April 27, 2014

Resurrection Continued

Acts 4: 33

Luke

And the apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God's great favor was upon them all.

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Thoughts....

First I have to apologize for the references noted for last week.  I actually stopped at verse 30, not 47 as indicated with the title of the topic.  And this week, it might appear I am skipping text of verse 32 to jump to 33.  I will be including 32 in next weeks 'Thoughts'.  And here is why:  Have you ever been taking notes and you find you cannot write as fast as the speaker, and so you try to keep up, losing the last thought you wanted to conclude with, but then remember it, and throw it in the midst of all the new information?  In reading through verses 31 through 34, it sure appears as if that could have been what happened, because verse 33 seems out of context with the other verses surrounding it, but fits as a perfect conclusion to the verses prior to 32.  So, although I preach all the time on text out of context being pretext, this actually fits in an entirely different dimension of that definition.  Read those references and see if you agree or not.  Either way, I am letting verse 33 stand alone today for focus to conclude our discussion on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In looking up the definition of 'resurrection', I found a couple things.  One said that it implied 'raising of the dead'.  Good old Wikipedia stated 'some churches distinguish between raising the dead (a resumption [resuming-not new but continuing] of mortal [actual-alive] life) and a resurrection (the beginning of an immortal [spiritual] life).  Note: parenthesis are from wikipedia, brackets are from me.  If that's confusing, look at it this way:  Wikipedia said resumption.  I said resuming-not new but continuing.  Wikipedia said mortal.  I said actual-alive.  Wikipedia said immortal.  I said spiritual.  I added the bracketed words to further clarify the meaning of the Wikipedia words used.  Lest we get bogged down in what is really what for todays discussion.

So.  The thought on the table is when did the resurrection of Jesus occur?  Did it occur when Jesus left the tomb?  The angel said at the tomb that Jesus had been raised from the dead.  He even said that Jesus would show up in Galilee.  Matthew 28:1-7; Mark 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-8; John 20:1-9.  If the resurrection occurred then, then the reference in Wikipedia to resumption might apply....because Jesus was to resume his life...he was to meet the others in Galilee.

But....big but....could the resurrection be defined by and have occurred when he arose from hell on the third day, as Christians have also been taught?  That would be the time he was seen by Mary Magdalene when he told her not to cling to him because he had not yet ascended to the Father.  See John 20:11-18.    

Interesting to note is that although Jesus couldn't be touched until he had ascended to God per John's reference, in verse 24, he must have ascended and returned, because he then directed Thomas to "Put your finger here and see my hands.  Put your hand into the wound in my side."  This reflects both a mortal and spiritual resurrection may have occurred.  With a return to mortal life it seems.

Luke recounts that Jesus 'aphantos' ...disappeared in a moment!  Was he resurrected in that moment in Luke 24:31?  Read Luke 24:13-31.  Was this a spiritual resurrection or mortal?  Or neither?

In Luke 24:35-43, he ate with the apostles and other disciples.  Certainly he was mortal at that moment.  At least as far as we understand regarding life and death....errrrrr ghosts.  Or was he?  So are we back to his resurrection being unto mortal life then?  Or was it spiritual beyond our scope of understanding?  John said he appeared to his disciples three times since he was raised from the dead.  I count more.  How many can you count?

And then, there is the ascension.  See Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50: Acts 1:9-11.  Was this THE spiritual resurrection?

I want you to look at all these verses of documented history of Jesus life.  I want you to get into the habit of searching for truths with Holy Spirit.  I don't want you to take my word alone to understand what is documented in history, or what God, Jesus, Holy Spirit want you to know.  I want you to learn to go to them yourselves, with their words and those of everyone's written documents, that have been found thus far, regarding the prophecy, birth, life, death, renewed life, resurrected life of Jesus Christ the Lord.  And what it can mean for your life.

Todays reference said 'the apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and God's great favor was upon them'.  In Acts 1:8, we learned Jesus said, "But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere - in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."   

The Holy Spirit baptized with fire after Jesus was resurrected.  Recall the first part of our study in Acts.  Also recall the directive to the disciples by Jesus to stay put until the Holy Spirit would come and fill them with power from heaven.  See Luke 24:49 for this.

We must have Holy Spirit to boldly preach, to live our lives, to get to heaven.  And Jesus HAD to be resurrected before we could be baptized by, in, with Holy Spirit.  By my understanding, then, the fullness of the resurrection occurred when Jesus arrived in heaven.  He didn't JUST arise from the dead....from the cave/tomb.  He didn't JUST arise from 3 days in hell so disfigured from all of our sins that Mary Magdalene didn't even recognize him.  He didn't JUST arise/'buzz up' to heaven for a quick trip to arrive back on earth as a mortal to have lunch with the gang.  He didn't just aphantos/arise to who knows where from being with the guys on the road.  He DID absolutely arise to heaven, and he IS now seated at the right hand of God.  And Holy Spirit DID absolutely come and fill the disciples with power from heaven, which could not have occurred until he got to heaven.  And this was for ALL of his disciples.  That includes you and me today.  Just like then, is now, will be forever.  God, Jesus, Holy Spirit were the same yesterday, are the same today, will always be the same tomorrow. 

What we read in the Bible, Old and New Testament, is not just documented history.  It is a guide, a directive, a life line of how to live our lives, what we can expect, what we are to do, who we are to be, and more importantly, who we are to withhold, in a tight embrace of love, in our hearts, minds, spirits, souls.  These guys are to be our everything.  God made us.  Revere and worship him.  Jesus lived and died for us.  Honor and obey him.  Holy Spirit gives us himself daily....moment by moment....breath by breath.  Receive him....and all the fruits and gifts he wants to give you. 

And take time to know your God, your Savior, your Comforter.....lifelines....as intimately as they know you.  Believe that it is because of Jesus' resurrection that you can have life abundantly, forever....eternally.  And thank them all.   

Receive Holy Spirit's power because of Jesus' resurrection....today!  Continue the message of his resurrection, as you go forth boldly proclaiming the Gospel OF and FOR Jesus Christ!  Amen!  Alleluia!  Amen!

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 Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I pray mighty nations of believers will rise up against Satan and those in the world who seek to repress, oppress, depress, suppress you and the people who are yours.  That lies will be shown for what they are.  That only your truths will prevail.  Especially all the truths surrounding your resurrection, Jesus, by the power of YOUR Holy Spirit.  May we all come together as one voice praising you and worshiping you, as we go forth in your name proclaiming JESUS IS THE RESURRECTED LORD!  As I, and they, honor you in worship and praise near the anniversary of your resurrection from the grave, may we all praise you and thank you mightily for all you have done in all of our lives and those of our families, and for what you are about to do for all of us.  May we all show you our gratitude in mind, body, spirit and soul, and by what we do for and with you.  Thank you so very much.  We praise you for doing the same for all those who may come to know you through us, as we go forth in your name, and lead them to you.  Amen.

Dear God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, the world so needs you.  Only through you, Jesus, can anyone receive forgiveness of sins, enter heaven and have eternal life.  There is NO other way.  My prayer today is that all who read this, and all Scripture, will accept who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are, and, believe in a way they have never believed before....with the whole of their heart, their mind, their body, their spirit, and their soul.  That they will believe in you, and believing, accept, and accepting, be willing to receive all you have to give them, listen to you, obey you, praise you and thank you, and then, go forth sharing with all who you are and what you have to offer.  God, I pray this for all in the world.  In Jesus' name, by and with the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and would like to do so, and you would like to be forgiven of your sins, pray the following, or any prayer from your heart:

God, I believe you created the universe....and me.  Please forgive me of my sins, especially of unbelief in you, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  I believe in you now.  I believe that you, Jesus, lived and died for me, so that I would have the opportunity to receive eternal life, and, that you lived again on earth and now live in heaven eternally.  Holy Spirit, I believe in you, that you were sent to help me know how to live my new life, and help me understand the importance of obeying you, God, and Jesus, so that I can receive eternal life and live in heaven.  I want to receive all the gifts and fruits you want to give me, Holy Spirit.  I want to make Jesus the Lord of my life.  I come to you now, Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit in humble prayer, with thanksgiving for everything you have done for me and will do for me....and for others through me, as I BOLDLY go forth in your name.  Please heal me and make me whole.  Show me your way, your truth, your Light.  Thank you.  I'm learning to love you more and more.  Amen.      

I pray everyone will now make you, Jesus, LORD of their lives and live a life that leads to resurrection into heaven.  In Jesus' name I pray, by and with the Holy Spirit to Heavenly Father God.  Amen.

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Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

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It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

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BesidesBesid  ***

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!

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