Jan 31 2013
Sabbath Rest Today
Image:”Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing”
Hebrews 3:7-4:11
“You often ask about our church Josh, why not come with this Sunday?” George inquired. “Yes, join us Josh!” said Eric. Josh smiled, “I can’t guys; I do the Sunday shift.” “Oh, that’s right,” mumbled George. Eric seemed lost in thought for a moment then looked up, “I tell you what Josh, I’ll do your shift this Sunday, and you go with George, how’s that?” George looked at Eric with shock, “Eric! You know what we believe. We don’t work on Sundays. It’s our Sabbath!” Eric’s stared back, “George! Which is right on the Sabbath: to help or to hinder, to give or withhold?” (Mark 3: 4) George remained silent. But Josh looked pleased, “Thanks Eric, I accept your offer… so Sundays your Sabbath is it? That’s odd. We Jews have ours on Saturdays; I wonder why it’s different?” George and Eric looked at each other blankly. “I haven’t a clue,” said George. More
Apr 12 2013
Essentials of the Ascension
Acts 1 and Genesis 1 have interesting similarities. Both deal with temple creation. In Genesis God creates heaven and earth to be a temple, and in Acts he creates the church to be a temple. In Genesis the building process is all about ordering and empowering. God separates dark from light, the water above from the water below, and the water below from land, and he names each so they can function. He fills the sky with lights, the water with fish, and the land with animals, and finally he creates and empowers people to rule the earth and help him name things. On the seventh day God rests. In ancient times gods rested in temples. The temple was built by worshippers and then the god was invited to rest in it. This did not mean they went to sleep, it meant their presence brought order to the temple and its surrounding community. When a god rested there was no more chaos. Genesis is telling us in the language of the day that Israel’s God built the universe as his temple and then brought his order and rule to it.
In Acts 1 God sets up the church as a temple. Again it is about ordering and empowering. More