The Weekend Word
What did you teach?
What did you learn?
Did you hear the Gospel?
We continue in the Heidelberg Catechism:
Question 57. What comfort does the “resurrection of the body” afford thee?
Answer: That not only my soul after this life shall be immediately taken up to Christ its head; (a) but also, that this my body, being raised by the power of Christ, shall be reunited with my soul, and made like unto the glorious body of Christ. (b)
(a) Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Philip.1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philip.1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (b) 1 Cor.15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Cor.15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: Job 19:26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. Philip.3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Question 58. What comfort takest thou from the article of “life everlasting”?
Answer: That since I now feel in my heart the beginning of eternal joy, (a) after this life, I shall inherit perfect salvation, which “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man” to conceive, and that to praise God therein for ever. (b)
(a) 2 Cor.5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 2 Cor.5:3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. (b) 1 Cor.2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
First!!!
Good morning, Centy. What movie will you be showing today?
We’ll be looking at James 2:1-13, showing mercy to all without partiality. And yes, we’ll hear the gospel. 🙂 God extends His mercy through Christ Jesus to us without partiality, so we ought to extend mercy to others in the same way.
Went over to a friends house to minister to her this morning,
and she wondered why we didnt go to church… We thought it might be more important to check in on her, as she is having a rough go right now.
Later we newly met with an American family here who are also christians
seems they have had the complete opposite experience we have had here,
and they are packing to leave.
They mentioned the openness /boldness of Atheists,
the mocking of their faith and open mocking of God,
many whom they have encountered are practicing witchcraft and satanism,
They told us they have no Christian fellowship and the kids are begging them for friends
On the lifestyle side they are frustrated with the process here.
The great need for exceptional patience in almost everything was beyond taxing,
the lack of many conveniences most americans are used to and take for granted,
they are having Home depot, Walmart and Costco withdrawals, even though they go back 3-4 times a year to the states and bring back loads of american goodies.
Their children were thrilled to meet up with our children at a nearby park lake recreation facility, the hours passed and they begged to hang out longer, but we decided to meet up again another day soon.
Later this evening,
a neighbor was speaking with my husband outside,
My husband invited him in as I was cooking dinner
he told us he was homosexl and that his companion had committed suicide with a pistol 3-4yrs ago in his home.. and that he was devestated by it, but now has a new friend
I asked him if he would like to stay and have dinner,
but he said he had to go for now,
well, I left it open for another night,
and he said “Tuesday”! well, “Mardi” actually
So it looks as if I have invited this man and his partner over for dinner…
He was thrilled! He lit up and gave me an enthusiastic kiss ( The french greeting kind)
and seemed as he departed from our house to be delighted with joy…
Not quite sure what I got myself into here…
But i have this sense that God has called us to love this community In deed and in truth.
and He is showing us what that looks like.
That was church for us today and what we are learning…
SC – we so need to love on these folks. Will be praying for you in this, God has placed a difficult task in your hands – it will go as He wills if all here pray seriously for His presence to dominate, I think.
it is wonderful to think that the old flesh is not going to be resurrected 🙂
We drove through heavy fog up to Felton. The sun broke through just as we arrived.
Today’s Gospel reading from St. Luke included “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Fr. Thaddaeus explained that this concept was not new with Jesus- not exactly, anyway. Other religions and cultures had a negative version of it: “Don’t do to others what you don’t want them to do to you.” Jesus often picked up on common expressions and ideas but improved on them. His version of the Golden Rule is active, not passive. It’s not enough to avoid harming others. The Commandment (Love God, love your neighbor) requires some action and effort on our parts.
Fr. T. explained that our actions and behavior do more to spread the Gospel than any other method. Once we sacrifice ourselves for our neighbor, then he will ask “Why are you like this?” and then we can speak to their hearts about Jesus. Turning the other cheek, going the extra mile, giving without expecting to receive, giving one’s shirt as well as one’s coat- this is the best means of evangelism. There’s something about loving one’s enemy that makes them wonder what’s going on.
(I was reminded of the Newsboys’ song: “Shine! Let ’em wonder what you got!”
There were no comments of the “Jesus didn’t really mean this because no one can do it” sort. Instead, Fr. T. told us about a Fr. Luke who suffered greatly in the Soviet Gulag who demonstrated his love to his enemies and changed the hearts of many towards Christ.
And we are all called to behave in this manner.
SC,
What you have described touched my heart.
You can minister to these men just as Jesus did by your act of servanthood in His name.
Your day of minsitry is what “church” ought to be about…as it is the body of believers out in the world drawing others to the living God…
I will pray for Tuesday and may God be right beside you all.
Ministering one soul at a time.
Thats what Jesus did best.
You will know the are mine by the love they have for one another…
Sister Christian is a wonderful, real-life example of Fr T’s homily in action.
Church today was the beginning of study of Revelation with my husband.
The weather was absolutely beautiful here in S. Florida..the kind of day one yearns for… the 70’s with no humidity! Able to finally breathe outside and use the patio furniture…
Some questions from Macarthur’s study:
**How would your life be different (practically and specifically) if you lived each day with a continual expectancy of Christ’s return?
I would live each day in fear of sinning and would pray more–Make more of an effort in study..I would be more obedient to Him-I would be more submissive to the Spirit. I would be more humble and serve Him with a glad heart. See my trials as the Word teaches-find more joy in them. Trust Him more with my life
“Reactions to the Resurrection” Acts 17:32-34
1. Introduction vv21-31
a. The Consideration of the True God
b. The Concerns of the Crowd
2. The Consequences of the Resurrection
a. There are Some Who Reject It v32
b. There are Some Who Reason It v32
c. There are Some Who Receive It vv33-34
Went on a church retreat for the whole weekend and had a GREAT time.
Spent most of last night in a huge group conversation about our spiritual gifts. Everyone took a brief assessment and then discussed how we could use them.
I love this group!!
Sister Christian said, “enthusiastic kiss ( The french greeting kind)”
lol Sis….he gave you what kind of kiss?!!!??? 😯
Just kidding 😉 I know the french greeting is a kiss on each cheek. lol too funny.
Colossians 1:24-26
Sufferings for the Body.
Why sufferings?
The call and equipping of ministers.
The attitude and motivation of ministers.
(All believers are ministers) so pay attention. 🙂
London, sounds like a great retreat. Glad you had a good time.
Dusty…
lol is right, our littlest girls will ask people in the states for a “french kiss”
and they have gotten some understandably strange reactions I have had to explain to the girls they need to explain, the “French greeting” with kisses, which can be 3-4 (slightly to each side of the face) depending on the region one lives, and not a “french kiss”.
London,
Thats wonderful news!!! Glad to hear you have met up with a group you can be connected with and have such an enjoyable time at a weekend retreat!
Xenia, and Concerned,
Thank you so much for the kind words,,,
you know, its a bit daunting at times, we have been through much of the evangelical “methods” in reaching people for Christ, and being out here, it seems that God is having us take this different route of getting to know and care for people, genuinely care about them, and learn to love them. Not alot of people, but to take quality time with the circle He has placed in our lives.
will keep you posted on how things develope
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