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Easter Week Help – Day 2

April 18, 2011 by Phil Auxier

As we think about Easter Week happening this week, consider what happened on Monday, first, from the Rabbit Room, Russ Ramsey writes:

Monday

(See Matthew 21:12-22, Mark 11:12-19, Luke 19:45-48.)

If Jerusalem was a beehive, with His triumphal entry the day before, Jesus had hit it with a stick and you could hear the buzz grow as the anger within got organized. With that kingly arrival, He made a strong declaration about His authority over all the conventions of man.

On Monday, He returns for more, this time to declare the failure of His own people to live up to the covenantal mandate God had given them to be a blessing to the world. Much of what the Gospels tell us about Monday centers on the theme of Jesus’ authority—both over the created world and in His right to pass judgment over it. Everything Jesus did He did with authority. So when He woke His disciples Monday saying He wanted go back into Jerusalem to teach, as risky as it sounded it wasn’t surprising. But everyone sensed something stirring, as if Jesus had rounded a corner and His end was coming fast. He was a marked man.

Then, the Village Church Children’s Blog, encourages us to:

In Kids’ Village we have been talking about Jesus’ authority over all things. Authority is the right to be in charge, and this week we are talking about Jesus’ authority over sin.

Jesus is stronger than sin.

When we were powerless and unable to save ourselves from sin and the punishment for sin, Jesus went to the cross. He took the punishment for sin. This is why Jesus came to live among us. This is why He left the comfort and glory of Heaven and put on flesh.

Jesus came to die.

So, the Monday before His death He knew what would happen on Friday. Take time as a family and talk through the Family Discussion Questions over dinner as your family continues to prepare their hearts for Easter Sunday.

Spend this Monday, at some point, thinking about Jesus and His movement to saving us.

Filed Under: application, Easter, Family Worship

Holy Week Help – Sunday…

April 17, 2011 by Phil Auxier

Throughout this week, I will be posting from 2 helpful links to give you good things to think about. One was a post at the Rabbit Room called, Easter Week in Real Time, and the other are the helpful tips for family worship at the Village Church’s Children’s Blog.

Russ Ramsey helps us view Sunday:

In John 10, Jesus said, “No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I alone have the authority to lay it down, and the authority to take it up again, and this charge I received from my Father.”

This is a statement worth testing. Does the Scriptural narrative tell the story of an inspirational man martyred because He was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and simply couldn’t avoid capture? Or do the last days of His life tell the story of someone intentionally offering Himself up, on His own terms, by His own authority? As we approach Easter, have you ever taken the time to really examine what took place on each day of the week from Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday? Here’s a daily reading guide for each day of Easter Week.

Palm Sunday
(See Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:9-19.)

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem perched up on a colt on Palm Sunday, it was the first time since raising Lazarus from the dead that He’d shown His face in the city. The story of Lazarus’ resurrection had circulated so that even those who only heard about it later regarded Jesus as a celebrity. Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of Jesus. They went out to meet Him and received Him like a King, because they heard He had done this. (Jn 12:18)

Jesus said Lazarus’ death would end in the faith of many, and in the “glory of God—that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (Jn 11:4) But the glory He had in mind was even more glorious than His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In fact, He wasn’t referring to the glory these people gave Him at all. Lazarus’ resurrection would steel the resolve of the religious leaders to hand Jesus over to a death He would freely accept—a death He would conquer. That was the glory He meant. As He rode into Jerusalem, the people cried, “Your King is coming!” They praised His victory over Lazarus’ death. But the irony was that He wasn’t coming to claim His crown on account of Lazarus’ death and resurrection, but on account of His own.

And the Village Church urges families to:

Read Matthew 21:1-11 as a family. Ask your kids these questions:
What did the people call Jesus?
Hosanna means “Save us.” What was Jesus going to save His people from?
Did the people like Jesus? How can you tell?
What does it look like for you and your family to worship Jesus?

Hope you have a great Palm Sunday.

Filed Under: application, Easter, Family Worship

Weekend Schedule

April 2, 2010 by Phil Auxier

One of the biggest weekends in the life of our church happens this weekend as we celebrate the Gospel: Jesus life, death and resurrection.

The celebration begins tonight as we join Union Valley Bible Church at 6:45PM to have a Good Friday service, remembering our Savior’s great sacrifice on the cross. (We will be meeting in their building at the corner of 30th and Halstead.)

On Sunday AM, we will have the following schedule:
8AM – Easter Greeting / Brunch
9AM – Sunday School
10:15AM – Worship
(We will have no evening activities on Easter Sunday)

Hope to see you here.

Filed Under: Easter, Good Friday, Weekend Preview

The Suffering Servant

March 31, 2010 by Phil Auxier

Prepping for this coming Lord’s Day, I was doing some reading on Isaiah 53 and using Gary Smith’s excellent NAC on Isaiah 40-66. In speaking of the lofty language to describe the Suffering Servant as the Messiah, he notes:

This fairly consistent positive imagery is completely shattered by rather contradictory images of appalling disfigurement (Isaiah 52:14), the absence of the majestic look of a king (Isaiah 53:2), mistreatment and rejection, lack of respect and suffering (Isaiah 53:3-4). The unusual theological explanation is that he suffered, was pierced, and was crushed for the sins of others (Isaiah 53:4-5). Although he was innocent (Isaiah 53:9b) and righteous (Isaiah 53:11), he did not object to this suffering (Isaiah 53:7b), so he died and was buried among because of the sins of others (Isaiah 53:8-9). Even more astonishing, God himself caused the iniquities of others to fall on him so that peace and healing could come to many others (Isaiah 53:5b, 6b). Surprisingly, it was God’s will for him to pay for the restitution of others (Isaiah 53:10). On the one hand this looks like a terrible perversion of justice, but on the other hand it was part of God’s unbelievable plan to transfer the guilt of many to this innocent Servant. He functioned as a substitute who took the penalty of others, and through this act he justified many (Isaiah 53:11). In spite of the unjust treatment of this Servant, this amazing story has a surprising and positive ending, for the Servant’s substitutionary role cause the will of God to be accomplished (Isaiah 53:10). This suffering Servant will not only live again and see the light (Isaiah 53:11); he will be exalted again because he bore the sins of many (Isaiah 53:12).

(Taken from Smith, Gary. New American Commentary: Isaiah 40-66. Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2009. pp. 464-5)

Even the Old Testament was telling of this Jesus who would come and not only die but rise for sinners.

Filed Under: Easter, Isaiah, Jesus in the OT

More Resurrection (Easter) Prep…

March 24, 2010 by Phil Auxier

I’ve seen tidbits of information coming out on the resurrection for this Easter already. After my post yesterday, I thought this would be a good follow up.

On a Twitter feed, Jonathan Dobson says, “If u invite people “to church” this Easter, make sure u invite them “into the church” the next week. Share your life not just your pastor.”

Tony Reinke provides some notes and an outline for wading through this Scriptures this season.

If you haven’t read Adrian Warnock’s book Raised with Christ, you are missing some great doctrinal teaching on the resurrection.

If you are more musically inclined, Andrew Peterson has an entire album devoted the the truth of the resurrection.

Take advantage of the gift God has given us in the internet and use these resources to deepen your joy in God as we celebrate the Gospel!

Filed Under: Easter, Resources, Resurrection

Remember Jesus Christ…

April 12, 2009 by Mere Agency Support

Sunday’s sermon, Jesus: Risen One, from 2 Timothy 2:8-9 is now online. I thought we had a great morning. The fellowship around tables is always an encouragement. But being able to gather together and celebrate the Lord’s conquering of death was amazing. I was especially convicted by those two closing applications: 1) Will you remember Jesus when you are heading to work Monday AM and 2) Will you endure, confident that God will be by your side in the midst of whatever suffering you face?

I feel exhausted after the events of today, but greatly encouraged.

Filed Under: Easter, Weekend Recap

Good Friday / Easter Posts…

April 11, 2009 by Mere Agency Support

Thought I would wrap together some of the excellent posts I’ve seen related to Good Friday and Easter…

John Piper posts A Conversation with Death on Good Friday

GirlTalk give some practical tips, including how to make resurrection cookies. They also link to these videos:

Rick Gamache’s Crucifixion Narrative was again useful in my life.

Justin Taylor had many excellent posts.

Visit these and other sites and let your meditation on this special week continue.

Filed Under: Easter, Good Friday, Gospel

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From One Degree To Another?

Yeah, that's right. My one, consuming passion is Jesus Christ, my Lord. I'm totally gripped by one message: the Gospel - the good news that God came after me when I was far from Him. So, the life I live, I live by faith in Him: He loved me and gave Himself for me.

From One Degree To Another is the change that He's accomplishing in me by grace. Growing downward in humility, upward into Him, outward toward others, and inward with renewal characterize my existence.

This site is where I flesh all of these types of things out, including my life as a slave to Jesus, husband, father, coffee-enjoyer, and pastor. I hope it encourages you.

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