We began the Eastertide sermon series last week when the youth used the Road to Emmaus story as the foundation for Youth Sunday. Each week, we are using texts (some from the lectionary) to reflect on how we move from the empty tomb into the world. While preaching this sermon, I ended up straying from the text quite a bit, so what is written below is only an approximation of what was actually preached.
“Taking Jesus with Us” April 18, 2021; 3rd Sunday of Easter; SAPC, Denton; Dr. Richard B. Culp; Acts 4: 5-12; Easter 2021 series “Journey from the Empty Tomb into the World”
The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John,[a] and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 When they had made the prisoners[b] stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,[c] whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. 11 This Jesus[d] is
‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
it has become the cornerstone.’[e]
12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.
Introduction: As we move from Easter to Pentecost, we will be reflecting each week on how we go from the empty tomb into the world.
Last week, the youth got us off to a terrific start as they shared with us the story of meeting Jesus on the road to Emmaus.
I hope you are also taking the journey at home with the supplies given to you and reusing the sand given to you for the Lenten journey. A stone for each day like we did in Lent and a different token for each Sunday.
When we arrive at Pentecost, you can put up your sand (no more having to deal with cat adventures in the sand!).
move 1: Proclaim Jesus as the power they have.
a. Imagine you have healed someone like the lame man.
1. The authorities as you, “By what power have you done this?”
2. What would you say?
3. Maybe, “i have been taught…” and then add something about Jesus being the one who taught you.
4. Or, “i have this power to heal,” and then add God was the one who gave me the power.
5. Those who see the apostles at work suggest that smoother power must be at work and Peter embraces that idea.
b. Peter readily proclaims that what they have done is by the power of Jesus Christ.
1. not just Jesus, their friend; not just Jesus the one who had taught people; not just Jesus the one who performed miracles;
.
2. But Jesus Christ, the son of God, our Savior” (ICTHUS). the one who has been raised from the dead.
3. not just the fish sign, but the acronym comes with it.
4. Peter and John are not simply followers of Christ - they are people who proclaim to the world and act on the power of Jesus Christ, the resurrected one.
d. Sets the parameters for how we take Jesus into the world.
4. Son of God - which reveals the God who has come to be present with us.
5. Savior - shows to us God’s desire and intentions
6. Resurrection - God’s transforming power.
7. The name of Jesus has power beyond the grave because God lifted Jesus out of grave and made him both Christ and Lord (2:36). (https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/fourth-sunday-of-easter-2/commentary-on-acts-45-12; J. Davison Philips Professor of New Testament
Columbia Theological Seminary
Decatur, Ga.)
When we think about what it means to take Jesus into the world, it ought to be about taking the presence of God; taking God’s saving grace to others; participating in God’s transforming power to bring new life.
move 2. Words tied to action
a. I find this a fascinating image described in Acts.
1. Peter and John are talking to the crowds.
2. No surprise - these early followers of Christ are good at stating their case. In the pattern of Paul, Peter and John speak the words to explain what is happening.
3. But notice the scene - There off to the side, but in plain view, is the man they have healed.
4. the disciples have the words:
5. “Let it be known to you all that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom you yourselves crucified and whom God raised from among the dead,
6. But they also point to the action:
by this [name] this [lame] man stands before you whole.”
b. I have no doubt that their words were powerful and convincing, but I suspect that as the crowd hears their words while looking at the man they have healed, the image gives power to their words.
1. A real-life illustration of what they are talking about.
2. Reminder to us as we take Jesus into the world - words matter, but we also need actions.
3. As people hear our words about who Jesus is, they might believe them, but being able to point to how God has been present wiht us or someone else, or being able to show someone whose life has been changed (maybe that person is you), gives illustration to the words we speak.
move 3: Boldness
a. If we read one verse beyond our text in Acts this morning, we would hear about the boldness with which Peter nd John acted.
1. NIV describes is as courage instead of boldness.
2. We might look at their situation and see that they need courage or boldness.
3. The authorities gathered for the investigation are no team of scrubs: “Their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family” (Acts 4:5-6).
Annas was high priest in 6-15 c.e., and his son-in-law Caiaphas is high priest at this time (18-36 c.e.; John 11:49; 18:13).1 In short, Acts 4:5-6 sets the scene for a serious examination by Jerusalem’s foremost leaders. (https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/fourth-sunday-of-easter-2/commentary-on-acts-45-12; J. Davison Philips Professor of New Testament
Columbia Theological Seminary
Decatur, Ga.)
4. peter and john are willing and to take on these authorities, and not just meekly, bowing down to the authorities, but with boldness, declaring the name of Jesus as the power behind their words and their actions.
b. as we look to take Jesus into the world, how bold are we?
1. I admit that it is often easier to take the subtle approach, work within the system, go along in the hopes of future opportunities to show God’s presence, or reveal God’s saving grace, or invite people to know the God who can transform their lives.
2. But as I read this text, I am challenged, perhaps you are as well, to consider the boldness with which Peter and John acted and consider how it might push us in the ways we live out our discipleship.
when we take Jesus into the world, we follow the example of Peter and John who did it boldly.
Move 4: Take Jesus into the world yourself.
a. Recently I spoke with a retired Presbyterian minister and colleague.
1. In retirement, she is writing fiction books.
2. An ongoing character is a female Presbyterian minister in KS; which is who she was early in her career.
3. she was telling me about being in a small group with other aspiring authors. They share ideas, brainstorm together, read each others' work.
4. I found it interesting as she described one of the challenges, but also in some ways, help that comes from most of the other writers being unchurched.
5. They do not know much about what my friend's character does – things like communion; or stewardship; or Session meetings - so she has to explain to them what they are which in some ways helpful to her.
6. And, of course, she does not know much about one of the writer's characters who works at a porn shop, just like he did.
7. We take Jesus into the world, the context in which we live.
8. We do not have to present to be someone else.
9. We simply share how the God, who is present with us; the God who saves us; the God who has the power to transform death into new life; how this God is at work in the world.
10. We name the power of Jesus Christ, the resurrected one, and we point to where God has been at work.
b. Focus
1. Cornerstone - foundation.
2. In the Greek, it literally means the stone at the head of the corner where two walls meet.
3. I like that image - Jesus is ahead of us, with our eyes on him.
4. Where everyone can see him.
Conclusion: Jesus bobblehead given to me. Sits on my dashboard. Bobbles. sort of a blend between a Buddha statue and Jesus.
He bobbles as I drive down the road.
Not exactly a bold statement, but he does get my attention each day. As he bobbles, he asks me, "How are you taking me into the world?"
He is asking you the same question. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment