Resurrection! Can You Relate?
Every year, year after year, we stop to ponder and to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Pastors in pulpits all over the world recount the story of the empty tomb, while congregations respond with joyful songs and maybe an "Amen" or two! It is customary to begin with the reminder, "He IS risen"! And the congregation responds with, "He is risen, indeed"!
My fear is that for most of us, we will find the resurrection very difficult to relate to. It will be filed away in the category of "bible knowledge" and likely make it no further than that. It's great for Jesus, two thousand years ago. But me? I just can't relate. After all, have you ever been to a funeral where the person sprung back to life? Have you ever known a "real life Lazarus" -- someone who died and then came back to life? Oh, there are anecdotal stories and we devour books that make such claims, but it's just not our experience, and it's hard to relate.
Yet, we are supposed to, and expected to, relate personally to Jesus' resurrection! In fact, the entirety of our Christian experience rests on being able to personally relate to resurrection! Yes....He is risen. BUT SO AM I! "I am risen indeed"! Does that compute?
In Philippians, Paul says that everything he had acquired in life was garbage compared to a personal experience with Jesus that included His resurrection! This is important!
How can I relate? What does this have to do with me? What does this have to do with my life here... and now?
View and see!
Steve
Easter Sunday
April 4, 2021
Jesus - "For Such a Time as This!"
December 24, 2023 • Pastor Steve Feden • John 3
"For Such a Time as This - Jesus" - John 3 What did we do before we had cellphones with a flashlight option!? That is the handiest little gadget since someone put an eraser on the top of a pencil! I use it often when I am finding the right key, getting in the car, or looking for something I dropped! But of course I only need it when the current light is insufficient to see with clarity! When our eyes receive the benefit of full light, a flashlight adds nothing to my efforts. But when I am in the dark... In keeping with our theme, there is no better time for light than when we are in the dark. That handy little flashlight function on the phone has proven, over and over again, to be "for such a time as this"...such times of darkness, confusion, uncertainty, lack of clarity. It was God who spoke into the darkness and said, "Let there be light". I think the light of Jesus is still needed for our world, don't you. But what exactly does that mean? John 3 will be our topic of discussion if you can find a way to... ...VIEW and SEE Steve
Mary - "For Such a Time as This!" - Luke 1:26-38
December 20, 2023 • Pastor Steve Feden • Luke 1:26–38
"For Such a Time as This -- Mary" - Luke 1:26-38 As part of the continuing story, we will take a look at Mary and her turning point as we are thinking about the Christmas story. For Joseph, the turning point that allowed God to use him for the special role of "fathering" Jesus, was his willingness to stay with Mary despite the social and cultural challenges, and the confusion. For Joseph, his obedience involved sacrifice -- multiple moves to protect the Son of God, gossip, loss of reputation in the community. Mary's story is a little different. Her obedience involves all of the same sacrificial things, but she must go a step further. It is total commitment of her will and....her body! Is that just for Mary? Maybe that is for women in general? Certainly not for men, though, right? Of course no one can replicate what God did in using the young virgin, Mary, to birth Jesus. But, there is much in scripture about our bodies, and Romans 12:1-2 is just one example! Did I mention that Luke 1:27 is one of those verses I never tire of reflecting on or encouraging others with? Did I mention that I get a chance to tell the story of the chicken and the pig? Why is that verse encouraging? What does this have to do with a chicken and a pig? Hahaha!!! You have to... ..VIEW AND SEE! Steve