1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Good News

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 NIV
I check the local news every morning at http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/. Some mornings the news is usually just lists of scores from sporting events. I am probably one of the few in this country who does not consider sporting events as news. Those things worthy of news should be those things that happen on a very infrequent basis or is a one of a kind event. Sporting events just don't fit into the category of unique. 

It would be good if we could get as excited over the "Good News" as we do when our favorite team makes it to the Super Bowl. Where's the enthusiasm for the new of Jesus Christ? Where's the enthusiasm when we hear or share the news "...of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep." (vs 3-6)

Jesus died for you and yet he lives! Because he lives so shall all who believe in him! Do you really believe it? And, if we do believe; is it not enough to get us up from our couches and share this marvelous news; this news of first importance, with others?

Get excited! There is no other news of more importance. Jesus lives for you! He has won the race! He has triumphed! He has done this all for you!

May the grace of God that is within you share the news that He loves the world so much that He was willing to die that we might live.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 9:1-9 The Kingdom is the Proclamation!

Luke 9:1-9 NIV
You know it! I just love it - another chance to remind you of what Jesus sent his followers out to proclaim!

"When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." (vs 1-2)

You know it! He calls and he sends us out to do lots of good stuff. But, the proclamation of the Good News is this: The Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God for you. Don't be deceived. There is no other good news than Jesus died so that, by faith, you might receive your inheritance, which is the Kingdom of God - life in His eternal presence. Living in His presence, of course means, that you will desire to do His will. You will desire and be empowered to minister to others according to their needs and God's will.

Thanks be to God!
God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 6:12-19 - Disciples and/or Apostles

Luke 6:12-19 NIV
I have often encountered the misperception that Jesus had only twelve disciples and with it comes the misperception that only pastors are disciples of Jesus. The reading today dispels that myth. It tells us that the disciples were actually many. They were a large crowd. After a night of prayer; out of the many disciples, Jesus designated twelve to be apostles.

Those who were his disciples were those who followed him. In Luke 9:23 we hear Jesus say to the people: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."  It is not just your pastor who is called to follow. It is not just a small group, but a large crowd, who are called to follow. Out of the crowd, God calls and designates some disciples to serve the whole community (the whole world) for the glory of God, according to God's will.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 26:14-16 - Betraying Jesus

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. (Matt 26:14-16 NIV)

For thirty pieces of silver, his follower, his friend, betrayed Jesus. Yet, there was more to it than the love of money. Judas had hoped for an insurrection. He was looking for an earthly king. He had his own agenda. It was not God's agenda. Judas' priority, all along, had not been advancing Jesus' mission here on earth, but his own.

How often do we do that? How often do we betray Jesus? We are not so unlike this Judas, are we? Judas was willing to sell Jesus out because he saw that there was no longer any hope in his own political agenda. What is it that will entice us to turn our backs on Jesus and go the other way? What is our ultimate concern? God's will or achieving our own personal desires in this world?

If we are honest with ourselves; if we examine our hearts, I'm guessing that we will find many little things that will cause us to turn our backs on the will of God for us as well as for the whole world. When was the last time you told God: "No, I'm not going. I have better things to do than to worship You or follow you or do your will today."? It may have been just a few moments ago or maybe it was on Sunday?

God's Peace - Pr. J