Are you Ready for the Resurrection?

2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 Luke 20:27-38 Get Ready for the Resurrection 25th Sunday After Pentecost Year C The Questions we ask A Theological Curveball A certain minister has made it a policy for many years to refer "six-year-old theology questions" to his wife. Since she has taught very young children for many years, he says, she has a much better grasp than he does of how to address the questions which little kids ask. The other day, a first-grader brought a drawing of a skeleton into class where she teaches English as a second language. The titled across the top of the drawing read "Inside of Me." It was designed to teach children that everyone has a skeleton inside of them. He unfolded it proudly and showed it to the class. One little girl from India was astounded at the thought that she and others had this scary-looking skeleton inside them, and so she pressed the issue a bit farther. "Even you got one of these inside you, Mrs. K?" The teacher replied, "Yes, I have one, too." The next question was the theological one. "Even God got one inside him?" Now in a class made up of children from many different countries, cultures, and religious backgrounds (most of them not Christians), you can imagine that this question had the potential for major theological debate. I doubt if I'd have had the presence of mind to give the answer the teacher did; but, as usual, her expertise in six-year-old theology saved the day. "If God needs a skeleton, I'm sure he has one," she replied. "God has everything he needs." This apparently satisfied the theological curiosity of the class, and they got on with the lesson. Asking questions is an essential part of learning. If we don't know something, we look for someone who does and we ask. The only dumb question is the one you don't ask. We learn by asking questions about what we don't know. Larry R. Kalajainen, Extraordinary Faith for Ordinary Time, CSS Publishing Company Sadducees – not stupid question, but stupid people We have all heard that saying that there are no stupid questions. The only dumb question is one that you don’t ask. I think that Jesus would agree with me – that there is no stupid questions, but sometimes there are stupid people who ask questions. I know that is a pretty strong statement, but it is an explanation of the story in Luke 20. This story is included in both Matthew and Mark. But for Luke he puts this story on the Tuesday before Jesus is crucified. The priest have been looking for any excuse at all to attack Jesus. Each time they ask a stupid question – a question that will prove that Jesus is a fraud – Jesus understands the trap well enough to avoid it. And this question is no different. The Sadducees where rich priest, who were in charge of the temples. They were very conservative – anything that was not expressely written in the first five books of the bible – did not exist as far as they were concerned. The words of Job - I know that my redeemer[a] lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.[b] 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet[c] in[d] my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Means nothing to them. The did not believe in the resurrection – even though the words are in the old testament. The sadduccees were sad u see – because they did not believe in anything that they could not see. In their world there was nothing to hope for, nothing more than words on paper to believe in. There was no eternal life. That is why in this case there were stupid people asking a stupid question. If there was a resurrection – which they didn’t believe in anyway, and a woman married seven different men, who would be her husband in heaven. Jesus had to explain that not only do you not understand resurrection, not only do you not understand heaven, before you try and talk about life after death, you should have an understanding of life. I love it when Jesus tells us that god is not a god of the dead, but the living. Nothing in life disappears Dr. Wernher von Braun, well-known for his part in the U. S. space program, says he has “essentially scientific” reasons for believing in life after death. He explained: “Science has found that nothing can disappear without a trace. Nature does not know extinction. All it knows is transformation. If God applies the fundamental principle to the most minute and insignificant parts of the universe, doesn’t it make sense to assume that He applies it to the masterpiece of His creation—the human soul? I think it does.” What is life? what is death? Jesus says that God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But he says that they are indeed alive. But if we cannot see them, if we know that they have passed on, if we know where their graves are – then how are they among the living? What is the relationship between life and death? Thessalonians was written in a different time, it answers different questions, but at the heart of the scripture is the meaning of eternal life. Paul comes to Thessalonica in order to address the Thessalonian error. We all as Christians are susceptible to that error. Because we all live in the anticipation of Jesus coming soon – and we get confused about what that means. When Paul told the Thessalonians that Christ was coming soon – they forgot that God is the God of the living. They thought they could stop living for themselves, because Christ was coming soon, so nothing mattered anymore. My Thessalonian error There was a time in my life when life was so crazy for me, that I thought for sure that Christ was coming soon. I was so desparate for God to come and fix my life, that I made myself sick and ended up in the hospital. One day the nurse bought my clothes to my room, telling me that he washed them so that I could wear them again. I looked at the nurse and said I didn’t need them anymore. I looked out the window – waiting for Jesus to come out of the sky. The nurse left them on the counter – saying trust me, I think you will need these again. I thought he was just an unbeliever, who did not see the signs. Paul tried to help us understand that waiting for Christ to come, does not mean that it is time to give up living. It does not mean that our life is over. Life goes on, the work continues. We cant give up In the challenges of life – the Jews had stopped believing in the power of God. There was no God, There were no miracles, there was nothing to hope for beyond what they could see and understand. And the Christians believed that if there was a God, then there was no need for them to keep living. They could stop working and just let God handle it. They could just give up on everything and wait for the miracle. Paul tried to help us understand that one is just as bad as the other. God is the God of those who live. And those who live, are constantly growing and moving forward. As a matter of fact Thessalonians spells it out in verses 13-16. God called you to be the first fruits of salvation. Along with being called and chosen comes a task – a job, work for you to do. If you are called, and have work to do – then God will send others to help you in your task, If we are here, then we are set apart and saved for something better. If we consider ourselves to be Christians, then we are alive, anything that is alive, grows and moves forward. We don’t get to give up. A Girl learns to skate A father bought a little girl a pair of ice skates. In learning how to skate, she fell down time after time. Wanting to spare her the pain of failure – he asked her if she was ready to give up. She got up, and said I didn’t ask for these skates in order to fail- but to be a skater, and she got up and kept trying. What about you? What are you here for? Why do you call yourself a Christian? Are you a sad u see? Only believing in what you can see? Or are you waiting for something more? Are you one of the dead? or the living? Tradition Must Leave Room for Revelation The apostle Paul, in his letter of encouragement to the struggling young church at Thessalonica, wrote, "Stand firm and hold fast to the traditions we taught you, either by word of mouth or by our letters" (2 Thessalonians 2:15). Tradition is important. But tradition has to leave room for revelation, because the Spirit blows where it wills, right? That has always been a problem in the church, from day one to this day. We don’t seem to want to leave any room for revelation when we’re talking about tradition. A well-known theologian has commented, "Any church that is alive lives on the edge of heresy," meaning that its members won’t refuse new ideas or new programs or new challenges simply because there are those in the church who say, "WE NEVER DID IT THAT WAY BEFORE!" and want these to be the final words on the subject matter. These have been called "the seven last words of the church," and in many cases they have been. Johnny Dean Heaven and Earth There are a lot question the Bible doesn't answer about the Hereafter. But I think one reason is illustrated by the story of a boy sitting down to a bowl of spinach when there's a chocolate cake at the end of the table. He's going to have a rough time eating that spinach when his eyes are on that cake. And if the lord had explained everything to us about what's ours to come, I think we'd have a rough time with our spinach down here. Michael Green, Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Baker, 1993, p.184. What would life be like if we ate chocolate cake, and avoided the spinache? Somewhere along the way – we would have lost sight of the true meaning of life. and we wouldn’t have the nutrients we need to grow, to move and to live. I leave you with the benediction in the last part of chapter 2 of Thessalonians – Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our father, who loves us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word. Amen. Big Changes by Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter Passage: Luke 20:27-40 • Lectionary: Proper 27 Item 1 of 3 | Back to Results Exegetical Aim: As we grow in life and as we grow with God, we will always have to deal with changes. Sometimes it means letting go of the old and accepting the new. Heaven will bring about the biggest of these changes. Props: A diaper, wipes, a baby bottle (or a jar of baby food and a baby spoon), and a pacifier. Lesson: I have something this morning I think you need. Hold up the diaper. Okay, who needs his diaper changed? (response) All right, don't be shy. Who needs his diaper changed? Anyone have wet britches? (response) I even brought the wipes. What? (response) What do you mean you don't wear diapers? (response) Ignore their statements about being grown-up. Well, then, here's something you need ... a bottle. Okay, who is hungry? Who needs his bottle? (response)What? (response) But you use a bottle all the time. (response) All right, no bottle. Here's something you can use. (response) You mean you don't even use pacifiers anymore? (response)Why not ... you used to use them all the time? (response) You're grown up? (response) How old are you now? (response) Tell me what growing up has to do with no longer wearing diapers and no longer eating baby food. How come you no longer need these things? (response) Keep the pacifier in your hands as you speak with the children. Application: My, how you've grown! It's sad sometimes to let go of diapers, bottles, and pacifiers, but it means we are doing some new things. Tell me some things you can do now that you are big boys and big girls? (response) What else can you do now that you are big? (response)Let me ask you a question: Do you miss the diapers? (response) Why don't you miss them?(response) I understand. Pause. Are you sure none of you would like to wear the diaper? (no!) If there is a wise guy who takes you up on it, motion him to come over. He'll back down. Jesus said as we get older, things happen to us: we grow up, and we change. We have to make decisions to let go of some things like diapers, bottles, and pacifiers. Hold up the pacifier. He even said when we go through the biggest change of all ... when we go to heaven ... some very big changes are going to occur. We will never have to brush our teeth again. And, we will never have to take a nap, and we will never have to eat all our broccoli again. Did Jesus say that? (no)You're right, he didn't say it exactly in those words, but he did say when we get to heaven some very big changes are going to take place. (Optional: He said we won't have to get married ... I know some of you are very happy about that ... and no one will ever die again.) You will no longer have just one or two brothers and sisters; you'll have millions of brothers and sisters. We will all be one big family. We will all have one Father and we shall all be God's children. That will be the biggest change of all! Let's Pray: Father, we look forward to growing up and the changes to come, but more than all that we look forward to the biggest change to come: being in heaven with you. Amen. Children's Sermons A to Z, Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter, CSS Publishing Company, 2000, 0-7880-1780-2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------THE THESSALONIAN ERROR The Thessalonian error was misunderstanding the purpose of end-time prophecy. The purpose is not to identify the anti-Christ or to inform us of events. Others have misunderstood the purpose of second-coming prophecy. Many people have been identified as the anti-Christ. Early Christians suspected some of the Roman emperors who persecuted them. Victims of the inquisition suspected some leaders of the Catholic Church. Some of you may have heard sermons comparing Hitler, Mussolini, or Hirohito to the anti-Christ. In my lifetime, I have heard or read speculation about Henry Kissinger, Prince Charles, and, more recently, Barack Obama. Do any of you remember a booklet, "88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988"? Matthew 24:36 says no one knows the day or hour. The writer ignored that by pointing to a 3 day period, the feast of trumpets, in October, 1988. He said we can’t know the day, but we can know the 3 day period. He was wrong. The most famous group for setting second coming dates may be the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Charles Russell believed Jesus would return in 1874. In 1877, he taught Jesus returned invisibly, contrary to scripture that says “every eye shall see him.” Jehovah’s Witnesses later predicted that in 1914 Armageddon would end. It had not even begun. They said 1925 was a date firmly established in scripture, that they had more reason to believe the kingdom would be established in 1925 than Noah had to believe there would be a flood. Jesus did not return in 1925. Jehovah’s Witnesses again expected Jesus to return in 1929. Before his return, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would be resurrected to announce his coming. A house called Beth-Sarim was built for them to live in when they came. Judge Rutherford, then President of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, graciously offered to live in the mansion and supervise its maintenance until they arrived. They did not rise and Jesus did not return in 1929. I have heard testimonies of ex-JWs who believed the prophecies of Jesus returning in 1975. They talked about going door to door in affluent areas, picking the houses they wanted to live in when Jesus came again. Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught only 144,000 will make it to heaven. Other faithful Witnesses will be resurrected to live forever in paradise on earth. Many thought nice houses left behind by people who were not Witnesses would be free for the taking. Sometimes, men of great learning be great fools, and sometimes they suffer for it. Listen to this. "In view of the short time left, a decision to pursue a career in this system of things is not only unwise but extremely dangerous... Many young brothers and sisters were offered scholarships or employment that promised fine pay. However, they turned them down & put spiritual interests first," (Kingdom Ministry, July 1969, p 3). Some Jehovah’s Witnesses, graduating high school, turned down scholarships. Some graduating college turned down promising jobs. Why? Because their leaders told them Jesus was coming in 1975. When their leaders were proven wrong, again, those scholarships and jobs had been given to others. "Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world’s end.” (Kingdom Ministry, May 1974, p 3). Some Witnesses sold their homes and quit their jobs. They lived off the money from selling their homes while going door to door teaching a false gospel. In 1976, when their leaders were proven wrong, again, they had nothing left. Many people and groups have committed the Thessalonian error. They misunderstood the purpose of end-time prophecies. Sometimes, they suffered for it. (From a sermon by Mark Stepherson, The Purpose of Second Coming Prophecy, 5/29/2012) Unfriendly Fire It’s a fact: Sometimes the commercials are better than the programs. A few years ago, the all-sports network ESPN had a series of commercials set in a mythical University of Football. In one of them, an earnest-looking student admits to Tom Jackson, an ESPN analyst who was himself once a professional football player, that he’s probably asking a stupid question. Maybe at this point you expect Jackson to repeat the common saying “The only stupid question is the one that never gets asked.” But what Jackson actually says is “There’s no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid people asking questions.” Jesus answered a good many questions during his ministry, but this one about the bride who marries seven brothers comes pretty close to being a stupid question. It is not being asked by a stupid person, however. There’s a high-stakes game being played here — nothing less than life or death — but the only life on the line belongs to Jesus. Keep in mind that the scriptures do not condemn asking God serious questions, even angry questions. Consider Job’s vocal complaints, the laments of the psalms, Habakkuk’s extended complaining and Martha taking Jesus to task after the death of her brother Lazarus. God actually seems to welcome serious questions. A living faith is a questioning faith. How else will we get answers? God’s word invites us into an honest dialog. These questions show that we take God seriously, as someone who, though greater than we can imagine, invites us into a real, not a sanitized, relationship. But a little common sense wouldn’t hurt, either. Over the triple doorways of the Catheral of Milan there are three insciptions spanning the splendid arches. Over one is carved a beautiful wreath of roses, and underneath is the legend. “All that which pleases is but for a moment.” Over the other is sculptured a cross, and the words, “All that which troubles us is but for a moment.” But underneath the great central entrance to the main aisle is the inscription, “That only is important which is eternal.” —Current Anecdotes