1. The beginning and the ongoing gospel
Livingston United Methodist Church
2nd Sunday of Eastertide

2. The beginning Who is Jesus? What did Jesus accomplish?
Do we understand it?
Do we believe it?
Now what?
Points back to gospel of John
In the beginning was the Word

3. (1) Who is Jesus? What church proclaims Jesus was physical + human
Fully God and fully human
We do not hear + see + touch Jesus
Trust us. We experienced this. Rely upon this.
Tradition = Wisdom of experience
Regarding the Word of Life

4. (2) Work of Christ
So you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and the Son Jesus Christ
Purpose of gospel = koinonia
Fellowship or communion
Same communion that binds Father + Son + Holy Spirit
We share in that same life

5. “The Trinity” by Andrei Rublev (Russian, 15th century)

6. (2) What Jesus accomplishes
So we have communion with God + one another
So that your (or our) joy will be complete
Joy = deeper than happiness
Satisfaction of the kingdom of God
No longer separated from God because of sin
Christ gave his life to heal broken relationship
Joy + communion = True goal of human existence

7. (3) The ongoing gospel
Work of Christ continues to shape life of Christian church
This is the message. God is light. In him there is no darkness.
Okay…
If we say we have communion with him and walk in darkness we do not practice the truth

8. Two truths in tension (1) Reality of sin (2) Christ demands perfection
Cannot deny or avoid
(2) Christ demands perfection
Be perfect (or complete) as your heavenly Father is perfect.
John Wesley and Christian perfection (?!?)
Zeno’s paradox
Always reaching yet (never?) arriving
Process of becoming saints never ends

9. Saved and always being saved
If we confess our sins
He is faithful and just
And will forgive and cleanse
Examination and confession
Daily + weekly spiritual discipline
Monthly
Regular part of life + worship of Christian church