Feburary 3, 2006
Dear Resurrection Family,
Here's what I'll cover in today's e-mail:
1. Souper Bowl Food Drive - A Friendly Competition Among Small Groups
2. Sunday Night - Blue Jeans and Jerseys in Worship
3. This Weekend: The Parables of Jesus
4. Pray for Me Next Week: I'm Headed to Southern Methodist University
5. Children of Eden at Blue Valley West High School
6. Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Words on Cheap vs. Costly Grace
1. Souper Bowl Food Drive - A Friendly Competition Among Small Groups
Don't forget, this weekend is the time to bring your canned goods and other food items for the annual Souper Bowl Food Drive. All food items will be distributed to those in need here in Kansas City. I've given a challenge to small groups and Disciple Classes - I will come and teach the small group or Disciple class that brings the most food, by weight (we're giving a 50% bonus weight for chunky soups). Bring your hardest questions, or ask me to teach on the subject of your choice. Don't forget the reason behind the food drive during this competition however - remember the types of food items needed by our food pantries. 2,000 cans of black-eyed peas probably aren't needed, even though you may be able to win the weight contest with them - so take a look at what you are donating to make sure it helps people in need here in Kansas City - and have fun! We'll announce the winners in my pastor's e-mail next week and in worship next weekend.
2. This Sunday Night: Blue Jeans and Jerseys for Worship
Don't skip worship this weekend because of the Super Bowl -if you have a party to attend, come to one of the other worship services. But, if you can attend worship Sunday night join me in wearing blue jeans and your favorite sports jersey if have one. Worship will be over well before half time. We'll enjoy great worship and have a bit of fun to boot!
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3. This weekend: The Parables of Jesus
As we continue our study of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark we'll turn to one of the defining characteristics of Jesus' teaching ministry - he taught the people primarily using parables. We'll learn what a parable is and why Jesus taught using them. Then we'll focus on the best-known parable in Mark's Gospel: The Parable of the Sower. What does this parable teach us about Jesus? What does it teach us about our lives? We'll look at challenging you to do your own personal soil evaluation.
4. Pray for Me Next Week: I'm Headed to Southern Methodist University
I'd like to enlist your prayer support as I head to Dallas on Monday night. I'll speak at SMU for their annual Minister's Week. I'm delivering the Peyton Lecture on Preaching and then I will present a workshop on evangelism. I also have the joy of preaching in chapel to the seminary students and faculty of my alma mater. My hope is to be used by God to encourage, inspire and equip pastors and seminary students. Ten to twelve times a year I speak at conferences like this as a part of our third Resurrection objective of renewing Mainline Christianity. I would value your prayers, not only for me, but also for all the participants in SMU's Minister's Week.
5. Children of Eden at Blue Valley West High School
Last night I had the chance to see Aida at Blue Valley North High School. Many of our students were in this musical and they did an outstanding job. It was AWESOME! While there I learned Blue Valley West High School is performing Children of Eden, next weekend on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. If you are looking for a great family activity, or just an inspiring evening, consider buying tickets and heading to the show. The composer is the same man who wrote the Broadway hit, Wicked. Children of Eden is the drawn from the Genesis story and I think it is terrific that Blue Valley West is putting this show on - I would love to see you as a community support this production - it sounds like it will be great, and in the spirit of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; some have described it as reminiscent of The Lion King. Why go to the movies, or sit at home watching a video, when you can enjoy excellent community theatre? To order tickets on-line you can click on this link: www.bv229.k12.ks.us/bvw_hughes/play/tickets.cfm, or you can get more information by calling, 913 239-3766.
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6. Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Words on Cheap vs. Costly Grace
Pastor Russell Brown reminded me last night that this Saturday marks the 100th birthday of German theologian and pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. As you may recall, Bonhoeffer led the underground church in Germany and courageously sought to resist Nazism. He was imprisoned by the Germans for his role in seeking to overthrow Hitler, and ultimately was put to death in a concentration camp. His best-known book is entitled, The Cost of Discipleship, which is a description of the life Christ calls us to. The opening chapter is often quoted because it captures in such a compelling way the dichotomy between cheap and costly grace. I thought you might enjoy reading his words,
That is what we mean by cheap grace, the grace which amounts to the justification of sin without the justification of the repentant sinner who departs from sin and from whom sin departs.
Cheap grace is not the kind of forgiveness of sin which frees us from the toils of sin. Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession.
Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.
Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock.
Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: "ye were bought at a price," and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us.
Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.
May we together pursue the costly kind of grace, which Jesus offers us.
See you in worship,
Adam Hamilton