Sunday May 2nd, thoughts going in...

Why are we as a congregation here? A good Lutheran response to that question is that we're here to preach the Gospel in its purity and administer the Sacraments correctly. Yet, it's also true to say that there is nothing UNIQUE about that mission. Every Christian congregation, regardless of brand name, is tasked with the same thing. Within a 5 mile radius there may be a half dozen or more churches each, to the best of their ability, preaching the Gospel and administering the sacraments. Why does God need all of them if they're all called to do the same thing? In today's reading from Acts 11 we learn that God TASKS individual congregations with *particular missions beyond the big picture of Gospel and Sacraments. In that sense, it's as though God has opened multiple 'franchises' in a given area, each with specific talents and each with a particular duty to be HIS PRESENCE in that community. Every Christian congregation, from the 1st century Jerusalem Church of Acts 11 all the way down to our present day must constantly ask itself: are WE being faithful to our franchise?

It strikes me that this passage from Acts 11 where Peter reports his encounter with the Roman Centurion Cornelius, gives us a 'template,' as it were, concerning how we can approach the question of our SPECIFIC mission/mandate from God. In that sense, it almost preaches itself.

(TNIV) Acts 11:1 The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, "You went into the house of the uncircumcised and ate with them."

This is no SMALL matter that these believers are actually criticizing Peter. Peter is the prince of the Apostles & the recognized leader of the Church at this stage. Hence, there are some STRONG feelings involved. Makes sense, as Peter committed a major infraction against the Jewish way. I find it noteworthy that, on the other hand, Cornelius can be accepted at the synagogue as a "God-fearer," but that doesn't mean Jews can be in table fellowship with him at his own home.

4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: 5 "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' 8 "I replied, 'Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' 9 "The voice spoke from heaven a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' 10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. 11 "Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying.

--RECOGNIZE! This is really the first step to answering the question of whether or not we're being faithful to our franchise. Have eyes to see when God has literally dropped something in our lap. Don’t be so curved inward that we don’t recognize a vision of possibility when it occurs.


12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man's house.

--REACT! Peter had no idea what he was getting in to, but he was at least willing to give it a try. I find it noteworthy that he also convinced 6 fellow believers to go with him. This seems like the sharing/testing stage.


13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.' 15 "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'

--RESPOND! Once there, Peter did not chicken out; He assessed the situation and responded accordingly to their need. It's really a matter of simple faithfulness; being willing to get outside of the 4 walls that comprised his box.

17 So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God's way?" 18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life."

--REJOICE! Did they see this one coming? Evidently not, even though Jesus himself had issued the Great Commission. Evidently the “go into all the world” directive had, to this point, always been seen as a mission to diaspora Jews. In other words, the Jerusalem church had a brand new assignment dropped in their laps—mission to the Gentiles. They didn’t anticipate it, but they’re rejoicing in the outcome. People who've studied the book of Acts know that this new mission isn't without its complications. Ours might not be either. That's not the issue. The issue ....for EVERY Christian congregation of all time has always been one of faithfulness. The Lord asks: "Will you be faithful to the particular mission/franchise I've called you to?

Cheers,

TM

Sunday Apr 25th, thoughts going in

Easter 4
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon's Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one."


There are so many interesting details about this passage swirling around in my head. The first has to do with the TIMING/SETTING of the passage—the Festival of Dedication at the Temple. This is a festival celebrated by Jewish people to this day—known as Hanukkah. It is a celebration of the reclaiming of the Temple after it had been profaned by pagans in the days of Antiochus Epiphanes and Judas Maccabaeus (c. 167BC). There are many sentiments wrapped up in this festival, sentiments such as God hearing the cries of his people; God fighting on behalf of his people; God securing victory for his people against unfavorable odds; God restoring his presence among his people. How appropriate then, that it was during this festival that God IN THE FLESH, in Jesus, was walking among his people, listening to their cries; (eventually) fighting for them and securing victory on the cross; defeating an enemy of great power (Satan), etc. etc.

Vss 24-26: Of course in John’s gospel whenever we see the term “the Jews” we need to remember that 99% of everyone in the story is Jewish. Most English translations of the bible translate the “Ioudaioi” as “Jews,” when in reality a better translation would be “Judeans” (Jews from Judea as opposed to those from Galilee or other areas), or in certain contexts, “Jewish Leaders.” Regardless, a usual common denominator is that these are people of Jewish extraction that do NOT believe in Jesus (as the Messiah). Hence, “the Jews” can also be thought of as shorthand for “the unbelieving Jewish people,” as opposed to the Disciples who were “believing Jewish people.” “How long will you keep us in suspense,” might be better translated: “How long will you annoy us?” In other words, their patience was being tried. Jesus’ point in 25-26 is that he has already told them…in his actions. We in our culture should be able to relate to this concept as we have the saying: “Actions speak louder than words.”

Vss 26-27 form an interesting ‘circle.’ Non-sheep do not believe because…they’re not sheep. Sheep, on the other hand, DO believe—because they are sheep. It reminds me of the old commercial that debuted on superbowl Sunday “herding cats is hard work.” Of course it is; cats aren’t sheep, they’re not meant to be herded. This passage presents a tension for us. On one hand we are rightfully concerned that there are others in this world who do not believe the Gospel and follow Christ (some of our own friends and loved ones no doubt). Yet on the other hand, so long as a person is NOT a sheep, it would be silly to expect them to act like one—including to have belief.

The passage concludes with some of the greatest words ever spoken: . “27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” As sheep of the good shepherd, we:

LISTEN
BELONG
FOLLOW
ARE SECURE

Cheers,

TM