He’s Up!
By Pastor Tom

Jesus said to [Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11.25, 26)

He’s up! He’s alive! Friday, He was dead and Sunday, He was alive. The fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the one truth that sets the Christian faith apart from all other religions of the world. Every other religion on earth entombs and often enshrines the remains of its dead founders. We can’t. We can’t because we didn’t have a dead founder to entomb. We tried, but it seems He would have no part of it – Jesus had other plans.

Some time before His own resurrection, Jesus took advantage of a teaching moment with His followers. A friend named Lazarus had died and his sisters were sick with grief. They knew that Jesus could have healed their brother of his terminal illness. But He didn’t come in time, and now it was too late – Lazarus was dead. So Jesus (always doing what He saw the Father doing) made his way to Bethany, having already missed the funeral by several days. Jesus silenced the family’s complaint about His poor timing with an announcement followed by a question. The announcement was simply “I am the resurrection and the life.” Resurrection, said Jesus, was not something that He could do; it was something that He is. It was not simply something in his arsenal of amazing abilities, resurrection and life flowed from His very character and being.

Being around Jesus means being around resurrection and being around life, because that is what Jesus is. As you celebrate the Risen Jesus today, be sure to enjoy the incredible power of His company. Some people have such strong personalities that you are affected by merely being in their presence. Jesus is resurrection and Jesus is life. Be sure to invite Him to have His own personal impact on the dead or dying parts of your life today.

Jesus followed up His amazing statement with a simple question: “Do you believe this?” As we end our 40 Days of Faith today, the abiding question is whether or not we believe (have faith for) the words of Jesus over the words of the world. The world says that once you’re dead, you’re always dead, etc., etc., etc. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” This is not just a question for today as we celebrate Easter, this is a question for every day we wake up and walk out a day as a follower of Jesus Christ. Do you believe this?

Oh by the way, in case you don’t know how the story ends – Jesus went ahead and actually raised Lazarus from the dead. Why? Because you can’t be around Jesus and stay dead. Have a great Easter!

Having the Faith for What’s Next
By Pastor Colin

In the Navy, my ship would often go on extended deployments out to sea – sometimes for several months at a time. And since we didn’t have access to phones, calls with my wife were scarce. Weeks would often pass before we could hear the simple sound of each other’s voices. And each time, it was incredibly difficult to say goodbye – to speak those last few words. So I wonder if it was that difficult for me, what does a soldier in Iraq say on the phone to loved ones when they know that call could be their last? Everything hangs on those final words.

Jesus taught us so many great things, but I believe that one of the most important aspects of His ministry was revealed at the very end: just before His ascension, with His last words.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18b-20)

I am by no means an expert in the original Greek. But I do find it interesting that in these verses, only one statement is in the imperative tense – a command – and that is to “make disciples.” Clearly, discipleship is important to Jesus. It was so important that as He gave this final commissioning statement to His followers, He commanded them to make disciples. Notice that the command is not to make converts, but disciples: people who will both publicly declare their conversion through baptism and will obey everything that Jesus commanded to His original followers.

So does this mean that Jesus’ legacy was a mere book of rules and regulations for us to obey? Absolutely not! The Good News of the Gospel ushers in a depth of freedom and peace that could never be achieved outside of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. After all, if our favor with God could be measured by the mere adherence to rules and regulations – by following the law, rather than the Law-Giver – then “Christ died for nothing!” (Galatians 2:21).

So what, then, does it mean to obey what Jesus commanded? It is to study His example as His apprentice, to follow in His footsteps, and to allow Him to continue His work through each of us in our homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods. This calling to follow Jesus is by no means a spectator sport. But fortunately, we don’t have to rely upon our own strength and wisdom. It is solely through God’s grace and the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit that we are empowered to do His work and be His disciples.

But let’s be honest. This life of a disciple is not an easy one – requiring us to have a deeply genuine faith in our Lord and His hand in our lives. It’s much like the trust of a child jumping into his daddy’s arms. And as Brennan Manning points out in The Ragamuffin Gospel, without that child-like trust, our “faith is bartered for cozy, comfortable piety… a failure of nerve and an unwillingness to risk distorts God into a Bookkeeper, and the Gospel of grace is swapped for the security of religious bondage.”

During these 40 Days of Faith, we shattered the chains of religious bondage as we experienced the power of God’s Kingdom slicing into our present reality. We witnessed restoration, healing, and breakthroughs. In the past, so many of us were numb and willing to settle for very little of God’s power in our day-to-day lives. But alas, my friends, we have now tasted the glory. And once you’ve experienced even just a slice of God’s Kingdom, the status quo simply isn’t good enough anymore.

So what now? I, for one, want more. I want to grow deeper in my relationship with Jesus and I want to see more of His Kingdom power break into the midst of our reality here at the Vineyard. Will you join me in praying for this season of faith to continue here at our church? Will you join me in seeking a deeper, more intimate walk with the Lord as we each grow as disciples? It’s time to act on the faith that the Lord has been stirring within each of us over these past 40 days. This journey of faith cannot end; it must not end. For He is risen! And He has called each of us to join Him in His work. So have the faith to jump into your Daddy’s arms, because what an awesome honor and privilege it is to serve Him!

Colin Tuggle is the Executive Pastor at the Vineyard, handling the administrative, financial, and facility issues of the church. He and his family joined our fellowship last year. Colin and his wife, Lisa, will soon be starting a Home Group designed for parents and their young children, which will meet on Sunday afternoons.

The Faith of Abraham
by Pastor Bob

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him…” Romans 4:18

This is an incredibly inspiring and yet challenging verse! Abraham’s example of faith is so amazing! The phrase “against all hope, Abraham in hope believed,” speaks of the kind of faith that defies hopelessness. Abraham was keenly aware of his doubtful situation. In fact, the next verse confirms this: “Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead, since he was about a hundred years old, and Sarah’s womb was also dead” (Rom.4:19). Abraham was not in denial. He was obviously facing the facts of his situation, yet the Bible says he did this “without weakening in his faith”. No wonder God honored him the way He did!

How many of us in Abraham’s situation would have held on to the promise of God? Some people think that you have to be in a state of denial in order to receive a miraculous answer in hopeless situations, but I don’t think that’s true. Real faith says something like this, “I know my situation looks hopeless, but I also know that I belong to a God who is faithful and has a history of ‘moving mountains’ for His children, and I’m keeping my eyes on Him!” You don’t have to know HOW God’s going to keep His promise to you; all you have to know is that He will do it!

Romans 4:20 goes on to say, “Yet (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.” From this verse, one thing looks to be certain: a lack of faith will make us waver. It will cause us to doubt God’s ability and willingness to do the impossible for us. It’s God’s desire that we be “fully persuaded” that He is able to work wonders in our lives, even when our circumstances are telling us different. Notice that this verse says that Abraham “gave glory to God” while he was waiting for God to fulfill His promise to him. Abraham didn’t wait until he could “see” what God had promised to give thanks and praise to the Lord; that doesn’t take much faith. But, he began thanking God in advance, strengthening his own faith in the process.

What are you going through right now? Are you facing what seems like a hopeless situation? I pray that Jesus will help you to keep your eyes on Him and not on your circumstances; that you would have the ability to give praise and thanks to the Lord right now even as you are trusting Him for the answer. Have the faith of Abraham!

Bob Stiles is the Associate Pastor at the Vineyard, handling all the hospital and personal care issues of the church along with leading worship during our Sunday services. He and his family have been a part of our fellowship since 2005. Bob and his wife, Leann, lead the Alkire Lakes Home Group meeting on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

Jesus… Is That You?
by Imee Dalton

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14.27)

Early in my relationship with God, when I was still getting acquainted with Him, I remember always being surprised when He showed up unexpectedly in my everyday life. However, I’m sure my surprise did not even begin to match the disciples’ when they saw Jesus physically walking towards them in the darkness, in the middle of a huge storm. I’m pretty sure He about scared the sandals off them as He neared the boat. “They were scared out of their wits. ‘A ghost!’ they said, crying out in terror” (Matthew 14.26). But then there was Peter, who had faith enough to at least ask, “Jesus… is that YOU?!”

Imagine Peter’s surprise when Jesus basically answered, “Sure is! Come join me!” I always wondered what prompted this grown man to step out of a boat (the only logically safe place in a storm at sea) and into the ocean, thereby ignoring the laws of nature. Sure, we read that Peter sinks a few steps later, but you’ve got to hand it to him. That is further than I would’ve gotten! The only reason I can think of for why Peter would defy logic by even attempting to walk on water, was that he had the faith to believe that it was definitely Jesus out there in that storm.

Maybe you’re new in your walk with the Lord and just getting to know Him. Maybe you’re hearing all these stories of faith from these past 40 Days and want to join in the fun, but you don’t know how or where to begin. Or maybe you’re questioning how you can learn to hear the voice of God clearer in your life. If this is you, I encourage you to do some very practical, yet important things. Read the Word daily. Spend regular time in quiet conversation with your Savior. Spend time with other brothers and sisters in Christ. As you do these things, you will naturally begin to learn what the Lord’s voice sounds like in your life. “My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life” (John 10.27). I also encourage you to look for God in unexpected places. And when you find yourself asking, “Jesus, is that You?” Don’t be afraid when He says yes!

Imee Dalton has been working at the Vineyard, assisting Pastor Bob Stiles for the last 4 years. Her keyboard and vocal talents can be heard when she serves on the Worship Team. Imee and her husband, Rob, have been part of our fellowship since 2002 and they attend the H-Pike Home Group.

The Power of Our Covenant Relationship
By Joanne Weisenstein

“When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way. Then the Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?’” (Genesis 18:16-17) In the preceding verses, Abraham receives three visitors; one is the Lord.

The Lord was planning to destroy the city of Sodom for its wickedness. But knowing that Abraham’s nephew Lot lived in Sodom, he could not keep this information from Abraham because Abraham had a covenant relationship – built on unconditional promises – with God and it was sealed with blood. Faith is not built on nothing. It is grounded securely on the Word of God and His covenant promises.

I want to share a true story that happened to me on a Friday evening in 1975. I had just put my three children down for the night and was enjoying the quiet peaceful therapy of ironing. My husband was somewhere in the skies over the United States flying home. His job required him to fly out of Columbus on Mondays and return late on Fridays. Jack was an atheist and I had been saved only a short time. As I ironed, I heard a voice say very clearly in my head: “Prepare your house! Your husband’s plane is going down.” I was startled and confused. What did this mean? I replied, “How can that be, Lord? Didn’t you tell me that my husband would be saved? He’s not saved yet.” There was a pause, then came a reply: “Yes, I did … everything will be okay.” How strange! I put it out of my head and went to bed without any worry or further thought.

Around 1:30 a.m., my husband came home, unusually noisy, turning on every light to make sure I was awake. In a highly agitated voice, he began to relate to me the events of his flight home. His plane had been hit by lightning as it flew through a storm. The landing gear had been damaged and they had to make an emergency landing on foam at the Atlanta airport. When he told me what had happened, I remembered what the Lord had spoken to me earlier that evening. My husband was alive and everyone on the plane was alive. I lay awake later in a state of wonder, but it was what I heard next that changed my understanding of faith. I heard the Holy Spirit say softly, “Would I do this thing without telling my good friend Abraham?” I had very little head knowledge of Scriptures at the time and I would not learn the full meaning of what He said to me for two more years. All I knew was he had called me his friend. He had come to me that evening and gave me the opportunity to remind him of His promises to me and, like a child, I did.

He had given Abraham the same opportunity. Faith always delights God. He loves for us to put Him in remembrance of His word to us. Today we have a covenant relationship with Him through Jesus’ blood. It is what guarantees our faith. Faith is not about having religion or head knowledge, but rather about trusting His promise, His word. By faith, you are like Abraham and He calls you His friend.

Joanne Weisenstein has been part of our fellowship since 1994. She faithfully uses her gifts and abilities to support the church with prayer and intercession. Joanne is also the leader of the Joseph Street Home Group, which meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month.