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Pause V Day 15 Redeemed & Restored

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Pause V, Day 15

Yesterday’s reading ended with Jesus dead and buried in a tomb. Peter was distraught because he had denied even knowing Jesus. Judas committed suicide after betraying Jesus. And what of our dead Jesus?

He rose!

After He conquered sin, He took three days and conquered death. He was resurrected from the dead so that death was also rendered powerless. We have eternal LIFE in Jesus’ name! (John 20:31) We are restored to fellowship with Father God through the empty tomb, discovered by Mary Magdalene and Peter, the denier.

But Jesus still had one more thing to do. One more piece of redemption and restoration to accomplish.

Peter.

Over a breakfast Jesus lovingly cooked while Peter, Thomas, Nathanael and Zebedee’s sons were fishing, Jesus restored Peter. Asking Peter three times if he loved Him, Jesus gave Peter a different responsibility each time.

Feed my lambs. (John 21:15)

Shepherd my sheep. (John 21:16)

Feed my sheep. (John 21:17)

Peter was to continue building upon what Jesus started by feeding, shepherding, and maturing those who believed in Jesus. This also is our job.

We’re not going to build the early church like Peter did, but we can help others know about Jesus, learn more about Him and mature in their faith.

As we close out Pause V, remember we’ve been redeemed from the bondage of sin and restored to fellowship and relationship with God. Not only can we help build the church, we should. We must. We ARE the Church!

Today's Invitation

1) Read through John 20 out loud today twice. Slowly. Explore deeper by studying some cross-references or write out your own paraphrase of the events. Thank the Lord for His eternal provision as you pray!

2) Here is our last hand-crafted Spotify playlist for Pause 5! Remember, you are prayed over and delighted in! Put this playlist on repeat this weekend and be reminded of the rich truths God has shown you this week in Pause 5! Let your worship be an act of joy and thankfulness before your God!

3) Memorize John 17:23

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John 20

On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them,
“They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!”

3 At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. 5 Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.

6 Then, following him, Simon Peter also came.
He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7 The wrapping that had been on his head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. 8 The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed. 9 For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying.

11 But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 She saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’s body had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them,
“and I don’t know where they’ve put him.”

14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there,
but she did not know it was Jesus. 15 “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying?
Who is it that you’re seeking? ”Supposing he was the gardener, she replied,
“Sir, if you’ve carried him away, tell me where you’ve put him, and I will take him away.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”—which means “Teacher.”

17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus told her, “since I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!”
And she told them what he had said to her.

19 When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

24 But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26 A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.”

28 Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed.
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John 21

After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias.
He revealed himself in this way:

2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples were together.

3 “I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them.

“We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. 5 “Friends,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?”

“No,” they answered.

6 “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” he told them, “and you’ll find some.”
So they did, and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish.

7 The disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer clothing around him (for he had taken it off) and plunged into the sea. 8 Since they were not far from land (about a hundred yards away), the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish.

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. 11 So Simon Peter climbed up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish—153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.

12 “Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them.

None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.”

“Feed my lambs,” he told him.

16 A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.”

“Shepherd my sheep,” he told him.

17 He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”

He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”

“Feed my sheep,” Jesus said.
18 “Truly I tell you, when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” 19 He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God.

After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.”

20 So Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them, the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is the one that’s going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”

22 “If I want him to remain until I come,” Jesus answered, “what is that to you?
As for you, follow me.”

23 So this rumor spread to the brothers and sisters that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not tell him that he would not die, but, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if every one of them were written down, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.

How Does “Pause” Work?
1. Each day, Monday through Friday, for 3 weeks, we will provide you with an invitation to get away with the Savior. Each one is designed for you to engage with the Almighty in a deeper way and perhaps in a new way than you have been recently.

2. Having a journal is a must! You’ll want to take notes as you walk this special Journey of Pause.

3. Each week focuses on one or two passage of Scripture and we walk with you as you study and flesh these out for yourself. As you write your thoughts, read His Word, and pray, questions might come up. That’s Perfect! Ask a trusted fellow believer, a pastor, or send us an email as you work through them!

4. Jumping in at the middle? No problem! Here is the entire Journey Theme.

5. Connect with others on Facebook by visiting our GT Community Group!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Pause V Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme? Here’s a link to all past studies
in Pause V!

Sketched VII Day 2 Being His: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Being His!

The Questions

1) What is the building from God and how does it relate to being naked and clothed? (verses 1-5)

2) How do tents and buildings relate to being clothed and naked?

3) How does the discussion of tents, buildings, naked, and clothed relate to God’s “purposes”? (verses 5-15)

2 Corinthians 5:1-15

For we know that if our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. 2 Indeed, we groan in this tent, desiring to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 since, when we have taken it off, we will not be found naked. 4 Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

6 So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 11 Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your consciences. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in outward appearance rather than in the heart. 13 For if we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If one died for all, then all died. 15 And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.

Original Intent

1) What is the building from God versus the earthly tent? (verses 1-5)
The citizens of Corinth were well known for their incredible architecture. Their magnificent acropolis, the most popular of all then-current city-states, towered over 2000 feet tall and had access to inexhaustible springs, making it a prime location for safety during times of battle. Corinth also boasted several sprawling temples to false gods like Apollo and Poseidon, but the most popular temple was reserved for Aphrodite, the goddess of love and fertility. Ancient Corinthians had much to boast of regarding their advanced architecture, all built by their own hands. To live in a tent at the time of the Paul and his Corinthian friends meant one thing, you weren’t staying here long. No one would consider living in a makeshift tent in the magnificent city of Corinth; it only meant you were traveling through with no plans to take up residency for long. Paul recognized these realities to the Corinthian citizens, and used these cultural relevancies to point to the greatest architect, God. When Paul speaks of our “earthly tent”, he’s referring to our bodies while we live here on earth. These are the bodies we live and breathe in; we use our bodies to eat, drink, run, and laugh, but these are temporary and will one day be destroyed by physical death.

2) How do tents and buildings relate to being clothed and naked?
When this “tent” of a body is destroyed, one would get the picture that the “soul” of the person would be naked with no housing to protect it and dwell within. Paul says when the tent of the believer is destroyed by physical death, we have no fear of being naked without a dwelling, for God has provided an eternal building. This building, standing in contrast to the ornate Corinthian temples, is not made by human hands at all, rather, this building will last for eternity and is made by God Himself. This “building” isn’t a literal brick and mortar structure, rather it carries the idea of “a place to dwell and call home”. This is the Christian’s dwelling place forever after our earthly bodies die. The main focus on this eternal home is not what the structure looks like, but rather its incorruptible, everlasting quality that stands in sharp contrast to the temporary, sufferable, and half-clothed “tent” of our physical bodies as we live out our days on earth. Paul takes his metaphor a step farther by telling the Corinthians, that even in our earthly “tents” we are still naked, at least partially, even though it looks like we have a dwelling place. While we live in our “tents”, we experience grief, loss, pain, sickness, suffering, and persecution, all of which make the believer long to be fully clothed. We long for home, the eternal dwelling that is incorruptible and made by God rather than flawed human hands. This idea would have been easy for Corinthians to connect with because they viewed someone who lived in a tent as only having a temporary dwelling. Who wouldn’t rather live in strong, sturdy Corinthian-like structure than a flimsy, temporary tent?! A tent may be adequate most of the time, but the longing for a permanent dwelling would be strong! Paul says when the believer’s tent is destroyed it’s as if Life itself has swallowed up Death entirely in one fell swoop. For the Christian, the one who is safe in the salvation of Christ, there is no real “death”, only a physical changing of dwelling places.

3) How does the discussion of tents, buildings, naked, and clothed relate to God’s “purposes”? (verses 5-8)
While it’s deeply comforting to know God not only sees we are “partially clothed” on earth while we live in our earthly bodies, but has prepared a permanent, loving solution to our movement from physical bodies to eternal dwelling, there is so much more to this passage. Verse 5 serves as a transition point for Paul as he describes that this loving forethought of God is anchored in one mind-blowing reality. He purposefully crafted our bodies to die and our souls to transition to our forever home, to fulfill His purpose of dwelling with us for eternity! His heart passion is to be with us! Just as a dear friend or loving, passionate spouse deeply desires to spend time with us simply because they love us and enjoy the company of our presence, so is this the case with the God of the universe except on an infinitely grander scale! In the Garden of Eden at the very beginning of time, God’s intentional design was to dwell with His creation, especially Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3:8) Sin made that impossible, so He has been pursuing us ever since with His grand plan of restoring a relationship with us so we can once again experience what it is to dwell with Him in pure delight. (Ezekiel 37:27-26)While we are in the tent of our bodies, while we are partially clothed, while we are waiting for our forever home, He graciously gives us the “down payment” of all that is yet to come when we go Home by giving us the Holy Spirit to dwell inside of us. (Ephesians 1:13-14) God is dwelling within every believing heart who has fully surrendered their will to Christ’s. This is the proof that we are His. His Spirit is our mark of being eternally adopted (Ephesians 1:5) and is our constant reminder that this painfully broken tent will one day be swallowed up by the fullness of Life With God, never again to be interrupted by sin and its devastating effects. Praise God for this indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Everyday Application

1) What is the building from God and how does it relate to being naked and clothed? (verses 1-5)
It’s easy to forget that this life is only the precursor for the life that will never end. It’s easy to put our trust in our everyday successes, and point to what we can build with our own hands as being the summit peak of our existence. The cute outfit, the well-behaved child, the flawless performance of a business deal, strong relationships, or amazing life-experiences can all distract us, keeping our eyes on the fleeting, temporary, and very quickly fading moments of now. What might shift in your actions, thoughts, words, and how you viewed the opportunities around you in relationships if you were looking through the lens of “eternity is coming, now is fleeting”? Would you invest more deeply? Where would you choose to eliminate activities because they are meaningless? Where would you slow down and create more space even at the expense of something else “important”? Take time this week to prayerfully ask the Lord to help you train your eyes, mind, heart, and hands to live for eternity rather than the temporary!

2) How do tents and buildings relate to being clothed and naked?
To have our brokenness, our shame, and all of our pain, emotional, physical, and relational, swallowed up and cast away, only to be replaced by a life more full and complete and never ending than we could possible comprehend….what a true gift!!! Where is the brokenness around you threatening to overwhelm you? Where are you tempted to believe that “now” is all we have? Don’t give up!! All of eternity is coming! Yes, we groan, just as Paul said we do, because this tent of a physical body and physical life brings disappointment deep and wide, but this is not as good as it gets! Fix your eyes not on what is seen around you, but on what is unseen. Anchor your heart in the unshakeable truths of Christ and all that is to come, and keep pressing onward. Connect with another trusted Christ-following friend this week and commit to encouraging one another to specifically keep following Jesus and focus on the eternal rather than the temporal!

3) How does the discussion of tents, buildings, naked, and clothed relate to God’s “purposes”? (verses 5-8)
Paul makes it clear in this passage that God’s intended purpose is to live with us perfectly for eternity. He longs to dwell with us so we can mutually delight in having fellowship with Him and with others who have trusted in Christ for their salvation. (1 John 1:3) As absolutely remarkable as this truth is, Paul calls the attention of the Corinthians to another strong reality in verses 10-11, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Therefore….we persuade others”! The precious gift of eternal life in a “building” that will never be destroyed and the richness of literally dwelling with the God of the Universe forever is meant to motivate us to t e l l  o t h e r s of this radical love! We are meant to persuade others by our love for them, our love for Jesus, and our bold willingness to share the gospel with our words so all can experience this dwelling with God for eternity. It is His love for us, and for all people, that motivates us to engage with everyone in our circle of influence about the freedom and rich love of knowing and living with God forever! (verses 14-15) Who have you told? Who will you tell? Who will you intentionally begin cultivating a relationship with so they can know God like you do? Eternity is at stake! Go, friend, SHARE truth with grace!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Being His!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

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Our Current Study Theme!

This is Sketched VII Week One!
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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

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