The church is a living body with a heart, ears, eyes, connecting ligaments and a mind. When one part of the body hurts the whole body hurts. Each part has a particular task and skill. Losing a part hurts the body. Each part needs to be kept healthy.

The story of Lazarus shows how the body is to be transformed. He was loved by Jesus and when he died, Jesus wept. However, he allowed Lazarus death to show those around him and us the power Jesus has to provide life. Life beyond the common place life which many of us have. Life which is revealed in Jesus himself. Life which is transformed out of the old. Life that is worth living.

Over the next months, you can learn about the transformed life. The sermons will reveal life through Lazarus. They will reveal how we get stuck in our own tombs. Tombs which we all have and which bind us to the old and static way of seeing life. Together we will learn about the plan where God meets us so that we can "unmake" our old ways. Actually the word "unmake" means repent. And Lazarus shows us how to come out of our old tomb through repentance to realize a new, transformed body.

This might sound like a mythical way of seeing something new. It isn't new at all. Paul says we are to be transformed. Therefore, the Board has begun to read and understand more about the transformed life.  I am asking each part of the body to do the same.

The church, which is a body, can be transformed and it starts with each of us right now. I urge each of you to begin reading Living the Lazarus Life by Stephen Smith. We have a copy for you to read found in the Gathering Area or in the church office. The cost is $10. With times being difficult, if $10 is too much we will work it out. The body of the church will become healthier as each person begins a process of being transformed.

As we continue in the year, the sermons will open the door to being transformed. If you miss one, you can go online to our website and listen. This begins with January 31. Life groups can begin anytime using the study guide which opens the way for the process of transformation to begin. We can become a transformed body known as the Church.

Pastor Steve