REFLECTION: 1 Corinthians 15:35-52 “What will our resurrection be like?”
The theme of resurrection is a difficult theme. With some difficulty, we come to accept that Jesus has been raised from the dead. In our hearts we long for the eternal life that Jesus promises. But when we start to try and imagine it or work it out in our heads, we get all tied up in knots. How is this resurrection even possible?
Paul opens the theme up for in today’s reading and teaches us of the transformation we will go through as our perishable bodies are given a complete makeover and made imperishable and fit for heaven. This is a miracle that only God can do and it does challenge our human way of thinking. Here is an outline:
1.We will be raised!
a. The trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable (52)
b. For as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ (22)
c. God will provide each with our own imperishable body (35-41)
2. We will be changed!
a. From perishable to imperishable (42)
b. It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory. (43)
c. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. (44)
d. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven. (45-49)
3. We will live with God forever
a. Death will be defeated (26,54)
b. God will rule completely over all (28)
To think about:
Life with God in the New Creation is only partially revealed to us through many metaphors. What do you think it will really be like?
HYMNS
TIS 588 In heavenly love abiding
MP 1024 All my days
TIS 609 May the mind of Christ my saviour
TIS 569 Guide me O thou great Jehovah
JUMBUNNA PRAYER DAYS Our Jumbunna region is holding three Prayer afternoons with the intention of praying for God’s blessing over our region and with a particular focus on the Hope 25 activities and the election of the New Archbishop. These will be held from 3pm to 6pm on Sunday 9th March at St Pauls Ringwood, Sunday 16th March at St Stephen’s and St Mary’s Mount Waverley, and Sunday 23rd March at St Paul’s Frankston. A team from St James’ will be leading the prayers at St Paul’s Frankston at 5pm.
JAM/PRESERVE SALE Fig jam $3-$5. Watermelon and fig preserve/konfyt $5. See Michael Willis.
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.
CONFIRMATION/ALPHA Each Wednesday we are running the Alpha Course and a Growth Group in the Parish Hall. Both groups meet at 6:30 for a shared meal (provided) and then we split into two groups at 7:30 and we finish by 9pm. We are having a great time together and we would love you to join us. The Growth group is currently studying the Psalms but when lent begins, they will be following the Hope 25 Lenten Study.
BUILDING SITE - PLEASE NOTE The construction zone is now a secure area and no one is to enter past the temporary fencing without permission from the builder and all the proper safety gear and a site orientation.
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY 2nd March: Exodus 34. 29-35; Psalm 99; 2Corinthians 3.12-4.2; Luke 9.28-36 (37-43)
LAWN MOWING ROSTER: 15th of Feb – Heinz & Vic
THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR: St David's Doncaster East; The Diocese of Willochra; Janet Clarke Hall; Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil; 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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