June 1, 2014
Throughout our foundations series the focus of the GPS will be to dig deeper into scripture about the part of the creed we discussed the previous week in worship.
Further there is an open invitation to join us for conversation at Foster’s Grille Thursdays beginning at 6:30 for deeper conversation. Come for as long as you can for good food and great conversation.
Finally you can visit https://faithpointum.org/foundations-series/ for other weekly resources and a printable version of the creed worksheet so that you can create your own creed by the ned of the series.
Monday Read: 1 Corinthians 15:12-28
In this passage Paul draws from apostolic logic to persuade his readers of the uncompromisable essential of the “resurrection of the dead” to the faith of a follower of Jesus. He goes so far to say that if there is no ultimate resurrection of the dead, then Christ was not raised from the dead. In an interesting way he seems to say history depends on the future. He can’t make it any more clear: If the resurrection from the dead is not true, then all bets are off. We have wasted our time. Ponder that. Perhaps this is why the Creed makes such explicit reference, “I believe in … the resurrection of the body.”
- Does the bodily resurrection from the dead figure prominently in your own faith? Can you stand with Paul in this logic?
Tuesday Read: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49
The resurrection of the dead has tremendous implications for the living. We cannot live as though Creation does not matter. When it comes to the end of time, Scripture makes a few things somewhat clear. Heaven will not be some ethereal existence “up there.” Heaven comes down and ushers in a New Creation. There will be continuity with the old creation and yet there will be discontinuity. The same is true with respect to our bodies. The mystery is what aspect of our created self continues and what is discontinued.
- Does knowing there will be elements of continuation with your present body in the New Creation change your perspective on your physical body here and now? How?
Wednesday Read: John 3:16-18 & John 17:1-5
Scripture seems to say that eternal or everlasting life begins when you begin to know God. The Creed masterfully ends in keeping with the way it began. “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.” Everlasting life begins with faith in God. If we can affirm the first claim of the Creed, we have already affirmed the final one. We must be clear, though, about the concept of believing. On the one hand, believing cannot be reduced to mental assent to propositional assertions. Neither can belief find its moorings in the knowledge of scientific certainty, valuable as it may be. Nor does biblical faith require a turning away from knowledge and scientific inquiry. To believe, in the biblical sense, means to know something beyond the plane of knowledge. Belief is Holy Spirit– empowered inner confidence in the truth of a person. It comes as a gift from God and is given to those who seek it.
- Do you believe in everlasting life? If so, when does it begin? Is this something that happens after death?
- Are you waiting on something to happen before you believe? Or are you actively asking, seeking, and knocking in pursuit of the gift of faith? In the world’s eyes, seeing is believing. In the Kingdom of God, believing is seeing. This is why we walk by faith and not by sight. Where do you find yourself in this process?
Thursday Read Revelation 21:1-5
The Bible closes as it begins, with a vision of New Creation. This is perhaps the largest framework for the whole of Scripture, from Creation to New Creation. Read this passage aloud. When finished, close your eyes and invite the Holy Spirit to give you the imagination to envision such a reality. No more death, mourning, crying, or pain. No more tears. This is not pie in-the-sky. This is what we believe. How might our life change and our faith grow if we spent time every day imagining this promised future? How about we give it a shot?
Friday Read: John 11:1-46
Lazarus is back after 4 days in the tomb (which would mean after everythone thought him to be dead, the body was made ready and then 4 days in the tomb). He wasn’t just sleeping off a late night at the club. Yet Jesus resurrects him. Here the Greek word for resurrection and revive are the same but many have been using the term revive recently to better get to the heart of what Jesus did. Lazarus would still die again after being revived.
- What is the difference between resurrection and being revived in your mind? Why would resurrection be a more powerful feat?
- What does the bodily resurrection look like in your mind? Share your thoughts with Pastor Chris, Chris@faithpointum.org
Saturday Read Mark 9:14-29
This may seem to be a strange bit of scripture as we talk about life eternal however it is a fitting end to the series and study of the Apostles’ Creed. The father’s response “I believe, help me with my unbelief” is a poignant reminder that we continue to be on a faith journey in which we actively seek God each and every day.
- Today take some time in prayer letting the father’s words from our scripture be your words today
- I would also encourage you to finish writing up your personal creed this week and bring it to worship tomorrow so that we may be able to share with one another and our confirmands. Here is a link to the worksheet if you need it: https://faithpointum.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Foundations-Creed-Worksheet.pdf