Listening to the Spirit (Acts 8:26-40)

1.     Previously on the topic of witnessing (Luke 24:36-53), we considered some necessary characteristics to be a good witness for Jesus:

Ø having the right foundation in life; reflecting good character; showing consistency & integrity; exhibiting purpose & hope;

Ø this time … being sensitive to the leading of God’s Spirit – so that we can connect with people (and be in the right place at the right time).

2.     Background to text

(a)  We are now in the post-Pentecost period where the Gospel has started to be shared far and wide … part of the reason for this was the persecution being suffered by the Christians in Jerusalem, causing them to disperse throughout the region (8:1). So whereas persecution was a bad thing, it did lead to Jesus-followers coming across the path of a broad range of people.

(b) When the original disciples needed help with practical pastoral care so that they themselves could continue with their preaching of the Gospel and devotion to prayer, Philip was one of those chosen – on the basis that he was “in good standing, and full of the Spirit and wisdom”. (Acts 6:1-7).

(c)  It obviously wasn’t long before Philip graduated to being an evangelist (Acts 8:4-13)! Philip was now a roving evangelist moving from place to place as the Spirit guided.

3.     Learnings from text (Acts 8:26-40)

Ø Refer verse 26. Now let us consider the question of God’s leading! The only way that you can sense God’s leading is how?? Being open to it – looking for it; praying for it. God will call and guide us through big decisions; but also God will call and guide us through everyday journeys … like going to see someone, or making a phone call – that we never planned to do, but sensed the need to do. Do we sometimes, however, resist Spirit promptings because they are inconvenient? ... or because they are a disruption? … or because we are heading in an unknown direction? It will often be in the disruptions that we sense the presence and movement of God, rather than in what we had planned.

Ø Philip simply felt impelled to go down south, and although not knowing why … there must be some really good reason to do so.

Ø What sort of trip was this likely to be for Philip?? “This is a wilderness road”!! Lonely, potentially dangerous! Out of our comfort zones.

Ø Refer verse 27a. So, Philip ‘hesitated and thought about it a bit more’!?! So, Philip ‘put it off for tomorrow’!?! No – Philip “got up and went”. The “got up” perhaps indicated that Philip was at prayer (or resting) at the time, but now was hitting the road. How often do we procrastinate? For Philip, this was an undeniable and irresistible call from God. If he had procrastinated, what might have been the result?? An opportunity missed!?!

Ø This was all heading for a ‘right place right time’ sort of situation; or what we might term a Divine appointment – refer verses 27b-28. Here was a quintessential ‘seeker’. Following whatever business he was transacting on behalf of his employer, he attended worship in Jerusalem. And now, he was sitting in his car reading the Bible … well so to speak! As we come to find out, this man was wrestling with the meaning of what he was reading from Isaiah.

Ø Who was this “Ethiopian eunuch”? Being identified here as an “Ethiopian” designates that he was a dark-skinned African, perhaps, given the geography, from the region of Sudan. Being described as a “eunuch” could mean a couple of things: probably that he had been physically castrated; but also the possibility that he had been culturally castrated in a metaphorical sense (i.e. emasculated), in that he had been placed in a position of servitude to a female ruler. Given that he had been worshipping in Jerusalem, and now was reading from the Hebrew Scriptures (Isaiah), this African was either a Jewish convert or one very much attracted to their religion [because of monotheism, high ethical standards]. However it is also possible, that if he was regarded as physically deformed, he may have been deemed unacceptable for full admission to the religion of the Jews!! But there was no restriction to him becoming … ??? … a follower of Jesus! If he was looking for somewhere to belong, then Philip would be able to show him the way!!

Ø Refer verse 29. Sometimes we have made the move, but we still need to be sensitive to the particular ministry God has in mind for us. Philip now understood why he had been guided in this direction and ran over to the eunuch’s chariot. I think here presented too is the general idea (for us to grab a hold of) that God’s Spirit is moving – there is a high importance on us understanding this and seeking to co-operate with this. Philip realised that this was a natural moment for God’s Spirit to be working and he had better get with the program! The Spirit is at work in the world drawing people to God, and it is up to the people of God to discern that activity and join with God on his mission (Karina Kreminski).

Ø Refer verse 30b. Where is the genius of Philip’s approach?? He started exactly where this other person was! Philip understood that there was little chance that this person from a much different background would be able to understand the text of Isaiah. [So this was NOT any sort of negative ‘put-down’ that this ‘eunuch guy’ wouldn’t be able to understand Isaiah, but rather a genuine and considerate offer of help toward such understanding.] Philip may have also deduced a confused look on the eunuch’s face. With this in mind, Philip came up with just the right question! Or we might say, he was open enough to God that, despite any uncertainty or nervousness, just the right words came out of his mouth. There is some skill and experience involved in saying the right things at the right time, but even for the most experienced, there is the need to be tuned in well to the Holy Spirit’s leading. As we practice this, it will become more and more natural. And this opened a wonderful conversation that we know had a great outcome.

Ø We should note that Philip, once he knew that he must converse with this man, didn’t let the differing racial background, or different type of profession, or anything else, get in the way.

Ø Many people today might enter a church worship service, or open the Bible, and be puzzled and lack understanding; for they have little background to draw upon that would help them. Philip’s gentle and sincere approach facilitated an open door through which the Gospel was shared. The good question, followed by the eunuch’s warm response “How can I, unless someone guides me” opens the way for a relationship to begin. Notice also (in verse 31) the trust involved in inviting Philip to sit beside him.

Ø God had already been preparing not only Philip for this interaction, but also the ‘eunuch’ – note the passage he was reading, and how this would easily lead to a presentation about Jesus.

Ø Why Philip … why me?? The coming together of two uniquely compatible personalities. There might be no one else with quite the same connectivity with a certain other person. Watch out for what God might be setting up. God’s Spirit may be preparing other people to meet up with us! We might not be able to answer all the questions that follow, but we can make ourselves available to assist in that mutual journey toward understanding. Having said this, Philip was able to helpfully interpret Isaiah for this ‘eunuch’; thus we should take every opportunity we can to improve our biblical knowledge (and our wisdom in applying this).

4.     Opportunities abound

It is one thing to be ready for God to lead us to another person, it is another to actually be anticipating it. We can also, if we dare, pray for these very opportunities. This could be with people we already know in mind, or just with anyone in mind that God might want to throw across our path. We can pray that God will use us like he used Philip. We can pray that God will prompt us to be in the right place at the right time. And we can pray this with the thought that God will be preparing the other person for an upcoming interaction as well (so that they will respond as warmly as did the “Ethiopian eunuch”).

Some people have serious reservations about the Christian faith – emotional hurt, philosophical objections, bad experiences. We can pray in these circumstances for some new creative way of communicating that helps reveal God’s grace. Perhaps we need to listen better, or be more vulnerable in sharing our own story. Perhaps we need to find other ways of serving their practical needs first, developing the sort of trust that will begin a growing relationship.

Let us be encouraged by those times when we have said something helpful in season. Let us rejoice when we have been able to travel out of our comfort zones into someone’s else’s “chariot”, and found that God’s Spirit has given us the words and the resources that we have needed. Let us be thankful when others have been able to experience God through their interactions with us. Let us be encouragers of one another on this journey of being God’s hands, feet and mouthpieces in our local communities.

Signing on the Dotted Line

Well it looks like we have found somewhere permanent to live in Bright; somewhere to bring all our stuff up to from Melbourne, and try to fit it all in. It seems that a few things will have to find new homes through the Bright Op Shop; but all this reminds us about new starts in new places with new friends - and also the new start we make everyday with Jesus! We might have bought a house, but our home is still with Jesus sharing in his Kingdom travelling wherever his leadership takes us.

Quote: Hospitality & Trinity (Karina Kreminski)

We practice hospitality not because it is primarily a culturally acceptable thing to do. As Christians we imitate the hospitality, mutuality interdependence that we see within the godhead. If we look at the trinity we see Father, Son and Holy Spirit interrelating with each other. They welcome us into that intimate relationship that they have with one another. So we also need to welcome the weaker ones, the stranger, the marginalised. We need to practice being Trinitarian by showing hospitality.

Quote: Holy Spirit - the "Disrupter" (Karina Kreminski)

We are less comfortable with the role that the Holy Spirit plays in disrupting our lives and turning us upside down. In Matthew 4:1 we read that right after the very comforting experience Jesus had of the Spirit affirming him as the Son of God, the Spirit ‘led’ Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the enemy. Often the Spirit will lead us to places that we don’t want to go, teach us surprising things about God, turn our theology around, and give us experiences that we would perhaps rather not have. Have we domesticated the Spirit to the extent that we do not experience his ‘wild’ character in our lives? The Holy Spirit does not bring us discomfort and disorientation for the sake of it, instead he turns us and our plans inside out so that we might be more aligned with the mission of God in our world.

Effective Thankfulness (Luke 17:11-19)

1.     Challenging Questions

This passage singles out one person who had been cured of leprosy … who in turn showed gratitude and gained extra blessing. This passage also highlights nine other people who gained the same cure but didn’t return to thank Jesus.

Jesus loved all ‘ten’, and was offering the same outcome to all, but nine didn’t avail themselves of the opportunity. The question for me is – “What were they thinking”? What was going on in their heads? And then we go on to wonder what relevance this might have to us. This leads then to a further question … ‘Why do so many people go so far with Jesus and no further’??

2.     Back to the beginning

People who suffered from leprosy were outcasts … excluded from mainstream society … forced to live in remote and desolate places, enduring horrible conditions. This was due to their disfigurement and because they were thought to be contagious. This also meant they were often separated from their family, and they could not attend the synagogue and fulfil their religious observances. These ‘lepers’ were generally despised, feared and thus marginalised. As such they were left to their own devices, living in a sort of chaotic quarantine!!! They suffered from poverty, hunger, mental anguish, and shame (even though they were often not at fault). For all these reasons such affected people were desperate. What is termed “leprosy” in bible times was not necessarily the most problematical “Hansen’s disease”, but could have also been eczema or psoriasis or such like. All such skin conditions were lumped together under ‘leprosy’, treated as contagious and undesirable, leading to the sufferers being treated as sub-human.

So this day while Jesus was travelling along the road, ten leprosy sufferers tentatively approached Jesus for help. Having caught his attention, they called out for mercy. Why, when they were in such a desperate condition, did they “keep their distance” (v.12), rather than just falling at Jesus’ feet then and there? This was of course the law – such sufferers were not allowed to approach any ‘non-leper’. And if they accidentally came across someone’s path, they were obligated to call out “Unclean, unclean”! When Jesus noticed them, he was impressed with their faith (or at least a belief in Jesus big enough that they might receive some help). Where had such faith come from? Perhaps the stories about Jesus, including his healing of ‘lepers’, had become well-known around the grapevine even through the margins of society. And then, desperation and suffering can be triggers for opening oneself to any possibility of outside help.

Calling Jesus “Master” (v.13) certainly indicated some level of faith and expectancy. These ten leprosy sufferers seem to have felt that Jesus could do something for them, even if they stayed at a distance; such was the power Jesus had over human conditions. Now we know that not all illness is cured like we see in this passage, in fact it seems that it is the norm for us to endure various illnesses while maintaining out trust in God. Sometimes there is a measure of relief, sometimes marked improvement, sometimes complete healing, but often health challenges continue. We wonder why … and are left to trust in the wisdom of God. But here in this passage, we are surely given a window into the magnificent capacity of Jesus to change the course of our lives.

We pause to consider whether we are prepared to approach Jesus for help with points of need in our life, or whether, for whatever reason, we keep our distance. Maybe it’s outside the norm we have adopted to close the distance between ourselves and Jesus!?! We shouldn’t allow any feelings of unworthiness or guilt or shame stand in the way of calling for or reaching out to the One who so much wants to love us. Can we put aside our inhibitions and throw ourselves onto the mercy of Jesus; thereby putting ourselves on the path of health and wholeness?

How did Jesus respond to the ‘ten lepers’?? Jesus told the ‘ten’ to go and show themselves to the priest at their local synagogue. This was because it was required for a priest to declare someone free of leprosy before they could return to normal community and family life. These ten lepers would know that well, and thus realised that Jesus had in fact responded with mercy to their need. What do you notice about the way things happened (v.14)?? They went to do what Jesus had said, and THEN … they were “made clean”!! Jesus was testing their level of faith, asking them to act as if their healing was assured.

3.     An extra step

One of these ‘ten’ returned to thank Jesus. Not only that … because he no longer felt inhibited and oppressed by this leprosy condition, this ‘one’ felt free to fall at Jesus’ feet in gratitude and adulation! And it is quite clear that he was happy to go public about this, because the text says that he was “praising God with a loud voice” (v.15). He also had clearly made the connection between Jesus and God. This ‘one’ of the ‘ten’ realised that such a miraculous outcome deserved a personal heartfelt response. This particular person had obviously thought about the significance of what had happened a little more, and how wonderful it was, and how great was the One who had brought it about! This day, this former ‘leper’, realised he had been touched by God. It’s when we slow down and take the time to think about where and when God has acted for us in mercy, that we grow in our faith.

There is a quirky little remark here for any witness or reader of this event!! This one who returned to worship Jesus would have been the least likely to respond in this way to a Jewish teacher (v.16b). Samaritans and Jews did not get on well together – there was much entrenched antagonism between them. Yet Jesus’ ministry was going to cut right across not only the divide of human wellness, but also across any racial divide (challenging any old enemies to become friends). Everyone and anyone has access to Jesus should they desire it!

The nine others heading off together to their Jewish priest might have felt satisfied in each other’s company, but the one Samaritan became aware of his need to be in Jesus’ company. We then see something extra, something special, something even more extraordinary happen. What do you see in the text (v.19)???

To be made “well” is akin to being ‘saved’, which is of much greater import than just being “made clean” (v.14) [or ‘healed’] in a physical sense. To be made “well” encompasses all parts of our life, most especially to the depths of our spiritual being. To be made “well” is to be made ‘whole’. This one former ‘leper’ was now fully alive!

This is then something that the other nine missed out on. Why?? They just went about their own business! They were possibly satisfied just with their physical improvement. A shame really, because they had come so far to miss out on the cherry sitting on top of the ice-cream! This is like the child who receives a beautiful gift, but then is just satisfied playing with the wrapping paper or the empty box!! I think that this says something to those who:

·        take their Christian walk very casually, or,

·        pick and choose a little bit concerning the teaching of Jesus, or,

·        are just satisfied when their immediate personal needs are met, or,

·        push Jesus back into a comfortable box for them, or,

·        are prepared to accept mediocrity rather than full freedom, or,

·        don’t give priority to worshipping and serving Jesus with their fellow believers, or,

·        don’t take seriously enough the concept of becoming more like Christ.

Another analogy … this is a bit like a class of ten students at school … nine of which would only do enough to just get that ‘pass mark’. There is something to be missed out on, if we are not sincere in our faith.

4.     Being thankful

It seems that it was this particular ‘one’ former leper’s attitude of thankfulness that made a tremendous difference. His gratitude actually demonstrated the reality of his faith. This can lead us down the path of fulfilling that most challenging of instructions from Paul: “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess.5:18); for instance,

·        we can be thankful for the alarm even on a cold morning, because we are alive

·        we can be thankful for the dirty dishes, because this means we have been fed

·        we can be thankful for tiredness, because it means we have had something purposeful to do

·        we can be thankful for life’s challenges, because these will inevitably grow our faith.

Being thankful:

·        reminds us that we need help in life

·        allows us to reflect on our blessings, and consider those lacking similar benefits

·        helps us understand what is most important in life.

The other nine would have no doubt felt good going off to their priest to be declared “clean”. But there was ‘one’ who caught something of Jesus that he wouldn’t let go of. Having experienced Jesus and the full impact of his ministry, this former ‘leper’ now became a worshipping, praise-filled follower of Jesus.

Colossians 2:6-7 reads: As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith; just as you were taught; abounding in thanksgiving.

God's Greatest Gift (Luke 4:14-21)

1.     Salvation History

How would you describe a relationship?

One important part of a true relationship is that it has been entered into voluntarily by choice.

Once God gave humankind freewill, there was going to have to be a plan for salvation. In a way God set himself up for a fall with freewill, allowing his creativity and love to be thrown back in his face. But at least, and this was the Divine purpose here, people would enter into relationship with God voluntarily. It would never be a real relationship if there was no other option – if relationship with God was compulsory or it just happened irrespective of a decision to do so … that’s not a relationship, that’s enslavement.

How would you describe salvation?

One important part of an experience of salvation is that it is continual and ongoing.

From the moment of the first sin or act of rebellion to God, there was the need for a plan of salvation. There were many offerings of love from God, like the exodus … the liberation from Egypt; there were many offerings of guidance through the Hebrew prophets; as well as clear judgements on anti-God behaviour, like the flood in Noah’s time, and various political defeats and resultant periods of exile – but the people of Israel never seemed able to stay on a straight course. These incidents and experiences would tend to remind people of God’s existence, yet never really, it would seem (from any reading of the Old Testament), lead, with some exceptions, to a permanent abiding obedient caring relationship with God.

There would need to be another way. Hebrew prophets like Isaiah saw and understood how God would ultimately act. Isaiah preached many words that were ultimately fulfilled in Jesus (some seven centuries later). We have read some of those words today. God would enter into the human environment himself in the person of Jesus to make an ultimate sacrifice that brings about forgiveness and salvation. And the resurrection opened the path to a different style of life. This was God’s greatest gift!

Why then at this particular point in history? ‘Pax Romana’ / ease of movement for trade / spreading message.

Galatians 4:4-5 – But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.

2.     Spiritual Revolution

Jesus entered the local synagogue on the Sabbath day and read from the prophet Isaiah. Jesus was able to personalise this scripture and show how it had been fully fulfilled in his own person – refer verse 21 – Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. And when Jesus said (in v.18) – The Spirit of the Lord is upon me – he meant this quite literally! This passage is preceded by the scenes of Jesus’ baptism and then temptation in the wilderness. In a way, Jesus didn’t need to be baptised by John the Baptist in the Jordan (for, being God, he had nothing to repent of). Yet he did so as a demonstration of what human beings needed to do, and also as an opportunity for people to witness the Holy Spirit descend bodily upon Jesus in establishing his earthly ministry (Luke 3:21-22). The temptation scenes that follow show that the devil was no match for Jesus, and that the obedient person filled with God’s Spirit is able to endure and resist the most pressing temptation (4:1-13).

How was it that Jesus was handed the scroll of the prophet to read? Did Jesus find his name on the roster to read the Word that day? Was it because he was gaining a reputation as a teacher or at least a distinguished person? Was it because Jesus had such an aura or a presence that this became such a natural thing to happen? Yet, there was soon to be a major reaction against Jesus that very day in Nazareth. So, there was a readiness to hear from Jesus as long as he toed the line or didn’t upset the apple cart? With the coming of Jesus there was going to be a spiritual revolution that not everybody was going to like. Some, completely on the other side, would soon start planning Jesus’ demise (or what they thought would be Jesus’ demise).

This revolution would involve true repentance, where people’s actions would have to align with their stated faith, and where people’s attitudes would have to fall in line with God’s attitudes. This revolution would promote an unprecedented call to care for other people. Jesus’ revolution included the message of grace going out (from the Jews) to the Gentiles, as had been envisioned so long ago when God told Abraham that through him there would be a blessing on all nations (Genesis 12:1-3). This would not necessarily be easy to hear, especially for those who had been cruising along in the rarefied air of their own importance.

Did Jesus select these particular verses from the prophet Isaiah, or was this the set passage for the day? Either way we see God's preparation - this was to be a momentous occasion for Jesus to clearly state was he was about – what his ‘job description’ was if you like. This would include: bringing the good news of grace to those who had the least (and lived on the margins), releasing those who had become captive and oppressed, offering sight and light to those who were living in darkness, and proclaiming God’s offer of forgiveness for the lost. This would allow a new movement to arise, those who would gather together in Jesus’ name to promote salvation to the rest of the world (based on their own experience of God’s grace). 

[And it is also very interesting where Jesus stops reading. Refer to Isaiah 61:1-2 and note the significance of where Jesus stops – no more vengeance towards enemies. What Jesus presents is not what we generally see on the news!]

3.     Personal Transformation

We could understand these verses (v.18-19) in a number of ways, and I want us to see how they apply to both everyone collectively, and then also very personally to ourselves individually.

(a)  Good news to the poor – to those who are restricted in their resources, Jesus’ coming is good news … because Jesus promotes such a new consideration and generosity toward others, that any level of poverty should tend towards being alleviated. We could argue how well the Christian Church has done in this area. But equally, Jesus’ coming is good news to the poor in spirit, to those who are humble or have been humbled, to those whose experience of life has led them to be open to a new alternative – such as these have encountered God through Jesus in a personally accepting and transforming way. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3).

(b) Release to the captives – to those imprisoned legally, there is still hope!! To those imprisoned in tyrannical circumstances, because of their ethnic grouping or because of their faith or because of their desire to overthrow unjust authority – there is a chance that their claims and their cries will be heard by those who stand with Jesus for compassion and justice. There is the surety that God dwells with innocent sufferers of violence. But also, Jesus wants to grant us personally release from anything that captures or oppresses us or tends toward destroying us, whether this be materialism, habits, addictions, fear, or just the ravages of sin. Jesus brings the promise of freedom.

(c)  Recovery of sight to the blind – in Jesus’ time there were many instances of sight being restored to blind people, and remarkably even sight given to persons born blind. These were great acts of healing brought out of God’s compassion. In each case these healing acts were communicated by the Gospel writers as ‘signs’ of an even greater reality, and that is the gift of spiritual sight. This is where people come to see beyond just the obvious physical and material world into the greater meaning of things. This is a great offer to those living in darkness oblivious to God’s love. There is a way forward, and God, who some may have felt was distant and elusive, has been brought close to hand through the coming of Jesus.

(d) A time of favour – the “year of the Lord’s favour” likely connects back to the concept of the ‘year of jubilee’ in Leviticus, where God decreed that after 50 years slaves would be freed, debts would be cancelled, and family properties that had been lost through debt would return to their original owners. This would be a reaction against economic imbalances. There is little evidence that this decree was ever really practiced. But in the coming of Jesus there was a reminder to all that debts could and should be forgiven, after all, this would be the centre of Jesus’ very activity on earth – making ultimate forgiveness available. Rather than building up more and more division and bitterness, Jesus was about reflecting God’s forgiving nature.

[Note: Jesus calls us to be both exodus and jubilee type people – those who have been liberated, finding ways of liberating others from all things that oppress them.]

4.     Contemporary Interest?

We here can all see the relevance of this. We here know that we need salvation. Most of us would have experienced something from each of these areas of Jesus’ activity:

·        grace that has enriched our lives,

·        release from being captive to various negative behaviours, attitudes or thought-processes,

·        sight to see things differently and more spiritually,

·        and most powerfully … forgiveness … so that we might come to know God more closely.

Yet, is it right that we often see little interest in such things outside the church?!? Why is this? What stops people being able to trust in God? Well there would be a multitude of answers to this, including the age-old question of so much pain and suffering in the world, right through to the rampant self-interest of so many people. There are various hypocritical abuses that have occurred in the church, through to a sometimes influential and antagonistic media.

We generally see less interest from government schools in churches and Christian groups being involved in their school community, despite the many advantages that have been evident over the years. What can we do about this? What creative ideas and plans can we have locally to offer a Jesus-style ministry to children and young people, not only a ministry … but Jesus himself?!? How can we share God’s greatest gift?

Let’s keep listening, praying and working to try to get some answers!

Characteristics of a Good Witness (Luke 24:36-53)

Despite the resurrection being part of Jesus’ teaching, his disciples had not been able to get a handle on this, and what it would all mean for humanity. These disciples were not even prepared to contemplate Jesus dying, let alone rising again. So they were quite defeated by his death, and then pretty unprepared for his resurrection. The women who attended the empty tomb were telling their story, as were as the two who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus. If Jesus’ disciples could just acknowledge and experience the reality of Jesus’ resurrection, they might just turn the world upside down (or, indeed, ‘right-side-up’). So Jesus meets with his disciples, reassures them, encourages them, and commissions them (to be “witnesses”); then also promises them all the help that they will need.

What does it mean to be a witness?

What or who is a witness?

How would you describe a witness?

Perhaps, someone who sees something and testifies to it.

Possibility of an unreliable witness!

Not necessarily a good witness if only a quick fleeting glance.

A good witness sees clearly and understands well.

A witness to Jesus goes much deeper than just a casual observance.

Giving testimonials. More personal & relational.

The Greek word translated witness is the word from which we also get ‘martyr’. This connects with Jesus’ call for us to “take up our cross” when we follow him. In other words, this means that we are prepared to endure whatever cost comes our way as we follow Jesus. We have to be ‘sold out’ to the Jesus cause to be the most effective witness.

What helps us with our witnessing (to Jesus)?

(a)  Our faith – (refer v.36-43) Jesus encourages his disciples to deal with their fears and doubts. Jesus shows them bodily reminders of his crucifixion to help them to grasp the reality of his resurrection. Jesus encourages his disciples to touch him so that they will know for sure that Jesus is their risen Lord. Jesus consumed some food in front of them to quell any lingering doubts. If we are open and attentive enough, we too will gain enough encouragement to deepen our faith in the reality of the resurrected Jesus. We will see what Jesus is doing in others, and come to a greater appreciation of what Jesus is seeking to do in us. We might also come to recognise a movement of God’s Spirit around town. In the midst of any fear or doubt, Jesus offers us his peace to replace any anxiety … Jesus said, “Peace be with you”.

(b) The resurrection itself – The fact that Jesus rose from the dead of course changes everything. From a dead-end we see a new future. New life in Christ, abundant and free! As 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new”! Yet we are still human, and thus will still need help if we are to succeed in God’s mission, and go forward in our new lives. A promise was given, and this promise was fulfilled (v.49). What was this promise?

(c)  The Holy Spirit – (refer v.49) We are not alone … Jesus promised to always be with us – the Holy Spirit is God’s witness to us that Jesus travels with us day by day. The Holy Spirit helps us to know what to say, and convicts us of what needs to change. The Holy Spirit brings Jesus’ teaching alive in our minds, and helps us to apply this teaching to everyday circumstances and events. The Holy Spirit turns our small honest efforts into great times of transformation. When fear makes us feel naked in the face of the crowd, the Holy Spirit can clothe us with effectiveness.

(d) Being worshipping people – (refer v.52) While the disciples were waiting for this promise to be fulfilled they worshipped God together. There is much blessing and strength and growth to be found in worshipping together with God’s people. Joy develops, even in the face of adversity. The Christian life was NEVER meant to be lived in isolation – this a relational life … horizontal (with other believers) as well as vertical (with God).

What are the characteristics of a good witness?

(i)                Having the Right Foundation – in Joshua chapter 24, the people of Israel were given a proposition – if all was going to go well for them then they should choose to serve Yahweh God and leave all foreign gods behind. Joshua himself, as their leader, made the impressive statement … “as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15b).The gathered people then followed by saying … “we will also serve the Lord, for he is our God (v.18b), and then later said, “The Lord our God we will serve, and him we will obey” (v.24).

Even though we see this commitment abandoned many times throughout the Old Testament, it is still one that we should choose to make now. Now we are not in a position to choose for other people, including our children and partner, but we can ourselves live in such a way that God is our highest priority, thus hopefully being an inspirational example to others who live in close proximity to us.

(ii)              Good Demeanour … another word would be ‘character’. This is about being approachable, and open for connection and relationship, rather than be closed and difficult to approach. This is about being known as an encourager – a speaker of gracious words, rather than being known as a critic. This is about being light-filled, which makes one attractive, and, like the lighthouse on the cliff, also able to give guidance. We draw people rather than push them away. Due to the poor lighting in Ireland Street in the early 1900's it was suggested by some that the name of this town be changed from "Bright" to "Dull" [source: Bright Gold]. The opposite of light is dullness or even darkness.

Jesus is ‘the light of the world’ – a famous theme in John’s Gospel (8:12), but in Matthew chapter 5 (v.14-16) Jesus says of those who would follow him … You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

We also carry a ‘scent’ with us!!! Paul in 2^nd Corinthians  talks about the fragrance or aroma that God’s people can spread through their daily journey … But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing … (2:14-15). Do we radiate the light of Jesus? Do we have the aroma of Christ?

                               

(iii)            Consistency / Integrity – where our words and actions are in sync … all the time. Joshua had to push the people of Israel in his time to make these solid foundational statements (referred to above), because they had a history of flip-flopping all over the place, and running after the newest, more advantageous, and less-taxing trend. Their lives had not generally lived up to their statements. One of Jesus’ gifts to his disciples, in the face of their uncertainty, was his ‘peace’ – “Peace be with you” (v.36). It is the peace of God coming into our lives that makes us truly able to be who we are (i.e. who we are in Christ), rather than continually flip-flopping around. We are loved and we are forgiven, and though far from perfect, fully acceptable and valued by God – in this we are at peace.

(iv)            Exhibiting Purpose and Hope – in the way we live, especially in the way we use our time and other resources, we can exhibit that there is more to life than an ever-increasing number of people might imagine. Jesus is our friend, and as we serve him in serving other people and building community, we are witnessing to a greater purpose and pointing towards another ‘kingdom’ that sits above the physical world – the Kingdom of God – the place where God reigns. This is where the will of God is done. We pray … Our Father, who is in heaven, honoured be Your Name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done – on earth as it already is in heaven (Matt.6:9-10). As we pray this prayer we are committing ourselves to being part of the process of God’s will being done on earth like it is in heaven. In this we offer hope to those around who are downcast, lost and lacking any sense of hope. The offer of God’s Kingdom is an offer of a whole new reality.

Ultimately, what are we witnessing to?

Refer verses 45-48.

·        That God loves us so much that Jesus came among us and suffered death on a cross that we might experience forgiveness.

·        That this forgiveness is open to all people who humbly repent (turn in a new direction). And that Jesus rose from the dead to lead us all into new life … the sort of life we were designed to have in the first place.

This call to repentance was NOT primarily a judgement of humanity, but rather an embracing of people through the eyes of mercy and compassion. Yes, sin and evil are real and destructive, but repentance can lead to so much better personal and relational outcomes. God exists in the hope that people will respond to his grace and be transformed into the image of Jesus. We are “witnesses” to God’s active and outreaching love.

Raining honey!

Reading the book Bright Gold I discovered this morning the following comment re the early 1900s: "Many of the churches were short of money and could not afford necessary building repairs. At St Andrews [now the Bright Church of Christ building], damp, dry rot and white ants took their toll. The roof also leaked, and, on one occasion when a swarm of bees settled in the belfry, the congregation was showered with honey as well as rain" (p.156). 

Leadership

I just read this great quote from the latest edition of Oikos magazine:

"Leadership is the spiritual grace to be able to see another person's divine destiny and impart something into their life that moves them forward toward that destiny" (Roger Thorman).

Leaving everything? (Luke 5:1-11)

We have read a scene from early in the ministry of Jesus. People had become impressed by Jesus and wanted to hear his teaching, and Jesus was happy to accommodate them. This scene is set at the “lake of Gennesaret” – a very large lake with 9 townships clustered around its shores … the centre of Galilee’s fishing industry. Jesus chose to teach from a boat and clearly targeted the one operated by Simon Peter. We then see Peter respond positively to Jesus in successive ways.

What does it mean to leave everything (to follow Jesus)?

The first disciples were in a different situation to us – we are not likely to be able to leave our jobs and families to physically follow Jesus around for three years. Yet these disciples did set us some sort of example by being willing to give up their businesses, professions and political ambitions.

If we take up this Gospel challenge – what will it mean for us to “leave everything”?

It's more than just moving house, changing location, or leaving a church behind, for there will likely be a new home, new friends and a new church. It must go deeper than just this.

Perhaps we could say … leaving behind anything that gets in the way of our relationship with God (and our service with Jesus)! Or maybe, making sure we are free from any hindrances that will get in the way of God’s best for us.

(i)                Self-interest – no longer will we make decisions purely on how they affect me. We will have a much broader, more inclusive, more communal, more Kingdom of God way of thinking. This will include dealing with any prejudices we carry toward any particular people group, and dealing with any bitterness we carry from the past. This is because we are following Jesus, who spent his time loving and teaching and offering grace to all people … people with all kinds of conditions that led them to be treated as outcasts; people outside of his own people group; even spending hopeful time with people who ultimately would be a party to his crucifixion.

  

(ii)              Personal Ambition – no longer will we put personal desires above the common good. We might desire recognition or power or status or even security, but if this is to be gained at the expense of any other person, then maybe it should be laid aside. If this leads us down the path of any sense of superiority, then this needs to be laid aside. You might remember the incident when James and John asked Jesus for special positions in the coming Kingdom … they were reminded that God’s ways are often upside down (or perhaps better ‘right-side up’) to the world’s ways. To be great is to serve (refer Mark 10:35-45). Sometimes we only see things from a very limited perspective, but we need to come to see God’s much bigger picture.

(iii)            Our Grip on Life itself – no longer will we take a defensive position in life based on fear. [Fear, not doubt, is the greatest enemy of faith.] We will still take normal rational steps to protect our well-being, but we will also become more ready to take on new adventures and opportunities, without so readily being daunted by the possible obstacles, risks or (unpredictable) outcomes. That great disciple Simon Peter was overcome by threats to his person. What was Peter afraid of when he denied knowing Jesus three times?? Losing his grip on life (or losing control)! Later, following Peter’s reinstatement to ministry, Peter had to cope with these words of Jesus … “When you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go” (John 21:18). This is the Jesus following life.

(iv)            Sin – you wouldn’t want to take persistent sin forward into following Jesus, but rather leave it behind. Forgiveness and cleansing goes along with the mindset of not committing that sin again … which is of course the meaning of biblical repentance – a change of mind, a change of direction. When Jesus showed all that magnificent grace to the woman caught in adultery (mentioned in John’s Gospel 8:1-11), he concluded that interaction with the statement, that if this woman was going to go forward in life, she would have to ‘sin no more’.

So, to ‘leave everything’ is quite a big ask! How do we place ourselves in a position where we can actually do it? How can we meet this challenge?

(a)  OPENNESS – Look at Peter … despite tiredness from a long hard unsuccessful night of fishing, and a probable preference to finish his cleaning up and just go home to bed, Peter was willing to take a step of trust (refer verses 4-5). No-one had ever heard of being successful in catching fish in the daylight having been unsuccessful through the night, but Peter took his boat back out. Note that Peter already referred to Jesus as “Master” only just beginning to get to know him – there was something about this Jesus worth wholly responding to … “yet if you say so …”! And look what happened!! What seemed under normal circumstances to be impossible … actually happened!

(b) WILLINGNESS – BEING RESPONSIVE TO BLESSING – (refer v. 6-7) When remarkable things happen there is good reason to be thankful and find ways of responding. Such incidents as this great and unprecedented catch of fish should lead to a response based on any ever-growing faith in what Jesus can do. One step of faith leading to blessing should point us to the next necessary step of faith.

(c)  HUMILITY – (refer v.8-9) – We also need a sober assessment of our situation as human beings – sinners in need of a Saviour. We would not want to take God’s grace (& blessing) for granted, but rather be constantly seeking forgiveness, and be constantly tuned in to what God is trying to say to us and teach us. Peter felt unworthy that such a great thing would happen to him, and that he was in the presence of One (who Peter now called “Lord”) who could bring such an occurrence about. Yet this level of humility and this understanding of his need for mercy, was exactly what Peter needed to become a true follower of Jesus. Rather than departing from Peter, as had been requested, Jesus actually called Peter into service. Follow me, and we’ll collect many others along the way!