The Power of the Resurrection : from my perspective
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Welcome!
I welcome your comments regarding our shared ministry at St. Paul.
 If you would rather comment privately please, email me at Prshepherd@westriv.com

"Two are better than one," says Ecclesiastes, 
"because if one falls down, his friend can help him up." 

I deeply desire to bring Christian comfort and the power of prayer to those who are challenged with sickness or circumstances in life. However, in this time of restricted visitation call me and I will attempt to contact them.

Please, assume that if you don’t tell us, we do not know. 
Call me at 301-4956 if surgery or hospital stay is imminent or if a visit could be helpful. 

Pastor Dennis
from my perspective…

    Breaking News, or Headline News, is updated by the hour and minute. The programs are designed to get our attention and to sell advertising. (Big surprise!) On the other hand, the Good News of Jesus Christ was proclaimed and is proclaimed today for an entirely different purpose.

    Mark begins his gospel with “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mk 1:1, ESV) It sounds like Mark is reporting, “Breaking news! Pay attention! Something important has happened!” 


    Matthew begins his gospel, “The book of genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David.” (Mt. 1:1) It sounds like Matthew is introducing a history lesson whereby we might learn something. Don’t get me wrong – I love history because I believe with George Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” 


    John begins his gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.” (Jn. 1:1) This is something totally different. John invites us to lay aside our daily concerns and ponder life’s Big Questions concerning God and “The Word of God.” 


    Each year, we might take a measure of our life on Tax Day, an anniversary, or any number of other milestones. Regardless of the circumstances, we go through a process of reflection, evaluation, and decision-making. We might reflect on the Big Questions of Life, like “Who are we? And “How do I fit in with family and society?” or “What positive difference am I making?” 

    I will grant that the most common daily question is, “Am I happy.” But I believe the Bible teaches us that happiness results from how we think of ourselves and our relationship with others. Therefore, John invites us to ponder anew our relationship with the One God of the Holy Scriptures, as opposed to mental or emotional gods of pleasure, wealth or self-importance. 
In the church year, Lent is the season that encourages us to ponder our relationship with the one and only eternal God and one another or who we desire to become. 

    Join us as we explore Jesus’ great encounters with religious rulers, a disrespected woman from a disrespected people and His disciples. In John, Jesus, the Word of God, invites people to question who we are in God’s eyes and who He desires us to become to live a fulfilling life. (e.g. John 10:10)
As John informs us, Jesus, the true Word of God, comes into the world to save us from ourselves and the destructive temptations brought on by the evil lies of the great Satan. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17, ESV) 

Please join us in our encounter with the Living Word of God, your pastor, Dennis.

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The Power of the Resurrection

by Pastor Dennis on 04/06/13

The power of the resurrection opens the door of hope in eternal life for all those who believe the words of Jesus, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matt. 28:18, NRSV)

            In the days following Christ’s death and resurrection the eleven, closest, chosen disciples, who have sat at the Master’s feet and heard him proclaim that, “…on the third day he would rise from the dead” by the power of the LORD.

Then on Easter morning the women break into their grief with the words, “The tomb is empty, He has risen!” but the disciples thought this idle, silly talk. That same day, two disciples were walking to Emmaus and Jesus walk, talks, and eats with them. Then Jesus appears to the others, except Thomas, “When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.” (Matt.28:17) Thomas seeks proof to believe in the promise of Christ.

            Doubt is that skeptical attitude that constantly needs proof. Doubt left unchecked can eat away at hope until only despair remains. (On the other hand, questions of faith are healthy as Faith seeks to know the Savior better.) Those who live in doubt find that the peace of the LORD is elusive.

Jesus challenges the disciples to live in faith, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid”. (John 14:27 NRSV)

If the disciples of Christ are to live in the power of the resurrection, doubt and fear must be put to death so that in faith, the Peace of the LORD can lighten the heart. 

 “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps. 118:24)

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