Omc: Family Chapel

Grief is a natural and appropriate emotional response to the unavoidable losses we experience living in a fallen world. Grief will be expressed in different ways by different people with a variety of emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioral indicators. Often, we attempt to resist dealing with our grief because it is painful to do so, but that leads to the unhealthy alternatives of avoidance, anger, and addictions. The better way forward is to face our grief, because in doing so, by God's grace, we will grow in freedom, wisdom, resilience, compassion, and joy.

As much as we rightly herald Easter Sunday as a day of joyful victory, if we’re honest, life doesn’t quite feel like that. Rather, life feels much more like the Saturday in between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. And in this in-between period, we find ourselves groaning under the weight of sin and death - groaning because of the way things are, but also groaning because we look forward to the way things will be. But even in our groaning, we can wait well because the Holy Spirit groans for us and with us.

Critics of Christianity have proposed alternative theories to explain away the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Three of those theories are the Theft Theory, the Unknown Tomb Theory, and the Spiritual Resurrection Theory. None of those theories hold much explanatory power.

Critics of Christianity have proposed alternative theories to explain away the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Three of those theories are the Swoon Theory, the Hallucination Theory, and the Impersonation Theory. None of those theories hold much explanatory power.

While the disciples were supposed to be the pillars of the early church, upon Jesus' arrest and crucifixion, they ran away in hiding. However, later on, they are shown to be bold preachers and even courageous martyrs. What accounts for such a change? The only explanation is that the disciples saw the risen Christ.

The gospel accounts testify that women served as the first eyewitnesses to Jesus' resurrection, while the male disciples were cowering in fear. The fact that such an "embarrassing" detail was included suggests that it actually happened. Women were courageously the first ones to see the risen Christ.

Jesus' death and resurrection is not only attested to by Scripture, but there are also non-biblical sources that reference Jesus' death and resurrection. There is no event in ancient history that is more attested to, that has better and fuller evidence, that meets the criteria of historicity, than the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

After answering their questions and concerns, Paul concludes the letter by reminding them that being a faithful body of Christ is found in two main ways: relational love and commitment to one another and devoted, holy worship unto God. This is how a young, growing church will continue to thrive even in the midst of hardships and trouble.

Jesus' resurrection from the dead is attested to in the gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Those gospel accounts bear the marks of historical accuracy because they cohere to the historical data. Therefore, we have confidence to believe that Jesus' resurrection as recorded in the gospel accounts actually happened.

The Day of the Lord is the day when Jesus returns to bring both judgment and salvation. Paul reassures the Thessalonians that while that Day will happen unexpectedly and that it will be inescapable, they have nothing to fear because they are safe in Christ. And so, in light of that coming Day, Christians are to maintain situational awareness by knowing what time it is and they are to exercise self-control by holding on to faith, love, and hope.

Death is a heartbreaking part of life in a fallen world and it stirs up grief. But for the Christian, grief is always accompanied by hope. Christians can grieve with hope because they look forward to a guaranteed resurrection that is secured by Jesus' resurrection, a joyful reunion with fellow believers, and an eternal relationship with Christ.

As the Apostle Paul continues to provide practical instructions, he now turns to the topic of how Christians are to love one another. Christians should love one another because we belong to God's family as brothers and sisters in Christ. Practically, such love refrains from playing the comparison game and also pursues responsibility in order to bless others. Loving one another in this way provides a powerful testimony of God's love to a watching world.

Paul provide some further instructions and exhortations for the Thessalonians to pursue further Christ-like character. He begins with a call to turn away from all sexual immorality and to pursue holiness. Paul notes the significance of the consequences of sexual immorality in that it deteriorates self, hurts others, and dishonors God. But in the end, there is both sanctification and power given by the Holy Spirit to pursue holiness.

The Apostle Paul mentions Satan's schemes to disrupt his ministry through discouraging opposition and relational obstacles. In response, Paul engages in the ministry of encouragement and the ministry of celebration. Underlying all of his responses is the vital practice of prayer, which leads him to Jesus who has ultimately defeated Satan. While we might tend to brush off spiritual warfare as either being irrelevant or only occurring in extreme instances, it is a daily reality that does impact our lives. Thus, we need to courageously engage in spiritual warfare as we stand confident in Jesus' victory.

The Apostle Paul presents a model for how all Christians are to engage in active, relational discipleship. We are to be mothers and fathers in the faith, who sacrificially give of ourselves for others and who wisely apply the Gospel to others. While discipleship can feel discouraging and overwhelming at times, we can take heart because we ourselves are being discipled by Jesus, who fully gave of Himself so that we would grow in the Gospel.

Paul is most likely writing one of his earliest letters to this young church that was both growing and facing struggles. He starts off his letter with his commendation for the church in Thessalonica and mentions three foundational aspects of the church. He commends them for their reception of God's Word, their active discipleship, and their evangelistic impact. As we also embark on our journey as a relatively young church with our own struggles and challenges, it is important to ingrain these foundational aspects for ourselves in order to grow and thrive.

As he is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus’ emotional turmoil is on full display as he prepares to face the cross. By examining Jesus’ prayer in the garden, we are able to grow in our understanding of what prayer is. Prayer is not meant to be a performance nor it is simply a religious ritual. But rather, prayer creates a space for honest expression before God, cultivates a humble submission to God, and provides the courage to follow the will of God.

While waiting can seem like passive resignation, it is actually active engagement. Through Abraham's example, we see that waiting upon the Lord means to joyfully surrender to God's will, faithfully live in alignment with God's way, and patiently hope in God's timing. And beyond Abraham's example, we see the perfect example in Jesus who joyfully surrendered to God's will done in God's way all in God's timing.

So often, waiting can feel so pointless and even very painful. And yet, God invites us into seasons of waiting. He does so because He wants to carry out His good purposes in our waiting, namely: repentance, maturity, fruitfulness, and renewed affections. Waiting exposes our hidden idols, grows us to become more like Jesus, brings forth fruit from our faithfulness, and grows our longing for home. We can wait with joyful surrender because God is carrying out His good purposes.