November 6th Virtual Worship
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Matthew Leone, Rene Vazquez
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
The God of the Living
Jesus said to them, “Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.”
Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” For they no longer dared to ask him another question.
[Reading Above - Luke 20:34-40]
As in our day so too in Jesus’ day there were different ideas about what is on the other side of death. Some of Jesus’ religious peers, called Sadducees, believed we live in the memories of our loved ones but do not live on the other side of death. To challenge Jesus’ view of resurrection, they raised a ridiculous but theoretically possible scenario of one married multiple times on earth. They wonder which couple will be married in the resurrection. Jesus seeks to open their minds, and through them our minds, to the reality that life in the resurrection makes all things new. Relationships will be transformed in liferenewing ways that will transcend the limitations, troubles, and pain that plague us on earth. Just as Moses encountered the Divine at the burning bush—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who though long dead are still alive in God—so at death we will encounter the God of the Living, who makes all things new!
Questions for Reflection:
What is your view of life beyond death?
How does Jesus’ teaching in Luke 20, enlarge and enrich your view of life beyond death?
A Spiritual Practice to Try:
Meditate on this passage from Hebrews 12:1-2: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Identify those in your cloud of witnesses and imagine the way they are supporting you as you continue your earthly journey
A Practice to Focus on Discipleship:
Incorporate a faith journal in your spiritual practice. Use the journal as a way to:
jot down needs and blessings with words or drawings or pictures
respond to the questions for reflection in the sermon notes
make notes about the weekly scripture lessons and sermons
create a to-do list of discipleship actions
list questions you want to explore
write prayers, stories, poems, or letters
be creative!
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com.