Solid sermon. Didn't really do much creative with the text. Felt sort of like "been there, done that."
I love the early era of American history. The sermon does not do justice to the compromise and effort that went into creating and passing the Constitution that would become the framework of our nation. I missed an opportunity to expand the illustration by not referencing how James Madison "worked" the tavern in the days prior to the Convention (and as they waited for a quorum to arrive). In some ways, the time spent sharing food and drink created the atmosphere that would allow for compromise to happen. That would have fit into the final point when I was discussing gathering around the Table.
I love the early era of American history. The sermon does not do justice to the compromise and effort that went into creating and passing the Constitution that would become the framework of our nation. I missed an opportunity to expand the illustration by not referencing how James Madison "worked" the tavern in the days prior to the Convention (and as they waited for a quorum to arrive). In some ways, the time spent sharing food and drink created the atmosphere that would allow for compromise to happen. That would have fit into the final point when I was discussing gathering around the Table.
Introduction: We continue to look at significant moments from the Book of Acts, which is also called the Book of the Acts of the Apostles!
Today, we reflect on what happened after Pentecost.
Move 1: After Pentecost, “Awe came upon everyone.”
a. Indeed, Pentecost and its aftermath represented a powerful moment.
1. Tongues of fire.
2. Descending of the Holy Spirit.
3. Speaking of all the languages of the world.
4. 3,000 believed.
b. But it was not enough.
1. WE know about what happens when people become filled with enthusiasm in the moment.
2. It wears off quickly, and they return to their normal routines.
3. root word in Greek for enthusiasm is theos – God; filled with God (The reflection on enthusiasm grew out of reading William Willimon's comments in his cmmentary on Acts that is part of the Interpretation series, p.39)
4. apt description for those 3,000.
5. But we expect that number to dwindle quickly right? The enthusiasm wears off.
6. In seminary I subbed as a security guard at a sorority house. Sit at the desk to keep people, mostly men, who were not allowed beyond the visiting room. Make the rounds every hour.
I was there one night after a rush party when the sorority sisters were discussing those young women they had met. I quickly figured out that they were not supposed to say anything negative about someone. They could only be positive.
Game of how to express negative while using positive terms.
Enthusiasm became the key word. A young woman who was enthusiastic or showed a lot of enthusiasm became the seemingly nice person that you did not want for the long-term as a sorority sister.
A lot of enthusiastic young women did not make the cut.
7. Enthusiasm might be good for the long-term, but something more is needed for the long-term.
c. July 4, 1776
1. declare independence from England.
2. A new concept, democracy, shared in bold words as written in the Declaration of Independence, backed up by heroic victories on the battlefield.
3. Free nation.
4. But it was not enough.
5. Constitutional congress in 1787 (http://teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/; or read American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic, Joseph Ellis)
6. The excitement and enthusiasm for doing a new thing had worn off, now they had to deal with the nitty-gritty of how to be thirteen states that co-existed and what did it mean to have a federal government
c,. That's where these new Christians are that we read about in Acts this morning – they have had an awesome beginning, but how to they make it long-term.
1. If the promise is for their children and their children's children, what do they put into place to ensure that their faith makes it to the next generation?
2. IN other words, what does it mean to be the church?
As previously mentioned, prayer and Holy Spirit are found in most stories in Acts, but this morning I want to reflect on the building blocks for the church that are repentance and community.
Move 2: Repentance
a. An elderly woman had just returned to her home from an evening of religious service when she was startled by an intruder. As she caught the man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables, she yelled, "Stop – Acts 2:38!" (..turn from your sin...). The burglar stopped dead in his tracks. The woman calmly called the police and explained what she had done. As the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar, "Why did you just stand there? All she did was yell a scripture to you." "Scripture?" replied the burglar, "She said she had an AXE and two 38's!"
1. What will it take from someone to change what they are doing?
Move 2: Repentance
a. An elderly woman had just returned to her home from an evening of religious service when she was startled by an intruder. As she caught the man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables, she yelled, "Stop – Acts 2:38!" (..turn from your sin...). The burglar stopped dead in his tracks. The woman calmly called the police and explained what she had done. As the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar, "Why did you just stand there? All she did was yell a scripture to you." "Scripture?" replied the burglar, "She said she had an AXE and two 38's!"
1. What will it take from someone to change what they are doing?
2. To do a new thing?
b. Luke shares the story of Peter calling on the people to “Repent.”
1. No surprise that Luke makes this a critical part of being the church because “repent” is one of his favorite concepts in both his gospel and the Book of Acts.
2. Repent is a change of mind and action.
b. The church will be the gathering of those who have turned away from the world and are looking for something different.
1. The church ought to feel different than other groups to which we belong.
2. not different because of a dress code or because the church has some superiority complex, but different because new offer something that the world does not – a worldview that begins with the belief that God has the power to resurrect and God is still at work in world.
Move 3: Importance of Community
a. fellowship
1. being together;
2. actually, the Greek word koinonia means sharing in common (Willimon, 40)
3. Literally sharing in the case of the early church that looked something like what we might call a commune.
b. Luke shares the story of Peter calling on the people to “Repent.”
1. No surprise that Luke makes this a critical part of being the church because “repent” is one of his favorite concepts in both his gospel and the Book of Acts.
2. Repent is a change of mind and action.
b. The church will be the gathering of those who have turned away from the world and are looking for something different.
1. The church ought to feel different than other groups to which we belong.
2. not different because of a dress code or because the church has some superiority complex, but different because new offer something that the world does not – a worldview that begins with the belief that God has the power to resurrect and God is still at work in world.
Move 3: Importance of Community
a. fellowship
1. being together;
2. actually, the Greek word koinonia means sharing in common (Willimon, 40)
3. Literally sharing in the case of the early church that looked something like what we might call a commune.
4. Outgrew that, but still held things in common.
b. have in common their humanity.
1. Face similar struggles and similar reasons to to celebrate.
2. One of the great things about listening to your stories are the ones I hear about how important the church was to you in the raising of your kids;
3. Or how this community of faith helped you through a crisis. Prayers of the people today we will share the prayer request of a woman who has moved away from here, but on the anniversary of a horrible tragedy in her life remembers this community of faith.
4. Sharing life together..
c. Of course, lots of groups can support each other; but in the church we not only share out common humanity, but our common faith.
1. For the early Christians, their belief in the resurrection becomes a separation point from the rest of the world, but also their common ground.
2. The hope we have gives us a different perspective on life and the world.
3. The community of faith becomes the place where those who have chosen to have follow Christ gather to share in their hope and their common commitment to serving Christ.
4. If we find ourselves approaching the world's issues and understanding what we are called to do in ways that are not different than how the rest of the world sees it, then we might want to rethink what we are doing.
5. We share a common faith.
d. the early church bonded together, literally, at the Table.
1. both Lord's Supper
2. sharing a meal together.
3. 4th of July picnics – telling stories; connecting with one another; being community.
4. We share our humanity and our faith with each other.
Conclusion: They were filled with awe.
From that awesome beginning grew the church.
b. have in common their humanity.
1. Face similar struggles and similar reasons to to celebrate.
2. One of the great things about listening to your stories are the ones I hear about how important the church was to you in the raising of your kids;
3. Or how this community of faith helped you through a crisis. Prayers of the people today we will share the prayer request of a woman who has moved away from here, but on the anniversary of a horrible tragedy in her life remembers this community of faith.
4. Sharing life together..
c. Of course, lots of groups can support each other; but in the church we not only share out common humanity, but our common faith.
1. For the early Christians, their belief in the resurrection becomes a separation point from the rest of the world, but also their common ground.
2. The hope we have gives us a different perspective on life and the world.
3. The community of faith becomes the place where those who have chosen to have follow Christ gather to share in their hope and their common commitment to serving Christ.
4. If we find ourselves approaching the world's issues and understanding what we are called to do in ways that are not different than how the rest of the world sees it, then we might want to rethink what we are doing.
5. We share a common faith.
d. the early church bonded together, literally, at the Table.
1. both Lord's Supper
2. sharing a meal together.
3. 4th of July picnics – telling stories; connecting with one another; being community.
4. We share our humanity and our faith with each other.
Conclusion: They were filled with awe.
From that awesome beginning grew the church.
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