PPic: Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006

PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

Study 33 – November 5th - 11th 2007.
Reading – John Chapter Ch 11: verses 17 to 27.

“Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? Yes Lord! She answered. I do believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who has come into the world” John Chapter 11: verses 25 to 27. (Good News Bible)

Is There Life After Death?

As a golfer you hear many jokes about golf and whether it is played in heaven. I have just organized and paid for some advertising of our Links ministry in a number of golf magazines and the title of the advertising is this question; “Is there golf in heaven”?
For many it is just a joke, but beneath the surface lays this ultimate question that we all have an interest in; “Is their life after death”?

In our reading of John Chapter 11 we are continuing an extended reading of Lazarus’ sickness and eventual death and Jesus’ late arrival to see him. His sisters Mary and Martha have been waiting for Jesus to come and when Jesus’ arrives Martha expresses her disappointment that Jesus is too late to help. Lazarus has been dead for 4 days.
Jesus says to Martha that Lazarus will rise to life and that he has the authority over life and death. What an amazing thing to say!

I am reading a book at present by an atheist Phillip Adams an Australian broadcaster, filmmaker and writer entitled “Adams vs God, The Rematch”. It is an entertaining book that sometimes makes me laugh, sometimes I get angry and other times I feel sorry for him at his weak efforts to dismiss God. I am looking forward for Phillip’s rematch again, since he is frustrated that God is still alive and kicking after his first bout.
His belief is that as science progresses to its imaginary status as King and Lord, God will gradually fade from the scene in society.

Phillip in his book says that death is the end of life the full stop of our existence, see page 50. In another place he says that our existence on the earth is only reality and after that we will not be conscious of existing. Philip doesn’t like those who have faith; especially in God, he reckons faith is like believing in fairy tales, and that science is the only certain reality.

What amuses me is how does Phillip know there is no life after death, particularly as a man who champions science? I was unaware that science had tested and shown there is no life after death. I think Philip is more a believer than he realizes.

Jesus says to Martha that he who believes in him will never die. The death and resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the foundation of Christianity and has more credentials going for it than many realize. The question Jesus asks Martha is does she believe? What about you? I am aware that more and more people today are leaving behind their faith in God and going for a more materialistic and secular life.

Faith is something that doesn’t develop from fairytales, but from an appreciation of the meaning to life and it’s ultimate purpose. For me the biggest factor was the life of Jesus, the bible and how God answered my prayer by coming into my life. See Ephesians Chapter 1 verses 13 and 14.
Also our conscience and values, the created world, the value we give to relationships, how everything in life fits together give faith in God credibility.

Prayer, Lord God, teach us to seek you with all our heart and thank you that in Jesus we can find answers to questions of life and death. Amen.

Upcoming Events

Click event for more details.

Wyong Trainee Pro-Am.

Venue: Wyong Golf Cub
Date: Monday 17th November.
Cost: $50
Tee Time: 7:30am and
12 noon shotgun start.
Contact: Graham on 02 9740 9069
or email.

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