Pulelulu Sune 13, 2018

Nofo‘aki tali ki hotau sino toetu‘u fo‘ou

(Living in hope for our new resurrected bodies)

Fehu‘i #50

Ko e hā ‘a e ngaue ‘a e toetu‘u ‘a Kalaisí  ma‘a kitautolú ?

Na‘e ikuna‘i ‘e Kalaisi ‘a e angahalá  mo mate ‘i he‘ene toetu‘u ‘i he sinó  mei he pekiá  kae lava ai ki he fa‘ahinga ‘oku nau tui falala kiate Iá  ke nau toetu‘u ki ha mo‘ui fo‘ou ‘i he maama ko ení mo e mo‘ui ta‘engata ‘i he maama kaha‘ú. Hangē pe ko e ‘amanaki ki he‘etau toetu‘ú, ‘e toe fakafo‘ou ‘a e mamani ko ení. Ka ko kinautolu ‘oku ‘ikai ke tu‘u ‘enau falalá  ‘ia Kalaisí, ‘e fokotu‘u kinautolu ki he mate ta‘engata.

What does Christ's resurrection mean for us?

Christ triumphed over sin and death by being physically resurrected so that all who trust in him are raised to new life in this world and to everlasting life in the world to come. Just as we will one day be resurrected, so this world will one day be restored. But those who do not trust in Christ will be raised to everlasting death. 

1 TESALONAIKA 4:13-14

‘Oku ‘ikai te mau loto foki ke mou mūnoa, kāinga, ‘i he me‘a ki he kakai kuo mohe; ke ‘oua te mou mamahi ‘o hangē ko e kakai kehe, ‘a ia ‘oku ‘ikai ha‘anau ‘amanaki. He kapau leva ‘oku tau tui ne pekia ‘a Sīsū, pea toetu‘u, pehē foki ko e kakai na‘e fakamohe ko e me‘a ‘ia Sīsū, ‘e ‘omi kinautolu ‘e he ‘Otua fakataha mo ia.

1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-14

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

D. A. CARSON

That is our destination. So his resurrection is the firstfruit of what is often called a general resurrection at the end of the age. All human beings will be resurrected, whether to life or to condemnation, because we are essentially embodied people.

And with this comes also a vision of life and existence beyond this life. We should not think that Christianity merely sorts out some problems in our lives here. Rather, the ultimate goal is beyond this life. When we get older and more hairs fall out and arthritis kicks in, or we slink away into dementia, suddenly resurrection existence begins to look very good indeed because our hope is not to survive to seventy or eighty or even ninety. Our hope finally is a body like Christ's resurrection body. And his is the firstfruit; ours has been secured by him, and we are coming along behind him to join him in resurrection existence: full-bodied resurrection existence in the new heaven and the new earth, the home of righteousness. That's why 1 Thessalonians 4, the great resurrection chapter, ends with the words “Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

Prayer

Resurrecting God, make us mindful that death is not the end for us. save us from the judgment we deserve, and make us faithful to implore others to flee from the wrath to come. We look in hope to the joy that will be ours when, saved from that wrath through the merits of Christ, we will be clothed with resurrected bodies to reign on a renewed earth. Amen.

Tusite Sune 12, 2018

Te tau hangē tofu pe ko iá - ‘o sino langilangi‘ia

(We will be like Him – with gloried bodies)

Fehu‘i #50

Ko e hā ‘a e ngaue ‘a e toetu‘u ‘a Kalaisí  ma‘a kitautolú ?

Na‘e ikuna‘i ‘e Kalaisi ‘a e angahalá  mo mate ‘i he‘ene toetu‘u ‘i he sinó  mei he pekiá  kae lava ai ki he fa‘ahinga ‘oku nau tui falala kiate Iá  ke nau toetu‘u ki ha mo‘ui fo‘ou ‘i he maama ko ení mo e mo‘ui ta‘engata ‘i he maama kaha‘ú. Hangē pe ko e ‘amanaki ki he‘etau toetu‘ú, ‘e toe fakafo‘ou ‘a e mamani ko ení. Ka ko kinautolu ‘oku ‘ikai ke tu‘u ‘enau falalá  ‘ia Kalaisí, ‘e fokotu‘u kinautolu ki he mate ta‘engata.

What does Christ's resurrection mean for us?

Christ triumphed over sin and death by being physically resurrected so that all who trust in him are raised to new life in this world and to everlasting life in the world to come. Just as we will one day be resurrected, so this world will one day be restored. But those who do not trust in Christ will be raised to everlasting death.  

1 TESALONAIKA 4:13-14

‘Oku ‘ikai te mau loto foki ke mou mūnoa, kāinga, ‘i he me‘a ki he kakai kuo mohe; ke ‘oua te mou mamahi ‘o hangē ko e kakai kehe, ‘a ia ‘oku ‘ikai ha‘anau ‘amanaki. He kapau leva ‘oku tau tui ne pekia ‘a Sīsū, pea toetu‘u, pehē foki ko e kakai na‘e fakamohe ko e me‘a ‘ia Sīsū, ‘e ‘omi kinautolu ‘e he ‘Otua fakataha mo ia.

1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-14

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

D. A. CARSON

The resurrection also demonstrates the gospel's concern for human beings embodied. In other words, some people think of our ultimate state as kind of ethereal spirit beings without any connection with bodies. But part of elementary, fundamental Christian truth is that in the new heaven and the new earth, the ultimate goal, the home of righteousness, there will not be just heavenly existence. It’s earthly existence. It's a new heaven and a new earth, and we will have resurrection bodies like Christ's. That's one of the great arguments of 1 Corinthians 15. Paul argues that if Christ rose from dead in a resurrection body - which, however strange in some ways and remarkable it was, could be touched and handled, could be spoken to, could be seen and could actually eat human food – then when we, who are finally resurrected on the last day, come into that state, we will have resurrected bodies like his resurrection body.

Monite Sune 11, 2018

Fakae‘ee‘a ‘a e ma‘oni‘oni mo e totonu ‘a Kalaisí

(Christ is vindicated)

Fehu‘i #50

Ko e hā ‘a e ngaue ‘a e toetu‘u ‘a Kalaisí  ma‘a kitautolú ?

Na‘e ikuna‘i ‘e Kalaisi ‘a e angahalá  mo mate ‘i he‘ene toetu‘u ‘i he sinó  mei he pekiá  kae lava ai ki he fa‘ahinga ‘oku nau tui falala kiate Iá  ke nau toetu‘u ki ha mo‘ui fo‘ou ‘i he maama ko ení mo e mo‘ui ta‘engata ‘i he maama kaha‘ú. Hangē pe ko e ‘amanaki ki he‘etau toetu‘ú, ‘e toe fakafo‘ou ‘a e mamani ko ení. Ka ko kinautolu ‘oku ‘ikai ke tu‘u ‘enau falalá  ‘ia Kalaisí, ‘e fokotu‘u kinautolu ki he mate ta‘engata.

What does Christ's resurrection mean for us?

Christ triumphed over sin and death by being physically resurrected so that all who trust in him are raised to new life in this world and to everlasting life in the world to come. Just as we will one day be resurrected, so this world will one day be restored. But those who do not trust in Christ will be raised to everlasting death.  

1 TESALONAIKA 4:13-14

‘Oku ‘ikai te mau loto foki ke mou mūnoa, kāinga, ‘i he me‘a ki he kakai kuo mohe; ke ‘oua te mou mamahi ‘o hangē ko e kakai kehe, ‘a ia ‘oku ‘ikai ha‘anau ‘amanaki. He kapau leva ‘oku tau tui ne pekia ‘a Sīsū, pea toetu‘u, pehē foki ko e kakai na‘e fakamohe ko e me‘a ‘ia Sīsū, ‘e ‘omi kinautolu ‘e he ‘Otua fakataha mo ia.

1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-14

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

D. A. CARSON

The resurrection of Jesus Christ carries with it many, many wonderful implications. The first is that it vindicates Jesus. In other words some people thought that if Jesus died on the cross, it could only be because he deserved it. He was declared guilty by a Roman court. And the Old Testament itself insists that anyone who hangs on a tree is under the curse of God. But as it turns out, he did not die as a damned man because of his own sin. Rather, he was bearing the sin of others and that sacrifice so pleased God that God raised him from the dead. Thus, his resurrection is a form of vindication. It is proof positive when Jesus said with his dying words, "It is finished," God agreed. His Father agreed. The work of redemption had been accomplished, and the Father vindicates Jesus through the resurrection.

Sapate Sune 10, 2018

‘E a‘usia ‘a e tu‘unga langilangi‘iá  ‘e he me‘a kotoa

(everything will be glofied even nature)

Fehu‘i #50

Ko e hā ‘a e ngaue ‘a e toetu‘u ‘a Kalaisí  ma‘a kitautolú ?

Na‘e ikuna‘i ‘e Kalaisi ‘a e angahalá  mo mate ‘i he‘ene toetu‘u ‘i he sinó  mei he pekiá  kae lava ai ki he fa‘ahinga ‘oku nau tui falala kiate Iá  ke nau toetu‘u ki ha mo‘ui fo‘ou ‘i he maama ko ení mo e mo‘ui ta‘engata ‘i he maama kaha‘ú. Hangē pe ko e ‘amanaki ki he‘etau toetu‘ú, ‘e toe fakafo‘ou ‘a e mamani ko ení. Ka ko kinautolu ‘oku ‘ikai ke tu‘u ‘enau falalá  ‘ia Kalaisí, ‘e fokotu‘u kinautolu ki he mate ta‘engata.

What does Christ's resurrection mean for us?

Christ triumphed over sin and death by being physically resurrected so that all who trust in him are raised to new life in this world and to everlasting life in the world to come. Just as we will one day be resurrected, so this world will one day be restored. But those who do not trust in Christ will be raised to everlasting death.  

1 TESALONAIKA 4:13-14

‘Oku ‘ikai te mau loto foki ke mou mūnoa, kāinga, ‘i he me‘a ki he kakai kuo mohe; ke ‘oua te mou mamahi ‘o hangē ko e kakai kehe, ‘a ia ‘oku ‘ikai ha‘anau ‘amanaki. He kapau leva ‘oku tau tui ne pekia ‘a Sīsū, pea toetu‘u, pehē foki ko e kakai na‘e fakamohe ko e me‘a ‘ia Sīsū, ‘e ‘omi kinautolu ‘e he ‘Otua fakataha mo ia.

1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-14

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

Commentary - MARTYN LLOYD-JONES

The whole creation will have been delivered from the bondage of corruption and will be of enjoying “the glorious liberty of the children God” (Rom. 8:21). Everything will be glorified, even nature itself. And that seems to me to be the biblical teaching about the eternal state: that what we call heaven is life in this perfect world as God intended humanity to live it. When He put Adam in Paradise at the beginning Adam fell, and all fell with him, but men and women are meant to live in the body, and will live in a glorified body in a glorified world, and God will be with them.

Tokonaki Sune 9, 2018

‘Oku ne ngaue faka‘aho ma‘a kitautolu mo mamani

(he is active in our day-to-day lives and in this world)

Fehu‘i #49

‘Oku ‘i fē ‘a Kalaisi ‘i he taimi lolotongá ?

Na‘e toetu‘u ‘a Kalaisi ‘i he sinó  mei fa‘itoka ‘i he ‘aho hono tolú, hili ‘ene pekiá  pea ‘oku ne ‘afio ‘i he to‘omata‘u ‘o e Tamaí, ‘o ne pule‘i mei ai hono kakaí  mo hūfia kitautolu kae‘oua ke ne toe foki mai ke fakamaau‘i mo fakafo‘ou ‘a mamani.

Where is Christ now?

Christ rose bodily from the grave on the third day after his death and is seated at the right hand of the Father, ruling his kingdom and interceding for us, until he returns to judge and renew the whole world.

‘EFESO 1:20-21

‘a ia na‘a ne fai ‘ia Kalaisi, he‘ene fokotu‘u ia mei he pekia, mo ne fakanofo ia mei hono to‘omata‘u ‘i he ngaahi feitu‘u ‘o Langi, ‘o mā‘olunga ‘i he fa‘ahinga pule kotoa pē, mo e ma‘u tu‘unga, mo e ma‘u mālohi, mo e tu‘unga ‘eiki, ‘io, ‘i he hingoa kotoa pē ‘oku hingoa ‘aki ‘i he tu‘u ko eni, pea ‘ikai ngata ai, ka ‘i he tu‘u foki ka hoko mai;

EPHESIANS 1:20-21

He raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

DAVID BISGROVE

But there's even more. Not only is Jesus the King who rules, but he is the Priest who intercedes. Hebrews 10 tells us that Jesus is the great High Priest, who on the cross offered himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. He is now interceding and praying for us at the Father's right hand. He is our Advocate in every sense of that word. So to see Jesus at God's right hand as our High Priest is to remember that no condemnation for our sin, that Jesus sacrificed himself so that we could be united with him. We have the full rights, as God's children.

So, yes, Jesus is out of sight. We can't physically see him. But he is active in our day-to-day lives and in this world at the right hand of God the Father ruling as our King, interceding as our Priest, and waiting to return, when he will wipe away every tear, beat swords into plowshares, and flood the world with his glory and grace.

Prayer

Risen and Ascended Lord, though you no longer walk this earth, you rule over us from your throne. All authority and power are in you. Your name is above all names. Raise us up at the last day to live with you in your kingdom. Amen.

Falaite Sune 8, 2018

‘Amanaki mo e mālohi mei potu ‘oku ne ‘afio ai he lolotonga ni

(Where Christ is now, gives hope and courage)

Fehu‘i #49

‘Oku ‘i fē ‘a Kalaisi ‘i he taimi lolotongá ?

Na‘e toetu‘u ‘a Kalaisi ‘i he sinó  mei fa‘itoka ‘i he ‘aho hono tolú, hili ‘ene pekiá  pea ‘oku ne ‘afio ‘i he to‘omata‘u ‘o e Tamaí, ‘o ne pule‘i mei ai hono kakaí  mo hūfia kitautolu kae‘oua ke ne toe foki mai ke fakamaau‘i mo fakafo‘ou ‘a mamani.

Where is Christ now?

Christ rose bodily from the grave on the third day after his death and is seated at the right hand of the Father, ruling his kingdom and interceding for us, until he returns to judge and renew the whole world.

‘EFESO 1:20-21

‘a ia na‘a ne fai ‘ia Kalaisi, he‘ene fokotu‘u ia mei he pekia, mo ne fakanofo ia mei hono to‘omata‘u ‘i he ngaahi feitu‘u ‘o Langi, ‘o mā‘olunga ‘i he fa‘ahinga pule kotoa pē, mo e ma‘u tu‘unga, mo e ma‘u mālohi, mo e tu‘unga ‘eiki, ‘io, ‘i he hingoa kotoa pē ‘oku hingoa ‘aki ‘i he tu‘u ko eni, pea ‘ikai ngata ai, ka ‘i he tu‘u foki ka hoko mai;

EPHESIANS 1:20-21

He raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

DAVID BISGROVE

So where is Jesus now? He's seated at the right hand of God the Father. But what difference does that make to us in our day-to-day lives? First, it reminds us that Jesus rules over all creation. Psalm 110 paints a beautiful picture of God's enemies as a footstool of Jesus as he sits at the Father's right hand. Can you see the comfort of that in your daily life? When you struggle with discouragement or disappointment or bitterness about the way your life is going, or when all the injustice and evil in the world, and like David in Psalm 37 you're tempted to ask why the wicked seem to flourish, consider where Jesus is now. He's at the right Father. See him there. Enemies are his footstool. The One who conquered death is now ruling the world. Ephesians 1 says that Jesus was given all authority and will one day return and make the crooked places straight. So let where Jesus is now give you hope and courage to trust and follow him.

Tu‘apulelulu Sune 7, 2018

‘Oku ne ta‘ehā ka ‘oku ne mafeia ke tokonia

(He is out of sight but never out of mind)

Fehu‘i #49

‘Oku ‘i fē ‘a Kalaisi ‘i he taimi lolotongá ?

Na‘e toetu‘u ‘a Kalaisi ‘i he sinó  mei fa‘itoka ‘i he ‘aho hono tolú, hili ‘ene pekiá  pea ‘oku ne ‘afio ‘i he to‘omata‘u ‘o e Tamaí, ‘o ne pule‘i mei ai hono kakaí  mo hūfia kitautolu kae‘oua ke ne toe foki mai ke fakamaau‘i mo fakafo‘ou ‘a mamani.

Where is Christ now?

Christ rose bodily from the grave on the third day after his death and is seated at the right hand of the Father, ruling his kingdom and interceding for us, until he returns to judge and renew the whole world.

‘EFESO 1:20-21

‘a ia na‘a ne fai ‘ia Kalaisi, he‘ene fokotu‘u ia mei he pekia, mo ne fakanofo ia mei hono to‘omata‘u ‘i he ngaahi feitu‘u ‘o Langi, ‘o mā‘olunga ‘i he fa‘ahinga pule kotoa pē, mo e ma‘u tu‘unga, mo e ma‘u mālohi, mo e tu‘unga ‘eiki, ‘io, ‘i he hingoa kotoa pē ‘oku hingoa ‘aki ‘i he tu‘u ko eni, pea ‘ikai ngata ai, ka ‘i he tu‘u foki ka hoko mai;

EPHESIANS 1:20-21

He raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Commentary CHARLES WESLEY

Ever upward let us move,

Wafted on the wings of love;

Looking when our Lord shall come,

Longing, gasping after home.

There we shall with Thee remain,

Partners of Thy endless reign;

There Thy face unclouded see

Find our heaven of heavens in Thee!

DAVID BISGROVE

No doubt you've heard the phrase "out of sight, out of mind." Someone who's not around, whom you haven't seen in a long time, doesn't have much impact or relevance in your day-to-day life. The Bible tells us that after Jesus's resurrection, he ascended into heaven, disappearing from view, out of sight. But we're also told that because of where he now resides, we can be assured that he's relevant in our daily lives.

So where is Jesus now? He's seated at the right hand of God the Father. But what difference does that make to us in our day-to-day lives? First, it reminds us that Jesus rules over all creation. Psalm 110 paints a beautiful picture of God's enemies as a footstool of Jesus as he sits at the Father's right hand.

Pulelulu Sune 6, 2018

Malanata – nofo‘aki taki ki he‘ene hoko mai

(Maranatha…longing for His return)

Fehu‘i #49

‘Oku ‘i fē ‘a Kalaisi ‘i he taimi lolotongá ?

Na‘e toetu‘u ‘a Kalaisi ‘i he sinó  mei fa‘itoka ‘i he ‘aho hono tolú, hili ‘ene pekiá  pea ‘oku ne ‘afio ‘i he to‘omata‘u ‘o e Tamaí, ‘o ne pule‘i mei ai hono kakaí  mo hūfia kitautolu kae‘oua ke ne toe foki mai ke fakamaau‘i mo fakafo‘ou ‘a mamani.

Where is Christ now?

Christ rose bodily from the grave on the third day after his death and is seated at the right hand of the Father, ruling his kingdom and interceding for us, until he returns to judge and renew the whole world.

‘EFESO 1:20-21

‘a ia na‘a ne fai ‘ia Kalaisi, he‘ene fokotu‘u ia mei he pekia, mo ne fakanofo ia mei hono to‘omata‘u ‘i he ngaahi feitu‘u ‘o Langi, ‘o mā‘olunga ‘i he fa‘ahinga pule kotoa pē, mo e ma‘u tu‘unga, mo e ma‘u mālohi, mo e tu‘unga ‘eiki, ‘io, ‘i he hingoa kotoa pē ‘oku hingoa ‘aki ‘i he tu‘u ko eni, pea ‘ikai ngata ai, ka ‘i he tu‘u foki ka hoko mai;

EPHESIANS 1:20-21

He raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Commentary CHARLES WESLEY

Master, (will we ever say,)

Taken from our head to-day

See Thy faithful servants, see

Ever gazing up to Thee.

Grant, though parted from our sight,

High above yon azure height,

Grant our hearts may thither rise,

Following Thee beyond the skies.

Ever upward let us move,

Wafted on the wings of love;

Looking when our Lord shall come,

Longing, gasping after home.

Tusite Sune 5, 2018

‘Afio ‘i he ngeia kae kei hūfia kitaua

(Enthroned on high yet displays his love for us)

Fehu‘i #49

‘Oku ‘i fē ‘a Kalaisi ‘i he taimi lolotongá ?

Na‘e toetu‘u ‘a Kalaisi ‘i he sinó  mei fa‘itoka ‘i he ‘aho hono tolú, hili ‘ene pekiá  pea ‘oku ne ‘afio ‘i he to‘omata‘u ‘o e Tamaí, ‘o ne pule‘i mei ai hono kakaí  mo hūfia kitautolu kae‘oua ke ne toe foki mai ke fakamaau‘i mo fakafo‘ou ‘a mamani.

Where is Christ now?

Christ rose bodily from the grave on the third day after his death and is seated at the right hand of the Father, ruling his kingdom and interceding for us, until he returns to judge and renew the whole world.

‘EFESO 1:20-21

‘a ia na‘a ne fai ‘ia Kalaisi, he‘ene fokotu‘u ia mei he pekia, mo ne fakanofo ia mei hono to‘omata‘u ‘i he ngaahi feitu‘u ‘o Langi, ‘o mā‘olunga ‘i he fa‘ahinga pule kotoa pē, mo e ma‘u tu‘unga, mo e ma‘u mālohi, mo e tu‘unga ‘eiki, ‘io, ‘i he hingoa kotoa pē ‘oku hingoa ‘aki ‘i he tu‘u ko eni, pea ‘ikai ngata ai, ka ‘i he tu‘u foki ka hoko mai;

EPHESIANS 1:20-21

He raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Commentary CHARLES WESLEY

Him though highest heaven receives

Still He loves the earth He leaves

Though returning to His throne,

Still He calls mankind His own.

See! He lifts His hands above!

See! He shows the prints of love!

Hark! His gracious lips bestow

Blessings on His church below!

Still for us His death He pleads;

Prevalent, He intercedes

Near Himself prepares our place,

Harbinger of human race.

Monite Sune 4, 2018

‘Oku ne ‘i loto Langi mo e ikuna lahi

(in Heaven, triumphant)

Fehu‘i #49

‘Oku ‘i fē ‘a Kalaisi ‘i he taimi lolotongá ?

Na‘e toetu‘u ‘a Kalaisi ‘i he sinó  mei fa‘itoka ‘i he ‘aho hono tolú, hili ‘ene pekiá  pea ‘oku ne ‘afio ‘i he to‘omata‘u ‘o e Tamaí, ‘o ne pule‘i mei ai hono kakaí  mo hūfia kitautolu kae‘oua ke ne toe foki mai ke fakamaau‘i mo fakafo‘ou ‘a mamani.

Where is Christ now?

Christ rose bodily from the grave on the third day after his death and is seated at the right hand of the Father, ruling his kingdom and interceding for us, until he returns to judge and renew the whole world.

‘EFESO 1:20-21

‘a ia na‘a ne fai ‘ia Kalaisi, he‘ene fokotu‘u ia mei he pekia, mo ne fakanofo ia mei hono to‘omata‘u ‘i he ngaahi feitu‘u ‘o Langi, ‘o mā‘olunga ‘i he fa‘ahinga pule kotoa pē, mo e ma‘u tu‘unga, mo e ma‘u mālohi, mo e tu‘unga ‘eiki, ‘io, ‘i he hingoa kotoa pē ‘oku hingoa ‘aki ‘i he tu‘u ko eni, pea ‘ikai ngata ai, ka ‘i he tu‘u foki ka hoko mai;

EPHESIANS 1:20-21

He raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Commentary CHARLES WESLEY

Hail the day that sees Him rise,

Ravish'd from our wishful eyes!

Christ, awhile to mortals given,

Re-ascends His native heaven!

There the pompous triumph waits:

“Lift your heads, eternal gates,

Wide unfold the radiant scene,

Take the King of Glory in!”

Circled round with angel powers,

Their triumphant Lord, and ours,

Conqueror over death and sin,

Take the King of Glory in!

Sapate Sune 3, 2018

‘Oku ne ‘i he to‘omata‘u ‘o e Tamaí fai mei ai hotau hūfakí

(Christ physical location and spiritual work for us)

Fehu‘i #49

‘Oku ‘i fē ‘a Kalaisi ‘i he taimi lolotongá ?

Na‘e toetu‘u ‘a Kalaisi ‘i he sinó  mei fa‘itoka ‘i he ‘aho hono tolú, hili ‘ene pekiá  pea ‘oku ne ‘afio ‘i he to‘omata‘u ‘o e Tamaí, ‘o ne pule‘i mei ai hono kakaí  mo hūfia kitautolu kae‘oua ke ne toe foki mai ke fakamaau‘i mo fakafo‘ou ‘a mamani.

Where is Christ now?

Christ rose bodily from the grave on the third day after his death and is seated at the right hand of the Father, ruling his kingdom and interceding for us, until he returns to judge and renew the whole world.

‘EFESO 1:20-21

‘a ia na‘a ne fai ‘ia Kalaisi, he‘ene fokotu‘u ia mei he pekia, mo ne fakanofo ia mei hono to‘omata‘u ‘i he ngaahi feitu‘u ‘o Langi, ‘o mā‘olunga ‘i he fa‘ahinga pule kotoa pē, mo e ma‘u tu‘unga, mo e ma‘u mālohi, mo e tu‘unga ‘eiki, ‘io, ‘i he hingoa kotoa pē ‘oku hingoa ‘aki ‘i he tu‘u ko eni, pea ‘ikai ngata ai, ka ‘i he tu‘u foki ka hoko mai;

EPHESIANS 1:20-21

He raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Tokonaki Sune 2, 2018

Ko hono kakai, ko hono hoa, fakatau ‘aki hono ta‘ata‘a

(a people, a bride, paid for by His own blood)

Fehu‘i #48

Ko e hā ‘a e siasi?

‘Oku vahe‘i mo fakatolonga ‘e he ‘Otuá  ha falukunga kakai ma‘ana, ko ha fa‘ahinga kuo fili ki he mo‘ui ta‘engatá pea fakatahataha‘i ‘i he tui pea ‘oku nau ‘ofa, muimui, ako mo lotu fakataha. ‘Oku fekau‘i atu kinautolu ‘e he ‘Otuá  ke nau malanga‘i ‘a e koosipelí  mo nau fakahaa‘i ‘a e pule‘anga ‘o Kalaisí  ‘i he‘enau to‘onga mo‘uí  mo ‘enau fe‘ofa‘akí.

What is the church?

God chooses and preserves for himself a community elected for eternal life and united by faith, who love, follow, learn from, and worship God together. God sends out this community to proclaim the gospel and prefigure Christ's kingdom by the quality of their life together and their love for one another.

2 TESALONAIKA 2:13

Ka ko kimautolu, ko ‘emau ngāue ke fai, ko e fakafeta‘i ma‘u ai pē ki he ‘Otua koe‘uhi ko kimoutolu, si‘i kāinga ‘ofeina ‘e he ‘Eiki, koe‘uhi ko e fili kimoutolu ‘e he ‘Otua mei he kamata‘anga, ke mou ma‘u ‘a e fakamo‘ui, ‘i he fakamā‘oni‘oni‘i kimoutolu ‘e he Laumālie, pea ‘i ho‘omou tui ki he mo‘oni.

2 THESSALONIANS 2:13

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

JOHN YATES

The church is summed up in this wonderful old hymn by Samuel J Stone:

The church's one foundation

is Jesus Christ her Lord;

she is his new creation

by water and the word.

From heaven he came and sought her

to be his holy bride

with his own blood he bought her,

and for her life he died.

Elect from every nation,

yet one o'er all the earth;

her charter of salvation,

one Lord, one faith, one birth;

one holy name she blesses

partakes one holy food,

and to one hope she presses,

with every grace endued.

Prayer

King Over All, you have brought us together as the family of God. Keep us faithful to worship together, to love one another, and to provide for each other's needs. Let our fellowship be genuine, and help us to spur one another on in the faith. Amen