1. Walking in the newness of Christ
‘as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life’
Romans 6:4 KJV
St James, Taunton
Easter Sunday 2018

2. Walking in the newness of Christ
‘empowered to walk in the freshness of new life’

3. and the Word was with God
In the beginning
was the Word
and the Word was with God
In him was life
And the Word became flesh
and dwelt among us
John 1: 1, 4, 14

4. In the beginning
was Wisdom
and Wisdom was with God
In him was life
And Wisdom became flesh
and dwelt among us

5. When he fixed the heavens, I was there.
I, wisdom,
was with the Lord 
when he began his work, 
long before he made
anything else.
From eternity,
I was appointed.
Also see Colossians 1 (later in this presntation); Ephesians 1; 1 John.
When he fixed the heavens, I was there.
Proverbs 8: 22, 23, 27

6. ‘The Word’
Wisdom
Creation
Before time
Eternity
The Cosmic Christ

7. The Cosmic Christ MYSTERY Wisdom Creation Before time Eternity
‘The Word’
Wisdom
Creation
MYSTERY
Before time
Eternity
The Cosmic Christ

8. So what about Easter? Mystery or Reality?
Reality of the nativity
Reality of the passion
Passion – accused of being mad, a blasphemer and hunted as a criminal to be stoned.
Tried, whipped, mocked
Reality of the crucifixion
Jesus was really human

9.  So what about Easter? What really happened? The better question is -
Perhaps that’s the wrong question
The better question is -
What does it mean?

10. Mystery or Reality?

11. Reality Challenge Colossians 3 sexual immorality compassion kindness
impurity
lust
evil desires
greed
idolatry
anger
rage
malice
slander
filthy language 
lying
compassion kindness
humility
 gentleness patience
forgiveness
thankfulness
love
peace
wisdom
Colossians 3

12. Corruption leading to death Newness of life in all fulness
Reality
Challenge
sexual immorality
impurity
lust
evil desires
greed
idolatry
anger
rage
malice
slander
filthy language 
lying
compassion kindness
humility
 gentleness patience
forgiveness
thankfulness
love
peace
wisdom
Corruption leading to death
Newness of life in all fulness
Colossians 3

13. Reality Challenge Colossians 3 sexual immorality compassion kindness
impurity
lust
evil desires
greed
idolatry
anger
rage
malice
slander
filthy language 
lying
compassion kindness
humility
 gentleness patience
forgiveness
thankfulness
love
peace
wisdom
Colossians 3

14. The Christian life isn't difficult – it is impossible.
If we don’t know that, we will try to do things ourselves.
Faith is not necessary when we think we can do it ourselves.
Faith comes along when we realize that we cannot do it on our own.
Joseph Garlington

15. The resurrection is God’s way of capturing our attention ...
.... as the living God in omnipotent action

16. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For in him all things were created:
 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour.
   the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages is now revealed.

17. The Resurrection demonstrates that the divine energy of ‘in the beginning’, pulled Christ out of death,
and is now available in the ever-present
to give you new life. 

18. But live in the reality of the risen Christ
Happy Easter
Enjoy celebrating the day
Contemplate the history
Wonder at the mystery
Long for eternity
But live in the reality of the risen Christ
who is one with the omnipotent God
who has power to give you new life today

19. Walking in the newness of Christ
New life today
compassion
kindness
humility
patience
thankfulness
forgiveness
gentleness
love
peace
wisdom
Walking in the newness of Christ