June 28th - Rev. Deacon Chris Barnes

Over the last ten weeks, we have focused on our Lord Jesus Christ. These ten weeks have also coincided with a time of discernment for our church. Our sermon topics have connected with our prayer themes, and we have reflected on several questions along the way. These reflection questions have encouraged us to examine ourselves, while also challenging us to expand our understanding of Christ’s call to His church.

Now that we have reached the end of this sermon series, let us re-visit some of those reflection questions.

Reflection Questions:
 

1. What type of heart do you have right now? What day are you living in?
2. Where should our church be tossing God’s seed / casting our nets?
3. Are you currently holding back any gifts or talents from Christ’s body? Are there any gifts or talents that are not being used within our body?
4. What are the primary gifts and talents of our church?
5. How has receiving the Holy Spirit changed you? How has it changed your understanding of the purpose of the church?
6. Has the Lord Jesus made anything clear to you during these last ten weeks?
7. Are you all in for Jesus?

 
Please always feel encouraged to share any reflections/revelations you have with a ministry leader at St. Aidan’s.
 
​Note: The blogs will take a break during the summer months and will resume at the beginning of September.

June 21st - Rev. Deacon Chris

Last Sunday we heard about the difference between “Saturday people” and “Sunday people”. The lives of Jesus’ followers on the Saturday before the Resurrection, were very different with how they lived following the Resurrection.

Without the Resurrection, we may understand Christ to have done a heroic act on the cross. We may even see it as the ultimate act of love in the universe. But there is no power in that thinking or knowledge.

“He Is Risen” is a one-word sentence in the original. This one brief word announced the greatest miracle ever realized on earth. It is the door to understanding Jesus Christ. It is the gateway to move from the mundane existence of a Saturday person to the abundant life of a Sunday person.

The Resurrection of Jesus is the only truth that matters, and it makes all the difference to our lives. When we live like Sunday people, we live as authentic followers of Christ. This then makes all the difference to those that the Lord Jesus brings us in contact with.

Sunday people live in the historical, intellectual, and emotional reality of the resurrection. Alongside the empty tomb and the witness of God’s Word, it is Sunday people who form the greatest argument for the Resurrection with the way we live.
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Sunday people are arguments the world can understand and desperately needs.
 
Reflection Questions:

1. What are some traits or behaviors of Saturday people?
2. Which of these traits/behaviors are profoundly present in your life?
3. What are some traits or behaviors of Sunday people?
4. Which of these traits/behaviors are profoundly present in your life?
5. Which day are you living in?

 
 

June 7th – Les Kovacs     
Scripture Verses: Revelation 19:11-16

I’d like to delve a little deeper into Jesus’ victory in the Final Conflict.  In the book of Revelation, we catch a glimpse of the final conflict between good and evil, between the forces of darkness and the victorious Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.  The imagery used by St. John in the Book of Revelation 19:11-16 is awe-inspiring and powerful.  He presents Jesus as the conquering King, riding on a white horse, ready to bring ultimate victory and establish His eternal reign.  In these few verses, he reveals three facets of Jesus’ identity.

The Warrior King:  John portrays Jesus as a mighty warrior, called Faithful and True.  He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood and leading the armies of heaven.  He is described as having eyes like a flame of fire and wearing many crowns on His head. This imagery highlights His authority, power, and sovereignty over all creation.  We are reminded that Jesus is not only the gentle Savior and loving Shepherd but also the triumphant Warrior-King who will put an end to all evil and establish perfect justice.

The Word of God:  John reiterates that Jesus is called the "Word of God."  He uses that same description for Jesus in the opening verses of his Gospel account of Jesus' life on earth.  It is a title reminds us that Jesus is the living embodiment of God's truth, power, and wisdom.  Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus spoke with authority and performed miracles that demonstrated His divine identity.  As the Word of God, Jesus is the final and ultimate revelation of God to humanity.  In the final conflict, it is through His powerful word that victory is achieved.

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords:  John declares that Jesus has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: "King of kings and Lord of lords."  This proclamation affirms that Jesus is the supreme ruler over all other powers and authorities.  No ruler or dominion can stand against Him.  His victory is not just for a moment or a season but is eternal and everlasting.  Jesus' reign is absolute, and His authority is unmatched.

When we reflect on these verses, we can take great comfort and hope in the fact that Jesus' victory in the final conflict is guaranteed.  The battle has already been won by His sacrificial death on the cross and His triumphant resurrection.  The forces of evil may seem strong and intimidating at times, but they are no match for the power and authority of our victorious Savior.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to live in the reality of His victory in the final conflict.  We do not need to fear or be anxious about the battles we face in this world, because we serve a victorious Savior.  We can take hold of the truth that Jesus is the Conqueror, that His victory is rooted in His Word, and that His triumph has eternal importance.  As we align our lives with Him and His Word, we can walk in confidence, knowing that the ultimate victory belongs to our Lord.  We can live as people of victory, shining His light in a dark world and proclaiming the triumphant name of Jesus to all who will hear.

Questions:
Does Jesus’ victory over death and sin impact the way you live your life every day?  How?
How do you reconcile John’s description of Jesus as the Warrior King with His title as the Lamb of God?