I Hear Jesus Calling

God is speaking.

Acts 10:1-8

New International Version (NIV)

Cornelius Calls for Peter

10 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. ² He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. ³ One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”

⁴ Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. ⁵ Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. ⁶ He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
⁷ When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. ⁸ He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.

 A little further up the coast from Joppa is a place called Caesarea.
Caesarea in the time of Jesus was a major port city build by King Herod in honor of his friend, the leader of the Roman Empire, Ceasar. At this time in our story in Acts, a centurion is stationed here. Last week we saw Peter coming through the areas of Lydda and Joppa. He heals people and then decides to rest in Joppa for awhile.

As we enter into Chap 10 of Acts the account will settle around the coming together of two cultures. We know from our earlier readings of Acts that there are Jewish people who have embraced the Greek culture as they have lived outside of the region of Israel. However, there hasn't been any sign that the Jews on the Hebraic side have in any way embraced their fellow Jews in the Hellenistic culture. There has always been this sense of tension. We saw it in Chap 6. The Jews on the Hellenistic side are squabbling about their widows being overlooked in the distribution of daily food. The Jewish people were long ago set apart as God's holy people. They have seen themselves as the ones through whom salvation would come. But, what they seemed to miss was that they were to be a light to the world around them. Jesus would push that emphasis. 

Matthew 5:14-16

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Cornelius is not a Jew. He is a centurion in the Italian Regiment.
Now, what is that? A centurion was a professional officer in the Roman army. Cornelius has command of a legion of soldiers, most likely from the region known as Italy. But, what seems out of place is there is specific reference given here that suggests he and his household are people who "prayed to God regularly". How in the world would a man in the Roman army come to be a person who worships "God"? It makes me wonder what kind of influence was in his life. It makes me wonder who he has interacted with and who he has spoken with that would lead him and his family to become people who focus specifically on "God". That belief in God causes him to be very charitable. The way he and his family live their lives causes others to think of them as "devout" and "God-fearing". This man has a reputation and it is a good one. The kind of reputation you want to have. 

However, for all that "goodness" he seems to possess there is something missing.
Have you ever felt that? For all the good you have done, for all the charitable gestures you have done, for all the "good" that might be associated with you there is still something more. Cornelius doesn't know who Jesus is. He simply knows about "God". God is a pretty broad subject until we narrow it down to the person of Jesus Christ. There are all kinds of religions and groups in the world who make a reference to God. There are many people who believe in "God". The Arabic word "Allah" simply means "God". Those in the Islamic faith would like to take ownership of the word for their own specific religion. Fine. Take it. There's more to the subject and person of "God" than that. When we bring the subject of God to the person of Jesus Christ, then we are making a drastic statement. It is a statement that this man Cornelius needs to hear. 


God is taking the first steps in making sure that the Gospel goes forth and spreads.
That's what God does. He goes before us. Look at what God is doing. First he reaches out to the chief violator and persecutor of the faith bringing Saul to his knees and causes him to change his path in life. Now, God speaks out to a man on the other side of the cultural line. What does this mean? Why would God reach out to the guy on the outside? It really shouldn't seem like all that strange of an occurrence. God has been speaking through other people to Israel for centuries. Rising up a nation to punish them when they were not listening. Grafting in outsiders to the lineage of the very Messiah who would save all. Why wouldn't God go to Peter first and just tell him to go find Cornelius? Peter is the preacher here. Isn't it Peter's job to go preach the Gospel message to others? What we are seeing here is that God goes before us. God makes the message possible to be preached. John Wesley would speak of prevenient grace. It is the grace of God that goes before us before we even realize that God is present and working in our lives. The central focus here is not Cornelius or Peter. The central focus is God. Cornelius has been praying to God regularly and seems to be a devout person whose life is centered of God. Our passage today says that God sees all this. While I don't like the statement it seems to work here. "God helps those who help themselves" If those words hold any truth then think about this... If we are actually seeking God, if we want God in our lives, then God is going to show up. And, we we need to be ready. 

The thing is... we don't have any idea when God is going to move.
We pray. We seek. We ask. When God moves it is on God's time table. Not ours.
God sees a man here in Cornelius who is willing and receptive to the message. That is what God is looking for. People with hearts who are wide open to whatever will happen. There is a certain amount of surrender that is necessary for the Christian life to be possible. It is not just about believing that "God" exists. Then, we wander off and do whatever we want to do. If we are serious about our belief in God then be ready to hear God speak. God knows that there is more that Cornelius needs to hear. Is there more than we need to hear? Many times people who believe in God make it their business to tell other people what they need to believe and what they need to live their lives. Maybe we could learn a lesson from Cornelius. You don't get a reputation that is "devout" by simply telling others what to do. Leading others is what Cornelius does for a living. But, it is his charitable nature that gives him the notable character remembered by others.

Something else about Cornelius' character that seems to shine through in this rather short passage of scripture is that he is not someone who demands his own way. A person does not get a title hung on them such as "devout" if they are a person who has to have everything their own way. Listen to the definition of devout. 

Full Definition of DEVOUT

1:  devoted to religion or to religious duties or exercises

2:  expressing devotion or piety <a devout attitude>

3 a :  devoted to a pursuit, belief, or mode of behavior :  serious, earnest <a devout baseball fan> <born a devout coward — G. B. Shaw>

   b :  warmly sincere <a devout wish for peace>

 

Being devout means being dedicated to something higher and loftier than one's own ambitions and thoughts. Many a person who would like to classify themselves as a "Christian" should probably be labeled as a "good person". Cornelius is not a Christian yet. Jesus Christ is what makes a person a Christian. Cornelius doesn't know that name yet.  That's why Peter is needed here. There is a message that Peter needs to bring here so that these "good people" can come to know what salvation means. The good work and the devout life are not enough. Good people can be "warmly sincere", as the definition suggests. I used to work with a guy named Mike who hated that "warm" notion. Mike used to talk about some of those old ladies in the baptist church he grew up in who would always say that everything was "nice". "Oh, isn't that nice." "That's so nice" He noted this falseness in their responses. Mike would say, "If you're having a bad day, say you're having a bad day. Don't put on some fake face and walk around like everything is "nice". It's one thing to be devout, religious, ritualistic. We find out through following Jesus that there is more to this life. We can really know what "nice" actually is.

 

And, yet, I would like to think that what Cornelius has is better than what most "good people" in our society have going on. There was a day and time where I would have classified my dad as a very devout person. Very disciplined. Up every morning. Read his bible. Worked hard. Went to church. A "good man". But, it was after a week long event with one of Billy Graham's associates, John Wesley White, that I truly saw a change in my father. I saw a guy go from someone who did all the right religious things to actually become a person that is focused on what it means to walk with Jesus. There was a certain amount of surrender I noticed from that point forward. 

Surrender is what we need to see as central to our Christian lives.
How many times has God spoken and we have brushed it aside? Cornelius gets one of the billboard moments going down the interstate of life.Those moments are easy enough to brush aside. We can keep on driving and forget about the sign we saw or heard or witnessed. We can ignore the gifts and abilities that God gave us because we don't want to surrender to the call he has put on our lives. We can ignore the vision put squarely in front of us. If we answer it, though, we will find a blessing only God can give. Cornelius' household will find that blessing soon when Peter arrives. 

The blessing will only be realized when we answer.

Dorcas Circle Prayer Group

Abounding in good deeds. 

Acts 9:32-43

New International Version (NIV)

Aeneas and Dorcas

³² As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. ³³ There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. ³⁴ “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. ³⁵ All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
³⁶ In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. ³⁷ About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. ³⁸ Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”
³⁹ Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
⁴⁰ Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. ⁴¹ He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. ⁴² This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. ⁴³ Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

 Lydda is almost right smack in the middle of this strip of land known as Israel, northwest of Jerusalem towards the Mediterranean Sea. Lydda is today known as Lod. Most famously, Lod is known as the place of the Arab-Israeli conflict in 1948. Which is also the year that Israel was put back on the map as a country once again. Jewish settlers, mainly from Arab countries along with a count of 1,056 Arabs who chose to stay, went in and replanted a Hebrew culture into the land once again. 

It is through this region that much history has happened over the years. "Lod" was destroyed not long after Jerusalem when the Romans attacked around 70 AD, but was soon rebuilt, and became the seat of a famous Jewish school. A Christian church was here, organized, and was in existence A. D. 518. Lydda is often mentioned in the history of the crusades. It was situated in the midst of fine and extensive plains, the soil of which is a rich black mould, that might be rendered exceedingly fertile. The ruins of a stately church of the middle ages, called the church of St. George, preserve the name of a saint and martyr said to have been buried here in the third century. The English crusaders adopted him as the "patron" of England, and many fabulous legends tell of his exploits. Yet it is a small enough place that it hasn't gotten much recognition. It is only mentioned a few times in the Old Testament basically with a census statement. Just one time is it mentioned in the New Testament in reference to our scripture today in Acts. 

It is, however, to the small and insignificant that we should pay particular attention.
One of those lesser known people is someone named Aeneas. His name is said to mean "praised" or "praiseworthy". And, wouldn't he have much to praise God about after this day. Could you imagine being bedridden for eight years? Not being able to walk. Not being able to get up and go anywhere. I know a few in my congregation who not handle this well at all. Being denied the basic ability to move around can be debilitating to the point of mental instability. Most recently one of our own dear ladies in this congregation fell and broke her leg. The ordeal puts her in bed not being able to walk. The long trial and recovery was hard, but she came through it and has gotten back on her feet. 8 years. That's how long Aeneas has been down and not gotten up. This day, though, the Apostle Peter has decided to visit and all is changed in the twinkling of an eye. In Jesus like fashion Peter tells this man to "get up and roll up your mat". Just like that Aeneas' life is changed. 

The books of Acts is full of the supernatural. God is moving mightily through the believers. They are simply praying and asking. I wonder if someone in Joppa was praying for an answer because that's where Peter heads next. It's a simple trip, from Lydda to Joppa. Mileage-wise it's about the same as taking a walk from Thornville to nearby Mt Perry. Sure, lets just get out on the road and walk it. Few of us in our current society would simply walk somewhere because we feel led to do the work of the Lord. In Peter's time it was the only way to do things. 

Think about how long this would have taken. Our scripture says that people heard through word of mouth that Peter was in Lydda. That means some people would have traveled, walking, to Joppa. They spread the word about Peter being Lydda. Two men from Joppa take off walking to Lydda in order to find Peter. However long it took to find him and persuade him to come back to Joppa, then they have to get back on the road and get to Joppa. If all of this happens in the same day it has to be late when Peter finally gets to Joppa. Which would make sense if we fit this in with the story of a lady who has died. 

The lady is named Tabitha. In Greek, though, her name is translated "Dorcas".
She might seem like an insignificant person. Just pronouncing her name doesn't leave a very enticing or admirable thought in the mind. "Dorcas". Sounds rather silly. Sounds like someone who might not seem very smart or well read. But, it is exactly this kind of person with this kind of name that our God can use to express real love. There is a reason why our scripture says that the ladies are showing Peter all the garments and items that Dorcas has made for them over the years. She seems to have had some means and also to have been a leader in the Christian community. Dorcas was beloved for the manner in which she used her position and means, since she "was full of good works, and almsdeeds which she did." Among her charities was the clothing of the poor with garments she herself made, and by following her example, numerous "Dorcas societies" in the Christian church perpetuate her memory. There is a local memorial in the "Tabitha School" in Joppa devoted to the care and education of poor girls.

Even today the name is still at the center of our Christian, and especially, our Methodist culture. Take the time to search the words "Dorcas Circle" on Google and you'll find a long list United Methodist Women's groups bearing the name. The picture on the front of our bulletins this morning is the symbol used by the UMW group at the Elyria Community UM Church in Elyria, OH. "Dorcas Circle" "Dorcas-Ruth" is very popular UMW group name you'll find if you take the time to search. Our church has two groups for a long time until the Dorcas Circle became the main group. It is the things that Dorcas UMW groups have stood for an supported over the years that have made them what they are. Groups of women devoted to making the world a better place to live in. The social causes that these women have taken upon themselves to minister in and finding ways to be help and hope are the very reason we have such a creed to stand upon in the UM Church.

It is no wonder that these people of Joppa take the time to seek out Peter and bring him back. Dorcas is a woman they have grown to admire and depend upon. It's never easy to say goodbye. Even when you know that the person has been sick and death is most likely expected. When Peter arrives, he is introduced to the society that has been formed around Dorcas' hospitality. These ladies are in mourning over the friend that have lost. Peter sends them all out of the room. The apostle has been here before. Remember the little girl and the parents came to find Jesus. The Messiah sent all out of the room except for the "inner three", Peter, James and John. And, so, the apostle follows the order he has witnessed. And, just as he has seen his Savior and Lord do, Peter simply whispers the words.


"Tabitha, get up."

It is said that the event became well known all over the area.
Maybe not just because it was Peter who came and whispered a command, but because of a woman who took it upon herself to make sure that other needs were met. Dorcas helped create something in the midst of her society that would be missed if it ever came to an end. We all get old and die. That's just a universal truth. Dorcas is blessed with a while longer to live. And, while she is there in the place called Joppa she plans to use what she has and who she is to be a blessing to other people.

It is the emphasis of the UMW to become disciples of Jesus. We can learn much about our Christian journey from the work we see going on in the realm of these ladies. Look at all our own ladies have accomplished just this year at Thornville United Methodist. Bereavement dinners alone can serve as a beacon of hope. Over the years there have been dinners that have fed hungry families and brought comfort to people who have been grieving. Food is a central ministry to not just our ladies, but to our church. However, the ladies have led the way on this. Our "hospitality room" during the heat of July at the Thorndunker event has been a major source of relief for people. The food coming out of this kitchen during the Thornville Country Fair is another moment when people talk about our church and the lore spreads. Now, we have a Backpack Ministry and ladies across our church have been dropping food outside the office door in order to help feed hungry kids at the elementary school to help them make it through the weekend.

Cancer is an ugly mark on the life if human beings. I wish that no one would have to deal with this hideous disease. And, so do the ladies that make up Team Deidee. Many of our UMW ladies have come together with a strong front of prayer and support to help each other and to lift up those who are going through the trials and tribulation of fighting for their own lives. This team of women make their way to New Lexington each spring to rally with our people across Perry County in order to bring awareness about the disease and remember those who have battled with this deadly illness. Some have survived. Some have passed on. All are winners. And everyone deserves reinforcement through prayer and a hand to hold.

Most recently these ladies have stood together as they have packed the school kit bags to send off to Church World Service as part of the Festival of Sharing. These school kits go all over the world to help kids who are struggling just to get the simplest supplies together to start the school year. And, here I see someone in our midst who could be a modern day "Dorcas". Our prayers go out to Louise and Tom Beckett. As life goes on for these two in the midst of age and pain this lady still finds a way to go out and buy material to make the bags while seeking out the supplies to fill those bags. She gives all she has for this purpose. Someday we'll have to say goodbye to her. In the meantime, let us join in with her goodwill and self-sacrifice as she seeks to put other peoples needs above her own.

In the midst of our small insignificant town, how can we follow the example of Dorcas?
How can we be people of the sacred and the holy as we seek to give our lives as a living sacrifice?
How can we give all we have to make sure that others have enough? There is much to pray about. There is much to lift up before the Lord. There is much to bring life to, just as life was given to her.

Let's spend some time in that sweet hour of prayer. Lord use us and make us your own.

Good Will Hunting

The hunter becomes the hunted. 

Acts 9:19-31

New International Version (NIV)

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. ²⁰ At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. ²¹ All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” ²² Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
²³ After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, ²⁴ but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. ²⁵ But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
²⁶ When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. ²⁸ So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. ²⁹ He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,^[a] but they tried to kill him. ³⁰ When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
³¹ Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

 As we covered Saul's conversion experience last week, I realized we did not spend any time on anything else in the passage. Specifically, his blindness. As much as I wanted to say something profound upon that event, the more I dwelt upon it the more I felt it wasn't that significant. His blindness only lasted a short while and his eyes sight was restored. Trying to correlate or sympathize with anyone who had lost their eyesight permanently seemed demeaning to the person inflicted with that state of being. Saul does lose his eyesight. It seemed to be done as a way to get his attention and let him know that this is truly serious business. His eyesight is restored by a disciple named Ananias. Hesitantly, the disciple approaches and follows the Lord orders. Saul is given his sight back and with it comes not just enlightenment as to whom he is dealing with, but instantaneous purpose as to what he is here to do. 

Purpose. It is a difficult thing to define and an even more elusive matter when someone is seeking what they are truly meant to do in life. Some folks are meant to be in the bright lights and some are meant to stand behind the scenes. You can be happy in either place as long as you know in your heart that the thing you are doing is what you are supposed to do.

As I prepared for this passage from vv19-30 this morning, I was drawn to the 1997 film "Good Will Hunting". Aside from the crude language, I felt as if there were some interesting parallels to be drawn from the film to this scripture. If you've never seen the movie, the story centers around a young man named Will Hunting. Will is a boy genius in the world of math. However, he never jumps on the desire to pursue any kind of future in that direction as he is held back by much of his disturbing past. As we have covered Saul's narrative, I have asked the question "What drives a man to become such a persecutor of others?" In the movie, Will comes off as a punk who has a truly incredible gift. Saul feels that way to me. It seems as if religion comes to him naturally. Both of them treat other people with a crudeness that seems unjustifiable. 

However, both of them also turn dramatic corners in their lives.
Saul has an encounter with the Savior on the Damascus road. Will finds out that it's appropriate to love and trust people. Both of them find that there is purpose for their lives. That purpose just happens to be in the field of work they are truly gifted. For Saul, there is no pause in the discussion, it seems. Our scripture says that "At once he began to preach in the synagogues..." He goes from conversion to preacher immediately. This a road that has led to tragedy for many. Many of the TV preachers we see and hear about did not take any time to go away and learn from others about what it means to preach and do ministry. There are many in holiness circles who would interpret the work of the Holy Spirit as the defining issue that should put someone into a preaching position. 1 Cor 12 lays out the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to people. I have heard the argument from those who would say, "The Holy Spirit gave the gift..." OK, that's great. Maybe there is some education and development needed of said gifts before we as the students and followers just jump out there and start running our mouths. 

What is needed is witness. Witness that Jesus is, in fact, real in our lives.
Saul doesn't hesitate to demonstrate that experience he has had on the Damascus road was real. His speech, his actions, his new faith is seen by all. Purpose envelops Saul. Jesus is his new found purpose. Everyone needs to know about this Jesus. You will recall me mentioning a young man named Matt. He was my best friend in high school and I stand where I am today because he wanted everyone around him to find Jesus. After his tryout with the Marines at Paris Island did not go the way he wanted, Jesus showed up in his life. Jesus turned his life upside down. Matt then felt the need to turn everyone else's life upside down. Saul doesn't delay in getting right out there into the culture he had formerly been tyrannizing. The problem that lies before him is that everyone will not want to hear from him. 

Maybe it's been a while since you've heard the phrase. "Not everybody is going to like you." 
No words could be more true in the life of a person that it is for Saul right now. The disciples he tries to interact with are scared of him. All they remember are the persistent threats he has put on the lives of those trusting in Jesus. The Jews in the area have set up watches at the city gates to try and catch him if he leaves town. The hunter has now become the hunted. Good will. There doesn't seem to be much of it. This much needed commodity is in short supply in Damascus, a city where religious life has thrived for centuries. The sacred souls of this long inhabited city are missing something. If I'm in Saul's shoes I'm probably wishing just one person would be willing to stand beside me and stand up for me.

In Good Will Hunting, Will comes into contact with Sean, a counselor he is set up with to try and get him to open up. Sean turns out to be the one person, outside of some high school friends, who really believes in him. Sean stands up for Will in the face of adversity and criticism. When it seems no one believes in this newest convert that a man named Barnabas is the only one to stand up for him. We were introduced to Barnabas back in Chap 4 of Acts. His name means "son of encouragement". In Saul's traveling and witnessing he makes his way to Jerusalem. It seems nobody wants to talk to him. There is no "good will" here either. But, Barnabas is there and he introduces Saul to the apostles. We all need a Barnabas. Sometimes, we need to be a Barnabas to someone else. We need someone who can relate to us and share in our life story. Barnabas can tell others that he sees Christ in the life of this Saul. 

This is the encouragement we need. Someone to help guide us and direct us. 
Saul's days of debating and preaching would be cut short. He has exhibited that the Lord is truly in his life. Now, in the face of persecution, there will be people to help support him. Instead of jumping right into some kind of full time life sharing Jesus with those around him supporters will shuffle him away to Tarsus, mostly for his protection. Wouldn't that be great? Wouldn't we all like it if there were people around us to help make sure we didn't get in over our heads, get burnt out, maybe even keep us from dying. Later, the apostle Paul would reflect upon his earlier days and state he wound up in Egypt learn from some rabbis and enriching his knowledge of Christ. Then, he would come back. Then he would begin his journeys. Then he would be ready to share Christ on a more open stage. 

Our scripture says that peace followed these events. The church grew and flourished. Living in the fear of the Lord and following the leading of the Holy Spirit, their numbers grew. Having our focus on the proper initiative, we find out what our purpose in life actually is. Jesus. 

The Light of the world.

May peace like a river flow.

Lights. Camera. Action!

Like a deer in the headlights. 

Acts 9:1-18

New International Version (NIV)

Saul’s Conversion

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³ As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴ He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

⁵ “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶ “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
⁷ The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. ⁸ Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹ For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
¹⁰ In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
¹¹ The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. ¹² In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
¹³ “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
¹⁵ But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. ¹⁶ I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
¹⁷ Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

The opening words of Chap 9 let us know that a page is turning, and while we were away focusing on the Apostle Philip and all his wondrous ministry, the same old thing still going on with this religious nut called Saul. Persecution is still going on and Saul the Pharisee is at the heart of the movement. His attention is now turned toward Damascus.

The time frame we are looking at here is A.D. 33-36. Possibly three years have gone by since Jesus ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives. So much has transpired. Everything has gone exactly as Jesus predicted. The Holy Spirit has come. Persecution is at an all time high. The world would hate the disciples because it first hated Jesus. This man named Saul is on a crusade to rid the world of these people who claim to follow this Messiah. 

We should all be familiar with the words "best laid plans". 
Saul's plans are to walk into Damascus and turn everyone's life upside down. It's funny how when we make plans for ourselves God has a way of interjecting with His plans for our lives. 

Damascus is the second largest city and the capital of Syria. It is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. It is also a major cultural and religious center of a movement known as the Levant. The Levantines (Latin speaking Christians) can date their histories back to Damascus as this center for religious life would stretch across the Middle East from the Mediterranean, with it's islands, all the way to what we would refer to as modern day Libya.  There should be little doubt as to why Paul would choose to go to a place like this to begin his quest. His work thus far has centered mostly around Jerusalem and inside of Israel's borders. This is the first major step we see in the scriptures where he goes outside his countries' borders to confront these early believers. 

The major theological issue to confront in this passage is realizing and knowing who God is on a personal level. There are usually plenty of idiomatic points inside of each one of us that keep us from seeing who is God. What are some of those issues for the religious pharisee Saul? Lets look at Paul's mindset. Acts 9 says he "was still breathing out murderous threats". Who is he speaking this way about? His own people. As much as we want to make a big deal about racism and unrest on a social level the unwavering account is that we have the some of our biggest problem in life with people who are the same ethnicity as ourselves. Here it is Jews vs Jews. It's Saul, a religious and overly zealous Jews vs some other Jews who believe in this new Messiah they proclaim. Right there within their own social and racial structure is where the tension lies. People who believe the same and sound the same yet have differing views is what we as human seem to struggle with the most. Forget, for a moment, that there are people of different skin color or culture or traditional values to deal with in the world. The greatest anxiety for many us to deal with simply comes from having to get up each morning and interact with people who live right across the street from us. 

It is when we are fed up with the world around us that we begin to react like we see Saul doing in this passage. We go way to far in effort to find a way to deal with what we see going on around us. We begin to blame other around us for what we feel inside. We feel confusion. We feel an uneasiness at the thought of having to embrace a culture that shows us something in which we don't agree. We lash out and try to force the world around us to calm down and come under our control. The most recent illustration come right out of the great state of Kentucky. When a person forcefully refuses to simply do their job because they can't get along with other people's viewpoint then we have a problem. It is when we take other people's view so personally that it affects what we do for a living and how we interact with the world. There is lies the deeper issue. We make it about us. Ourselves. Beware of those moment full of issues that allow us to make it about ourselves instead of focusing on God and the welfare of others. Beware of those moments where we use God as an excuse to act the way we act. God is not a crutch we lean on to get what we want the way we want it. Saul is the one breathing murderous threats. And, he thinks he is doing all of this for the glory of God. He thinks he is serving God in the proper manner. He is so blinded by his need to persecute and drive what he doesn't understand that he cannot see that the very person these new believers speak of is exactly what he needs. 

It is in a crisis moment that we find out who is truly God. 

The crisis moment can be defined by our conscious. It can also be defined by the parameters we find ourselves in on a social, economic, and especially, religious situation. Lets look at the word. 

Full Definition of CRISIS

1 a :  the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever

   b :  a paroxysmal attack of pain, distress, or disordered function

   c :  an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person's life <a midlife crisis>

2:  the decisive moment (as in a literary plot)

3 a :  an unstable or crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending; especially :  one with the distinct possibility of a highly undesirable outcome <a financial crisis>

   b :  a situation that has reached a critical phase <the environmental crisis>

 It is difficult to define the parameters when we are the outside party.
Saul would need to speak up and define it for himself. Later in his letters he reflects and puts his mindset before his readers. Later in Acts 22, Paul would give his own testimony and account of these very events. 

Acts 22:4-5

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, ⁵ as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

What emotionally significant event would bring about the radical change that would put this in the category of a crisis moment?  Jesus. Our Lord and Savior is the crowning moment of a crisis moment. A moment such as this should cause us to ponder as we read the scriptures in search of understanding and answers. How have we treated those around us? How have we tempered our own convictions with the religious views of others? Have we shown them love and graciousness even when we do not agree with where they stand? Or, have we pushed our own agenda down their throats because we cannot stand the thought of someone else having their own convictions that differ from our own? When we have pushed and prodded until the breaking point arrives then we might find that

we were the ones who needed to have a change of heart. Jesus is the one who breaks through the harsh circumstances, forcing us into a crisis of conscious. 

My favorite movie is The Natural.
Robert Redford plays the part of Roy Hobbs. This young man who grew up in the Midwest came up with a great desire and an equally great ability to play baseball. After going the trials of not making it in baseball, partly due to his own personal choices, he comes back later in life with one more chance to make it in the game he loves. The movie, however, plays out different from the book. In the movie, at the end of the season, while playing for the pennant, Roy is hurting from life long injuries. He still swings for the fences and hits a homerun. The Knights win the pennant. All is right with the world. Roy winds up back on a farm throwing a baseball with his son.

That is not how the book version ends, however.
In the book, Roy and the team make the final game for the pennant against the Phillies. Just as the movie depicts a new, young southpaw is put on the mound to pitch to Roy. The young pitcher reminds one of Roy in his youth. From the mound comes a fastball. Roy swings and strikes out. The Knights lose. No pennant. No glory. The only thing left is to go back to where he was raised. 

In either story, it is what he has in the end that matters.
As Roy lay in the hospital before the pennant game suffering from a wound in his side, he utters the core lines of the movie. "God, I love baseball." Roy was asked what he hoped to accomplish by playing the game. "To be the best there ever was." And then what? "And then when I walked down the street people would've looked and they would've said there goes Roy Hobbs, the best there ever was in this game."

What a crisis moment does for us is it helps us put things in perspective. It helps us decide what is most important. For Roy Hobbs, he finds out that all that really matters is that he is the best in the world in the eyes of his son. For Saul, he'll find out that the rage and the anger that he holds on to so fiercely needs to be let go of in order to find something more precious. Sometimes it takes a bright light in the sky. Sometimes it is that billboard sign traveling down the interstate of life. Sometimes we need to be put flat on our backs, looking up. The famous picture of the Damascus road event gives it all clarity. Saul is on the ground looking up into the light. Later his eyesight would be taken. Later it would be given back. All of this is a sign that God is at work in his life. A sign that would never leave his mind nor his side. A moment he can look back upon with realism.

This event we read about here begs us to look at it with a stark personal revelation.

Do you have a moment like this that you recall? Is there a moment in your life where Jesus became real? A time when the light came on? Is there a place in your history where you can say that Jesus came into your heart and life? We are asked to open the door of our hearts and to let Jesus come in. "Behold I stand at the door and knock. Whoever will open the door I will come in and be with him and he with me?" The light shines so brightly here on the Damascus road that the door is forced open from the other side. Saul's vindictiveness needs to be squashed. What inside of ourselves needs to be squashed? Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Have you ever invited him in?

The light is on. The door is open.

Ethiopian Baptism

Explain it to me. 

Acts 8:26-40

New International Version (NIV)

Philip and the Ethiopian

²⁶ Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” ²⁷ So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian^[a] eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, ²⁸ and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. ²⁹ The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
³⁰ Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
³¹ “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
³² This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
    and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
    so he did not open his mouth.
³³ In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
    Who can speak of his descendants?
    For his life was taken from the earth.”^[b]

³⁴ The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” ³⁵ Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

³⁶ As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” ^{[37] [c] 38} And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. ³⁹ When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. ⁴⁰ Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

On the heels of dealing with Simon the Sorcerer, the Apostle Philip moves on to engage in conversation a special someone traveling down the road of life. Unlike Simon, who seemed to have life all figured out, this man has questions that need answered. 

The interesting part is how these two parties seem to find each other.
It says in v26 that "an angel of the Lord said to Philip..."
The first thing we should note in today's passage is that when the Lord speaks, we need to listen.
We need to follow the Lord's direction for our lives. We need to go where he wants us to go. We need to follow where He leads us. How does Philip know that it's time to leave the area he was working in around Samaria and drop down into the region of Judea to meet a Ethiopian man on a desert road? Philip is in touch with the Lord on an intimate level. Becoming a disciple of Jesus meant turning his life over to the Lord and following wherever the Lord led him on the road. For three and a half years Philip had been walking with Jesus all over this countryside. How did Jesus know when he needed to be in Bethsaida to give a blind man back his sight or drop in on Jerusalem because there was a lame man lying by a pool? The Spirit led him. Now, the Spirit that Jesus promised to give them is leading these new apostles to speak, to heal, to lift up the Lord in the same manner Jesus did. 

Have you ever been put in a place, at the right time, at the right moment to speak with someone? Maybe, to show them love and grace, peace and kindness, so that they could come to understand who Jesus Christ is truly? 

I'd like to tell you about a guy named Matt.
Matt grew up going through high school as one of two dudes in his circle of friend with a solid church experience. I say church experience. Not a spiritual experience. Matt grew up in a church where the Gospel is shared openly. People go to an altar to pray. People ask Jesus to come into their hearts. Only, Matt claims to have never actually done this. He has waffled around on the subject. After high school, Matt decides to try out for the Marines. His brother was in the Air Force. His dad served in the Army. Military is an option on a paternal level. The thing is, Matt happened to be one of the scrawniest kids in his graduating class. The Paris Island experience does not go well. Matt is sent home with nothing to show for his time except regret and dismay. Except for one small thing. 

Matt finds Jesus while he is there.

Matt accepts Jesus as his Lord and Savior. If failing to make it in the Marines in a source of pain or remorse what he gains in finding Jesus makes up for everything. Matt comes home with a crazy drive to make sure that everyone in the circle of friends he runs with will find Jesus too. Some might suggest that Matt had to go through hell to discover heaven. And, Matt came home to make sure that everyone he knew as going to make it to heaven with him. He would, out of the blue, show up on people's doorsteps and come in with a bible in his hand. He would sit there and read scripture and talk about the importance of knowing Jesus as your Lord and Savior. How did he know whose door to knock on next? How did he know who needed to hear? He just listened and followed. Everyone needed to hear. Everyone needed to know. Following Jesus didn't mean there was a specific target in mind. Following Jesus simply meant that Jesus needed to be introduced to anyone who would listen. 

But, what about the people he spoke with?
How many people had questions just like our Ethiopian here?
A better question to ask might be - how many people are willing to put themselves in the right place so as to be available to answer those questions? It's because Philip had long ago surrendered himself to the will of the Lord that he finds himself in this place. Long ago he came to know who Jesus is and began to follow. Now, he is in place to help others follow. 

The one who is seeking has questions that need to be answered.
He has read some scripture. That's always helpful. 
He is in one of the most familiar books that speaks to who Jesus is. The prophet Isaiah. 

³² This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
    and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
    so he did not open his mouth.
³³ In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
    Who can speak of his descendants?
    For his life was taken from the earth.”^[b]

 What would cause someone to turn to such a provocative passage as this?
John Wesley would describe the grace of God in such terms as prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying. Prevenient grace goes before us. Leading us. Guiding us. Drawing us in. Maybe even causing us to question, to ask, to desire the things of God before we even are able to define or understand what is happening.

³⁴ The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?”

 Have you ever had questions that just needed to be answered? Deep spiritual questions.
Questions that plague the soul unless there is something or someone who can retort with the proper message that will fill the void. We should know the only answer that will suffice. The Ethiopian wants to know who Isaiah is talking about? He has been to Jerusalem to worship. Most likely, he has been to the Temple and offered his sacrifice for sins. In other words, he has done what he needs to do on a religious and ritualistic level. But, still... There is something missing. How many of us come to church each week simply because it "the requirement"? Is there anything missing? Is there something longed for? Is there an empty spot that has not been filled?

This Jesus that Philip speaks of can come to the heart of any one will turn their lives over and ask for forgiveness. Philip, most likely, shares the history of why this Jesus came to give his life so that all could know this forgiveness. The way of the believers thus far has been to accept the message of Christ as Savior and Lord and then be baptized. The subject must have been on the table for discussion since the Ethiopian is the one who calls it out. “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” Here is a moment for being justified. When we come to Jesus, inviting him to enter our hearts and lives, we are coming to God in justifying grace. If we came to God in any other means, there would not be anything to warrant the approach. Jesus makes it possible for us to know God. There is no other way. There is no other person. There is no mysterious knowledge that need to be covered. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life. Jesus gave his life so we could be in a right relationship with God. 

In this moment of baptism, we are sprinkled with water as a sign that the Holy Spirit has come to rest upon us. The Ethiopian go the fully immersed route. He puts his old life down into the abyss, the deep, and comes back up to new life. Any way we choose to be baptized it shows that God has come into our lives and made us his child. We take vows in our baptism that mean Jesus is what matters most. We want to live for Jesus. We want to be like Jesus. We want to follow the example that he lived out. We turn our lives over to God and we let God lead the way. 

There's one last matter to discuss in our scripture passage today.
As soon as the Ethiopian has been baptized, as soon as his life is in the Lord's hands, Philip is whisked away. It seems that as soon as the work is completed, Philip is needed elsewhere. Can you imagine being there in the moment. You come up out of the water and see this person just taken away. It's rapturesque. I have wondered why Philip isn't left there. He could have been a person of support for this new convert. But, that doesn't seem to be a point of major importance to the Lord. There will be others whom this Ethiopian will intersect with in life. 

Sometimes we tend to put too much emphasis on a certain person. We get too attached.
Later in his letters, the Apostle Paul would speak with the Corinthians about following a person.
“...one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” ” Maybe the Lord takes Philip away so that the Ethiopian won't become dependent upon 'the man'. The new convert's faith needs to focus on the Lord and Savior that Philip has introduced. People cross our paths for a reason, I believe. People strengthen us or challenge us. Then our path is changed or their path is changed. Suddenly they are gone. Maybe we never see them again. We are left with the lessons we learned. We are strengthened by the truth shared. But our lives cannot be wrapped up in the person. Our focus must be upon the Lord. The Author and Giver of our lives. If we make anything or anyone else our cornerstone, we are missing the point. 

Jesus. Name above all names.

Sorcery Gone Wrong

Truth that money cannot buy.

Acts 8:9-25

New International Version (NIV)

Simon the Sorcerer

⁹ Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, ¹⁰ and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” ¹¹ They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. ¹² But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. ¹³ Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
¹⁴ When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. ¹⁵ When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, ¹⁶ because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
¹⁸ When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money ¹⁹ and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
²⁰ Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! ²¹ You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. ²² Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. ²³ For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
²⁴ Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
²⁵ After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

What would you classify as "sorcery" or witchcraft?
A simple definition reads...

Full Definition of SORCERY

1:  the use of power gained from the assistance or control of evil spirits especially for divining :  necromancy

2:  magic 2a 

That word in the first line of the definition seemed very familiar. Needed to look that up too. 

Full Definition of NECROMANCY

1:  conjuration of the spirits of the dead for purposes of magically revealing the future or influencing the course of events

2:  magic, sorcery

One of my favorite movies actually covers this subject in-depth.
The Chronicles of Riddick starring Vin Diesel brings with it a character who conquers worlds and destroys peoples lives in hopes of creating a universe of order. An order that follows him, of course. The title given to the world conquering leader is the Necromancer. He is half man, half...something else, as the narrator of the movie describes him. Lest we Hollywood-ize this moment too much, the subject matter is something that is real and consistent with our reality. 

The beginning of this great country we call America, land of the free, home of the brave, has it's own grave origin story. The Salem witch trials are a dark blot for a culture in which legalism, conspiracy, and fear were driving forces. We are afraid of what we don't understand. We lash out at those who we fear are trying to lead us astray. Many times innocent folks gets caught in the crossfire. Innocent folks following the ones doing the leading. And, innocent people who weren't leading anybody astray in the first place. 

Sorcery. Magic. Trying to see beyond our current reality into another world is nothing new. 

One of the many tragic stories in the Old Testament comes to us from the dismal moments of one King Saul. Saul had not followed the Lord through much of his later days as king. The Spirit of the Lord had been taken from him, the "anointing" lifted. Saul still very much wanted to know about the direction for his life and his kingship, so he began to consult other forces outside of the God who had given him his position. King Saul and the Witch of Endor is just such a moment. 

What we see in King Saul's story is that God can use the moment to speak.
Sorcery is something that we are told not to dabble in, and rightfully so. Well, if God can use anything or anyone, then why not dabble in this area and see what God has to say to us? Interestingly, the New Testament Greek word translated “sorcery” is pharmakeia, which is the source of our English word pharmacy. In the Apostle Paul’s day, the word primarily meant “dealing in poison” or “drug use” and was applied to divination and spell-casting because sorcerers often used drugs along with their incantations and amulets to conjure occult power. 

One of the most relevant pictures I can paint here in from the origins of Mormonism. The truth behind this occult style faith is that the father of their movement, Joseph Smith, openly and knowing went out into the woods, took some peyote, which is a hallucinogenic drug contrived from a cactus plant. He then wrote on some gold plates the words that he felt God was speaking to him as he supposedly witnessed God and Jesus coming down out of the clouds to him. Smith, of course, was the only one who could properly read the plates and translate what they had to say. This is where the Mormons get their "Book of Mormon" that they hold up next to a King James Bible and use it to try and interpret what God wants for our lives.

Sorcery can be a drug.
There are people all over the religious landscape who get too high on themselves, or an ideal, or a person leading them. Look at our example from Acts 8 today. These people gathered in this region of Samaria have looked to this Simon the sorcerer as "...rightly called the Great Power of God". They have become dependent upon him. It says in v9 that "He boasted that he was someone great..." People in this world tend to be attracted to the charismatic styling of a person. Look around at the televangelist scene. People are very much into just dropping their dollars on a person who can weave a nice message and sound very spiritual. There are people willing to not pay their own bills and fulfill responsibilities to their own families in order to send money off to people like this. And, there are leaders who seem to have some kind of mystical hold over the people following them. 

There is nothing, however, that can stop the word of God once it has been interjected into the mainframe of our lives. It says here that once the Apostle Philip stepped in and began to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ that everyone who was following Simon finds themselves in the baptismal pool. Everyone finds Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Even the Simon the Sorcerer. He is also baptized and begin to follow Philip around like a lost puppy dog. Once we begin to share the message of what Christ has done the words can squelch the loudest storm. 

Persecution has been on the table these last few weeks. This is the backdrop for all of this.
Some of you have heard me refer to one of my former bosses. He was a man who owned an appliance store. Previous to that he worked at an AMF bowling parts plant. While on this job he was subjected daily to the taunting of a Jehovah's Witness man.  Here's is another ill-conceived religious front born out of the same time period as our Mormon friends. It seems around 1870, a Congregationalist minister named Charles Taze Russell, grew tired of the subjects of hell and damnation. So, he devised a way to eliminate the power those subjects. By taking Jesus of the throne and not proclaiming him as God's Son, the keys of death and hell were no longer in the hands of Jesus. 

Over the years, truly starting in 1950, the Watchtower Society began to take the KJV and change certain phrases and words to fit their own liking.  John 1.1 no longer reads "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (capital G - the Greek word here is Theos). In their conveniently framed New World Translation bible the line now reads "...and the Word was a god" (lowercase g - The JWs would say the word here is logos, which doesn't even mean "god". It means "word". The Word was the "word"???).  Along with this twisted view of the scriptures came a desire to predict when the end of the world would come about. I can remember in 8th grade sitting there in class when one of their world ending predictions was to come about. We all sat their quietly waiting to see what would happen. And, of course, we are all still here today. 

Back to my former boss... 

He had to put up with this JW man coming to him everyday, giving him grief over what he believed as a Christian. Everyday my former boss put up with this. He is retelling this story to me as we are driving one day in the company truck. You know what finally silenced this guy? My boss says he just simple told the guy what Christ had done for him. He just told him about the day he knelt down and asked Jesus to come in to his heart and life. Jesus forgave him for his sins. When he got up after that prayer everything changed and he was a brand new man. The JW guy just sat there and listened. He got up, shook my boss' hand and never said another word to him about anything. 

There is another matter that needs to be covered here. The giving and receiving of the Holy Spirit. 
Not only is there a moment when a person comes to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, but there is also a moment when the Holy Spirit comes. This is sadly something that we need yet is missed by so many. We need to power of the Spirit! But, how does that happen? In many cases, the Holy Spirit is given by the laying on of hands. The Apostles, John and Peter, come down to Samaria to see about all the news they are hearing. We when arrive, they pray for all the people who have come to Jesus. They lay their hands on them and they receive the Holy Spirit. 

This next part troubles me. 
When Simon, this former sorcerer now come to Jesus, sees that the Spirit is given by the laying on of hands, he offers money to the Apostles in order to get that same blessing. I am mystified. Why not just comes to the Apostles and say, "Hey, lay your hands right here! PRAY FOR ME!" It is as if the sorcerer has now become to misguided follower. How many people have simply given their money to Simon over the years without even thinking about it? It is truly sad how quickly some people will jump to the point of wanting to give up all they have in order to get that "power". That thing they crave. Simon has been tricking people all these years. Now he sees the real Source of all power and can't dish out his money fast enough to get his hands on it. 

"May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!" 

We cannot buy our way in to what God offer. Some folks think they can do enough good things in life that God will show them favor and blessing. Not how it works. We simply come. We simply ask. We simply receive. "Pray for me!" If that's the kind of blessing you are looking to receive, a blessing that doesn't come with a price tag, then come and ask. 

Receive the Holy Spirit.

Joy in the Morning

Weeping may endure for a night.

Acts 8:1-8

New International Version (NIV)    scripture courtesy of BibleGateway.com

8 And Saul approved of their killing him.

The Church Persecuted and Scattered

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. ² Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. ³ But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

Philip in Samaria

⁴ Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. ⁵ Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. ⁶ When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. ⁷ For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. ⁸ So there was great joy in that city.

As we continue on through the book of Acts we note as we turn the corner from chap 7 to chap 8 that there is a character shift. A new face. A new name. Saul. Last week we covered the stoning of Stephen. It was noted near the end of the chapter in v58 that the men doing the stoning "dropped their coats at the feet of Saul". If you've read enough of the bible, you will note that there are places where it seems a verse from the previous chapter gets leftover as we begin the next chapter. Perhaps there is contextual issue that the translators of our scriptures feel requires that one line to be included in the next chapter. Such it is as we enter chap 8 of Acts. 

And Saul approved of their killing him.

Last week we were wondering what the dropping of the coats at the feet of Saul meant.
We need look no farther.

These last few weeks we have noted the subject of persecution.
It's going to get worse. Especially now that this religious Pharisee named Saul is in the picture. On the same day that Stephen is killed by stoning, it says a great persecution broke out against the church. Especially those centrally located in Jerusalem. Stephen is buried. Then this wretched verse.

³ But Saul began to destroy the church.

 Could you imagine someone just coming into your house and taking your husband? Your wife? Your children? All because of their religious beliefs. In our country, we really have no idea what real persecution is for the believer. We have freedom given to us by our founding fathers. That is not to say there hasn't been heinous and unimaginable wrong done here in our country. People sue other people over their religious views. People get bent out of shape over another person's personal beliefs.  But, look half way around the world and we see a much different point of view. The kind of persecution we read about here in Acts is going on this very day. Just this week I read where the Islamic hate group ISIS is said to have massacred another 2,000 civilians as Iraqi Christians flee for their lives. Persecution is real. Another group in Africa called the Boko Haram, an Islamic fundamentalist sect, is said to have killed more than 13,000 civilians between 2009 and 2015. Why?

What does that word 'fundamental' mean? The 2nd line is our focus.

Definition of FUNDAMENTAL

2 a :  of or relating to essential structure, function, or facts :  radical <fundamental change>; also :  of or dealing with general principles rather than practical application <fundamental science>

   b :  adhering to fundamentalism

Lets see that last word there, too. 

Definition of FUNDAMENTALISM

1 a often capitalized :  a movement in 20th century Protestantism emphasizing the literally interpreted Bible as fundamental to Christian life and teaching

   b :  the beliefs of this movement

   c :  adherence to such beliefs

2:  a movement or attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to a set of basic principles <Islamic fundamentalism> <political fundamentalism>

  

Yes, fundamental teaching was an explosion through the 20th century. I believe, mainly because of mankind's inherent need to oversimplify. I just need to know the basics of how this works. You've heard me talk about sanctification before in my blog. One of the big reasons there is a gulf in thought between groups likes Nazarenes and Methodists, I believe anyway, is that there is an oversimplification of theology. Our Naz friends went the route of treating sanctification like a math equation. Just give us the basic ideas of how this works and we'll wipe out sin in man's heart in one felled swoop. While this sounds nice and God's provisional work through Christ means sin is dead, the actual working out of those fundamentals takes time. The human heart is rocky ground. It doesn't happen overnight. 

Fundamentalism isn't meant to be a violent means to an end.
Too often though this form of theological thinking brings on a radical means of living out one's religion. Fundamentalism can bring with it a "jumping to conclusions" mentality. Instead of taking the time to methodically think out where one is going in their theological thought, people instead think that everyone needs to be doing exactly these things in order to live a pleasing life. People begin to make up rules based upon these basic lines of thought and enforcing a rule for living that all must follow in order to be living right. Pharisaical thought seems to follow right along these lines. It was the work of the Pharisees in Jewish culture to interpret the law and provide application as to how to live it. Can you imagine what a line like "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" would be viewed? Have you read verses dealing with punishment for sin in the Old Testament? Verse like these would be dealt with by the letter of the law. If it says you should be stoned, then stoned you would be. There was no allegory with which to interpret. There was no reverse psychology with which to analyze. In many cases, there was simply a reading of what the words said and that's what they meant. Maybe from this line of sight we can understand why the religious leaders had such a hard time understanding what Jesus taught. 

Maybe from this vantage point that we can understand why the Sanhedrin of Acts (and more specifically, Saul) approved of the killing of Stephen. These new believers weren't keeping the law the way that it had been interpreted for centuries. There were basic rules here to keep. A certain social class that wasn't to be disrupted. These new believers were selling land and giving it to the poor. They were putting all their belonging in a community pile to help any one in need. The Sadducees didn't believe in the resurrection of the body. These new believers were going on about this "Resurrected Jesus". None of this was acceptable to the life of a religious Jew in Jerusalem. Heresy. False teaching about false gods. What would have been done to those in the time of Ba'al when Elijah killed 450 prophets for misleading the people? How should these new revilers of the Jewish faith be dealt with?

A more important question to ask - what happens to a faith that is persecuted?

⁴ Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

 I know if I was treated harshly over a subject I had been promoting there might be a bit of uneasiness as I went out the next day. Do I want to keep talking about this? What if I get treated just like I did yesterday? What if something worse happens than yesterday? Say...I die or something? All meaningful questions that deserve attention. You might have a family to support. Talking about Jesus could put that entire dynamic in jeopardy. Your job. Your livelihood. Maybe no one will want to do business with you once they know you're a believer in Christ. What we know here is that none of this seemed to bother or worry this new band of believers scattered over the Holy Land. They were persecuted for what they believed in the very city where their Savior had been crucified. As they are sent all over Judea and Samaria, they go with a new fervor to speak about this Messiah they trust and love.

There is another person who gets some minor attention as we travel on through Acts and that is Philip. This man of Bethsaida is said to have gone down into a city in Samaria and that he began preaching there. How do you go down when you're traveling north? It's an elevation issue. Coming down from Jerusalem, Samaria is at a lower elevation in the north. This was familiar territory. Jesus had been through this region. Philip might have been remembered around these parts as one who followed Jesus. Why not go back to place where some seeds had already been planted? In the midst of this recent persecution here comes someone preaching boldly the message of Christ. It's funny the effect persecution has on the sharing of this salvation. You'd think people would be in hiding. You'd think this would make the entire movement vanish. Remember the Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, back in chap 5? He predicted that these men would pretty much be like all the other that had been chased off after their revolting leaders had been silenced or put to death. But, if God was with them they would succeed at what they were doing.

Philip has amazing success at what he does. v6 says When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. People are listening and God is doing great and mighty things. That's the key, lest we forget. It's about God. It's not about us. Yes, it is human beings who feel the suffering and shame. The hurt and the pain. The same pain that Christ himself felt at the hands of people who didn't understand or listen. Which lets us know that we are not in this alone. God knows what we are dealing with and what we have to endure. It is utterly amazing how much God is with us when we face trials and sufferings. So much so that the devil has no foothold. It says here that evil spirits came out of people. People who couldn't walk got up and walked. People who were paralyzed suddenly could move again. 

Joy. Unspeakable. Full of Glory. 

In the midst of heartbreak and strife joy rears it glorious head. 

Psalm 30:5

New King James Version (NKJV)

Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.