6 One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

How very, very challenging it is in this society to live a life that isn’t influenced heavily by direct competition with one another and the need to “get ahead” of our neighbor. That is what we will be exploring this Sunday as we take a good look at Ecclesiastes 4: 1-16.

36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

In Acts 10, Peter has a vision from God that leads him to realize that Gentiles can also receive salvation through Jesus Christ. A Roman centurion named Cornelius has a similar vision and sends for Peter to come to him. Peter goes to Cornelius' house and preaches the Gospel to him and his household, and they all receive the Holy Spirit. This event marks a significant turning point in the early Christian church, as it shows that the message of salvation is not just for Jews, but for all people.

Paul in Athens finds common ground with the Athenians to take opportunity to preach the Gospel. To be relevant means to engage the marketplace in daily life with the Gospel.

God will gather all things up and make the old new again. This is the Christian hope, but it is also a gift we experience now in part. God redeems what we thought was beyond the human capacity for hope–the old, lifeless, abandoned, destroyed, maimed, broken things. We participate in this work of restoration in the world. We are restored along the way.

Because of Christ’s resurrection, we have been raised with him into new life. This new life is one where we are 1. Reconciled with God and grafted into God’s new family and 2. Reconciled with one another as Brothers and Sisters being built up as one church.

Christ is Risen! What does this mean for the disciples as Jesus appears before them and ‘touches’ them. He breathes the Spirit on them. He allows Thomas to touch him as Thomas is doubting. The renewed life is the spirit-led life moving out of the truth of Living, embodied Christ. We are carriers of Grace and Love to those we touch.

Mary is weeping at the tomb of Jesus. An angel asks her, "why are you crying?"

Jesus enters Jerusalem during the Passover–which was a tense time as it marked Israel’s deliverance from an occupier. Contextually Rome is the now the occupier. The triumphal entry and Temple demonstration should involves Jesus “initiating conflict during a stressful period with revolutionary associations.” Of all the rulers of the world, we pay homage to the Humble King who rides in on a Donkey.