Author: Southside Church

  • Resurrection Sunday

    Resurrection Sunday

    Jesus repositions us from a victim to a victor in my suffering, transforms my wounds into a witness and turns death into a doorway leading to eternal life.

    It’s a powerful thing to consider how Jesus’ resurrection reframes our understanding of life’s difficulties. Words like ‘suffering’, ‘woundedness’, and ‘death’ often bring feelings of oppression, hurt, and loss.

    However, the resurrection of Jesus offers a new perspective, turning these experiences into paths of redemption.

    Firstly, Suffering Doesn’t Define Me, It Refines Me.

    Like refining gold through intense heat to reveal its purity, our trials can purify our faith, building perseverance, character, and hope. Through Christ’s resurrection, our suffering can become a reflection of our risen Savior, moving us from victim to victor.

    Reflect:

    1. In what areas of your life do you currently feel defined by your suffering?
    2. Can you identify a time when a difficult experience ultimately led to personal growth or a deeper understanding of yourself or your faith?
    3. How might shifting your perspective from “why me?” to “what now?” change your approach to current challenges?
    4. What does it mean to you that your suffering can reflect the image of Christ?
    5. What is one small step you can take this week to view a current struggle as an opportunity for refinement rather than just a source of pain?

    Secondly, Wounds No Longer Need to Transmit Negativity to Others, but Can Be Transformed into a Witness.

    Jesus’ wounds led Thomas from doubt to faith. Similarly, our wounds can become testimonies to God’s presence and healing. We connect through vulnerability, and our stories of overcoming hardship can offer hope to others.

    Reflect:

    1. What are some of the “wounds” in your life – past or present – that you might be tempted to hide or feel ashamed of?
    2. Can you think of a time when someone else’s vulnerability or story of overcoming hardship resonated deeply with you?
    3. How might you begin to see your own experiences of woundedness as potential points of connection and witness to others?
    4. What does the idea of being a “wounded healer” mean to you?
    5. Who in your life might benefit from hearing a story of hope that has emerged from your own pain?

    Thirdly, Death Becomes a Doorway to Life, Not a Dead-End.

    The resurrection transforms death from a finality to a passage into eternal life. This understanding shifts our focus from solely earthly concerns to an eternal perspective, freeing us from the fear of death and empowering us to live intentionally.

    Reflect:

    1. How does the concept of death as a “doorway to life” impact your perspective on your current life?
    2. What are some of the “treasures” you are currently focused on accumulating in your life? Are these earthly or eternal?
    3. How does the resurrection challenge any fears you might have about death?
    4. What does it mean to you to “live with the end in mind”? How might this influence your daily choices?
    5. In what ways can you begin to prioritize “stockpiling treasure in heaven”?

    On this Easter Sunday, the invitation extended to us is profound: to believe in the transformative power of the resurrection in every aspect of our lives – our suffering, our wounds, and even in the face of death. Jesus’ question, “Do you believe this?” is a personal one, inviting each of us to embrace this new reality.

    closing prayer

    Heavenly Father, on this glorious Resurrection Sunday, we thank you for the victory over death through Jesus Christ. Help us to see our suffering as refinement, our wounds as witness, and death as a doorway to eternal life. Strengthen our belief in the power of the resurrection and empower us to live as victors, sharing hope with others. Amen.

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  • Living in the Shadow of the Cross

    Living in the Shadow of the Cross

    The life that brings true fulfillment is a cross-shaped life, a life of letting go, giving up our own way, and looking out for others, for those who are hurting and in need.

    The cry of Jesus, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” reveals a depth of abandonment we can scarcely fathom. This perfect unity of the Trinity fractured as He bore the weight of our sin. Utterly alone.

    Consider the journey to the cross: rejected by the crowds who once hailed Him, denied by Peter in a moment of fear, abandoned by His closest friends in Gethsemane, betrayed by Judas, one of His own. 

    Yet, in the midst of this, Jesus, knowing what lay ahead for each of them, knelt and washed their feet – an act of profound humility and service. “I have given you an example,” He said, “Do as I have done to you.”

    His suffering mirrors our own experiences of pain and brokenness. He understands our weaknesses. But His response was not one of retaliation or self-preservation. Instead, He offered a different way: the way of the towel, not the sword.

    We live in a fractured world, prone to conflict, selfishness, and fear. But in Christ, we are called to a different way of being, a “cross shaped life.” Our relationships become the proving ground of this transformation. Do we build walls with accusations and defensiveness, or do we kneel in humility, seeking to serve and understand?

    Jesus, though divine, embraced the lowest place, reversing the world’s power structures. We are called to the same attitude: humility, considering others before ourselves. This counter-intuitive path, the way of losing our life to find it, leads to true life and flourishing, both for ourselves and for those around us.

    A cross-shaped life is one where we are “there” for one another, attuned to the needs of those around us. It begins in our closest relationships, where we choose empathy over blame, appreciation over criticism, and vulnerability over defensiveness.

    The character of God, revealed in Christ, is cruciform. As we approach communion, let us examine what we hold in our hands: a sword of self-interest, or a towel of service? Let us lay down the former and take up the latter, allowing Jesus to guide us into a life shaped by the cross.

    Reflect:

    1. In what areas of your life do you find yourself more prone to picking up the “sword” rather than the “towel” in your interactions with others?
    2. Think of a recent situation where you felt rejected, abandoned, or betrayed. How might reflecting on Jesus’s experience in those moments offer you comfort or a new perspective?
    3. What is one practical way you can “take up the towel” in one of your relationships this week, demonstrating humility and service?
    4. Consider the “You never/You always” statements or defensiveness you might fall into. How can you replace these with more empathetic and understanding communication?
    5. What does living a “cross-shaped life” truly mean to you in your daily actions and choices?

    Closing Prayer:

    Heavenly Father, we thank you for the profound example of your Son, Jesus Christ. We are humbled as we reflect on His suffering, His love, and His radical act of service. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have chosen the way of the sword, causing hurt and division. Grant us the grace and courage to lay down our pride and defensiveness, and to take up the towel of humility and service. Teach us what it means to truly live in the shadow of the cross, shaping our lives after the pattern of Christ’s selfless love. May we be instruments of reconciliation and grace in our homes, our communities, and the world. Amen.

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  • Palm Sunday

    Palm Sunday

    14 April 2025

    God’s promises are not dependent on our plans working out, all we need is His presence. “Hosanna” in joy and “Hosanna” in hardship.

    Palm Sunday invites us to reflect on Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, a moment marked by both celebration and sorrow. John 12:12 recounts the excited crowd greeting Jesus with palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna!”, hailing Him as the Messiah. This was a fulfillment of regional custom, where kings entered on donkeys as symbols of peace, and the laying of palms signified victory and recognition.

    The people’s “Hosanna” was a fervent expression of hope for political and military liberation, believing God’s promise was about to be realized according to their expectations.

    However, Luke 19:41 reveals Jesus’ tearful response upon seeing the city. While they praised, He wept, foreseeing Jerusalem’s destruction and their blindness to His true mission. Their understanding of peace and salvation was limited to earthly deliverance.

    As Phillip Yancey noted, the “Hosanna” of one week would become “Crucify Him!” the next, because their praise was contingent on Jesus fulfilling their preconceived notions of victory.

    Jesus’ mission was not to save them from Roman rule but from death, offering eternal life. Often, our passionate worship is tied to the belief that God is aligning with our plans. But Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God’s thoughts and ways are far beyond our own. Tim Keller’s insight that God gives us what we ask or what we would ask if we knew all He knows, highlights the limitations of our perspective. Jesus wept because their praise was based on a misunderstanding that would lead to rejection when His true, greater purpose unfolded.

    We can also fall into this trap, where our “Hallelujah” is conditional. We must be careful not to confine God’s promises to our personal context. A setback in our plans doesn’t equate to a failure of God’s promises; it may simply indicate His higher ways at work (Proverbs 19:21). True faith allows us to sing “Hosanna” even in hardship. 

    Paul’s instruction in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to rejoice always and give thanks in every situation points to God’s will for us, even amidst broken plans. Praise invites God’s presence into these difficult places. Jesus promised His presence, not the guarantee of our plans succeeding. The people rejected Him because His actions didn’t meet their expectations, missing the greater gift of His presence.

    Paul’s experience in prison demonstrates the power of praise to invite God’s presence into seemingly hopeless situations. Had the people of Jerusalem maintained their “Hosanna,” even when Jesus’ path differed from their expectations, history might have unfolded differently. 

    God’s promises are not dependent on our plans working out; all we need is His presence. “Hosanna” in joy and “Hosanna” in hardship.

    Reflect:

    • Where in your life have you turned to God in disappointment because of plans that didn’t work out saying, “But God, you promised!”
    • Where have you felt that the expectation of a victory in Christ was dashed by circumstances that weren’t part of your plans?
    • Where in your life do wrecked plans need to be filled with God’s praise?
    • Where in your hardship does Jesus desire to hear you shout “Hosanna” once again?
    • What is your next step?

    Prayer:

    Heavenly Father, as we reflect on Palm Sunday, we thank You for Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice and the eternal salvation He offers. Forgive us for limiting Your power to our understanding and allowing disappointment to overshadow Your faithfulness. Help us to trust Your higher ways and offer unceasing praise, knowing Your presence is our greatest promise. Strengthen us to shout “Hosanna” in all circumstances, confident in Your unfailing love and purpose. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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  • Our God

    Our God

    Our GOD Hears – Our God Sees – Our God Rescues – Our God Remembers

    Our God  sees us, He  hears us , He rescues us, and He remembers us. 

    We often carry within us a personal image of God, shaped by our experiences and interpretations. But let us set aside our preconceptions and consider the truths revealed in scripture.

    In Exodus, we encounter Moses at the burning bush. God declares, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress… I am aware of their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them” (Exodus 3:7). This powerful declaration reveals a God who is not distant or indifferent, but intimately involved in the lives of His people. He sees their pain, hears their cries, and acts to deliver them.

    Even before Moses, we find the story of Hagar, an Egyptian slave. In her distress, wandering in the wilderness, the Angel of the Lord finds her. Hagar, in her own words, names God “Behr El Roi – the God who hears” and “the God who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13-14) 

    When the Angel of the Lord met Hagar, He asked her: “Where are you coming from, and where are you going?”

     Our lives are narratives, stories we tell ourselves to make sense of our experiences. Yet, these stories are often incomplete, shaped by our biases and selective memories. But God sees the complete picture, the hidden depths of our hearts. He hears our unspoken cries and understands our deepest struggles.

    To truly see and be seen is a profound human need. It is an affirmation of our worth and existence. God, in His infinite love, sees us completely, not just our outward appearance, but our innermost being. He invites us to bring our stories to Him, to share our burdens, and to find solace in His presence.

    We are called to mirror God’s love by seeing and hearing others, by creating spaces of belonging and acceptance within our communities. We are not meant to live in isolation, but in together, where we can share our stories and find support.

    Reflect:

    1. How has your personal image of God influenced your relationship with Him?
    2. In what areas of your life do you feel unseen or unheard?
    3. How can you create space to truly see and hear those around you?
    4. What stories are you telling yourself about your life? Are they complete and truthful?
    5. What do you need to tell God today that you have been holding back?

    Closing Prayer:

    Heavenly Father, we thank you for being a God who sees and hears us. We acknowledge that our understanding of you is often limited and flawed. Help us to set aside our preconceptions and embrace the truth of your love and compassion. We bring our stories to you, the triumphs and the struggles, the joys and the sorrows. Help us to see others as you see them, with love and understanding. Grant us the courage to be vulnerable and honest, both with you and with those around us. May we create communities where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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