Pastor Steven Dorsey takes a second look at Easter.
Scripture John 20:1-18

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     When Jesus is baptized by him, the prophet John's life changes. He witnesses the declaration of God calling Jesus his Son. The full equipping of Jesus is also witnessed as the Holy Spirit empowers him.
     God's promise of new life is fulfilled in Jesus' death and resurrection, bringing this power to work in persons who humbly commit to the risen Jesus as King above all other authorities for one's life. Our new spiritual life is rooted in the new relationship of trust in Jesus Christ. The new life's beginning is accessible through self-denial, so that one is open-hearted to Christ to form this new inner life.

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The Holy Family confronted evil and the threat of murder immediately after the moment of worship, gifts, and the spectacle of the magi's visit. King Herod exercise his power in brutality, sending forces to kill innocent young children in an attempt to eliminate the celebrated child. Such a massacre illuminates the reason for the mission of Jesus to overcome the broken world.

The Advent Mission of God is sending the Son of God into the creation "in disguise" as an ordinary newborn with simple, poor parents. He would grow up and into his purpose to sacrifice his own life for the sake of the fallen world. He would be murdered by an occupying government after betrayed in conspiracy by religious leaders.

Jesus overcomes all the destructive power of evil - even death itself - to be the saving love and light of hope for all the world. 

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We marvel at the mind-blowing idea that God would choose to enter into His own created realm, becoming one of us with all our limitations as human beings on this earth. Why did He take such a radical approach to a fallen world? He came as the Son of God, Jesus Christ, in a humble manner to accomplish what is impossible for anyone else. He came into the world to die for the world. Jesus was born to sacrifice His life on a cross of execution. Why? How can that be of any help to anyone? 
      His rescue mission motivated unfathomable love makes a way home to life-giving relationship with God. Because of and through Jesus we are reconciled by faith and respond with a commitment of our will and acceptance of forgiveness and renewal of spirit.
      So what can we give Him in return - what is our most precious, costly gift?

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Steven Dorsey, a retired Elder from West Virginia, and active participant in our congregation, shares our end of 2019 message. From Matthew's account in chapter 2, Steven sheds light on the wonder of Jesus' birth and availability of new life for anyone who moves from curiosity and admiration into personal, relational commitment. 

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• The greatest gift of peace for individuals? No longer fearful of dying; of death’s threat of total control of our next moments -or upcoming circumstances - or bodily health... this is the very gift of renewed inner life available when one decides to be in relationship as a committed disciple of Jesus Christ.
• How did Jesus accomplish this? By choosing to die while living as one of us - a human being within ancient Israel. “Only by dying could he break the power... of death” over humanity. The fear of dying no longer has to have an unwavering hold over one’s life - unless we allow it. Fear of dying brings a profound sense of anxiety and powerlessness. It motivates us to think and act in ways which can be counter to our own wellbeing. 
• 1 Thessalonians 4: we learn to grieve our losses as those whose hope is in the Lord Jesus - the One who has overcome sin and death, and promises the same for his faithful followers.

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TEOTWAWKI = "The end of the world as we know it."
Which approach do you take? Many either are fearful of the end of the world, or just avoid thinking about it altogether.
As a disciple of Jesus, do you realize the same Jesus who ascended in ancient history will be the One returning as he promised?

• The same Jesus who KNOWS each of us intimately and loves us unconditionally is the One we anticipate arriving in glory and power.
• The same Jesus who DIED on the cross as a willing sacrifice of love is the One whom we await to bring all of history to its proper ending.
• The same Jesus who ACTED in ancient history made a promise to complete the ultimate rescue mission for the beloved world.

We have no reason to fear or to avoid thoughts of how the world will end; how time will come to its fulfillment in closure by Jesus, the Creator and Redeemer.
Because we have received the light of Christ, we as the body of Christ, the Church, have our part in Jesus' rescue mission. Many reside in darkness and fear. We are to be the light, pointing to THE Light, Jesus Christ.

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We read so profoundly and powerfully of our sure hope in being claimed in love by God as we look to the New Testament of the BIble. In the gospels and letters we learn of the incredible achievement of Jesus' sacrificial death on the Roman cross of execution. We learn by faith to see in this historical event and cosmic accomplishment to enable all of us in our brokenness to have a way back to restoration and renewal of spirit and relationship with God in Christ Jesus. This brings along with this redemption a new community of faith that like a true family, accompanies one another through this life of faith as we get ready and stay ready for Jesus to return as he promised. 
We have been given gifts, taught us clearly in the scriptures, of community togetherness, essential professions of core beliefs as found in the historic creeds of the first centuries of the Church, and of the sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism. Remembering keeps us connected in readiness at all times for the final resolution of all things in Christ Jesus' second coming. 

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The common church in the U.S. shows little evidence of spiritual transformation and Christ's Kingdom impact on the local community. The two common elements emphasized by such powerless, ineffective churches? Emphasis on correct doctrinal understanding and conformity to moral and ethical behavior. When primary, neither has shown evidence of effecting personal and congregational transformation. Persons within a congregation do not routinely show character differences compared to those outside the connection to a congregation or even the Christian faith! 
Since those two elements are vital to spiritual health, what needs to precede them to access the power of the Holy Spirit to bring inner transformation of the heart and mind?
The two primary requirements for spiritual transformation - expressed as inner character change and outward behavioral consistency - a heart and life rightly relating to God: 

1. give time to learning to love God as Jesus does, and 
2. commit to beginning holy habits (spiritual practices) as daily discipline.   

This will be our emphasis to begin 2020, so we may see how the Holy Spirit moves among us and empowers us for loving community impact in mission with Christ Jesus.

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Ritual serves as a reminder; a way to ensure God's covenant people will not forget their identity in dependent, loving relationship with God.

• Remembering stirs faithful and loving connection with Christ as we carry out our part in living up to the values of his Kingdom. 
• Remembering humbles us as examples of this life in Christ for the rest of the community around us. They are looking desperately for answers of purpose and security and identity. How we live serves as a guidepost to God for them.
• We respond to God's word with our own individual/ household pledges to this community faith on mission with Jesus in the new year. 
• We commit to a recurring firstfruits giving from our abundance, received first from God.

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