Emmanuel Presbyterian Church

Emmanuel Presbyterian Church http://emmanuel.org.za Sat, 19 May 2012 13:54:31 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Vision, Coffee and “Vitamin O” Sunday 3 June 2012 http://emmanuel.org.za/upcoming-events/vision-coffee-and-vitamin-o-sunday-3-june-2012/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vision-coffee-and-vitamin-o-sunday-3-june-2012 http://emmanuel.org.za/upcoming-events/vision-coffee-and-vitamin-o-sunday-3-june-2012/#comments Sat, 19 May 2012 13:54:31 +0000 shawn http://emmanuel.org.za/?p=2790 By Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, South Africa | View on Facebook When: Jun 2 11:30pm - Jun 3 2:30am

Where: Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, South Africa

» View mapCome along and join us for a winter-warming Sunday Communion Service. We'll be serving [...]]]>

Vision, Coffee and "Vitamin O" Sunday
By Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, South Africa | View on Facebook

When: Jun 2 11:30pm - Jun 3 2:30am

Where: Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, South Africa

» View map

Come along and join us for a winter-warming Sunday Communion Service. We'll be serving fresh filter coffee and donuts. We'll also be revisiting our theme for the year and assessing whether we are on track with what we believe God has called us to do. It's going to be a service of testimony and challenge. We'd love to have you join us.

]]> http://emmanuel.org.za/upcoming-events/vision-coffee-and-vitamin-o-sunday-3-june-2012/feed/ 0 Pentecost Week 20th-27th May 2012 http://emmanuel.org.za/upcoming-events/pentecost-week-20th-27th-may-2012/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pentecost-week-20th-27th-may-2012 http://emmanuel.org.za/upcoming-events/pentecost-week-20th-27th-may-2012/#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 10:33:04 +0000 shawn http://emmanuel.org.za/?p=2782 By Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, South Africa | View on Facebook When: May 20 11:00am - May 27 11:00am

Where: Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, South Africa

» View mapFor Pentecost week we will be sending out SMS's at 20h00 each night with a [...]]]>

Pentecost Week 20th-27th May 2012
By Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, South Africa | View on Facebook

When: May 20 11:00am - May 27 11:00am

Where: Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, South Africa

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For Pentecost week we will be sending out SMS's at 20h00 each night with a scripture verse and devotional thought. Email theo@emmanuel.org.za with your cell phone number if you would like to receive these sms's. It will all culminate with our Pentecost Sunday Service on the 27th.

]]> http://emmanuel.org.za/upcoming-events/pentecost-week-20th-27th-may-2012/feed/ 0 EMMDEV 2012-05-17 [Forty Days of Resurrection] 09.Linked http://emmdev.blogspot.com/2012/05/emmdev-2012-05-17-forty-days-of.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=emmdev-2012-05-17-forty-days-of-resurrection-09-linked http://emmdev.blogspot.com/2012/05/emmdev-2012-05-17-forty-days-of.html#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 22:06:00 +0000 theo http://emmanuel.org.za/?guid=99fe2d46f812d4f89216d2a36bd3e457
There were some confused and misguided people in Corinth who were saying that there was no resurrection of the body. This false teaching came from Greek philosophy which saw the body as prison on the soul. This separation of physical and spiritual implied that death was the moment that the soul or spirit could float free from the body.

The Christian Gospel's assertion of a bodily resurrection was unpopular with Greek Philosophers (See Acts 17:22-32) and so there were many who argued that there was no resurrection from the dead.

The NIV Study Bible shows how Paul unpacks the implications of this argument - If there is no resurrection of the dead then:
(1) "not even Christ has been raised." (v. 13);
(2) "our preaching is useless" (v. 14);
(3) "so is your faith" (v. 14);
(4) we are "false witnesses" that God raised Christ (v. 15);
(5) "your faith is futile" (v. 17);
(6) "you are still in your sins" (v. 17)
(7) "those also who have have died in Christ are lost" (v. 18); and
(8) "we are to be pitied" (because we endure such hardship for nothing)

The ideas of eternal life, bodily resurrection and the Resurrection of Christ are linked. If bodily resurrection is not going to happen then why did God raise Jesus bodily? And why did He take His body with Him in the ascension?

The resurrection of Jesus kicks-off the wonderful reality of eternal life where we are not just disembodied spirits merging with the "cosmic consciousness" but that we will continue to be body, soul and spirit joined together with all the other saints worshipping God.

This is our great hope and it starts with an empty tomb!

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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/]]> http://emmdev.blogspot.com/feeds/6387602686881474201/comments/default 0 EMMDEV 2012-05-16 [Forty Days of Resurrection] 08.A list of witnesses http://emmdev.blogspot.com/2012/05/emmdev-2012-05-16-forty-days-of.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=emmdev-2012-05-16-forty-days-of-resurrection-08-a-list-of-witnesses http://emmdev.blogspot.com/2012/05/emmdev-2012-05-16-forty-days-of.html#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 06:22:00 +0000 theo http://emmanuel.org.za/?guid=67934afa125863ccf9addd57e861fa01
The Resurrection is of "first importance." It is our reassurance that Christ was victorious, that His sacrifice was sufficient and that we have the hope of eternal life.

Paul makes a list of the witnesses of the resurrection. I don't think this is an exhaustive list, but rather a representative one. Paul, by this list, is showing that the resurrection has significance for all of us, no matter what we have done or where we have been.

Let's go through the list briefly:

1:Peter - Disciple, close to Jesus, denied Jesus after promising to stay faithful. Fled the scene weeping bitterly. Found it hard to forgive himself. Jesus specially appeared to him twice.

2:The twelve - His followers, those who had journeyed with Him for three years. They had run away and were very frightened.

3:Five hundred brothers at the same time - we don't have any additional detail about this, but the point is that it is hard to get 500 people to fabricate a false resurrection story. This appearance provides concrete proof the that the resurrection actually happened and although we can't interview the 500, Paul's implication is that the Corinthians could have verified it if they wanted to.

4:James the half-brother of Jesus (See eDev#05) had misunderstood and resisted Jesus, but after the cross and the resurrection, he became the leader of the church.

5:"All the apostles" was probably the group that gathered on the Mount of Olives for Jesus' ascension and they represent the church.

6:The appearance to Paul is interesting because it is a visionary appearance rather than a physical one and it takes place after the ascension and really implies that Christ appears to all of us.

So there are six in the list: those who have failed, those who are frightened, a big crowd that proves it true, those who misunderstood, the church and finally Paul who didn't meet Jesus physically but spiritually.

And by implication you and I are seventh in the list - He appears to us by faith.

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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/]]> http://emmdev.blogspot.com/feeds/7505650974024133006/comments/default 0 Ascension Day Service http://emmanuel.org.za/upcoming-events/ascension-day-service/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ascension-day-service http://emmanuel.org.za/upcoming-events/ascension-day-service/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 06:35:07 +0000 shawn http://emmanuel.org.za/?p=2774 By Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, South Africa | View on Facebook When: May 17, 2012 (10:00am - 11:00am)

Where: Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, South Africa

» View mapAlthough Ascension Day isn't a public holiday, it is still an important event in the Christian Calendar as [...]]]>

Ascension Day Service
By Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, South Africa | View on Facebook

When: May 17, 2012 (10:00am - 11:00am)

Where: Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, South Africa

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Although Ascension Day isn't a public holiday, it is still an important event in the Christian Calendar as we contemplate the completed work of Jesus. We warmly invite you to join us on Thursday night at 19h00 for a service of celebration and joy. We start at 19h00 and will be done before 20h00

]]> http://emmanuel.org.za/upcoming-events/ascension-day-service/feed/ 0 EMMDEV 2012-05-15 [Forty Days of Resurrection] 07.First Importance http://emmdev.blogspot.com/2012/05/emmdev-2012-05-15-forty-days-of.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=emmdev-2012-05-15-forty-days-of-resurrection-07-first-importance http://emmdev.blogspot.com/2012/05/emmdev-2012-05-15-forty-days-of.html#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 05:57:00 +0000 theo http://emmanuel.org.za/?guid=2bfd4c751e8a67be6f07d9c675002ca6
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures... 1Corinthians15:1-4

There has been much discussion around the significance of the Resurrection. Some scholars have expressed their doubts about the physical Resurrection of Christ and have argued that this is not a key issue.

Paul writes a great deal about the importance of the Resurrection. Much of what he has written is found in 1Corinthians 15. To a certain extent we need to take today's passage as part of Paul's "creeds" and we will spend the next few days looking at this significant chapter.

Paul is summarising the gospel he preached.
He goes on to qualify this gospel as the one they received, that they took a _stand_ on and the gospel that _saves_ them if they hold firmly to it.

Paul points out that this is not a new version of the gospel, it is the gospel passed on to him - it has stood the test of time. There are always new and revisionist ideas that tantalise the minds of those who like to "tweak", but Paul's gospel has stood the test of time.

And he lists the four things that are of "first importance":
- Christ died for our sins (Only the Son of God could carry our sins)
- Christ was buried (He was really dead - He was also fully human)
- And Christ was raised from the dead (His victory is complete)
- And this was all "ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES"

Paul is clear:
The resurrection of Christ _is_ important! It is as important as His death and Scripture predicts, explains and underscores the importance of this victory.

Even if we firmly believe in the resurrection, I think it is vital for us to make sure that it is not simply that we believe this as a historical fact that took place 2000 years ago, but that we will get our hearts with Paul as we understand that this is a matter of "first importance." It is part of our salvation and how we stand firm and it assures us that our faith is not in vain.

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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/]]> http://emmdev.blogspot.com/feeds/5669737399081837197/comments/default 0 Guitars in the Garden http://emmanuel.org.za/upcoming-events/guitars-in-the-garden/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=guitars-in-the-garden http://emmanuel.org.za/upcoming-events/guitars-in-the-garden/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 11:45:19 +0000 shawn http://emmanuel.org.za/?p=2767 By Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, South Africa | View on Facebook When: May 20, 2012 (5:00am - 7:00am)

Where: Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, South Africa

» View mapDo you love live music??

I certainly do and so it is my great [...]]]>

Guitars in the Garden
By Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, South Africa | View on Facebook

When: May 20, 2012 (5:00am - 7:00am)

Where: Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, South Africa

» View map

Do you love live music??

I certainly do and so it is my great pleasure to invite you to an afternoon of live guitar music with the talented "Mischief Guitar Duo" who are well known for playing a foot-tapping mix of Spanish/Latino Guitar with a touch of Jazz and Rock.

They will be playing in the gardens at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church on Sunday 20th of May from 2pm-4pm.

Bring along your chairs or picnic blankets and a basket of snacks and join us for a stunning afternoon of music and fun.
E... See full description

]]> http://emmanuel.org.za/upcoming-events/guitars-in-the-garden/feed/ 0 EMMDEV 2012-05-11 [Forty Days of Resurrection] 06. Thomas http://emmdev.blogspot.com/2012/05/emmdev-2012-05-11-forty-days-of.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=emmdev-2012-05-11-forty-days-of-resurrection-06-thomas http://emmdev.blogspot.com/2012/05/emmdev-2012-05-11-forty-days-of.html#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 05:42:00 +0000 theo http://emmanuel.org.za/?guid=fec6a8c785e741fbb9ec46e9127439ca 28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" John20:19-29

We call him "Doubting Thomas" but that's not how he comes across in the rest of the passages that mention him. In those passages we see Thomas portrayed as courageous and insightful.

In John 11 he declares his willingness to go with Jesus to Jerusalem with Jesus even if it is risky: "Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, 'Let us also go, that we may die with him.'" (John 11:16)

In John 14 Jesus is talking about His departure and He says "You know the way to the place where I am going."
Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" So here Thomas is asking the penetrating question that leads Jesus to answer "I am the way, the truth and the life."

But Thomas wasn't with the disciples in the Upper Room on Resurrection Sunday when Jesus appeared to them behind the doors they had so fearfully locked. Was it because Thomas was ashamed that he had run away instead of dying with Jesus as he had committed himself to?

Or was it something else? His nickname (Didymus) means "twin." It might be that he suffered a terrible loss involving his twin and this loss makes it harder for him to believe the good news of resurrection

For those who have suffered great loss, hope is hard to kindle...
But a week later, when Thomas finally sees Jesus, he does not need to touch Him, because it has all become clear: Jesus has suffered incredibly so that we are never ever alone.

Thomas utters the New Testament's greatest statement of faith - "My Lord and My God."

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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/]]> http://emmdev.blogspot.com/feeds/3582025879505696646/comments/default 0 EMMDEV 2012-05-10 [Forty Days of Resurrection] 05.To a badly mistaken brother http://emmdev.blogspot.com/2012/05/emmdev-2012-05-10-forty-days-of.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=emmdev-2012-05-10-forty-days-of-resurrection-05-to-a-badly-mistaken-brother http://emmdev.blogspot.com/2012/05/emmdev-2012-05-10-forty-days-of.html#comments Thu, 10 May 2012 06:16:00 +0000 theo http://emmanuel.org.za/?guid=1d2f27a77737b3dba502ae309672bade
James was one of Jesus' four half-brothers.
Although they grew up with Jesus, they had a hard-time believing in Him.They were antagonistic and even thought that Jesus was out of His mind! In Mark's gospel we read that they came to "take charge" of Him because He seemed to out of control to them.

But there was a Realisation:
Can you imagine watching your half-brother being crucified?
We don't know when the penny dropped for James, but we do know that Jesus appeared to him.

Why should Jesus do that? James had no excuse. He had heard of his brother's miraculous birth, the wise men, the angels, the flight to Egypt, not to mention the presence and example of Jesus in their midst. But sometimes familiarity can breed contempt...

We don't have the details except that Jesus took the time to appear to James. BUT we can see the results:

1. Mary, James and his brothers join the church in Acts 1
2. James becomes the leader of the Jerusalem church.
3. James becomes one of the early martyrs

He had made a terrible mistake, he had been so wrong, but he was so forgiven!

What about us?
Has familiarity led you to minimise the importance of Christ in your heart?
Have you suddenly realised how mistaken you have been?
It's not too late...
Just ask James!

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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/]]> http://emmdev.blogspot.com/feeds/8725254387525122162/comments/default 0 EMMDEV 2012-05-09 [Forty Days of Resurrection] 04.Comforting Peter http://emmdev.blogspot.com/2012/05/emmdev-2012-05-09-forty-days-of.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=emmdev-2012-05-09-forty-days-of-resurrection-04-comforting-peter http://emmdev.blogspot.com/2012/05/emmdev-2012-05-09-forty-days-of.html#comments Wed, 09 May 2012 06:27:00 +0000 theo http://emmanuel.org.za/?guid=d901534b195355e85144243e75f098f9
When the two on the road to Emmaus rushed back to Jerusalem with the account of their journey with the Risen Lord, they would also get some news: "The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon."

This is one sentence is a very tantalising piece of information because we have no idea of what may have happened in that encounter, as there is no additional data anywhere else in Scripture. We have to try an imagine what may have happened.

I think Don Fransisco puts it best in his song "He's Alive."

Back inside the house again
The guilt and anguish came
Everything I'd promised Him
Just added to my shame
When at last it came to choices
I denied I knew His name
And even if He was alive
It wouldn't be the same

But suddenly the air was filled
With a strange and sweet perfume
Light that came from everywhere
Drove the shadows from the room
And Jesus stood before me
With his arms held open wide
And I fell down on my knees
And I just clung to Him and cried

Then He raised me to my feet
And as I looked into His eyes
The love was shining out from Him
Like sunlight from the skies
Guilt in my confusion
Disappeared in sweet release
And every fear I'd ever had
Just melted into peace

He's alive yes He's alive
Yes He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive yes He's alive
Oh He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive yes He's alive
HALLELUJAH!

(You can watch it on You Tube if you have the bandwidth - it is a beautiful recording with an introduction by Don Fransisco and a full orchestra and huge choir doing backing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIndrry40Ks )

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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/]]> http://emmdev.blogspot.com/feeds/3677414616518360215/comments/default 0