John 11 today.
What are the limits of Jesus’ power?
Mary says, “If you had been here,” Jesus, Lazarus would not have died.
Mary assumes that Jesus is limited by death.
But Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life.”
His power can bring new life, even in death.
1/x
What are the limits of Jesus’ power?
Mary says, “If you had been here,” Jesus, Lazarus would not have died.
Mary assumes that Jesus is limited by death.
But Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life.”
His power can bring new life, even in death.
1/x
Many of us find ourselves in situations that seem hopeless.
We think, “If only I had prayed sooner.”
Then maybe things would be better.
Perhaps.
Then again, maybe you should call out to him even now.
He is able to enter in, even when it feels too late.
He is the life.
2/x
We think, “If only I had prayed sooner.”
Then maybe things would be better.
Perhaps.
Then again, maybe you should call out to him even now.
He is able to enter in, even when it feels too late.
He is the life.
2/x
Oddly, many people—including Christians—will read such thoughts and quietly think, “How quaint.”
This is one of the prominent dangers to Christianity in the 21st century.
In our rush to become “respectable public intellectuals,” we have forgotten:
Christianity is foolish.
3/x
This is one of the prominent dangers to Christianity in the 21st century.
In our rush to become “respectable public intellectuals,” we have forgotten:
Christianity is foolish.
3/x
Following Jesus absolutely includes living the radical lifestyle described in the Sermon on the Mount.
But it is more than that, too.
If we limit Christianity to a set of ethics, we have stripped it of its greatest power:
Supernatural belief in the Spirit of God.
4/x
But it is more than that, too.
If we limit Christianity to a set of ethics, we have stripped it of its greatest power:
Supernatural belief in the Spirit of God.
4/x
Christians love and forgive and make peace and are generous and holy.
Yes.
But they also believe that God hears prayers.
That there will be a resurrection.
That God still works miracles.
That the Spirit still speaks and works and moves.
Don’t “outgrow” that.
5/x
Yes.
But they also believe that God hears prayers.
That there will be a resurrection.
That God still works miracles.
That the Spirit still speaks and works and moves.
Don’t “outgrow” that.
5/x
The day Christianity becomes just another life philosophy, it loses its distinction in the world.
It is a radical way of life—fueled by the white hot hope of resurrection and the belief in the guiding and active Spirit of God.
Folly to many.
But hope to us.
Grace and peace.
It is a radical way of life—fueled by the white hot hope of resurrection and the belief in the guiding and active Spirit of God.
Folly to many.
But hope to us.
Grace and peace.
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