Scot McKnight - What Difference does Easter Make?

If you have not heard of or read anything by Scot McKnight he is a brilliant New Testament theologian who's material is well worth reading. He has written a stack of books, of which I've read, The Blue Parakeet, Fasting, and One.Life. All were outstanding. I know that his A Community Called Atonement is brilliant as well.

Scot's blog is called Jesus Creed - Exploring the Significance of Jesus and the Orthodox Faith for the 21st Century and is well worth following.

His latest post is on our need to not just have a Good Friday gospel and be Good Friday Christians but rather to have an Easter gospel and be Easter Christians. Have a read here.

Resurrection story of Jesus Christ, Twitter Style

Cool Twitter rendition of the Easter story. #firstcenturygospeltwentyfirstcentury

Traditional

Traditional is another term that we have chosen to describe an aspect of the style of church we feel God is leading us to develop at St Luke’s. By traditional we mean the intentional embracing of various elements of a more traditional church’s liturgy (form or arrangement of public worship). At times this will mean an awareness and celebration of the Christian Calendar or Christian Seasons, Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter etc, allowing these seasons to influence aspects of our own church gatherings and the communal life of our church. On occasion we will use set readings and prayers in our Sunday gatherings such as found in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. In no way do we feel bound to any of these traditions but rather think there is something beautiful expressed and experienced in them and look forward to fusing the ancient with the contemporary. Our gatherings will always be full of life and the passionate celebration of the resurrected Jesus. We look forward to this passionate celebration being both, boisterous and noisy, as well as reflective and peaceful.      

Pictured is an Advent Wreath. It is usually a horizontal evergreen wreath with four candles and often, a fifth, white candle in the centre. Beginning with the First Sunday of Advent, the lighting of a candle can be accompanied by a Bible reading and prayers. An additional candle is lit during each subsequent week until, by the last Sunday before Christmas, all four candles are lit. Some Advent wreaths include a fifth, "Christ" candle which can be lit at Christmas. The custom is observed both in family settings and at public church services and of course can either be meaningless or full of meaning depending on how practiced in the home or in a public service. Ancient practices such as an Advent Wreath leading into Christmas have the potential though to help reshape one's thinking and attitude towards Christmas, highlighting the true reason for the season when accompanied by the set readings and reflections. A potentially wonderful practice for those both old and young!

The Good News of the Gospel

Here is a quick attempt at summarising my understanding of the gospel as simply as I can. My summary is full of Christian language and there is a depth of meaning underneath concepts like 'to live in Him (Jesus)' that could be unpacked further, as could terms like 'faith' and 'repentance.' A good exercise nontheless.

The world is broken but it wasn't always broken and it won't be broken forever; there is 'good news.'

God created the world good. The centre piece of creation was humankind created in the image of God. Humankind was created to love and worship God and to live in wholeness of relationship with each other, stewarding and developing the rest of creation. However humankind broke relationship with God by disobeying God and sinning. Humanity fell short of that which God intended it to be.

As a result we all have a sin problem that separates us from God, from ourselves, from each other and from the rest of creation. In and of ourselves we are powerless to deal with this sin problem. This sin problem is wrecking havoc on earth now and separates humanity from God partially now and promises to permanently in the future.

The good news is that God in his love sent Jesus Christ to rescue humanity from sin and to deal with humankind's sin problem. Jesus lived, died, rose from the dead and sent the Spirit in order that through faith and repentance all who respond to Jesus can be forgiven their sins and from sin in order to start a new life 'in Him.'

In Him we are restored to right relationship with God, with ourselves, with each other and with the world around us. We begin the process of learning to live as God always intended us to live and do this in the context of God's community, the church. The church is historical and global in nature but also an actual, tangible community that we commit and involve ourselves in locally.

As Christ followers live missionally and participate with the Spirit in God's redemptive work, faith, hope and love will begin to change lives and communities as the rule and reign of God (his kingdom) is established here on earth as it is in heaven. While God's kingdom will only be experienced in part now, and while Christ followers are not immune to the effects of the brokenness that exits in the world, Christ followers live in light of eternity, as sign posts to the truth that Jesus Christ will return and his kingdom will be established in full forever. Justice and judgement will flow throughout the world, creation will be restored and those whose faith and trust is in Jesus Christ will be judged righteous and will live in wholeness and restored relationship with God forever.

Post Lent Post

In 2009 I discovered Lent and in 2010 participated in Lent for the first time ever. I look forward to 2011 as I found the experience spiritually profound and meaningful.

I gave up all drink other than water for the 40 days. No juice, milkshakes, fizzy, wine, coffee etc.

I was constantly reminded of how much I have and how little others and was challenged to continually look to be salt, light and a lifting hand.

I was reminded of Jesus and his strength, determination and passion. First seen in his 40 days of fasting and temptation in the wilderness and finally seen at Easter.

I listened to the 5 week Lenten series on the book of Jonah that Rob Bell and Shane Hipps preached at Mars Hill.

I was challenged that God is not always wanting to rescue us from the storms and the fish but rather to rescues us from ourselves in the storms and the fish.

I was impacted by the reality that God is everywhere. Constantly and always at work by the power of the Spirit outworking his plans of redemption here on earth. God is there in the darkness though we may not at first perceive it, outworking his plans and purposes.

That which I thought I couldn't do without,
I soon discovered I could do without.
That which I craved to have back,
I soon discovered I didn't need back.
That which I thought added colour,
I soon discovered was only enjoyed because colour was already there.

I trust that if you observed Lent this year you found in some way a freshness in your walk with God.

Easter is Getting Closer

Easter is getting closer which obviously means Lent is drawing to a close. If you have been abstaining from something for Lent (I've gone without any drinks other than water, no coffee, juice, fizzy, wine etc) it is tempting to start thinking 'finally, it's nearly over.' I understand the feeling! At the same time though it is important for us to remember that while we in a small way find solidarity with those who go without by choosing to go without, they don not have the luxury of simply choosing to re-engage. I'm blessed to soon be able to drink coffee again. Many do not have the choice for coffee, or milk, or coke or even access to clean drinking water. As you re-engage with whatever it is that you set aside thank God that you are able to. Thank God for his blessing on your life. Commit afresh to standing for justice in the world and on behalf of those who lack so much.

O Lord who for our sake didst fast forty days and forty nights; Give us grace to use such abstinence, that, our flesh being subdued to the Spirit, we may ever obey thy godly motions in righteousness, and true holiness, to thy honour and glory, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. The Collect from the first Sunday in Lent from an old Church of England Book of Common Prayer.

Lent 2010

Next Wednesday (17th Feb) the Christian season of Lent begins. Literally millions and millions of Christians around the world will begin to observe the season of Lent.

Lent is the 40 period not counting Sundays that leads into Easter.

It is a season and period of time that is used to reflect on what it means to follow Christ and to resolve a fresh to live as a Christ follower in the world.

It is not so often observed in Pentecostal churches but is something we are encouraging our church to embrace this year.

In order to help you do this I’ve ordered in some Lenten Reflection booklets that have been prepared by World Vision that are available to anyone who would like one this Sunday morning.

Lenten Reflection Booklets

How the booklets will work... Basically there is a page for each day of Lent in the booklet. Each page shares a couple of thoughts and gives you the opportunity to reflect on something to do with your Christian walk.

Genius is not in the thoughts the booklet provides but rather in your willingness to pause and reflect and be open to the Holy Spirit speaking to you in regards to that which the booklet encourages you to contemplate.

A Time of Abstaining

As well a time of reflection Lent has traditionally also been a season of prayer, fasting and giving. Some churches observe a schedule of fasting on certain days though out Lent. Others focus more on charitable deeds and giving, especially in regards to the poor and their need for food, clothing and finance.

We’re not having any set times of fasting throughout Lent but would encourage you to consider fasting as you feel led and also of abstaining from something for the season of Lent.

Always Lent is a time of giving something up for a season. Meat, alcohol, sweets, other types of food, television, hot showers, watching sport, your cell phone, Facebook etc. Obviously the intention is that you abstain from something significant for you.

Throughout Lent I’m going to only drink water. No alcohol, no coke, no tea, no coffee, no juice, energy drinks, no milkshakes, no nothing other than water.

The significance of this is that it reminds me of how basic my needs really are, the goodness of God in that I have acess to fresh clean water, and the reality that while I am going without and having water, millions in the world literally do not have access to clean drinking water at all.

- I find in humility I am grateful and thankful before God for his blessing
- I’m mindful of so many who have so little
- I save money on what would otherwise be spent on other drinks which I can give towards helping others have water

So if you are going to celebrate Lent, I’d encourage you to think about what would be meaningful for you to give up.

Lent is also a time of prayer. Especially with a focus on repentance and the need for God’s grace and love in our lives.

It’s a preparation period leading into the celebration of God’s marvellous redemption at Easter, and the resurrected life that we live, and hope for, as Christians.

Lent may not be something you have ever heard of or observed in your Christian walk. It may be something a little different from what you have experienced before but it may also be something you would find particularly meaningful and fresh in your Christian faith.

Why don’t you join with me and millions of other Christians around the world and participate in Lent this year?

For more info on Lent click here.

5 Truths That Will Revolutionize Your Life

1. The Bible is truth for life.

The bible is God’s word and God’s story. It is inspired by God, not liable to deceive, and tells the only story we can confidently frame our lives in.

2. God is the Creator of the universe.

Before God spoke and created there was only God. He is the creator of all. Everything was created by God, for God, and in God. Creation was good. God is good.

3. Sin is destroying our world.

When humanity missed the mark, fell short, sinned, when Adam ate that which was forbidden, death entered the world. Sin caused a failure of relationship for humankind with God, with each other, with oneself, and with the world we live in. All sin is a failure of relationship.

4. Jesus Christ brings hope.

As we approach Easter, a celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we celebrate hope. Jesus paid the price for the sin of humanity and offers restoration to God, to each other, to oneself and with the world we live in.

5. We are to live for the Kingdom.

The Kingdom is now but not yet, we are to live that his will may be done on earth as in heaven. As we follow Christ we find purpose, meaning, fulfilment, satisfaction, answers, and truth.