1 Corinthians 5

 Busy day yesterday. In addition to processing, Sherri did some looking at "Refabulous Finds" for some bar stools for Morgan and Bobbi-Jo and a set of kitchen chairs for Lauren. Came home empty handed (surprise) but I have a feeling she will be going back!

Lauren and Chris and Joseph came back. The house is loud again! I missed the sounds of him running and playing ball with the dogs!

And on to today's passage...

Uh oh...Paul confronts more troubles in the Corinthian church! Someone is having some extra-martial meetings- and even the pagans and the Gentiles won't do what this person is doing (v 1)! Can you imagine being the one called out for this! Yikes! Apparently, someone is having an affair with their mother or step- mother (their father's wife. To make matters worse, the person involved seems to be proud of it and is announcing to to the group (v 2)! The Christians don't seem upset by this activity, and that has Paul as upset as the activity itself! Paul's solution was to have the person excommunicated, but the Corinthians didn't do that, they kept him as a friend. Leviticus 18:8 specifically forbids this type of activity, yet the church doesn't seem upset. Have you been faced with really sinful information about someone? What did you do? The Corinthians may have been thinking "Look how loving we are, we even accepted him!" Would we accept him? Paul judges harshly, condemning the person to Satan (v 5). Paul's solution is to kick the person out of the church. Paul's judgement seems hash- but he isn't judging the man by any other standard; Paul would be expected to be judged by the same standard. Delivering the person to Satan would hopefully get rid of his sinful self yet keep his spiritual body. The hope is to restore the lost soul. What would you suggest we do to this person?

Paul comments on the proud behavior of the Corinthians...they were proud that they could overlook this man's sin. But, Paul say, this is just opening the door to more and more sin in the church (v 6). If they are willing to overlook this such egregious sin, what else are they overlooking?! Paul says to get rid of the bad (the yeast) and focus on the good (Passover lamb). The yeast, as we have mentioned before, is symbolic of sin and ruining goodness. We are to live in the purity of the Passover lamb.

Paul refers to an earlier letter (v 9), but we have no evidence of that letter! Many letters were written between apostles and churches and many are lost; this happens to be one of the lost letters that Paul is referencing! Paul is essentially saying not to expect Godly behavior from those that are ungodly (vv 10-11).  Without approving of their sin, we should strive to live with them and correct them. Sin was (and still is) prevalent in the world; to not associate with sin would mean to live an isolated, monastic life. Paul challenges that saying we need to live with the sin of the world, we should expect it. In the same light- we should expect Christian behavior from the Christians in the world; we should expect goodness from our Christian brothers and sisters. How true is that?

Paul tells the people to worry more about what's going on inside the church rather than on what's going on outside the church (vv 12-13). People were so concerned about the outside world they were overlooking the issues of the church! Do we do that- pay more attention to the outside world that we overlook the issues within our church? Paul is essentially saying that we should be calling out the sins within our church before we call out the sins of the outside world. Do we do that? Can we do that? 

Some powerful words from Paul (as per usual!) that we can certainly learn from.

Have a good day- stay inside and stay cool!

Shalom+
Pastor Paul

1 Corinthians 4

 Good afternoon! Late start today...Sherri and I were processing some of our harvest from the last few days. Dill beans, zucchini relish, squash pickles, and a few other things. Busy morning and there is still more to process. Doing breaded patty pan squash later today for parmigiana this winter!! Tomatoes are lacking this year but other vegetables are doing well!

It has been a quiet weekend. Lauren and Chris and Joseph went to visit family and friends in Saratoga area this weekend. It seems strange not having Joseph running around all the time...and it is so quiet! Sherri and I went out to Tony's in Endicott; first dinner out since they came to live with us. That was strange too! They should be back tomorrow. 

Thanks for all your comments and thoughts. Paul's writing is difficult to understand at times, but by your comments, I know that (for the most part) we are getting the ideas he is proposing. These last few chapters have been tough, and he continues today. The essence is that we need to be focused on God, not the worship/ religious leaders. They are there to plants the seeds and get things growing, but it is God that is in control of the growth. Sherri and I watched "Stargirl" on Disney+ this weekend. It is a story about a teenage boy, Leo, that falls in love with a teenage girl, Stargirl. Definitely a teen movie, coming of age type thing, but there are some deep philosophical points that are made- some very "preachable" moments. Anyway, one of the quotes Stargirl ( Grace VanderWaal) says is, "You plant a seed in the ground and a whole world develops and stretches out and opens up." I think  it works for what Paul is saying- we can plant the seeds but God develops that seed into something great!

This chapter is focused on the apostles and disciples of Christ. People in Corinth tended to look down on Paul and the other apostles and they didn't really recognize the apostolic authority that they had. Paul, in this chapter, outlines the job of the apostles and how they should be treated, not as lesser people, but certainly not as elevated people either. They are servants of God, doing the work God has requested of them (v 1).  They were selected by God as messengers based on their faith and goodness (v 2). 

Although Paul is upset with the way he is judged by the Corinthians, he says it really doesn't matter- because God is the one that is approving or disapproving of Paul's work (v 3). That should be the same for us, right? It shouldn't matter what people say about us, it is God that we should be striving to please and do work for. Do we do work for God or for the approval of people? Paul even says he doesn't judge himself! That is hard to do. I am super critical of myself- especially when it comes to delivering the Sunday message. There are times when I say to myself as I drive home, "Well, that was a disaster!" But, someone (or a few) will send positive comments! Why are we so hard on ourselves? Look at Paul's former life, his persecution of the Christians, but he doesn't look at that; he looks at who he is now and how he is doing God's work. 

Paul's hope is that the Corinthians will put biblical thinking into their standards for "excellence" rather than societal standards (v 6). People today judge pastors (right?!). I think we are especially being judged on our humor, dress, appearance, "marketing" skill rather than some of the more biblical ideas. The Christians of Corinth tended to have a higher view of themselves than of the non-Christians. Paul basically says you're really no different than others (both Christian and non). How do you view "non-Christians" or even other Christians? What we have is a gift from God- we shouldn't be proud of that, we should be grateful and thankful for that. We are not because of our accomplishments, but we are because of God's grace (v 7).

Paul gets a little snarky here in the next few verses, calling out the Corinthians for thinking thy are "all that and more"! He isn't doing it to hurt them, he is doing it to shake them a little and "knock some sense into them". "Well, well, you Corinthians are so great- you are all at the status of Kings, while us apostles are on the bottom of the barrel. We are like the losers at the coliseum, ready to be attacked by the lions because we are so lost" (vv 8-9). Paul continues to slam the Corinthians, drawing very sarcastic comparisons between the Corinthians and the apostles (vv 10-11). How do people view "apostles" (preachers) today?

Paul continues with a description of his ministry. Wondering where his next meal will come from, moving from town to town with no real home, potential for persecution and beatings, striving to make a living when they can (vv 11- 13). Ministry is a real cost. Is this the ministry today?

Paul issues a warning and challenge next. After hearing this, the Corinthians probably felt some shame as to how they were treating Paul and the other apostles. His comment is about pride and the effects of being too proud. Some clarification is needed next. The term "teacher" or "instructor" (v 15) comes from the word paidagogoi-- a guardian who escorted children to and from school (like a school bus driver); they had some authority over the children, but not like the rabbi or "father" had-- they were the primary educators. Paul is primary educator, selected by God. While we can take people to God, we don't have control over their life. We do like control though, don't we! Timothy is coming to help get the church back on the right tracks, and Paul tells the Corinthians that he is worthy of their respect and attention. 

Paul next issues a challenge. Remember, Paul is in Ephesus writing this letter. Some people, the very proud, think that Paul is writing this letter because he is too afraid to come to Corinth (v 18). The more they believed that, the more proud they became! The more puffed out their chests were. Ahh, Paul says, but I am coming (v 19)! Paul is coming to "burst their bubble." Paul can come with a rod of correction or a heart of love- what do they want (v 21)? It has to be tough for Paul, how to confront sin without being to harsh- without looking like he is above sin; how to get people to focus on God and change their lives- without looking too judgmental. Have you found that balance in these situations?

This is some tough work, but with guidance from the Holy Spirit, it can be done.

Have a great day. Stay cool! Summer is back for a few days!

Shalom+
Pastor Paul

 

1 Corinthians 3

 Another foggy but beautiful morning today! Yesterday was a great day and today will be too! We had a special dinner yesterday...Original's Pizza in Hickories Park! Joseph loved trying to feed a squirrel that kept coming around!

Today's chapter Paul really slams the Corinthians for they way they are believing in people rather than in God. He begins immediately with calling them brothers and sisters (indicating a holy relationship with them), yet says he cant' talk to them like spiritual people- they are missing something! They are followers of God (brothers and sisters) and have the Holy Spirit, yet don't act  like it! Do we know people like that? In some translations, he uses the word "carnal people" (fleshy people, of the flesh rather than of the spirit). He has to speak to them as though they were babies- people without the Spirit. These "carnal Christians" think and act according to the flesh, not the Spirit. The flesh doesn't dominate, but is significant in their lives. Paul keeps his teachings simple (milk, v 2) even though they thought they were ready for more intense (solid food, v 2) theology. The methods we teach children is different than the way we teach adults. The concepts can be the same, but the mode is different. God wasn't preventing the teaching, they were not able to take the food. Can you think of people that think they are ready for "solid food" but are really only able to consume "milk"?

Paul then explains why. There is jealousy, fighting, envy, divisions and strife within the group. The Corinthians thought they were spiritual, yet their actions said they weren't. I think we all know people like that! The carnal people think they are following God, but the divisions come when they seem to take more identity from their teachers (Paul, Apollos, v 4). Paul and Apollos are not the important people to believe in-- God is! Christian "workers" have different job. Some people are there to plant the seeds of faith, some are there to water the seeds, some are there to tend the plants (v 6).  God is the one that causes the growth and development though. Planting and watering don't make the plant grow, only God can do that (vv 7-8). All workers are necessary for the actions of God to be fruitful; one action is not more or less important than another.

Paul continues with another analogy. Using the different gifts we have is like the different construction workers that build a house or other structure. Paul was there to lay the foundation; a home needs a strong foundation on which to build. Paul provided that (v 10) through Jesus. Each person in the church adds to that foundation with their gifts. Some people (v 13) add to that foundation with strong materials (stone, gold, silver, precious jewels); some people add to that foundation with weaker products (hay, straw, grass). Everything may look well and good, yet when the fires of testing come (v 13), it will be obvious who placed the strong materials. The faithful v the unfaithful. It isn't the amount of work, it is the quality of the materials, the strength of the faith. I am sure we know people that build with stone and others that build with straw!

Paul deepens the context by calling people temples of God (v 16). The temple was a place where God resided and Paul is commenting that God lives within us. Defiling self means to defile God. Defiling self means defiling God. The glory we are to give goes to God, not to the people around us (Apollos, Paul, Peter); the people around us are important and they are the reason we are in the place we are- but the credit goes to God. The Corinthians were beginning to worship the people rather than God; they were looking to their leaders as the sources of wisdom, not God. The point is that we should be looking to the ultimate source of wisdom and power- God...not the purveyor of that message. Do we sometimes do that- credit the person rather than God?

Some interesting and relevant topics for us today in this chapter. You can really tell Paul is quite frustrated with the Corinthians and their method of following leaders rather than God. I am sure that part of that frustration comes from Paul wondering what happened from when he left them a few years ago after starting the church! What did happen? 

Have a great weekend- looks like its going to be a great one!

Peace+
Pastor Paul

1 Corinthians 2

 Good morning! Rise and Shine! Hope all is well and that you had some time to get outside and (like my mom used to say to us kids), "Get the stink blown off you!" Another beautiful day yesterday!

Yesterday was my lectionary group. I have been attending the last several weeks. The group is 8 people, some clergy, some laity, some Methodist, some other denominations, one person speaks and reads Hebrew, Greek, and Latin! We sit and discuss the Gospel reading for the week and whatever else happens to come up. I really enjoy this group and gives me something for my mind to chew on! It is interesting, like with this group, to hear people's comments and thoughts on the readings.

One of the topics that came up yesterday at lectionary, and was also a topic many of you brought up, as did Paul- was the division in the church. We all know the divisions that occur and we all can see the split that is happening (or has happened) in our nation. The challenge we have is to bring everyone back together again. How can we do that? Is it possible? Tensions and emotions run deep. One thing to help, like Paul talks about in this second chapter, is to rely on God and God's wisdom! A very timely piece of scripture for us to read!

Paul reminds the people of Corinth that when he came to visit initially (remember, Acts 18, he stayed with Priscilla and Aquila for a year or so while he started the church), he didn't come as a salesperson or philosopher, he came as a witness to the power of God through Christ (vv 1-2). His emphasis was on Christ and the crucifixion and resurrection. Paul wasn't too confident in his teaching ability (v 3), but he kept focus on Jesus and relied on the wisdom of God. Often times, preachers get in the way of the Gospel- Paul didn't want that to happen. Do you know people that "get in the way" of the Gospel by their words?

Paul references those who are "mature" (v 6). By this, he is addressing the ones that have made a commitment to Christ, those that are mature in faith. Those that are immature, like a baby or toddler, will put anything into their mouth (Paul will address this later); those that are mature will be able to discern "man's wisdom" from "God's wisdom". As you know, Joseph is living with us; he is 118 months old and becoming "mature" in the sense of putting things in his mouth. But there are times that everything goes in! The reference to the "rulers of this age" (v 6) is up for debate-  does Paul mean the actual rulers or is Paul referencing the power of evil? Either way- Paul says they are losing their power and their defeat is certain and sure. 

Before the life and ministry of Jesus, God's people had a basic understanding of God's glory and what it could do for the people (vv 9-10). They couldn't really fully grasp or understand it though until Christ came to show. Do we fully get it now? Paul relies heavily on the presence of the Holy Spirit here (v 10). Human wisdom and knowledge is no comparison to what the Spirit can show us. Is the Holy Spirit alive and rich in us? Do we rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and understanding? Every believer has received the Holy Spirit (v 12), and that is what allows us to begin to understand the greatness of God. We do not all equally understand but we all have the abilities to begin our quest for understanding. Do  you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom it gives us? With the presence and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, we are then able to go out and explain and discuss and share our knowledge with others. In contrast, Paul talks about the "natural man" (v 14). The person that does not have the Spirit resists the teachings and conversations of the "spiritual people" and their life is bounded by material things. The focus of the natural man is on money, work, accumulating things, enjoying the immediate; they don't have the insight of the life to come. Why waste time on spiritual things when you can be living in the now?! Are the people you know, in your church, in your life-- more natural or more spiritual? Can you see the difference?

The point of this chapter is to focus on God, Jesus, and the Spirit. Paul richly describes and defines the Trinity. The major emphasis is the Spirt- do you have it? Do you want it? Can you share it?

Do you? Can you?

In tomorrow's chapter, Paul really slams the people of Corinth in the way that they are immature and divisive in following their leaders. It is an interesting read!

Have a great day. Lots of work to do today at the Reed home!

Shalom+
Pastor Paul

1 Corinthians 1

 Good morning! Another great day yesterday! We certainly have been blessed with some beautiful days this last week. This is the kind of summer I like! 

Thank you for all your thoughts and concerns for Sherri and Joseph. He is much better and doing well; Sherri still struggling with things! It continues to be rough for her.

We had a morning visitor this morning! Not the best image but momma and her baby stopped by for a morning snack!

We jump back into Paul's theology for the next several weeks. Remember all that he talked about in his other epistles- it will come back here again!

Paul opens in the typical fashion of the day- who is the letter from is the first statement. Our letters (for those who remember what letter writing was) open with who the letter is to. As I mentioned in the introduction, this is probably Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth; the first one was lost. He is writing from Ephesus probably around 55AD; he, Silas, and Timothy started the Corinthian church a few years prior to this letter. Paul is sure to mention his credentials, "Called to be an apostle" (v 1), but he was not one of the original twelve; Paul will talk more about being an apostle on chapter 15. Paul is writing this letter with the hand of Sosthenes, his amanuensis (paid scribe).

The Greek word "ekklesiai" means church which is an assembly of people gathered for a specific person. In contemporary times, "church" refers to the religious gathering, back in the day- it wasn't specifically for religion, so thus the "church of God" identifier (v 2). Quick reminder- Corinth was a city of raucous and lewd living, sexual immorality and partying (so "bad") with a church of God (so "good"). We immediately begin to sense the tension between the church and the city that underlies this entire letter.

Paul opens with his prayer for Corinth (v 4+), later he will rebuke and call out their sins, but for now, he reminds them he is thankful for all they have done for God. Paul comments about their joy and love for God as evidenced in their speaking and teaching. Do we see that religious zeal in today's church? Sure they had issues (don't we all), but they had many positives (do we all?).

Paul begins with the first issue- divisiveness (v 10). Hmmm....is Paul writing to us in the current United States (or the current United Methodist Church)? Paul "begs" the church to agree and not be split into groups. The original Greek word is "schismata" (our English word schism) and meant to rend or tear apart (not just split). As we tear each other apart- we also tear apart the body of Christ.

Chloe (v 11) had a business (unknown type) that caused her people to travel between Ephesus and Corinth, and when they were in Ephesus, they sought out Paul and mentioned to him the issues going on in Corinth. There started to be different groups of people that were following different leaders in the church (Paul, Apollos, Peter, Christ). It is OK to like hearing one person more than another (minster, teacher, etc) but it shouldn't cause division in the group. Do we see that today- factions based on following someone over another? The cliques ignore the diversity that is in Christ; the ability of Christ to bring all people together- not to separate them! For Paul, preaching was more important than baptizing (vv 14-17). Some people identified with him because he baptized them, but Paul comments that he isn't that special. It would be like the people that I have baptized while at Little Meadows lift me up high (maybe even higher than Christ) and begin to follow me more than following Jesus. The person doing the baptism doesn't affect the validity of the event...it is all in God's doing!

Paul next comments about how the perishing see the cross and how the saved see the cross (v 18). To those who reject the cross- the idea of salvation through a crucified man is foolish; to those who trust in it, the cross becomes the power of God. Hearing and trusting the gospel will add the power of God to your life. People (Jews) wanted signs about Jesus' messiahship; others (Greeks) wanted wisdom at the expense of God (v 22). Paul doesn't do any of that (v 23); Paul gives them God which provides a crucified Messiah- an oxymoron. How can a Messiah (Christ, savior, power) be crucified (weakness, defeat, humiliation)? The Jews see a crucified Christ as a stumbling block; the Greeks see a crucified Christ as foolishness; to those that believe in a crucified Christ, God gave salvation.

Paul then turns the tables and says to the Corinthians, "look at yourselves" (v 26). You're nothing special, you're not greater than others- but God chose you (v 27). God chose you! We have said this many times in many different situations- God calls the lowly, the humble, the weak, the (fill in the blank), the whatever. It is God's work and love through us that makes us be the people that we are. It is God's grace and mercy that define our existence. It is the focus we have on Christ (God's gift to us) that gives us our redemption, our salvation. It is our righteousness (legally "not guilty") through Christ that allows for our sanctification (our behavior) and our redemption. None of this is because of what we do, but through what God does in and through us. So if you want to brag- brag about God (v 31)! Do we brag about God?

Some good words from Paul this morning. Some things for us to think about- especially the divisions that are happening. How can the church help mend the brokenness?

Have a great day! More tomorrow!

Peace+
Pastor Paul

1 Corinthians- An Introduction

 In New Testament times, modern-day Greece was divided into two Roman provinces- Macedonia and Achaia. Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia; Corinth was the capital of Achaia. Corinth, one of the largest and most prosperous cities of the ancient world was about 50 miles away from Athens.

Paul stayed in Corinth with Aquila and Priscilla, about 18 months (from Acts) on his second missionary journey. There he evangelized with Silas and Timothy and planted the church in Corinth. This was between 50 and 55AD. The most accurate dating of the first letter to the Corinthians is 53 to 57AD, while he was in Ephesus. 

This first letter is most well known for its individual passages: the book that gets read at weddings (chapter 13) or the book about speaking in tongues (chapters 12 and 14). The book is filled with advice for general church issues- denominational politics, doctrinal disputes, liturgical preferences (very similar to today!). Although this is called the first letter to the church, we think that he may have written one more to the church prior to this one; so 1 Corinthians is actually the second letter and 2 Corinthians is sometimes seen as Paul's fourth letter to the church. The others have been lost. 

Paul tackles some big themes in this letter: church unity, the crucified Christ, resurrection of the body, Christian freedom, the Lord's Supper, excommunication, sexuality, food sacrificed to idols, love, and spiritual gifts. This very practical letter (along with Romans, which is more theoretical) is one of his greatest works.

Paul likely wrote this letter with help from Sosthenes, an amanuensis (someone hired to write for someone else, a scribe). After writing and sending this letter, he visits Corinth again and ends up writing at least one other letter (some say maybe up to three other letters were written after this first one). He eventually returns again and spends quite a bit of time in Corinth; it is from here that he writes to the Roman Christians and warns "keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offenses" (Romans 16:17), probably in reference to Corinth!

This will be an interesting but tough to follow read!

(source: Introducing the New Testament, Mark Allan Powell, 2009)

Matthew 28

 Good morning! What a nice one we are being blessed with!

Joseph is much better and Sherri is getting there. She is working form home today, so she can rest when she needs to. This has really knocked her down! Thanks for your thoughts and concerns. 

Today is our final chapter of Matthew and we begin 1 Corinthians tomorrow. This final chapter does give us hope and faith!

One of the points I was making in my last message in our miracles series was that the women (or others) didn't believe that Jesus would rise form the dead as He said He would. If they did believe, they wouldn't have gone to prepare the body for burial! We begin in the darkness of morning...Matthew's idea of the darkness of humanity at the death of Christ. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (possibly Jesus' mother) come to embalm the body and make final preparations for burial.  The earthquake (noted only in Matthew, v 2) happens before the women arrive- was it the angel moving the stone away? Did there need to be an angel to move the stone or could the resurrected Jesus have done it? The women arrive and the angel is sitting on top of the large stone.

The guards shook with fear (v 4). Were they afraid of the angels? Aren't angels friendly beings? How would we react if  we saw an angel?

For the first time, the women- devout followers of Jesus, heard words they didn't expect to hear, "Jesus is not here, He is risen!" (v 6). Imagine their shock! And then the angles continue with, "He told you so!" Why didn't they believe? Do we believe? They are invited to look into the tomb- is that why the stone was rolled away? The stone would have prevented the women from seeing the empty tomb. What prevents us from seeing the empty tomb? Is there a stone that needs to be rolled away?

Following the angel's instructions, the women run quickly away and are the first to publicly proclaim the resurrected Jesus. Women have always had an integral role in the ministry of Jesus and this is just one of the great examples of that. These women were the first evangelists of the Risen Christ...not the disciples, not the religious authority, not the Romans- it was the women!

As they leave to tell the others, they happen to run into Jesus. His words, "Rejoice!" What else could he say to them?! The women fall to worship- an hour or so before, their world was all but over. They were going to embalm and bury their closest friend. Now He is alive! Imagine their joy! Jesus reiterates what the angles said (v 10)- "I'm on my way to Galilee- I will meet you there. Tell they guys!"

The guards back at the tomb finally awaken from their fainting spell. Imagine their shock! Wait? What? He's gone? Oh man, now what are we going to do? We gotta' go tell someone! (v 11). They do- and the cover-up begins. Imagine what the Romans and the religious authority are thinking now?! Oh man, He is gone! We have to stop this story before all heck breaks loose! The cover-up shows the truth of the resurrection and their denial of it at the same time. The disciples get the blame for stealing the body. "And that story is still spread among the Jewish people even to this day" (v 15). Some people do not believe in the crucifixion and resurrection. Their thought is that Jesus fainted on the cross, was removed, and then revived later in the night. Others say he did die, but his body was stolen. Like I said in my last Miracles message, "Dead is dead...right?" and I also followed up with the line, "Yah...but..." It is almost impossible believing in resurrection. Dead is dead. I am a biologist by training. Dead is dead. When things die, they die. End of story. No questions. Dead is dead. So there had to be another reason why the body wasn't there! "Yah...but...!"

Post-resurrection visions of Jesus vary between the Gospels. In Matthew's interpretation, Jesus meets the followers in Galilee at their pre-determined meeting place. It must have been a secret place, since there is no indication other than "the mountain" (v 16). All worshiped- some believed, some struggled with their belief (like people today in our churches). They then receive the apostolic commission, "Go!" (v 19). Think of the people Jesus told this to, their imperfections, their doubts, their fears, the sordid past, the pre-Jesus life. And yet, Jesus says "Go!". Now look at us....our imperfections, our doubts, our fears, our sordid past, our pre-Jesus life. And yet Jesus says to us, "Go!"

The caveat being, "I will be with you always" (v 20). Always!

Are we prepared to Go!? Are we cognizant of Jesus with us...always?!

Always!

Go!

I love that final command from Jesus...Go!

What a great ending! 

Remember- tomorrow we begin 1 Corinthians. I will hopefully post an introduction later today during nap time!

Shalom+
Pastor Paul