Unity in Joy and Suffering

​This blog is written by Kim Salo, based on Dan Rutherford's sermon on "Unity in Joy and Suffering", preached on Sunday, February 4th at St. Aidan's Church.

Readings:
Isaiah 7:10-19
Romans 8:28-39
John 14:12-20

1. READ Isaiah 7:10-19. Looking at what Isaiah said to King Ahaz, how is the birth of a child a sign from God to the king and his nation under threat from Egypt and Assyria? What is King Ahaz' attitude to God in this passage? Why is the name of the child so important?

2. READ Romans 8:28-39.  As if we were in a court of law, a defense lawyer puts several questions (starting at 31b):
"Who can be against us, who shall bring a charge, who is to condemn, who shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus? Can anything ever seperate us from the love of Christ?" What is the answer to the question "who"? Is it God, an accuser, our own conscience, sin, or some other? What is Paul's own answer to these questions in this passage?

3. Romans chapter 8 begins with no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and ends with no separation from Christ. Who most needs to hear that good news? When do you personally most need to hear that God is for you? 
"For those who are in Christ..." What does Paul mean by "in"?

4. In many religions, including today, worshippers go to a certain place, or to a temple to worship, possibly very far away. 
In I Cor 3:16, and I Cor.6:19, Paul says that "you" (both plural and singular) "are a temple of the Holy Spirit. How does this change the "where" of worship? Does this mean we can dispense with gathering for worship? How is your own body a temple for the Holy Spirit?

5. READ John 14:15-20. Jesus assures us in this passage that he is in us. How does this happen? This passage can be read as a series of promises by Jesus, most of which begin with "I will," or "You will." What are they?
What are the signs this is happening?