May 9th Virtual Worship
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Matthew Leone, Rene Vazquez
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
The Gospel in a New Century, Obedience that Liberates
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
[Reading above - John 5: 1-5]
The unifying theme of this passage is the love of God, that is, our love toward God. We express this love in our trust of Jesus, in allegiance to his Way and through obedience to the call to love others. This obedience is not a burden but a joy
Questions for Reflection:
The Gospel and the Epistles of John use the metaphor of birth to describe life with God in the Way of Jesus. How does your faith feel like a new birth or a fresh start?
Jesus gave a single command: to love others as Christ loves us (John 13:34). This command is remembered in this passage and its fulfillment is offered as the way we show our obedience to God. This is simple to understand but challenging to live. What resources and support do you rely upon to love like Jesus?
The call to “conquer the world” has its origin in Jesus’ words in John 16:33. Read that verse and note that this overcoming of the world is through the peace of Christ. Following the example of Jesus, we overcome the evil of this world by non-violent action rooted in reliance upon the Divine power of grace which is greater than sin and death. Who are the suffering and oppressed people in our community who need the love, peace and Godly obedience of Christ’s disciples?