#Easter5

1John 4:1-12 NO MIDDLE GROUND: 2 Spirits–Antichrist and Christ’s

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Good afternoon Family!

It’s been a few weeks since posting, and I apologize. I will try to get some recent ones to you. the last few weeks we’ve been going through 1John. John writes to his fledgling congregations to encourage them to remain in the true Christian faith. There were a lot of charlatans back then preaching and teaching a Jesus that was contrary to Who God said His Son was. This led John to tell his people that they must test the spirits because the spirit of the antichrist was here right now.

The same goes for the world 2000 years later. John writes in binary terms: light and dark, life and death, kingdom of the devil and Kingdom of God, children of the devil or children of God. He continues his binary in this letter reminding his people–and modern Christians as well–that there are only two spirits and powers at work in the world–the spirit of the antichrist and the Spirit of the crucified and risen Christ. Which one influences you? How do you test the spirits to know which way to go? Christianity is not a 1-hour/day thing on Sundays. Christianity entails putting one’s trust in Christ Jesus alone. It’s living out the Christian faith in a Christianly way that’s the challenge. That’s why John says that we are to test the spirits.

Readings for Easter 5B: Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 150, 1John 4:1-21, John 15:1-8

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I love you guys! Dad

1Peter 2:4 Easter 5; Resident Aliens

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Good Day Family!

Some people look at what’s going on around us and in this world, and wonder upon what planet they’ve landed. It seems like an alien invasion has occurred.

But maybe “they” aren’t the aliens. Could it be that “we” are? Have you ever felt out of place, maybe like you stick out like a sore thumb among other people? Do others look at you as if you’re a creature from Mars simply because you live, think, and behave differently than the rest of the people around you? It’s not easy, and, in fact, can be quite challenging to live out the Christian faith faithfully within a culture that is suspicious of Christ and His Church.

St. Peter dealt with this 2000 years ago because Christians were living under suspicion. God’s Word gives us comfort and encouragement as we live HERE among this culture too.

Readings for Easter 5: Acts 6:1-9, 7:2, 51-60; 1Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14

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I love you guys! Dad