9/27/09

Matthew 27:57-66 (New International Version)

The Burial of Jesus
57As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The Guard at the Tomb
62The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63"Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.' 64So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first."
65"Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." 66So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Joseph of Arimethea went through a time of fear, but after Christ's death, he came forward and did what was right. The religious leaders had heard Jesus' prophecy and were almost as afraid of him in death as they were in life. They took every precaution to make sure that he stayed in that tomb. They thouroughly sealed and guarded it. There was only one entrance. The only way that the tomb could be empty was if Jesus rose from the dead. Nothing could keep him from rising again!

We are called to belong,not just believe. We are created for community, fashioned for fellowship, formed for a family, and none of us can fulfill God's purpose by ourselves. God never intends for our relationship with him to be private. We are connected to every other beleiver. We are vital organs to the living body of Christ. You were created for a specific role and you will not fill it unless you are attached to a church. Your spiritual life will whither and eventually cease to exist. The first symptom of spiritual decline is usually inconsistent church attendance. The church will outlive the universe. It's important enough that Jesus died for it. It is his bride. A church family identifies you as a genuine believer. This is a powerful witness to the world. A church also moves you out of self-centered isolation. You learn how to get along in God's family. God expects us to give our lives to each other. A church family helps you to grow spiritually. We pray for, encourage, admonish, greet, serve, teach, accept, honor, forgive, submit and devote ourselves to each other. We also bear each other's burdens. This is our famly responsibility. The body of Christ needs you. This is where your ministry comes into play. We all have our own spiritual gifts. You will share in Chris'ts mission in the world. When Christ's physical body was on earth, he did this. We are his spirtual body and it is now our job. This is an incredible privelege. A church family will help keep you from backsliding. God has assigned us as individuals the responsobility of keeping each other on track. " Mind you own business" is not a christian phrase. We are called and commanded to be in each others lives. Satan loves detached believers because he knows they are defensless and powerless. Church gives us a purpose to live for, people to live with, principles to live by, a profession to live out, and power to live on. The difference between being a church attender and a church member is commitment. You can spend a lifetime looking for the perfect church, but you will never find it. You are called to love imperfect sinners, just as God does. Does our level of involvement in your local church demonstrate that you love and are commited to god's family?

Dear precious Heavenly Father, so many times we let life get in the way of our purpose. We should look forward to joining in with our church family and worshipping all of the blessings and jobs that you give us. Lord I pray that you keep a fire in my heart to serve you in any capacity that you see fit. I thank you for my church family, because they are a witness to you and a blessing to me. Lord I ask that my children please you with serving ways as they grow and mature in their faith with you. I pray for all of my friends and family that you meet their needs as you already know what they are. I pray that if there is one of them that doesn't know you as I do, that you will change that so that we may be together in eternity one day. I pray for our nation and our soldiers. I also pray for the missionaries around the world that have answered your call. Lord please forgive me of my weaknesses and sins for they are not from you. In your precious name I pray....amen