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April 15,1992...The Portland Observer...Page 7 Portland Observer Scripture o f the t^eek. RELIGION Insight on the Word: Jesus Christ Is Risen! He Keeps Our Hope Alive BY MICHAEL LINDSEY, Dean of North Portland Bible College The Bible text fo r next w eek's Sun day School lesson is Mark 15:42 through 16:8, the Biblical account o f the burial and resurrection o f Jesus Christ. This concludes our series o f studies in the Gospel o f M ark; next week we will begin a series o f six Bible lessons fro m 1 & 2 Peter. If ever there were desperate times, the follow ers o f Jesus knew that these were desperate times. T heir rabbi had been taken by force late at night, and tried in both Jewish and Roman court by early the next morning, and cruci fied by noon that day— and most sur prising o f all, Jesus was dead before sundown that same day. How could you m ake sense o f all that, how could you still have any hope for the future? It is small wonder that the twelve (actually eleven) disciples ran and hid. With Jesus dead, hung like a murderer, what hope was there for the Kingdom of God? Jesus was not like any Messiah (orC hrist) they understood. Why didn’t he act in power to overcom e the en em ies, set up a kingdom and save his people? How could he die so m eekly, like a lam b going to the slaughter? M ark’s account o f the burial of Jesus, and the discovery of his resurrec tion, em phasizes the faith o f other fol lowers o f Jesus— other than the aposdes. The w ords we read in our Bibles today as Mark 16:9-20 arc not found in some of the m ost ancient and reliable m anu scripts o f Mark, and many others mark these verses as questionable or quote them with many variations. These verses were known from very early commentary of the Church Fathers, but they w ere also regarded as spurious by some o f those same Fathers. So it is best to conclude that these verses were a simple account of Jesus’ resurrection appearances, added to this Gospel soon after it was written, as an ending to a book which seemed to end too abruptly. And it is best to take verse 8 as the end of the G ospel as M ark intended it. Mark didn’t need to rehearse the testimonies o f the resurrection, for P e ter and many others shared their w it ness to it continually (th at’s the point o f 1 Corinthians 15:3-8). The other G os pels fill in much wonderful detail about Jesus’ appearances after the resurrec death; the linen and spices were a m a tion, including some incidents which jor expense, especially on such short were obviously summarized in our Mark notice. The personal work of wrapping 16:8-20. W ith that much said about the the body and anointing it with spices ending of Mark, let’s focus our atten throughout, took these men away from tion on one o f the followers o f Jesus the ongoing celebrations of Passover Christ, whose deeds Mark did record and their own preparations for the ap for us. proaching Sabbath. M ost o f all, the We can learn a lot about faith and Law declared them unclean for touch hope from Joseph of Arimathaea (15:43- ing a corpse (Num 19:11-16), but they 46). The four Gospels all mention him decided their love for Jesus was a higher at this point o f the narrative, and the duly o f the Law. picture we get from them is impressive. How often we’ve seen people to Joseph was a man o f some wealth, since day, who started out right, attending he had a hewn sepulchre (tomb), not yet church and living for Jesus. They sang, used, in a garden (John 19:41-42) near “ I am on the battlefield for my L ord.” the hill called Calvary. He was a man But as they grew older, they gained of great influence, a “counsellor” or some measure of wealth, and some member o f the Jewish Council, the measure of education and sophistica Sanhedrin. tion, and they found out it w asn’t ac And yet he was a follower o f Jesus ceptable to be dedicated (I mean sold Christ. John tells us Joseph was a secret out) to Jesus. So they had to decide, disciple, because he feared the Jews. whether they would lake the heat and Perhaps Mark tells us why Joseph be stand up for the Son. I know some came a follower of Jesus— he was one people who have lost their faith be who “w aited for the kingdom of G od.” cause they wanted to trust their own Unlike many other spiritual leaders o f accom plishm ents, reputation or re the Jews, Joseph had not become greedy sources— not because Jesus had failed or power-hungry; he still looked for them. ward to the blessed day when God Joseph o f Arimathaea shows us would break into human history and the right path to take. Seeking advance establish his righteous rule over the ment in life is not wrong, as long as earth. And the teachings of Jesus o f these things don’t chill your love for Nazareth convinced Joseph that Jesus the Savior. Gaining some wealth is not was the beginning of that kingdom rule. bad in itself, unless you forget how God We have no reason to believe that enabled you to get w hat you have (Dcut Joseph understood Jesus’ death any 8:17-18), so you can share freely with better than the rest. In fact, Joseph and those in need (1 Tim 6:17-19). Nicodemus used a lot o f expensive Ifw earen’tcarcful.w ecould spend spices as they hastily prepared the body all our lives trying to reach our dreams, of burial (again, we read this in John’s only to end up empty. Faith in Jesus Gospel). These spices were the Jewish and his resurrection will give us a w on way to forstall the inevitable putrifaction derful, “ living hope” both for this life o fa decaying body. They didn’t expect and for the life to come. Here and now, a resurrection. Jesus invites us to share in his new life, Still, Joseph took great risks to with a growing likeness to the charac honor the One he called M aster and ter and qualities o f God. These very Teacher. H e “boldly” soughtoutPilate, qualities include the qualities o f love in the m idst of the hubbub of Passover and joy and peace o f mind and gentle crowds and activities, to beg for Jesus’ ness and self-control, which make body. His secret devotion to Jesus people truly hum an, truly bearers o f the would soon be open knowledge— now image of God (Col 3:9-10). that the N azarene was discredited and And in the life to come, our hope dead, convicted of treason. This could is a place o f joy, and fellowship with have cost Joseph his place of honor in God in Christ— ”an inheritance incor the Sanhedrin, and made him an object ruptible. .. reserved in heaven for you” o f ridicule or even hatred. (1 Peter 1:4). That was worth more to He and Nicodemus spared no ex Joseph than any wealth or position or pense to honor Jesus. The new tomb status. And it should be for us as well. had probably been prepared for his own Profile of Brother Charles Edward Coleman I Evangelist Church of Christ Pittsburg, CA Charles Coleman was born D e cem ber 4, 1955 in O akland, CA to M e lro se an d E rn e stin e C o le m a n . C harles com pleted 14 years ot his ed u cation in O akland, w hich included M cOlymonds High School and M erritt College. Bro. Coleman was added to the body of Christ in 1976, under the teach ing o f Evangelist Joe O. Pitts, Sr. serv ing the 13 th Avenue Church of Christ in O akland, CA. C harles’ mem bership remained at 13th Avenue for ten years, during which time he began preaching and tcachingG od’s word. Bro.Coleman also served in the capacity o f Youth M inster, Chorus D irector, and New Converts Minister. Bro. Coleman has served the church by way of teaching classes, home stud ies and Sunday School. He has preached in various congregations throughout the Bay Area and outside, including South ern C alifornia and in Illinois. Bro. Coleman also worked alongside Bro. T.O. Jackson of Oklahoma in the E van gelism department for the 1985 San Francisco Crusade for Christ. Bro. Coleman later placed m em bership at the Church o f C hrist at M acDonald Avenue in Richmond, CA where he served as m inistcr of Personal Evangelism and Care G roup Director for four years alongside Evangelist’s J.C. Thom as Jr. and Rolland Jackson. O n S ep tem b er 30, 1990 B ro. Colem an became the Evangelist o f the Diane Avenue Church of Christ in the City o f Pittsburg, CA. There under his direction the following programs have been set up: a Substance Abuse Pro gram, Literacy Program , Child Abuse A wareness Program, and a local net work television program enlitled“ Righ- teousness Exalts a N ation.” This pro gram is aired weekly and can be viewed in P ittsb u rg , W est P ittsb u rg , and Antioch, California. mt O livet baptist C hurch Lonnie L. Jessie, born April 4, 1922, departed this life on March 17, 1992. Pastor Donald Frazier officiated the service on March 24th at St. Paul COGIC. He leaves to mourn, his be loved wife Doris Jessie; five sons, Leonard, Kenneth, Ronnie, Gerald and Kevin; three daughters, Diana Strawda, Dorthy Blakely of Vancouver, W ash ington, and Vera W esley of Portland; 25 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchil dren; one sister, Margie Smith o f Kan sas City; three brothers, Elder Robert Jessie o f Los Angeles, CA , Rev. Leon Jessie o f Oklahom a C ity, Oklahoma, and James Jessie o f Portland, Oregon. Lonnie was the ow ner and man ager o f Custom Auto Polish Detail Shop for a number of years on 11th and Burnside. He served in the U.S. Army four years, and received the Good C on duct Medal, EAM E Service Ribbon and one Silver Star. Lonnie also did volunteer work for the Community Care Association, Inc. Lonnie was kind and fair to all. We will miss him. Has moved Sunday services to Organizers of the Minority Health Conference announced plans for the first annual Family Day-Health Fair and Diversity Celebration on Thurs day, April 30, 1992 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Oregon Convention Center, 700 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The Fair/Celebration is free and will offer activities throughout the evening, which include free health screenings for blood pressure, bone marrow testing, dental, hearing and vi sion. There will be refreshments and prizes. M ulti-Cultural groups will present entertainm ent for the evening. Plus, forty education exhibits and five cul tural exhibits. The purpose of the Family Day- Health Fair and Diversity Celebration is to encourage family participation, promote family health and to celebrate the “Beauty” in the diversity o f Oregon Families. Your Loving Wife, Lydia Mumford Worship Services 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Church School 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Bible Study, Wednesdays, 116 N.E. Schuyler 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Radio Ministry each Sunday, 8:00 a.m. on KBMS A Teaching Church With A Reaching Ministry Dr. James E. Martin, Senior Pastor C hurch Office 116 N.E. Schuyler St. M allory C hurch of C hrist 3908 NE M ALLORY AVENUE SUNDAY SCHEDULE Bible Study 9:30 am. Morning Worship 10:45 am. Men’s Training Leadership Women’s Bible Class 5:00 pm. Evening Worship 6:00 pm. Attended nursery for all services Wednesday prayer meeting and bible study 7:30 pm. Minister Gregory Fobbs adío Ministry Each Sunday, 11:00 AM - KBMS 288-1092 R E S TO R IN G _____ - . — ■ I ■—x. I -T -1 A K 1 I T \ / "C H U R C H R E N E W A L ” J ia p tts t C tfu rc tf May 2-6, 1992 Theme: “ Restore My Soul” 8101 N. Fiske Avenue Portland, Oregon 97203 Concert: May 2,1992 7:00-10:00 p.m. Church Pho.ie: 2 8 9 -4 1 4 7 Jefferson High School Auditorium 5210 N. Kerby Homecoming Day Sunday - May 3,1992 Bible Class Assembly - 9:30-10:30 a.m. Worship and Praise - 10:45-12:15 p.m. Fellowship and Potluck - 12:30-1:30 p.m. Worship and Praise - 1 :45-2:30 p.m. Fellowship Sing-A-Rama - 2:45-5:00 p.m. Church Renewal Services: Sunday Service 10:45 Sunday School 9:30 Bible Study 6:00 Evening Service 7:00 P.M. Nightly Monday thru Wednesday 7:30 p.m. Study Phone: 2 8 9 -1 9 1 1 Pastor. R ev Ja m e s C E . F a u lk n e r T h em e: W hatever you're going to do fo r th e Lord, do it now Mallory Church of Christ 3908 N.E. Mallory (503) 288-1092 I Peter lw.11 Evangelist, Charles Coleman I Pittsburg, California Greg Fobbs, Local Minister LLiiuti--i-ni--LiimMmMMMMimiim nn "- ___________ ......... linninnniPimwMtmMBiuwuto»»»»—MWiMaMM » Jesus Loves You! A ll en Temple CME Ck urch (corner of Blh 4 Skidmore) needs o f others before himself. He loved to sing, and it was evident that he enjoyed using this talent he was blessed with. There has not been a day in these seven years that Irctta and I have not thought about you, and your memory will always be there with us. W e’ll always love you. Stone Tower Church, N.E. Sandy Blvd. & 30th Family Day- Health Fair And Diversity Celebration 4236 NE Eighth Avenue “ Loving husband, loving father, all-around good- guy.” H is full nam e w as Ira D aniel Mumford. But to some he was known as Superchief,” o r “ Unc." H cw cnthom e to be with our Heavenly Father on April 6 ,1 9 8 5 . Ira was blessed with personal ity plus, a warm smile that put you at ise and he made you feel as it he had known you forever with his charm and race. He was a people person who would take that extra step to help any- >ed. Often he would put the ¡n Loving Memory ftfl/m 34:3 In Memory Matthew, Chapter 7 Portland, Oregon 97211 (503) 287-0261 Phillip 1 Nikon Pastor For Best Results Advertise in the Observer^ M a llo ry Avenue Christian Church D i s c i p l e s God's Presence promises Pouter through Jesus Christ in Good Times and Bod Times Matthew / L 2 3 "Come to me all you who ore weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest" 9:45am 11:00om 7:30pm Sunday School Morning Worship Tuesday Bible Study and Prayer Inter-rociol Congregation Denise Fl. ßell. Postor 126 N.€. Alberto + Portland, OR 97211 t (503) 268-5173
