REFLECTION: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead”
Would it matter to you if Christ had not been raised from the dead?
Isn’t it enough that he died for us and brought us wonderful teachings to follow?
Isn’t it enough that he should us God’s love and set an example for us to follow?
Paul presents the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the centre of our Christian faith.
For him, if there is no resurrection, there is no Christian Faith, Paul is a liar and Christ
himself was a liar and a fraud. Does it matter if Christ rose from the dead or not?
If he didn’t rise from the dead, we may as well go fishing because we are just wasting
our time here and kidding ourselves. But if he did rise from the dead and defeat the power of death and open the way for us to eternal life, then everything changes.
Here is an outline of today’s message.
1. How can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? (12)
a. Many reject the idea of resurrection
b. If that is true, it means that Christ was not raised (13)
2. If Christ has not been raised from death…
a. Our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. (14)
b. We are even found to be misrepresenting God (15)
c. Your faith is futile and you are still in your sins (17)
d. Those also who have died in Christ have perished (18)
e. We are of all people are most to be pitied. (19)
3. But the truth is that Christ has been raised from death (20)
a. A claim attested by witnesses that stands the test of time
b. Jesus’ resurrection is the first fruits of those who have died (20).
To think about:
How does faith in Christ’s resurrection change the way I live?
HYMNS
TIS 233 I will sing the wondrous story
Christ our hope in life and death
TIS 390 Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks
TIS 376 I know that my redeemer lives
GARDENING AND GROUNDS WORK We have many gardening and maintenance jobs that are piling up. We are extremely grateful to Rusty Nicholls who has taken on so much but we need more helpers. If you can spare a few hours, we would love to hear from you. Speak to Rusty or Graeme. We are particularly keen to find someone who is good at building stone walls or working with mortar. We have a lot of bluestone edging to do in the main carpark area.
NEW BUILDING WORKS UNDERWAY Last Friday (Feb 7th) we finally received the building permit of the new Parish Centre. Works are now underway and we are hopeful that they will be completed by August this year. This is great news, though it will mean a significant increase in dust and activity on the site but this will all be occurring behind the temporary fencing and shouldn’t impact on our sue of the church, hall and front carpark. Now the need is urgent to raise the remaining finances needed. Please consider prayerfully how you might contribute to this important project.
SHROVE TUESDAY We will again be having our Shrove Tuesday Pancake night on the 4th of March. Keep the date free. More details to follow. ASH WEDNESDAY Will be March 5th. There will be Ash Wednesday services with imposition of ashes at 10am and 7pm. The Wednesday Growth Group and Alpha course will not be on that night.
CONGRATULATIONS To our former curate Jeremy Watson and his wife Sarah on the birth of their second Daughter. Congratulations also to Jonathan Chaintrier, another former curate, on his engagement to Shirley. MISSION MOMENTS Mission Sunday today when we will hear about Hope 25, which seeks to empower Anglicans about sharing hope from Easter to Pentecost. If you would like a new Mission box or have one for the first time, please see Kaye today or contact me on 0490 090 507.
JAM/PRESERVE SALE Fig jam $3-$5. Watermelon and fig preserve/konfyt $5. See Michael Willis.
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY 23rd Feb: Genesis 45. 3-11, 15; Psalm 37 1-11, 40-41; 1Corinthians 15.35-50; Luke 6.27-38
LAWN MOWING ROSTER: 15th of Feb – Heinz & Vic
CONFIRMATIONS/ALPHA We will be starting the Alpha Course on Wednesday Nights in the Parish Hall on Feb 12th with a meal at 6:30 and the course at 7:30. We will be having a shared meal with the people from the Wednesday growth group then dividing into separate groups for the study. The Alpha course will be the preparation for those seeking confirmation but it can be attended by anyone wanting to discover more about Christian faith. Please speak to Graeme if you would like to participate. It goes for about 10 weeks.
THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR: St James' Dandenong, Graeme Peters, Oyem Amaylek, George Ladu; The Diocese of Perth; Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School; The Church of Bangladesh; St Cuthbert’s Grovedale–Pastoral service; St Oswald’s Glen Iris–Pastoral service; Archbishop Philip and all our Bishops in their ministry this week.
THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: Anthony, Nisha, Mike, Cecil, Ruth, Eva, Charles, Nigel, Jen, Ted, Natasha, Patty, Melenny, Shereen, Lorraine, Rebecca, Ken, Jim, Monty, Noel, Ashleigh, Mervyn, Sophie, Ursula, Doreen, Gay & Tauren.
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