped the disciples, they couldn't help but proclaim what they had learned from Jesus and were empowered to tell others.

We too, gripped by the Holy Spirit, become God’s messengers of the Good News.  When we allow God’s Spirit to use us, we discover God’s Divine Power replacing fear with courage and free flowing words empowering us to speak of what Jesus means in our lives, restoring order, communication and hope.

Experiencing God’s Divine Guidance.

Jesus had told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until God’s Power came upon them. Then they would be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and the uttermost parts of the earth. That is what began occurring on Pentecost.   Clearly, they were witnesses in Jerusalem.

Jesus had said: When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. (John 16:13)

As those early Christians, who gathered to commemorate Jesus’ last meal with his disciples and witnesses, recalled His teachings, and in prayer sought his guidance, we too read the Gospel accounts of Jesus' life and teaching as we celebrate the Lord's Supper.  It is also a time for us for telling our stories of God's presence and power in our lives. 

It was the Spirit of Truth guiding the Christians in caring for one another. Their love for each other demonstrated God’s love to others.  Acts records how the God’s Spirit led the disciples, individually and corporately in fulfilling what Jesus had told them to do. There are 40 references to the Holy Spirit in first 13 chapters of Acts.

Acts and the Epistles, record how the disciples did not make any decisions or move before (1:24) consulting God in prayer.  Deacon Philip was walking on a road, when the Holy Spirit guided him to an Ethiopian on his way home from Jerusalem.  The Ethiopian was reading a Torah (Jewish Scriptures) which he apparently had purchased hoping to learn about God.  Philip asked: Do you understand what you are reading?  How can I, unless someone explains it? responded the Ethiopian. (Acts 8:31)

Guided by the Holy Spirit, Philip explained the Scripture.  The result was the Ethiopian invited Jesus into his life and was baptized.  The disciples, guided by the Holy Spirit gave guidance in the qualifications of the office of Service/Deacons. (Acts 6:1-7)

The Apostle Paul "was eager to get to Jerusalem for Pentecost, if possible" (Acts 20:18).  Paul sent for the elders in Ephesus to meet him at the ship port (Acts 20:17). speaking to them/"Shepherds" Paul reminded them that The Holy Spirit made them overseers of the church.  (Acts 20:28)

That same Spirit guided Peter and John, giving them courage and what to say when brought before the Sanhedrin (Jewish Governing Body) for speaking about Jesus. (This was after they had healed a crippled beggar, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. (Acts 3:6) "Filled with the Holy Spirit, "their response was eloquent."  How did these uneducated Galileans speak so boldly?           The Leaders realized, these two had been with Jesus, for they had done what Jesus did and spoke as he did. (Acts 4:8, 13)      

Living in the 21^st century, we have the same promise of God’s divine guidance.  When we seek God’s wisdom, we will receive it.  It may come through corporate decisions.  We pray, seeking God’s guidance, following God’s guidelines recorded in Scripture when electing Church leaders and choosing which way to go in ministry.

That same Spirit enables us to act with boldness.  That same Spirit will guide us into the future.  The same Spirit leads us to those ready to hear and respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

Pentecost marks the commencement of the ekklesia (Greek word for Church) made up of individuals of various nationalities.  Their belief in God and God’s presence through the Holy Spirit led to a unity of communication.  Today the Church is comprised of people from all parts of the earth.  Something special occurs when Christians gather around the Lord’s Table.  We are all partaking in a sacrament commemorating an act of love and celebrating the presence of God’s Spirit in a manner common to all.  We may not understand the language but fully comprehend what we are doing.  This is evidence of God’s Spirit in our lives.

Pentecost dramatically reminds us that God does not act haphazardly.  God chose Pentecost as the day for the Holy Spirit to come upon God’s people for it was the day God gave the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai. The Prophet Jeremiah said:(31:31-34)

In Pentecost God fulfilled God’s Promise of engraving God’s law upon people’s hearts, rather than just upon stones.

Pentecost was when people from all parts of the world were in Jerusalem and witnessed the events that occurred that day.  Whether or not they believed what they had heard and seen, I am sure the pilgrims returned to Mesopotamia, Egypt, Libya, Cyrene and Rome telling of that amazing day.  They had heard a message in their own language by people that normally don't speak their language.  God demonstrated in a bold and dramatic way that the curse, which began at the tower of Babel, had been removed.  God was no longer going to confuse the language of people, rather offer a way for them to understand one another and respond to God’s love.                                                

Pentecost is the fulfillment of the prophet Joel.  Up to this point God’s Spirit had come upon National Leaders: Kings, Priests and Prophets.  God spoke to the people through a handful of individuals. 

God taught through trained, and Spirit filled leaders.  Joel said the day was coming when the Spirit of God would come upon all people responding to God, whether male, female or slaves, God would come upon ordinary individuals.  That prophecy was fulfilled on Pentecost in 33 A.D.

The Promise of that Prophecy is real for us.  We believe that God’s Spirit is given to each person, who by faith, accepts Jesus.  We believe that each one of us has the potential of tapping into that very Source of God.  Each of us has been given a gift of God’s Spirit motivating us to service.  When we reach out in God’s love to other people, using that Spiritual Gift, God’s Power is manifested to all.

Nothing will stop God’s plan from being fulfilled. May this Pentecost revitalize your own faith and corporate life.  As you experience God’s presence tomorrow, may you allow God’s spirit to grip and use you in proclaiming God’s message in your community, with your family and friends.  holding on to the assurance of God’s divine presence and guidance in your individual lives. 

(RED is the color of Pentecost.  Why not wear Red.  If asked why you are wearing Red, you can tell them about Pentecost.) 

*HR is a fictitious document to set the tone for this blog and illustrate how God acts differently than corporate America.

This will be my last Blog on Post Jesus' Resurrection events.  I may blog later on other topics. 

                                   

                                              

                                               "POWER AND AUTHORITY"

                                                     (Ascension of Jesus)

Tomorrow is the official start of the finishing season in Minnesota.  The state government has the authority to restrict fishing from the time that the last ice melts on the lakes to the Sunday closest to May 15, often Mother's Day weekend.  For avid fishermen, the right to fish, means sometimes, Mom's loose out.  States and countries have the authority of limiting the number of fish that can be caught.  Here, in Georgetown, Texas, Brushy Creek is the closest place to fish.  The limit of trout is 5 per day.

Authority is something with which many have trouble.  Some of us used to say:  "You can't trust anyone over 40." That was until we turned 40.  In my first church, at the age of 25, I was one of the oldest on Session (Governing Board).  We decided to "Seek God's Leading" and act only if we had a unanimous vote.  We discovered that one person could stop a plan.  We realized that not everyone had the "good of the whole" in mind.  Sometimes, a personal issue or vendetta got in the way of God's leading.  After one very long night of praying, discussing and seeking a solution to an issue, we decided to check the Book Of Order (Constitution of the Presbyterian Church). To our amazement that with which we had wrestled was addressed in the authority of our denomination's constitution.      Our Ultimate Authority is the Holy Bible.  

While serving a church in Denver, Colorado, I decided to learn to fly-fish.  I could have purchased fishing gear and headed to the river, trying my skill at catching trout.  Instead, I asked someone who was a fly-fisherman.  He taught me how to caste, to observe the flying insects on the water and choose flies that were as close to those as possible.  What I learned was the secret to fly-fishing is selecting the appropriate bait. Then again, that is true for all fishing.

In Minnesota, I overheard, in a restaurant, men arguing for hours whether Red Devil or Yellow Stinger was most effective in catching Northerns or Walleye Pike.  "The practice of the fine art of fish capturing,"* means not only selecting the appropriate bait but also knowing where to find the fish. 

Jesus called men to follow him.  He would teach them how to become fishers of people.  One of the first things those followers learned was the authority of Jesus didn't come from training in Rabbinical Schools but from God.  When Jesus was in Capernaum, Galilee, he spoke on a Sabbath. People said:  "What is this teaching?  With authority and power, he gives orders to the evil spirits, and they come out."  (Lk 4:36).  When Jesus calmed a storm, in which the disciples were caught, saying:  "Be Still!" The disciples said:  "Even the wind and the waves obey him."  (Mk 4:41).  On the night, before Jesus was crucified, he prayed:  "Father, the time has come...You granted your Son. authority over all people that he might give eternal life to those you have given him.... As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world."  (Jn. 17:1,18)  

Jesus spent 40 days with his disciples, following his resurrection from the dead, giving them a crash course on all that he had done and taught them.  When you leave on a trip, likely, you give instructions and authority for someone to care for your property of even to act on your behalf.       The Last Will and Testimony are ways of continuing your estate and legacy.  So, it was with Jesus.  His last Charge and Commission, Blessing and Benediction began with a transfer of power and authority.  

                                

                                                            (Painting by Rembrandt)

May 17, we remember the day Jesus transferred his authority to the disciples and then was taken to Heaven.  We call it "Asencion Day."

Jesus took his disciples to the Mount of Olives (first picture) overlooking Jerusalem.  He said:

All authority in heaven and earth has been giving to me.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely, I AM with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matt. 28:16) 

Since Jesus had supreme authority and power over all God's creation, his servants including us, may be assured his presence and power was with them and will be with us in all we do.  

There are several Implications:

We are under Christ's Authority.

This event marks the end of Jesus' resurrection appearances.  Jesus opened their minds, so they understood Scriptures. (Lk 24:44) Later, Peter addressing the crowd on Pentecost (which we will discuss in two week) quotes Scripture (Ac. 2:16-39) Peter and John, entering the Temple to pray, were approached by a beggar asking for money.  Peter said:  "we don't have silver or gold.  What we have, we give to you."  Using Jesus' authority, they did and said what Jesus had done and said in similar healing, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth walk. (Ac. 3:1-10) When Peter and John were arrested for "Speaking and acting in the name of Jesus," they were brought before the Sanhedrin (Jewish Court) and asked:  By what power and authority do you do this?  They responded:  By the Name of Jesus of Nazareth!  ... When they saw their courage... and realized they were ordinary men...who had been with Jesus ... they released them.  (Ac. 4:7-10)

We have been commissioned: 

Jesus said:  "Wherever you go, be a witness."  Jesus is Lord of the Earth.  Like the disciples we can Show and Tell of what God has done for us.  

Jesus said:  "Baptize and Teach everything you have learned."  There was a Series of ever-widening Circles.  The Good News of Jesus Life, Death and Resurrection, spread geographically across races, cultures, including Gentiles, (non-Jews).  God's Gospel has not reached its final destination, if someone in your family, workplace, school or community hasn't heard about Jesus Christ.  Let us be open to God using us in the ever widening of God's loving message. (Using what we learn about fishing, let us Observe, ask questions seeking to find a connection and showing God's Love)

"IN THE NAME OF ... used in Baptism gives the Authority in the Threefold formula:  Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  We did not invent the idea of a Triune God.  It comes from Jesus himself.   (I will write more about this in two weeks, when we celebrate the Coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Disciples on the Jewish Day, 50 days after Passover, Pentecost.

We are Assured of Christ' Presence and Power.

Jesus said:  I will send you what the Father promised.  (Ac. 1:4)   Stay in Jerusalem until you have been clothed with power.  We have been commissioned and have important work to do, which can only be done through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Sometimes that means waiting and listening for God's plans.  We need God's timing and Power to be effective. Power involves courage, boldness, confidence, insight, ability and authority.  The disciples used all those gifts in fulfilling their mission. Those who believe in Jesus and accept him as Lord and Savior will experience the same power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.                                                          

The Gospel of Matthew begins and ends with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.  And they will call him Immanuel ... God with us. (1:23) And surely, I AM with you always, to the end of the age. (28:20)

Jesus perfectly lived in and carried out God, the Father's Plan.  Jesus Christ, in fellowship with the Father, shared divine power.  That power and authority came upon the disciples 10 days later, Pentecost, of which we will commemorate in two weeks.  Authority: To act in surprising ways -- "Outside the normal way (box) of doing things. Power: To Act on behalf of another. Wherever we go, whether it is next door or to another country, we are to tell of Jesus means in our lives.  This is not an option for those who call Jesus Lord. We are not all evangelists.  We have all received a spiritual gift that enables God's love to flow through us to others.  As we remain in fellowship with Jesus, seeking to live as he taught, we have the comfort of knowing Jesus is always with us.  How can that be if he ascended into Heaven?  Through the Holy Spirit.

As the disciples gazed into the sky watching Jesus ascend, two Angeles said: This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into Heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into Heaven.   (Ac 1:11)

There Jesus took the rightful position of power and rank with the Father in the eternal realm.    Ultimate power raised Jesus from the dead.  The disciples learned to live in that resurrection power.  That is what we called to do.  Let us Go live and act/do in Resurrection Power for the world.

There is a story that when Jesus arrived in Heaven an angel asked:  "What did you do to continue your ministry on Earth?"  Jesus responded:  "I entrusted it to my disciples. " Do you have another plan if they don't do what you taught them?"  "No," responded Jesus, "The Holy Spirit will empower and lead them and through them the Good News will be taken to the Whole World.  We are recipients of their faithfulness. Let us continue spreading the Good News to all we know.

(In two weeks, I will write about Pentecost and Power the disciples received and used in witnessing, wherever they went, of what Jesus meant in their lives and could mean in those who heard their stories.)

* The phrase came from a member in the North Presbyterian Church, Denver, Colorado.

DID JESUS’ PLAN WORK? Matthew 28:16-20, I Peter 1:3

 

                                     DID JESUS’ PLAN WORK?                                                                           Matthew 28:16-20, I Peter 1:3

 
"Had Jesus simply died on the cross, no one would have considered him to be any kind of savior, let alone the Savior of the world." (Mark Roberts) *

Over the last week we have seen how Jesus’ disciples, discouraged and disillusioned, would have dropped the matter of Jesus like a hot potato that had scorched their hands. Once burned by their failed Messiah, they would not have been willing to pick him up again. Surely, they wouldn’t have invented some bizarre theory about Jesus’ death being the source of salvation for the world.

A few days after his death, Jesus showed up again. He appeared, not as one who somehow managed to survive the deathly ordeal of crucifixion, but as one who defeated death itself! The life of God surging through his veins was available to all who put their trust in him.

Jesus’ plan was to entrust his followers with the responsibility of telling everyone they met of His life, death, resurrection and amazing love.

Because God raised Jesus from the dead, we can have confidence that Jesus is indeed the Savior. He did not avoid the Cross, since his death was essential to God’s plan of forgiving all.

The Question is: Did Jesus’ Plan Work?

The paradoxical plan of salvation, in which Jesus took our sin and in exchange placed us in a right relationship with God, succeeded. The Plan Worked!

Three Observations drawn from the Scriptures:

Assured of God’s Power.

A. Nothing Less Than Resurrection Power.

Christians worship on Sunday rather than Saturday because they gather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

Christians declared: Jesus Is Risen! on Easter. In reality, each Sunday, Christians should say: He Is Risen! with a response:

He Is Risen Indeed!

Many of us attend worship because someone told us about Jesus. We heard our name called and our eyes were opened.

"Resurrection...gives shape and meaning to the rest of the story of God’s ultimate purposes...Excellent foundation for lively and creative Christian work in the present world." (N.T Wright) **

Some of us worship, like the disciples, with doubts.

God does not turn us away, rather invites us to come closer and see for ourselves. Worship is a time for raising questions and expressing doubts as well as honoring God. Ultimately, we will hear God say: "My Power, that created the Universe, that raised Jesus from the dead and empowered my people, throughout history to fulfill their given tasks, is available to you."

God’s Power: nothing less than resurrection power.

B. Authority Is Beyond Question.

All authority in heaven & earth was given to Jesus.
When Jesus was asked by what authority did he healed, forgave sins, taught or did miracles etc. Jesus responded: My Father who is in heaven sent me ...

I do nothing on my own authority but speak as the Father has taught me.
God the Father gave Jesus' authority over heaven and earth. It was on the basis of that authority that Jesus told his disciples to make disciples as they preached, baptized and taught.

Even as a Sheriff has authority to deputize anyone, so we too receive authority through Jesus Christ. Even as a deputy has the authority of enforcing the law or arresting someone, so have we been entrusted with the authority of forgiving sin (binding and losing) and have the (Keys of Heaven)
(Matthew 16:19)

We believe that this authority was given to all Christians not just Ordained Priests. We call it: "Priesthood of the Believers."

We have been given the power of rebuking Satan even as Jesus did, when Satan said: (Matthew 4:9)
All this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me. 

We can stand against the attacks of evil. (Ephesians 6:10)
We need not be afraid!
All authority comes from God, the creator and sustainer of all this earth. 
God’s plan for creation includes Jesus, His disciples and us.

Assured of God’s Power.

 Commissioned By God.

Jesus says to the disciples and to us.
As the Father has sent me, so do I send you.
As we are commissioned to tell others the Good News and make them disciples for God’s Kingdom.

A. Take This Message...to your friends and family.

When someone leaves, her or his last words are very important. Jesus’ last words were: "take this message ..." The Disciples had seen that not all responded to Jesus’ message but that did not stop him from continually reaching out. He warned his disciples that their task would not be easy. They were commissioned to do take this message, with them wherever they went.

B. Make Disciples ...in all parts of the world.

How were 11 men or a total of 500 people to accomplish such an enormous assignment? Jesus told them:

Wherever you go talk about me.  Baptize those who favorably respond.
Teach them all I have taught you to obey.
In the NAME not Names - Father, Son, Holy Spirit, (Trinity)

In other words: place my mark upon them and teach them my words. That is not what one would call a careful strategy. That was Jesus’ Plan and it worked! because the disciples who experienced God’s Power obediently did what they were commissioned to do. We are commissioned by God to share Jesus through our lives in God’s world Not by our own strength or strategy but God’s Power

Assured Of God’s Presence.

The disciple’s hearts must have almost stopped when they were commissioned with such a staggering task. Especially, when they realized Jesus was leaving them again.

The assignment was followed, in them same breath, with: and I will be with you.

A. Greatest Task ... in the world.

In previous missions Jesus had sent his disciples only to Jews. (Matthew10:5,6) Their mission now was worldwide. Jesus is Lord of the earth, and he died for the whole world. "For God so loved the world"

We are to go–whether to our next-door neighbors or to another country–and
make disciples. It is not an option. It is a commission given to all who call "Jesus Lord."

We are not all evangelists in the formal sense of that word. We all are gifted to "show God’s Love." As we use that gift we are furthering "Christ Great Commission."

As Ambassadors represents their countries, taking the message entrusted to them to other countries and how they act reflects on their home country, so we as Christ’s Ambassadors, represent God and are commissioned to deliver God’s Good News to this world. Everything we do reflects on God. When we love, give, forgive, show care and speak of Jesus, we reflect Jesus and God.

B. Greatest Presence ... presence in the world.

Jesus said: I AM With You! How is Jesus with us?
Jesus was with the disciples physically until he was taken into heaven,
then spiritually through the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:4)

John Calvin writes: "The pronoun I must be viewed as emphatic; as if he had said that the apostles, if they wished zealously to perform their duty, must not consider what they were able to do, but must rely on the invincible power of those under whose banner they fight."

The Holy Spirit would be Jesus’ presence that would never leave them or forsake them. Jesus continues being with us today through the Holy Spirit.

We are:

Assured of God’s Presence,
Commissioned By God
Assured of God’s Power

We have been Commissioned to carry on Jesus’ Plan. Wherever we go we are to talk about Jesus, telling of His love and desire for all to be forgiven and begin a new life.

I Invite you to write down, if you are a Christian, "why you are a Christian and what Jesus has done in your life." That way you will be "Ready to give reason for the hope within you."

"Do You Believe In Easter?" If so why?

Write it down.

If you are not a Christian and or do not believe in the message of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead celebrated at Easter, write down your reasons for not believing. Are you open to discussing those reasons? If so, I am willing to converse with you. In the message comment of this blog give me your contact information and I will try contacting you. Otherwise, I encourage you to speak to a Christian whom you know and trust with the reasons you don’t believe in Jesus or the reasons for Easter.

If you are a Christian, I encourage you to carry a small Bible, New Testament or Book of the Bible with you to use and give to the person with whom you are sharing the Good News Easter and God’ Transforming love..

Charge and Benediction at the end of worship.

Those attending worship will hear:
From the Old Testament: 

The Lord bless you and keep you,                           
and be gracious unto to you.
The Lord lift up his countenance
upon you and give you peace.Both now and in Life everlasting. Amen.

From the New Testament:

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
And the Love of God,
and the Communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all. Amen.
　
The raised hands are a sign of authority which comes from Jesus. The Benediction is not a prayer. It is a Commission given with Jesus’ Authority.

__________________________________________

* Mark D. Roberts, Jesus Revealed

** N.T Wright: (Bishop of Durham,
Church of England) Surprised by Hope

                                                               

RESURRECTION APPEARACES

I Corinthians 15:1-11, Acts 9:1-6

INTRODUCTION: “Sedition of the Jews against Pontious Pilate, *
recorded by Jewish historian Flavius Josephus: in Jewish Antiquities (note * at the end of this blog.) writes about how the Jews were punished and killed for their protests of Pilate’s, Governor of Palestine, insult of the Jews by his actions including bringing images of Roman gods into Jerusalem, during the night. Jews who challenged that action were arrested, punished and tried for insurrection. Jews fought against Rome up until Jerusalem was demolished and burned,     70 AD, Josephus quotes a follower of “The Way:” “We are not extinct!” Why? Because he (Jesus) appeared alive to his followers again and again. If you are a Christian, why?

: Because someone told you the “Good News?”
: You hold on to it as Desperate Hope?”
: You have Faith? If so, faith in what or whom?
What do you believe about Jesus’ resurrection, of which we have been writing and studying? Christians have designated the weeks after Easter as a time for reading and reflecting on Jesus’ Resurrection Appearances, thus today’s Scriptures and message. If you haven’t yet read, read Acts 9:1-9 and
I Corinthians 15:1-11 in which the Apostle Paul writes:
“I want to make clear ... the nature of the good news I preached to you.
that the gospel which you received, on which you stand, and through which you are being saved...something you hold on to tenaciously. It is not something haphazard or random...It is something I received and passed on to you.      Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was laid in the tomb, and that he was raised up on the third day according to the scriptures...”   I Corinthians 15:3.

Jesus’ Resurrection Appearances are historical facts.

The resurrection of Jesus is central/foundational to the Good News we received, on which we stand and by which we are being saved. Otherwise
our faith is null and void. It is a belief that is in vain and worthless.

We have received the Good News.
Paul writes: “You received it from me.”
“You have heard from others.”
“You have read in the Scriptures ...”
- Firsthand accounts from
- Eye witnesses.
Not a made-up story.
In addition to the disciples, Jesus was seen by over 500 people at one time, many who were still alive when Paul wrote this letter. James also saw his brother Jesus. Written before the Gospel of Mark, I Corinthians is the earliest written account of Jesus’ Resurrection Appearances. Over the last weeks we have looked at some of those. Jesus appeared to the disciples in the Upper Room twice, to Two disciples on road to Emmaus. Jesus met and appeared to the seven disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Two weeks ago, we read how Jesus reinstated Peter by leading him though the pain of his denial of Jesus to forgiveness.

We stand on the Good News.
It is one thing to hear about something.
It is another to act on it. Job 4:4 states:
"Your words have kept people on their feet ...
strengthened those with faltering knees."
Our Stability - Proof comes from11 men who staked their lives on Jesus by leaving their jobs, friends and family and seemed to have lost everything when they Ran, Denied and even Betrayed knowing Jesus, finding their world upside down when Jesus was arrested, tried, crucified and buried. How did these same men become bold, confident and outspoken. Read Acts 7:55-60.
A young man named Stephen was arrested and condemned to death by stoning. Note a man named Saul, who gave approval to his death. Acts 8:1-3 records how he sought to arrest and bring to trial those who belonged to
The Way for proclaiming that Jesus who had been crucified was alive!   Because of that threat and persecution many who followed the One who said:
I AM the Way ... (thus the name for the followers of Jesus) Scattered to cities of safety, including Damascus, Syria.
Saul received written authorization to go to Damascus, find, arrest and bring back those heretics to Jerusalem for trial and punishment.

Restating: Acts 9:1-6,
“A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum,”
(a 1962 Broadway Musical, words & music adapted by Stephen Sondheim.)
“A funny thing happened on the way to Damascus,” 150 miles NE of Jerusalem. Damascus, Syria was in the news not too long ago. In Syria, Allegations of Levels of Torture, "Damascus Bears Down/Widespread detentions have been reported throughout Syria uprising, against President Bashar al-Assad leading to the collapse of his government."  The Interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa has had a change in international policy.  Unfortunately, non-Muslim's are still being attacked.

Jesus appearance to Saul ... “as one abnormally born.”
was Not in a vision ... But an encounter and Eyewitness of the risen Christ that dramatically changed his life and name to Paul. Paul moved from being a “prosecutor” of those who claimed Jesus was alive, to one who was “prosecuted” for teaching that Jesus was alive. He wrote:
“Many of us have staked our lives on Jesus.”

Reason for the existence of Community of Followers of Jesus is poorly understood. It was not just his great teaching or miracles.
It was because of the resurrection appearances On Which we stand!              Is Highest Privilege (Romans 5:2)
Hope of resurrection, releases us from failure and fear,
Grows as we learn all God has in mind for us. One day we will be in the Living Presence of Jesus, either here on this earth or when we die, who said:                  I Am the resurrection & life ...

We are being saved by the Good News.
Present tense verb is Continuous Action. (I Cor. 15:4)
Aorist tense verb: Christ Died - But is NOT dead.
Christ Buried - But is NOT in the grave
Perfect tense verb: Christ was Raised - Force continues ...
All that means, He is Alive Now!
Whole process is part of God’s plan disclosed in Scripture
Death of Jesus - to deal with sin.
Resurrection, - to deal with death and fear,
is our greatest hope!

Do you really believe this Good News?
It is something we have received from eyewitness.
Paul lists some of them I Corinthians 15:1-11.
It is something on which we Stand.
On which we Stake our lives.
It is the Hope of our Salvation.

CONCLUSION: Christians have written statements of what they believe.       One of the first was the Nicene Creed. If you don’t have access to a copy, go to your search site on the Internet and type: Nicene Creed. It is something we Christians Affirm aloud stating what we believe. For those of you who read or say by memory this creed,
Is it true or just words?
Have you experienced the Risen Jesus?
How did Jesus find you?
How did you respond?
Sometimes God breaks in a spectacular manner, as He did with Saul.
Other times in a quiet experience. There is no one way of responding to        The Good News about Jesus.
It is Good, if we stand by faith on what we received,
It is Good knowing we will be saved (are being saved.)
Like Saul, we Start of a new life with Jesus at the center.
This is the transforming power of the Resurrection.

Have you encountered the Risen Jesus?
If so, you likely heard, Received, the news from someone.
If not, you Received that Good News today.
If you want the Hope say:
“Jesus, I stake my life, on that you are alive.
I believe you died to forgive my sin/disobedience.
I believe you rose from the dead & appeared to 500 people.
I believe you are alive & one day I will see you in person.


*Footnote: *The War of the Jews:
“After this he (Pilate) raised another disturbance, by expending that sacred treasure which is called Corban (Temple Money) upon aqueducts, whereby he brought water from the distance of four hundred furlongs. At this the multitude had indignation; and when Pilate had come to Jerusalem, they came about his tribunal and made a clamor at it. Now when he was apprized aforehand of this disturbance, he mixed his own soldiers in their armor with the multitude and ordered them to conceal themselves under the habits of private men, and not indeed to use their swords, but with their staves to beat those that made the clamor. He then gave the signal from his tribunal [to do as he had bidden them]. Now the Jews were so badly beaten, that many of them perished by the stripes they received, and many of them perished as trodden to death by themselves; by which means the multitude was astonished at the calamity of those that were slain and held their peace.”

“After this time there appeared Jesus, a wise man. For he was a doer of startling deeds, a teacher of people who receive the truth with pleasure. And he gained a following both among many Jews and among many of Greek origin. And when Pilate, because of an accusation made by the leading men among us, condemned him to the cross, those who had loved him previously did not cease to do so. And up until this very day the tribe of Christians, named after him, has not died out.” *(Antiquities Of The Jews, p. 548)

                                                               

                                                                                     

                                                                            "Called Twice"                                                                                                                                            (Reinstated)

The story did not make headline news.  It was something that occurred between two people.  Noone else knew.  One failed Jesus and felt totally inadequate in serving him, let alone being a leader.  I am referring, of course to the Apostle Peter.

Jesus had told Peter that before the crack of dawn, he would deny knowing Jesus three times.  (John 13:38).  Jesus had told his disciples to serve one another and love each other as he had loved them.  "It is by your love for one another that others will know you are my disciples."  That sounded so easy!

The events that Thursday night occurred just as Jesus had predicted.  Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples, Judas.  Jesus was arrested by Temple Guards and taken to the home of the High Priest.  John and Peter followed behind.  John went inside, while Peter waited in the courtyard by a charcoal fire.  A maid said to Peter:  "You were with him." "I was not!" said Peter, trying to sneak away, when someone said:  "Were you not with the Galilean?" "I did not know the man!," responded Peter.  Trapped, Peter moved back towards the fire, when someone said:  "You were with the Galilean!"  Peter responded:  "I swear I don't know the man!"  At that moment the rooster crowed.  Peter's heart broke.  He was crushed. He remembered what Jesus had said just a few hours earlier, "You will deny me three times before the rooster crows."  We don't know what Peter did or whether he ever told the other disciples what he had done.  He did weep bitterly. (Luke  22:62)

The story of Jesus' resurrection does not end with Easter.  Jesus appeared to some of his followers and disciples.  Mary Magdalane and other Women, went to the tomb on the First Day of the Week, and were surprised by finding an empty tomb and an Angel saying:  "Jesus is not dead.  He is Risen, just as he said!"  Jesus appeared to the women and said:  "Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, there they will see me."  (Matthew 28:1-10) 

Two followers of Jesus were returning to their home in Emmaus, despondent, when Jesus started walking with them asking:  "what are you discussing?" (Read Luke 24:13-35).  For more of Jesus' Resurrection appearances to multiple people in different locations read (I Corinthians 15:1-11).  

Jesus met with the disciples, behind locked doors, twice, including Thomas (John 20:24-29)  This is why we Christians use the 40 days after Easter, Eastertide, to reflect on Jesus' various appearances.  

The disciples went to Galilee, as they had been instructed, It was the same location where Jesus first Called them.  Andrew, who had been a disciple of John the Baptist and witnessed Jesus' baptism (John 1:35-42) said to his brother, Simon:  "We have found the Messiah!  Come and see! Jesus said:  You are Simon.  You shall be called Peter.  I will make you Fishers of Men. 

Peter felt unworthy of Serving Jesus, after he denied knowing Jesus, and said to the disciples he was going fishing.  (The infinitive verb means a continuous activity, not just once.) He was saying: "I am going back to a career of fishing."  He felt guilty, a failure and unworthy of following Jesus. 

The first part of John 21 sets the stage for Jesus' conversation with Peter.  Instead of Judgement and retribution, Jesus meets Peter at his point of despair and vulnerability with "Forgiving Love."

Love's Healing Power intersects with Peter and the other disciples when they discover their skills as fishermen had become rusty.  Peter may have thought:  "even the fish have turned against me."

                                                        

Jesus met them, early in the morning as they returned from a night of fishing, without catching anything.

Jesus guides the disciple to the fish.  He asks:  "Caught anything?"  Disciples respond:  "No!"  Jesus guides them to where there are fish.  "Cast your net on the right side of the boat."  They did and because of the large number of fish, were unable to haul in the net.  John recognized the voice and may have recalled a similar event three years before when Jesus had called him to follow him, responding:  It is the Lord!  Impetuous Peter dressed and swam to shore.  Jesus had started a charcoal fire and was warming some bread and roasting some fish.

Jesus nourished the disciples with fish and bread.  153 different varieties of fish were gathered in the nets by the disciples.  "Come and have some breakfast" Jesus said:  One wonders if the disciples remembered Jesus feeding 5,000 people with two fish and five loaves.  Jesus wanted his disciples to know he was not a spirit or a ghost.  He had a body that was recognizable and could eat.  This was Jesus' third, recorded, appearance since his resurrection.

Lessons Jesus was teaching:  There will always be enough resources for the Commission the disciples would receive.  They were nourished spiritually and physically.  Those who would follow Jesus, as a result of the disciples' testimonies, would become Ecclesia (The Calledout Ones), The Church and it would be made of a variety of people.  Ezekiel 47:9 says:  There will be a Large number of fish.  Matthew 13:47-48 records Jesus' Parable of a Net Full of Fish.

Read John 21:15-25.  Jesus lead Peter through his disowning Jesus by BURNING COALS.  Jesus asks Peter:  Do you love me more than these boats, this life of fishing or these disciples?  Peter responded:  "Yes, Lord, you know I Love You."  (There are multiple words for LOVE in Greek.)  In this conversation two are used:  Agape and Phileo.  Jesus uses Agape which is God's Unconditional Love, love that is demonstrated with no expectation in return.  It is the Love Jesus showed his disciples and all of us when he died on the cross taking upon himself all sin.  John 3:16 says it clearly:  For God so loved the word that he gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal love.  Peter responds with Phileo, which is "brotherly and sisterly love."  Philadelphia, "City of brotherly love" comes from Phileo. Jesus says to Peter:  Tend my lambs.  

Jesus asks a second time:  Do you Agape me?  Peter responds:  Yes Lord, you know I Phileo you. Jesus:  Shepherd my sheep.  Jesus asks a third time:  Do you Phileo me?  Peter was grieved: Lord you know all things, you know I Phileo you. Jesus:  Tend my sheep.  

Imagery and association lead Peter through the painful experience of denial.  Some suggest it was penitence.  I believe Jesus used the charcoal fire to lead Peter through his painful (healing of memories).  Peter was forgiven, even though he denied knowing Jesus.  Peter was unable to forgive himself.  Jesus was saying:  I have a task for you:  "Feed my Sheep."  

Jesus was Calling Peter for a Second Time to Follow him.  He was reinstating and commissioning Peter and the other disciples to take the Good News to all Nations:  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.  Make them my disciples.  Proclaim what you have seen and heard so they may have Fellowship with one another as you have fellowship with me.  "Our Fellowship is with the Father and with the Son, Jesus Christ."  (I John 1:3)

Jesus' commissions for Peter would not be easy.  The commission was repeated two ways.  Shepherd the flock and Tend my lambs.  Leadership and Teaching are based on what was heard from Jesus.  Peter and the other disciples lead the Church along the path prepared by Jesus.  Early Christians were called People of The Way.  They were following the One who had said:  I AM The Way, The Truth and The Life.  (John 14:6) Peter experienced and then taught of LOVE'S HEALING POWER.

Jesus saw Peter as the one whom he would become.  Jesus sees in us what we will become.  He asks us:  "Do you love me more than your material security?  Do you love me more than your job or your friends?  Life will not be easy.  You will pay a price for following me.  Speaking to Peter, Jesus said:  When you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch our your hands and someone else will dress you and lead you to where you do not want to go.  "Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.  Jesus said:  "Follow Me!"  (John 21:18-19)

Peter asked:  "What about John?"  Jesus responded:  If it is my will that he remain and abides until I come, what is that to you? YOU Must Follow Me! (Repeated Twice)  (John 21:21:22)

We tend to compare ourselves to others, whether to rationalize our own level of devotion to Christ or their talents and Spiritual Gifts.  We are Easter People.  "Every morning is Easter."

Jesus Christ is Lord of the Church and Lord of our lives.  The Christian Life is one lived in the presence and power of the One who crucified and rose from the dead!  

N.T. Wright:  Bishop of Duran, England author of many books writes:  "Easter was a pilot project.  What God did for Jesus that explosive morning is what God is intending to do for the whole creation.  We who live in the interval between Easter and that eventual hope CALLED as the new-creation people here and now.  That is the hidden meaning of the greatest festival Christians have...

The real meaning of Easter...is about new creation which has already begun.  The creator God is remaking the world challenging all other powers that think that's their job...Christianity's critics, then and now, have always sneered that nothing has changed.   But in fact, everything has.  The world is a different place...

It is up those who follow Jesus to show that this is so.  Easter gives Christians a double vocation.  They are themselves to be part of the new creation, plunged into Jesus' death and finding new life in His resurrection.

Secondly, they are agents of justice and beauty planting signposts in the Easter soil which points to the renewal of all things."

We are Called as New-Creation People.  We are Called to invite others to Come and See.

"That You May Believe "

Jesus' approach with Peter is effective in facing our own grievous failures, anger or self-pity.  Love's Healing Power will work for us.

Close your eyes and reflect, Are there any "hidden secrets" in your life that would make headlines if a reporter discovered it?  (Open your eyes and continue reflecting.)  Few of us will find ourselves in the public eye, but even if no one knows, God knows.  We may think "I'm not worthy of serving God because of this."  

It may be something others know about.  It may be something we have sought God's forgiveness but have been unable to forgive ourselves.  

It may be something no one knows about.  It may be a "skeleton in the closet," hidden. It may be an abusive word or act.  It may be unfaithfulness to a spouse.  It may be guilt we try covering with drugs.  It may be stealing... It may be holding a "grudge." It may anger towards parents... It may be abuse we have suffered... It  may be the lack of self-worth.

When we are unable to receive God's forgiveness or feel unworthy of serving God, let's think about this story and how Jesus met Peter and the other disciples at their point of despair.  Jesus lead Peter with Love through steps leading to Healing and being Reinstated as a Follower of Jesus and Leader of His Community, which is called the "Body of Christ."

If Jesus forgave Peter and empowered Peter to serve Him, Jesus will forgive us. We are called as witnesses of what we have Seen and Heard. What has Jesus meant in our lives.  

LOVE"S HEALING POWER is forgiving and wants to remove our shame and  restore us ...  LOVE'S HEALING POWER suspends judgement and punishment.  

Peter was CALLED TWICE... Maybe more than twice.  "He Did Follow Jesus." Jesus said:  Follow Me."  Are you Following Jesus?

 (Peter faithfully followed  Jesus and served Jesus' Church.  As Jesus said:  Peter was dressed and taken to the cross by another person, under Emperor Nero's Order.   Peter asked to be crucified upside down, because he couldn't imagine dying in the same way as Jesus, who forgave and restored Peter to full responsibility and fellowship.                                  

* Times On Line, April 2009