Times are Changin': Seize the Day!

A life of adventure.  A life of significance, not merely success. That’s what we all really want deep inside our hearts.  But how do we get there?

 

It’s the lesson Robin Williams was teaching his students in the movie, Dead Poet’s Society.  This is one of those movie scenes that imbeds itself in your mind. A light suddenly comes on as you watch it, one that all of us need while groping in the darkness for life’s significance and meaning. We want to make a difference. We desire our life to be an adventure.  We hunger for our lives to be extraordinary…and not just run of the mill, ending up as Robin William’s character puts it: “fertilizing the daffodils.”  So we seek to Seize the Day! 

But How? Part of it involves starting where you are! Seizing the Day is NOT about:

“If only I were in another position,”

                             or “If only I were in a different place.”

                                                 or “If only things were like the used to be.”

Seizing the Day means starting right now and grabbing hold of God’s significance for you in this very moment! That’s our story today from Acts 8.  Today, we examine a story of a member of the FIRST CHURCH who seized the day!  Acts 8:26-40

(v 26)  An angel appears to Phillip.  Here is what is interesting about that … If that were me?   

I would have run!  Phillip doesn’t run. This angel doesn’t have to say, “Don’t be afraid!”  For me the angel would have had to yell because I would have been out of there.  Instead it appears that Phillip expected an encounter with God.  

 
Do you expect an encounter with God?  When you come to church? When you go to Sunday School? When you pray? Daily are you expecting to encounter God or are you just filling time … going through the motions.  

 

Apparently, Phillip was expecting something to happen and it does! God sends him to the Desert.  You understand people don’t go to the desert. It’s just not the cool-hip place to be.  The desert is not a healthy or safe place. But understand that God knows where the people are that are hurting … God knows where the people in need are … We need to be able to tune into the places God is calling us to go. 

(v 27) Philip begins his journey.  Have you ever noticed that you can’t get anywhere without starting out?  You want to get organized? Straighten up the garage? Learn a new hobby? Exercise? Write a book?  Nothing happens until you get started!

(v28-29) The chariot had just come from Jerusalem. The man, we can infer, went to Jerusalem to do business, but he was also searching as he is now reading from Scripture. This man who was looking for answers left empty and still searching.

(v 30-34) Opportunity presents itself.  As Phillip inquires, he is invited in to converse. Phillip shares the Good News.  In the moment of opportunity, Phillip Seized the Day!  Are you following this?  He shared the story as he had learned it and as he had lived it. 

(v 35) The story he told was about Jesus.

Before we continue, let me insert a thought about the dreaded E word – evangelism.  Evangelism isn’t a real popular word in the church today and yet we are each called to be evangelists – that simply means that we are to be messengers for Christ.  But here is what happens ….

The longer we are in church the less we do with other people.  Our circle of friends constricts to just our Church friends. If we are to actually GROW the community of faith, we need to find new ways to reach people OUTSIDE of the church. In our story ….. Philip willingly crossed barriers to reach others:

Cultural barriers – the person he is about to meet was from an entirely different culture and nation

Racial barriers – while Philip was Jewish, this person was most likely black-skinned and, therefore, visibly different

Economic Barriers – while we don’t know Philip’s vocation, it is unlikely it would have come close to being as prestigious or profitable as this man who was in charge of his nation’s entire treasury. Yet Philip did not let this dissuade him from obedience to the Spirit of God when prompted to connect with this man.

Religious Barriers – this person came from an entirely different background than that based on a personal faith in Jesus Christ.

Without question, Ethiopia was a society of multiple deities and probably characterized by pluralism (taking a little bit of one belief and combine it with a little bit of another, or a few others, and developing a religion that you like for yourself personally – sound familiar?).

(v 36-38) Having heard the story the man responds.  Take note of what Phillip did not do: He did not go to him and declare: We need to talk about God!  He did not tell him he was a heathen in need of repentance! He did not condemn his actions or ideas! There were no demands or conditions placed on him.  Phillip never had to tell the man what to do.  None of that …. Phillip just walked along side and waited and earned the right to be heard. I believe in the notion that no one will believe you care about them until you show them that you care about them …. But if all your faith is directing you to do is meet their physical needs then you have missed the point of the Gospel message.

When the opportunity presented itself – Phillip – Seized the Day! and simply told the story of God’s redeeming love revealed in the life of Jesus and left the rest to God and the Spirit.  Evangelism has not changed in all these centuries, as it is still one person, telling another person, how they made the discovery of a lifetime…and how anyone can make that same discovery. 

This is our day!  Our opportunity … like those that came before us … in the First Church in Acts …. in the First Church in Hagerstown … this is our opportunity.   Will we seize it and make a difference?  Will we live our faith in ways that will be remembered?

If you’re going to Seize the Day, God is going to look for the same qualities in you that He found in Philip. He’s going to look and see if you’re faithful, available, and teachable. When God finds those qualities in you, God will never guide you where He will not provide for you! 

Seize the Day!  Do you hear the voices from the past?  Can you hear the Holy Spirit cheering you on?  Carpe …. Hear it? Carpe … those people in the First Church in Acts had the same kind of dreams you have …. they wanted their lives to make a difference …. They wanted to be extraordinary … they wanted to leave a legacy … Capre … Carpe Diem … 

Seize the Day!  Seize the Day!  Seize the Day!

On the Way to Sunday .... Seize the Day

I don't know about you, but I am counting the days until the election is over!

My television has been politically hi-jacked commercials and content; my e-mail is filled with political junk mail; my facebook page is drowning in political banter (I'm at least happy to discover that I have friends that hold opposing political views).  When will it end?

Oh wait .... that's right it will end some time in the days following the election.  All the over-hyped language and uber news coverage will go away for another 4 years.  Yeah! Right?

But that got me to thinking (You knew that was coming), why is that as followers of Christ we are able to become more passionate about politics than we are the Good News of Christ?  

 

Why will we place a sign in a yard proclaiming our support for a candidate we may not even know, but refuse to promote the church event for fear it might be offensive?

Why will we talk to someone we hardly know about the latest debate, but won't even talk to our neighbors about the great sermon we heard on Sunday?

 

Why will we encourage everyone we see to vote on Election Day, but never invite the people we know to Church?

Now don't get me wrong, I believe in democracy.  I will vote on Election Day.  

BUT, I refuse to become passionate about something that will not last while relegating the eternal to an after-thought.  I'm happy to talk politics (most any time - not just during elections), but don't be surprised when our political talk turns into Jesus talk.

On the way to Sunday, while you are getting politically motivated, how about using some of that energy for God's Kingdom.

See you Sunday!

Times are Changin': Nothing to Hide

Search for the lost, bring back those that stray away, 

put bandages on those that are hurt, 

and make the weak strong. 

Ezekiel 34:16

Washington D.C. is a beautiful city by day and I believe an even prettier city at night.  As you walk through the center mall and you look around at all the museums and monuments all lit up it is amazingly beautiful.   Unfortunately, looming in the shadows is one of the nation’s largest drug-trafficking and crime riddled cities.

Why all the light?  It keeps the criminals away.  Light has a way of doing that. 

My question is this “Have we as Christians become so comfortable in the light that we have become afraid of the shadows?” 

God has given us the responsibility, as Christians and as a church, to reach the people in the shadows – the hurting and crippled people. The church above all else should be a place for people who have problems. 

The church was designed for the single mother who works two jobs to support her kids.  The church is for the drug addict who can’t stop his habit.  The church is for the man who can’t stay away from pornography on the internet.   The church is for the young person who struggles with self-esteem.  The church is for the alcoholic who is ready to admit he needs help.  The church is for the person that returns home to a beautiful house that has been empty ever since the divorce.  The church is for the person that bought the new car only to discover it’s a lemon.  Church is for the family that went on the long saved for vacation to Florida only to encounter 50 degree temperatures and cold rain. The church is for the hurting, the crippled, the disenfranchised, the confused, the lonely, the people lost in the shadows of life.

Jesus called us to be a city on the hill, a beacon of light, for the world to see. Why? Because we have nothing to hide.  So why is it that we have adopted the idea “what happens at church stays at church”?

Our story from the first church today tells of someone that lived in the shadows and his encounter with those that lived in the light. This is the story of crippled beggar, someone that lived in the shadows. 

One day at three o'clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the Temple for prayer meeting. At the same time there was a man crippled from birth being carried up. Every day he was set down at the Temple gate, the one named Beautiful, to beg from those going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the Temple, he asked for a handout. Peter, with John at his side, looked him straight in the eye and said, "Look here." He looked up, expecting to get something from them.

Peter said, "I don't have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!" He grabbed him by the right hand and pulled him up. In an instant his feet and ankles became firm. He jumped to his feet and walked. The man went into the Temple with them, walking back and forth, dancing and praising God. Everybody there saw him walking around and praising God. They recognized him as the one who sat begging at the Temple's Gate Beautiful and rubbed their eyes, astonished, scarcely believing what they were seeing. The man threw his arms around Peter and John, ecstatic. All the people ran up to where they were at Solomon's Porch to see it for themselves. 

Acts 3:1-10

The beggar in our story was forbidden to enter the temple by law because of his sickness (Lev 21:16-18).     This beggar would have been only one of many at the temple gates this day.  After all this was a great place to beg.  Wealthy individuals on the way to temple liked to have the opportunity to show off their kindness to the less fortunate. 

What a contrast it must have been?  The temple gate 45 feet tall and covered with silver and gold towering over and casting shadows on the crippled beggars sitting by the passageway.  The beggars cried out to anyone and no one all at the same time.  All the while people passed by without even looking.  Some paused only long enough to drop some coins.  Surely someone could do something about having them removed from this entrance?  And then came Peter and John.

Now there were many healings performed by the Apostles. Did you ever stop to ask yourself, “Why did Luke record this one?” Many theologians speculate that Luke recorded this story because it resulted in an opportunity for Peter to once again preach to a large group. I believe Luke recorded it to teach us something about the actions of Peter and John as they lived their faith.  The actions they took that day can teach us something about how we live our faith today:

1)   They Met

Peter and John did not hide or even avert their eyes.  They were part of the culture of the city.  They were headed to the Temple for afternoon prayers just like everyone else.

They were not isolated.  They did not only associate with other Christ followers. Peter and John lived there lives amongst the shadows of the city.  Look around you.  Think about the places you go, the people you see.  Do you know them?  Do you talk to them?  Have you any connection to them?  If you invited them to church, would they even know you?

2)   They Connected

3000 people had just responded to the Gospel message.  How important could converting one person be?  After all the early church needed growth and big numbers if it were to survive.  But Peter and John were not to busy for one. 

As they declared, “Look at me!” were they thinking of the story Jesus told them of the lost sheep? Were they thinking of the woman who had touched Jesus garment in the crowd? 

Most likely 1000s of people had already walked by that day, but at this moment Peter and John connected with this man. Do you notice the hurting souls that are around you?  Not all of our hurts are easy to see.  How easily distracted are you from the needs of those around you?

3)   They Touched

Peter and John were willing to reach down to the street level.  They were willing to touch the untouchable.  Are willing to rub elbows with anyone? Are you willing to carry them to Jesus?  Will you open the door and invite them?  Will you sit with them and talk with them? How dirty are you willing to get in order to grow the Kingdom of God?

4)   They Gave

Peter and John what they had and more importantly what this beggar needed. This beggar needed healing, but didn’t know to even ask.  What people really need is NOT a church, not a program, not a social club, not a fancy sermon, not great music, not a small group, not a Sunday school class, not a cup of coffee, not even a pitch in dinner. 

They don’t need to discuss doctrinal issues or debate theological ideas. They don’t need to know who wrote the book of Isaiah.What people need is Jesus.  But so many are so last in the darkness and shadows, they don’t even know to ask. They need Jesus. Peter and John gave this man Jesus. When people come to our church they ought to be able to find Jesus, but the people you encounter every day ought to be able to find Jesus in you.

We who have met Jesus have nothing to hide. Our weakness, strengths, wounds, hurts, and disappointments are all in the open to God.  We are called to be light.  Nothing hides in the light. 

When we have nothing to hide, we will meet people where they are and we will bring the healing touch of the Master to them. You know, this culture is full of miserable people who would like to forget about life forever.  They are the people that live in the shadows. Many of these people are your neighbors, your co-workers, your friends, your family members.  We need to learn to embrace our faith boldly in ways that declare we have nothing to hide … nothing at all.  We must be able to go out and meet people in the community, connect with them, become involved with them, and give them the greatest gift we have to offer. 

Go and be light in the world.

Have you forgotten that you have nothing to hide?

On the Way to Sunday .... Nothing to Hide

Search for the lost, bring back those that stray away, put bandages on those that are hurt, and make the weak strong.   Ezekiel 34:16

If you ever have the opportunity to fly into Las Vegas, do it at night.  It is an incredibly beautiful city.  The downtown strip in Vegas is as bright as day in the middle of the night.  Why all the light?  It helps keep the criminals away.  Light has a way of doing that. 

Have we as followers of Christ become so comfortable in the light that we are now afraid of the dark and shadows?  God has given us the responsibility as Christians and as a church to reach the people in the shadows – the hurting and crippled people. The people living in the shadows do so because they are afraid to reveal themselves to others.

PEOPLE!  We have NOTHING to hide.

If we used half the energy that we use to complain about the shadows to light up the darkness the world would be changed. In Matthew 5:14, Jesus says, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden."

Maybe it's time we spent more time lighting up the world "Vegas Style" instead of embracing the idea that what happens in church stays in church.

We have nothing to hide .... what you waiting for?

See you Sunday ...

 

Times are Changin': The Good Old Days

Today it seems that the “good old days” come with a price tag.  I can buy all kinds of retro cool things straight from the past. With the right amount of cash you can acquire nearly anything …..


Perhaps you have caught yourself waxing nostalgic and wishing for the “Good Old days?”  Perhaps it was a song on the radio, or the smell of something baking in the oven, or a pending holiday, or a voice that suddenly triggers those wonderful thoughts of the way things use to be.  We all have those thoughts or moments.
 
I am sure as the early church struggled, they often wished for the good old days.  After all, their leader had just been crucified.  Their followers were scattered.  Many having run off like cowards. Outsiders certainly must have thought this Jesus movement is finally over.  Many of the believers probably longed for the days when Jesus was with them … they might have even caught themselves wishing for “the good old days”!
 
We often find ourselves wishing for “the good old days.” Even as a church we often find ourselves saying, “I wish things were like they were when ... (you fill in the blank).” 

But what are the good old days?  Luke pauses at the end of Acts chapter 2 to give a summary of the early church’s good old days: 

That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met. They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.                        Acts 2:41-47

Pentecost has occurred and the church has grown to over 3000 believers.  There is a sense of you can’t believe what is happening.  I wondered if Luke didn’t stop to record this summary so that they would remember what it was like during the Good Old days of The First Church.  Certainly there would be hard times ahead.   

As they moved from the quiet of the Upper Room and into the lands of Samaria and Judea a strong wind blew that still blows today.  It is a movement of God. A movement still rooted in the “Good Old Days” that Luke writes about.  So, what were the good old days of the early church like?

The early church was marked by 4 traits:

1)       Instruction  or  “the teaching of the apostles”

This education was based on the telling of the life story of Jesus.  The disciples told the stories of their adventures with Jesus over and over again.  They taught from the Old Testament.  They related the prophecies that Jesus fulfilled.  They taught one another to love as Jesus loved and to live together in unity of spirit and purpose. 

2)       Fellowship or “the life together”

They spent time together.  This was not communal living but a coming together in spirit and purpose of action.  They shared their belongings not as communal property, but rather as recognition that amassing wealth was NOT their purpose - everything that they had belonged to God. This recognition allowed them to take care of the needs of the church in the manner that God had provided.  They met in each others homes and practiced hospitality as it had never been known.

3)       Worship or  “the common meal”

This was a consistent practice of the believers.  Some maintained the practice of going to the Temple while others met in homes.  The home was the meeting place for Christians for the first three centuries.  They continued the practice of “breaking Bread” or the sharing of the Lord’s Supper.  This would have been a part of the common meal that they shared, but was accentuated by a time of quiet reflection as well as a time of thanksgiving and praise for the death and resurrection of Jesus.

4)       Prayer or  “prayers”

The early church prayed.  They prayed in private.  They prayed in public.  They prayed alone.  They prayed together.  They prayed the old prayers of the temple.  They prayed new prayers led by the Spirit.  Many maintained the Jewish tradition of praying three times a day.  Their prayers centered on blessing and praising God.  They also prayed for guidance in their actions and for boldness as they witnessed to all they seen and experienced.

We can have the Good Old days of the early church right here, right now. The example was put forth in the “good old days” recorded by Luke. We must have a unity of purpose with everyone on board on pulling in the same direction and sharing the load.  We have to individually decide that the overall purpose of the church is important enough to give of ourselves in more than a casual way.  We must decide to be committed.

 They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, 
and the prayers.   Acts 2:42

We need to be completely committed and sold out to the priorities of God, each other, and our community.  We must decide that we are going to give more than just our leftover time to this endeavor, that we will be supportive, involved and active participants in the task of reaching this community with the message of Christ.

The Good Old days are within our grasp.

They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, 
and the prayers.     Acts 2:42

Will you commit your self to the Good Old days?