One of the major areas of debate throughout history has been the question of what happens to us after we die. Do we simply cease to exist (as some firmly believe) or is there some form of an afterlife? And, assuming there is an afterlife, what does that look like? Is there a division between the experience of different individuals in which some have a positive afterlife while others have a negative one? And what determines where each person ends up? Is it based on behavior or on faith?
It's an interesting conversation and apologetics (reasoned arguments defending faith issues) can help us to clarify many of these questions. But I think there's an even more pertinent question than life after death: life BEFORE death!
In John 11, Jesus makes his 5th recorded "I am" statement as recorded in John's gospel. In verse 25 he says, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying." That's pretty good news and a promise of an afterlife! But Jesus doesn't stop there. In the next verse he says:
It's an interesting conversation and apologetics (reasoned arguments defending faith issues) can help us to clarify many of these questions. But I think there's an even more pertinent question than life after death: life BEFORE death!
In John 11, Jesus makes his 5th recorded "I am" statement as recorded in John's gospel. In verse 25 he says, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying." That's pretty good news and a promise of an afterlife! But Jesus doesn't stop there. In the next verse he says:
"Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die."
Is Jesus saying that his followers will live forever on earth in some immortal state? No, of course not. But he is making a statement about eternal life. It's not something that's put in reserve for us until after this life is over. No, it's a quality of life that can begin right now and carry on into eternity!
I hope you can join us this Sunday, March 12th, as we take a look at the amazing story of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus to life again. It has profound implications for everyone!
I hope you can join us this Sunday, March 12th, as we take a look at the amazing story of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus to life again. It has profound implications for everyone!
Spring Forward!
It may not look like it outside, but this weekend is the time to change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time. Turn them forward one hour on Saturday evening -- and then you won't be late to church on Sunday!
Crisis Fund Offering
We've had a number of people in need over the winter months and our Crisis Fund is now in need of replenishing. This Sunday we'll have a basket collecting donations which will then be used to help those within our congregation and community who find themselves in financial need. You can make a check out to "CCC" and place it or cash into the basket following the worship service or drop it off/mail it to the church with a designation that it should be applied to the Crisis Fund. Thank you for enabling us to share the love of Jesus in a practical way.
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