While I was listening to a Presbyterian preacher in Leland, MI last Sunday, Kathy Wehrman, the Program Director at First Presbyterian Church here in Troy, OH preached the following sermon.
SERMON July 27, 2014 THE ACTS OF CHRISTIANS
One purpose of a minister's sermon is to bring the books, and the characters' stories in the Bible, to life for those desiring to learn and to live a Christian life. Rev. Culp has been revealing significant events from the Book of Acts the past several weeks, applying those events to our 21st century living. So we continue, in a less scholarly fashion, but none-the-less, we'll do what we can, where we are, with what we have, while he's away!
We begin with a bit of Biblical trivia to help us understand the book of Acts: Here is a fine example of a less scholarly path into preparing for a sermon. Just look at your kid's Bible - I did! The very first page tells you exactly what you need to know..... Acts: Written by Luke, the physician, who traveled as a missionary with Paul. Why was the book of Acts written: To tell how the Christian faith was spread to the whole world. For whom was Acts written: for everyone who wants to know what happened after Jesus returned to heaven.
The title of this sermon is The Acts of Christians and was planned to bring you the characters described in the 5 verses of Acts 9:26-30. In just these few versus, we can learn a number of things about people, about reactions to relationships, about the grace of God and His plan for us.
First, the character of Barnabas: He was nicknamed fondly "son of encouragement" because as a Christian leader he sought out others and assisted them. For instance, often some of the new Christians, for whatever reason, ran a bit against the grain of mainstream thought and actions. Instead of ostracizing them, Barnabas not only deliberately encounters them, but also listens to them and welcomes them warmly. Barnabas' encouraging spirit had a big part in moving Saul forward into a new life.
Awhile back a group of us from this church were studying the special publication of Presbyterian Today entitled, "What We Believe-2". In researching texts on Barnabas ' attentive character, I was reminded of this bit from our study... Quoting page 17, "The church is charged with giving full expression to the rich diversity within its membership. Our constitution requires us to promote inclusiveness, which means including all the different theological positions that are consistent with the Reformed tradition." From the actions of Barnabas in scripture to our 21st century church, we are instructed to be encouraging and inclusive!
The character of Saul; a really angry guy, who most likely felt threatened by this Jesus and his growing number of followers; a man who spied on and tagged Christians for the sole purpose of having them arrested and often done away with. He followed the disciples only to spurn them publically and threaten to murder them. He went so far as to obtain official papers from the high priest so that he could take any Christians he could find to prison in Jerusalem. New Christians lived in fear of Saul and his henchmen. However, down the road to Damascus, events changed Saul.
If you had visited our Bible Adventure Station on Day 5 of VBS, you would have discovered a group of young Christians meeting in the dark, whispering nervously about whether anyone was followed to the secret meeting place and commiserating about Saul's dangerous reputation. Everyone was at once excited about their new lives as followers of Jesus and fearful for their lives as they were stalked by Saul. If you had been in the secret room, and in conversation with those attending, you too would have jumped out of your skin when......JOHN MAUNTLER.......! These were the conditions the first Christians were living in.
So, here we have a changed Saul and Barnabas, both believers in Christ, both willing and determined to spread the good news to the world. One has a reputation so damaging, it precludes his admission or acceptance to the group of disciples; and one is highly respected and welcoming; open to encouraging others in the work of Christ Jesus.
Here's their story...Previously, Saul has escaped certain death in Damascus via a basket hoisted over and down the city wall. Obviously, those disciples living and teaching in Damascus, as well as new Christians, could not get past Saul's arrogance and perhaps "car salesman style" approach to speaking about his experience, his change, nor his promotional response to Jesus as the Christ. How can this man who threatened Christians, now proclaim allegiance to same. So we see Saul secretly getting out of Dodge to save his own skin.
He travels to Jerusalem in search of other disciples of Christ thriving there in that city, attempts to join them hoping to be in fellowship with like minded followers and work for Christ in spreading the Good News. And, as described, these new disciples already knew about Saul. They were hesitant to embrace his change. Given Saul's passion for his work against the Christians, you might understand the reluctance of these new disciples when, with a renewed passion FOR Christ, Saul's exuberance was met with mistrust, not a little fear, and most likely, utter disdain.
Just recently someone was telling me about a newspaper article that was written that was, apparently, somewhat damaging to the topic highlighted. The following day a correction was printed in the same newspaper changing the previous day's damaging comments significantly. According to statistics, more readers of that article will retain and believe the mis-information even though a retraction was printed the next day. In Saul's case, his reputation was real; but, so was his conversion. How many would readily believe that?
Let's look at Barnabas, for without Barnabas and others like him, Saul may well have ended up dead before he could begin the work of God! Barnabas listened to Saul's story of meeting Christ; He being told by Christ himself to stop this persecution; being blinded by the bright encounter; healed by a reluctant Ananias under God's direction, then being instructed by Jesus himself to begin working for His cause. Barnabas, being the encourager he was, took a really good look "into" Saul; the change God had made in this man was evident to Barnabas; trusting that their Lord and Savior had indeed touched and moved Saul to a different direction. Barnabas was also aware of the fear manifested in the troublesome reactions of the new disciples, so he took Saul to speak with the Apostles, those first chosen by Jesus to help change the world. As you might expect, the experiences of the Apostles' close relationship and work with Jesus did lend them "the bigger picture" of such a meeting as Saul experienced on the road to Damascus. The Apostles could see and feel and understand Saul's passion to be FOR Christ. So, with the help of Barnabas, who encouraged Saul and the Apostles who saw God at work in him, Saul began a new life.
As scripture is explored from Acts through the next 13 books of the Bible, you will find Paul in the lead in each of these books. Each are instructive letters to new Christians. So it begs the question, where would Paul be if a character like Barnabas did not intercede for him? Where would Paul be if Ananias had ignored God's request to heal Saul's blindness? Where would Paul be if Christ's own Apostles refused to acknowledge his change of heart? And, more importantly, where would all those new Christians in those 13 books be without Paul?
Can we find it in ourselves to be like Barnabas? Seek ways to encourage one another? Be in conversation with new members, visitors, people we become acquainted with, our own children about a life in Christ. Can we put ourselves in fellowship with each other in Parish gatherings, a Bible study group , social events where good conversations and stories can be shared. Can we open up ourselves to see ways to bring others into the comfort and freedom of the love of God. Can we carve out time for sharing our stories of conversion with our children?
There's the hope that these scriptures will reveal the right way for each of us. There's the hope that we will find ourselves in these versus and understand God's purpose for each of us and know, down to our toes, that we, as was Saul, belong to God.
What we can hope for all of us is that we keep our eyes and ears open to the possibility of change in people and in ourselves.
Sometime ago, I was with my granddaughter at Winan's just enjoying some downtime and time together, when her friend stopped in and joined us. I had reached out to give this girl a hug in greeting and after doing so, my granddaughter grabbed me in a two-armed hug and said, "She's mine, MINE!"
There's two things here to understand...one is, especially if you're a grandparent, this public display of affection and declaration of ownership felt absolutely wonderful. Puts a smile on my face every time I think about it. But, the other thing? This is EXACTLY, please hear this, this is exactly how God feels about YOU. You are His and He will pursue you with His love. Nothing and No one can take that away from You. God will be beside you, before you, behind you, above you and within you. That is why Saul was able to be changed despite his hard heart! God used his inexhaustible resources; Jesus himself, Ananias, Barnabas and the Apostles to bring this man's talents and heart into the work for God's people. The result of Saul's conversion and assistance given by God's own people is revealed in the beginning scriptures in Galations where Paul introduces himself, "Paul, an apostle - sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised me from the dead - and all the brothers with me."
The children of this community learned this lesson during VBS this year. Very different creatures, that we don't see everyday, were used to teach children about how Jesus' love is one-of-a-kind.
Now we come to yet another less scholarly way of putting a sermon together. This is a responsive lesson in w hich, you all reply "Jesus loves me", when I indicate it's your turn. Hopefully, the kids will belt it out like they did at VBS!
Consider the story of Saul and Barnabas in the lessons of VBS: Even when you're left out...Jesus Loves you. Even though you're different...Jesus loves you. Even when you don't understand...Jesus loves you. Even though you do wrong...Jesus loves you. Even when you're afraid...Jesus loves you.
Barnabas' character afforded an opportunity for Saul to be included, even though Saul was different, left out, did wrong. Why? Because Barnabas belongs to God. Because Saul, belongs to God. Because all those people in the next 13 books of the bible belong to God. What's in these five verses of holy scripture? If you listen, you can hear God declaring, "You are Mine! Mine, and I love You." Take those words into your world and be changed by them. Amen
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