The Beauty of the Ugly Violent Stuff

Tonight, I watch flashes of pyrotechnic light playing on the wonder filled face of my youngest son. As I look around, I see a darkened landscape belching out fountains of fire as far as I can see. I hear reports from cannons and rockets (near and far) as they launch and then deliver their celebratory payload to dazzled onlookers.

I also know that for some (particularly soldiers who have PTSD), these sound and sights of celebration can far too closely resemble the sights and sounds of war. I'm quite certain that the defenders of Ft. McHenry over two centuries ago were not exclaiming "ohh's" and "ahh's" as British rockets and bombs rained down on them that night. As they witnessed "the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air" from the receiving end, their cry was far more likely to be a prayer of the "God save us!" variety. Yet the American lawyer, Francis Scott Key, standing on the deck of a British ship some four miles away saw hope rising for his fledgling country through the horrors of that bombardment. Curious isn't it, that something so horrible as weapons of warfare can be transformed into symbols of celebration and hope?

I see this same odd notion in the words of the Apostle Paul, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ..."* The cross also was a horrible thing. It was the Roman executioners tool for the basest of criminals. It was not something one would naturally assume to be a source of "glory". Yet, there it is.

So if you wonder why the followers of Jesus talk so much about things like the "cross" and the "blood", here is your answer. We talk about those things because the most awful event of human history was also the event that made our salvation possible. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, died as a substitute to pay for the sins of anyone who will believe on him. If you are willing to turn from your sin and accept him as Savior, today can be your "independence day" on a whole new scale.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” - 2 Peter 3:9 KJV

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*Galatians 6:14a

LESSON, Radical Teaching of Jesus Christ #2: Blessed they that mourn...

In Matthew 5 Jesus gives us a list of personal “attitudes” that will cause us to be “blessed” or “happy”. These are directly counter the usual humanistic way of thinking.

Radical Concept #2
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." [Matthew 5:4 KJV]

Definition of “mourn”: feel or show deep sorrow or regret for (someone or their death), typically by following conventions such as the wearing of black clothes. To feel regret or sadness about (the loss or disappearance of something).

Name some common circumstances that will cause a person to mourn.

What were the disciples mourning in Mark 16:9-14? Was there more than one source of grief?
"Now when [He] rose early on the first [day] of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. And they went and told [it] to the rest, [but] they did not believe them either. Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen." [Mark 16:9-14 NKJV]

What mechanism was Jesus using to comfort his disciples in their grief?

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Does God comfort us directly through his Spirit? For what purpose?
John 15:25-27

Does God choose to comfort us through other disciples? 
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." [1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV]


In 1 Thessalonians 5, the Bible is specifically addressing the conditions of the last days. In what practical ways are we instructed to comfort?

Regarding:
Church leadership…
General church disposition…
The idle…
The faint…
The weak…
How should we view retaliation?

He gives further "comfort" instruction with the following…
"Rejoice always," [1 Thessalonians 5:16 ESV]
"pray without ceasing," [1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV]
"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." [1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV]
"Do not quench the Spirit." [1 Thessalonians 5:19 ESV]
"Do not despise prophecies," [1 Thessalonians 5:20 ESV]
"but test everything; hold fast what is good." [1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV]
"Abstain from every form of evil." [1 Thessalonians 5:22 ESV]
"Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." [1 Thessalonians 5:23 ESV]
"He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it." [1 Thessalonians 5:24 ESV]
"Brothers, pray for us." [1 Thessalonians 5:25 ESV]
"Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss." [1 Thessalonians 5:26 ESV]

Grief originated in this world as a result of “original sin”. How is it possible that it has been turned into a means of blessing?

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