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
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■
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
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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