Date: 05 Feb 2001
Time: 23:05:16
Nobody preaching on this one? Well, I am!
dave k. in ohio
Date: 06 Feb 2001
Time: 01:56:08
Well don't be stingy, Dave! What are you going to say? Magi in the Middle
Date: 06 Feb 2001
Time: 15:35:37
I found the following from N. T. Wright very helpful in explaining the power and importance of the resurrection of Jesus.
The bodily resurrection of Jesus isn't a take-it-or-leave-it thing, as though some Christians are welcome to believe it and others are welcome not to believe it. Take it away, and the whole picture is totally different. Take it away, and Karl Marx was probably right to accuse Christianity of ignoring the problems of the material world. Take it away, and Sigmund Freud was probably right to say that Christianity is a wish-fulfillment religion. Take it away, and Friedrich Nietzsche was probably right to say that Christianity is a religion for wimps. Put it back, and you have a faith that can take on the postmodern world that looks to Marx, Freud and Nietzsche as its prophets; you can beat them at their own game with the Easter news that the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Those who celebrate the mighty resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, therefore, have an awesome and nonnegotiable responsibility. When we say "Alleluia! Christ is risen!" we are saying that Jesus is Lord of the world, and that the present would-be lords of the world are not. When we sing, in the old hymn, that "Judah's Lion burst his chains and crushed the serpent's head," are we ready to put that victory into practice? Are we ready to speak up for, and to take action on behalf of, those even in our own local community, let alone farther afield, who are quietly being crushed by uncaring and unjust systems? Are we ready to speak up for the truth of the gospel over the dinner table and in the coffee bar and in the council chamber?
-N. T. Wright, "Grave matters," Christianity Today, April 6, 1998.
PJ in Branford
Date: 06 Feb 2001
Time: 19:16:09
Well don't be stingy, Dave! What are you going to say? Magi in the Middle
Hmmmm.... aye, there's the rub! Well, I'm gonna call it "The Real Thing," and state that ALL things are possible with God, even something as bizarre and improbable as the Resurrection of Jesus on the third day. I'm going to agree with Paul (and others, such as C.S. Lewis) that if the Resurrection isn't true, than Christianity is a pathetic joke. . . . However, I'm going to make it abundantly clear that the Resurrection can be relied upon, based on the incredible developments in the aftermath of the Resurrection with the birth of the Church. To me, it makes absolutely no sense to think all these people put their lives on the line for such a cause, unless they knew for sure that it was absolutely true. . . . there were many witnesses. Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter, the Disciples, Cleopas and another follower of Jesus (enroute to Emmaus), then 500 followers (1 Cor. 15:6) and eventually Paul on the road to Damascus. And again, if it was just myth or a hoax, would this have been enough to not only sustain faith in Christ, but cause it to flourish around the world? I don't think so. . . . anyway, that's where I'm at right now. I'll be going on a 2-day retreat starting tomorrow morning, so aside from brooding, I'll be leaving this lection aside for a couple days, then get serious come Friday and Saturday.
-- Dave K. in ohio
"God loves you and there's nothing you can do about it."
Date: 06 Feb 2001
Time: 20:25:05
I think the point Paul is making to the church in Corinth and to all of us in the church, is that Christianity is a gospel – it is Good News about how God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to be our Savior. The reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is of huge significance for us, for if Jesus did not rise from the dead we have no assurance that our salvation has been accomplished. If Jesus did not overcome death then his predictions were false and we can have no confidence in his word. Without the resurrection we are left with a lunatic who died on a cross. A wise teacher maybe, a compassionate preacher possibly, but clearly not the Savior of the world. If Jesus was not raised from the dead he was just a nice man who died on a cross and said "come follow me." I am willing to follow Jesus to the cross if I know there is the promise of the resurrection. That is why we call it the Good News!
PJ in Branford
Date: 06 Feb 2001
Time: 21:15:04
Thanks for the ideas. I'm just getting started but want to include why the resurrection matters today, now and what difference it makes. I'll be looking for resurrection stories. So many people die long before their bodies stop working. The resurrection of Jesus breaks the power of death today. If we really believe it, then it changes everything. At least this is where I'm starting with the passage.
Mike in Maine
Date: 07 Feb 2001
Time: 17:02:42
I am usgn the diea of the firstfruits from verse 20 with a theme "The Fristfruits Difference" the following quote from a compiled text study is helpful on the idea
In the Old Testament the firstfruits were the first sheaf of the harvest grain God’s people were to offer to the Lord as a thankoffering to show that all the harvest was his and would be dedicated to his glory. The firstfruits were also an indication that the harvest of the rest of the crop would follow and could begin, once the firstfruits were offered (Ex 23:19; Lev 2:12; 23:10, 17–20).
JDK
Date: 08 Feb 2001
Time: 18:41:35
Just like in Jeremiah, we have a theme of trust. Do we trust that Christ has been raised, or do we become fooled by the tricks of evil? It all centers on that step of faith - that moment of truth where we put our trust in Christ, or not. There is no gray area here - we either trust God for the truth of the Resurrection and find life ourselves, our we fall on our faces in the mud...
DN in NV
Date: 09 Feb 2001
Time: 01:01:25
Mike in Maine: "So many people die long before their bodies stop working." I imagine you were speaking of those on life support or with incurable diseases, but your comment got me to thinking about those who die before their bodies do. Those who think their lives are worthless, those who are addicted, those who abuse, those who are abused, etc. There is so much in our world that causes us to die inside. The truth of the resurrection is that it is not just for AFTER we die. Jesus promises us resurrected lives right now if we but turn to him. Just a thought as I flip from one reading to the next to determine where I am going with my sermon this week. (It is only Thursday after all!) Betty from NCNY
Date: 09 Feb 2001
Time: 15:22:51
NCNY Actually I was thinking about just that, people who die long before their bodies. I was also thinking about people who have experienced resurrection in their own lives. One example I found is in March Good Housekeeping. It is about Joni Rodgers dealing with cancer. She wrote a book called, Bald in the Land of Big Hair. The United Methodist News Service also has an article about her.
Mike in Maine
Date: 10 Feb 2001
Time: 01:09:57
I'm contributing before reading all of your posts--often a dangerous practice!
I intend to preach on this along with Psalm 1, especially the phrase, in the seat of the scoffers. Often, of course, we are the scoffers, especially when it comes to dealing with the resurrection. I remember so many conversations in seminary about whether there was indeed an actual resurrection, followed by long discussions of whether or not that made a difference in our faith. Many of us seemed reluctant to claim the resurrection as historical fact, proclaiming that it wasn't necessary to our faith. And then here is Paul telling us that our faith must then be in vain.
I'm not clear on how I plan to work all of this around, but the point is that Christ is indeed raised from the dead as we proclaim. Our faith is indeed like the tree standing by the water, strong and deeply rooted. And Christ's resurrection does make a difference to our faith and our lives.
Just been mulling it all over and I know it won't get straightened out til Saturday, as usual. Now I'll read what you all have written.
Pam in San Bernardino