Do we go to heaven at our death or when Christ returns?
YES!
The Bible points to BOTH – depending on whether
we are looking at this event:
“FROM ABOVE” – from God’s eternal
perspective beyond time
OR
“FROM BELOW” – from our earthly perspective
in time
From above
At our death, we pass from this life to another life. We leave human history behind and enter
eternity. For those who are in
Christ, this is our “day of the LORD” – and so we can rightly talk
about “going to heaven”. Believers
who’ve received visions of heaven recall seeing Jesus, catching up with loved
ones who’ve already died, and enjoying life to the full.
When confronted by the Sadducees, Jesus makes it clear that God’s people
are alive and well with Him: And as for the resurrection of the dead, have
you not read what was said to you by God, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is God not of the dead, but of the living.
(Mt 22:31-32 NRSV)
At Jesus’ transfiguration, heaven touches earth. Peter recognises Moses and Elijah talking
with Jesus (Mt 17:3). These two great prophets are with God – and very much
alive.
When Stephen was being stoned: "Look," he said, "I see the
heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"
(Acts 7:55-56 NRSV) Jesus welcomes
Stephen home.
Paul: For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain… I am hard pressed between the two: my desire
is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better… (Phil 1:21-23
NRSV)
From below
At a funeral, the body is buried or cremated. In history, the “resurrection of the body” is
still to take place when Jesus returns. Along with the rest of creation, as we
get older and weaker we groan with longing to inherit our resurrection bodies
(Rom 8:23). While alive on earth, we’re
looking forward to when Christ returns… on the last day.
Jesus: This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and
believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last
day." (John 6:40 NRSV)
Jesus said to Martha: "Your brother will rise
again." Martha said to him, "I
know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus
said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me,
even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will
never die. (John 11:23-26 NRSV)
Paul: For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable,
and we will be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability,
and this mortal body must put on immortality. (1 Cor 15:52-53
NRSV)
In between death and resurrection?
Some Bible scholars hold that there must be some “in between” stage of
existence between our death and the resurrection of ALL. For example, Revelation 6:9-11 has the souls
of the slain crying out to God for vengeance – and having to wait a bit longer.
This still seems to be looking at it “from below” – history on earth is still
unfolding.
Yet if we look at the praise scene in Revelation 7:9-17, those who’ve
washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb are altogether praising God and
free of all suffering (from above).
One of the New Testament words for death among Christians is to “fall
sleep”. It’s a good picture, because
when we’re asleep there is no consciousness of time. We will die/fall-asleep – and wake up with
Jesus!
Baptised into Jesus’ death and resurrection
Whether we look at our eternal destiny from above or from below, we set
our hearts and minds on things above, where Christ is seated at
the right hand of God (Col :3-23 NIV)
Rest assured that just as we have died with Christ in baptism, we will
certainly be united with him in his resurrection
(Rom 6:3-8, Col 3:3-4).
If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so
then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again,
so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. (Rom 14:8-9 NRSV)
Pr Rolly Stahl
Prayer Requests Not
included in this newsletter, but if you would like to view the
current requests, refer to the e-mail that alerted you to this
Newsletter. If you have a prayer request or wish to be covered by
prayer please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with your request
This week we continue the
series, “Hope that lasts forever (How
Jesus’ resurrection rubs against everyday life)”. This week’s message is “HOPE
of a Friend in High Places”. Having completed his work on earth, Jesus
sits down on his throne in heaven - to be honoured and worshipped as LORD (cf
Phil 2:9, Rev 5:6-14, 7:9-17). Yet Jesus sits at the right hand of God –
bearing our humanity – as our Friend
Bible Readings: Acts
1:1-11 and Hebrews 4:14-16
Kingdom Kids at the 10:30am service for ages 0-12.
Kingdom
Kids REMINDER
Kingdom Kids is
an intentional children’s program that aims to teach the bible through creative
forms. It also nurtures faith and supports parents in their role of spiritual
mentorship through extended teaching and opportunities to discover more about
faith.
Our Kingdom
Kids Ministry is growing and growing each term, in size and in desire to
worship and honour our amazing God.
This growth has
also brought about the need for a larger team of helpers and teachers, more
space and new resources. The support of our church family is invaluable. Please
continue to pray for this ministry and consider ways you too can be involved in
nurturing our future generations for the kingdom.
Family
visits
Have you come
for a visit yet? If not, why not come and hang out with us this Sunday in
Kingdom Kids. We’d love to have your company.
Sticky mess
Parents, please
note that the kid’s cordial on Sundays will now be served from the kitchen due
to the amount of mess that was being made in the Kids’ corner on Sundays.
Please help us by ensuring the cordial remains in this spot to reduce spills. Thank
you.
Cheap
and delicious pureed food for sale…
We have loads
and loads of pureed food to sell with all profits going towards new resources
for Playgroup and Baby Zone. The food is located in the church hall and can be
purchased at $5 a box or $20 for 5 boxes. Please feel free to take as much as
you want (money can be given to Laura Carson, Debbie Wesselingh or the church
office). This SA made product contains 100% natural ingredients and expires in
less than 6 months SO GET IN NOW!
Play Group
When:
Wednesdays from 9:30am -11:30am
Where: Church
Hall
Who: anyone
with children or grandchildren 5 years and under
What: Craft,
shared morning tea, story and music time and free play. Everyone is welcome
Contact Beth
for more info: 8258 4878
The power of prayer…
I mentioned in
church last week that our greatest area of need in Children’s Ministry on
Sundays is Baby Zone, our program for
ages 3 and under. We are struggling to survive with a tiny team and no leader,
yet have a growing community of young children who need spiritual support and
encouragement on Sundays. Please join me in praying for a break through where
we would see an abundance of volunteers, resources and financial support to
make this ministry come to life. Our young children are invaluable and they
need our support now. Thank you in advance for prayers.
Laura Carson –
Children and Family Team Leader
lcarson@paravista.org.au
8263 5087
Women's Fellowship
This year's annual fundraising luncheon will
be held on
Tuesday 5th June 2012 at 12noon in the church hall.
Donation
$10.00 on entry.
There will be door
prizes and a trading table.
Pastor Rolly
Stahl will present a devotion.
Guest speaker will be Matthew Huckel on
his experiences as a Music Therapist.
Upcoming Events
Celebrating Pentecost Sunday 27th May
2012
BE INVOLVED IN THE CELEBRATION - COME IN RED OR YELLOW
“FOR THIS REASON I REMIND YOU TO FAN INTO FLAME THE GIFT OF GOD…FOR GOD
DID NOT GIVE US A SPIRIT OF TIMIDITY BUT A SPIRIT OF POWER, OF LOVE AND SELF
DISCIPLINE” These are St. Paul’s words of encouragement to Timothy.
These are my words of encouragement to you, “SO CAN I REMIND YOU LADIES
AND MEN NOT TO BE TIMID AND TO WEAR SOMETHING RED
OR YELLOW* ON 27th MAY AS WE
CELEBRATE PENTECOST DAY”
*Power supporters can wear
black!
Barry Klaer and the Sunday Hospitality Team
On the Notice
Board
Cebu Mission Fundraising Team
We
are still looking for another Team member, so if you are thinking you would
like to be involved in some fundraising and have a passion for the poverty
people, then please prayerfully consider joining our team.
Mission Thailand
You’re
invited to be part of a unique team experience to serve in Thailand.
We are currently calling for volunteers to
come to Thailand in January 2013. The
trip will be an opportunity to serve Christ in a different way, enjoy
fellowship with Lutherans from another culture and have a little bit of fun….
The ‘MT2013: Here I
am! Send Me!’ trip is planned for Friday 4th January to Sunday 20th January
2013. We will fly into Chiang Mai via
Bangkok from Sydney. The cost will be
approximately $3,000 AUD (this will cover airfares, car hire, fuel, food while
in the village and accommodation). We
are looking for expressions of interest by 15th June, completed applications and deposit paid by 30th June.
To register your interest in the team or to know more
about the exciting things happening in the Nan province of Thailand, please
contact Simon King on e-mail: project.thailand@lca.org.au or on 0403 999 979 for an Application Package.
Friends of Lutheran Archives meeting.
Topic: SA
lawyers of German heritage 1860-1918 –
names like von Doussa, Homburg, D’Arenberg, Heuzenroeder, von Bertouch, Spehr
and Wallmann. Speaker: Peter Moore. At Bethlehem House, Sudholz Place,
Adelaide, on Monday 21st May at 7.30 pm. Supper. Gold coin donation.
Disability 101 - Foundations for Enabling the Church
You are invited to the first opportunity to experience a
brand new workshop.
We
invite attendance by one or two people from each congregation.
Date:
Thursday, 24th May 2012
Time:
9.00am - 1.00pm
Venue:
Lutheran Church SA District Office, 137 Archer St, North Adelaide
Cost:
$10, which includes materials and morning tea
To
register by phone: 8212 7766
By
fax: 8212 7744
(see notice board for more details)
Alpha is coming
Stay tuned for more information
COME JOIN US AT THE …..
Monthly
Glynde Markets
4th
Saturday of the month
Glynde
Lutheran Church (15-17 Glynburn Rd)
26th May, 9am-1pm
Join
us for a Sausage Sizzle and Devonshire Tea
Stalls
include: Plants, Craft, Cakes/Biscuits, Home Produce, Good Second Hand,
Pandora Style Jewellery, Bric-a-Brac
Pandora Style Jewellery, Bric-a-Brac
Adelaide Male Voice Choir presents ‘Music from the stage’
A celebration concert for St Stephen’s Lutheran Church celebrating 150
years.
Featuring favourite operatic ensembles, solos and the music of Andrew
Lloyd Webber.
Sunday 27th May at 2pm, at St Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 152 Wakefield
Street, Adelaide.
Afternoon tea available at interval
Tickets: $20 Full, $18 Concession, $15 Friend
Available from choir members, the church office (ph 8223 5491) or the
door.
Proceeds to St Stephen’s redevelopment project
.
Vacancies
Please check the
church notice board for details of all job vacancies
ALTERNATIVE CARE WORKER
We have a current vacancy for an experienced person
committed to excellence to join our Foster Carer assessment and training team.
For a Job Description visit: www.lccare.org.au
Enquiries to: Aileen Braun or Robin Judd - Tel: 08
8337 8787
BUSINESS MANAGER
.8 FTE PERMANENT POSITION
The opportunity exists for an outstanding individual to join
the team at St Jakobi Lutheran School, Lyndoch.
This is a permanent 0.8 FTE position commencing in Term 3 2012, or by
negotiation.
I know God won't give me more than I can
handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much
Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9.00am – 3.45pm
Church Web site: www.paravista.org.au
