Monday, January 28, 2008

What's in a Name? (Sermon: Acts 6:1-17)

Have you ever been tempted to skip over a list of names in the Bible. After all, how much impact could "A begat B, and B begat C, and etc.." have upon your spiritual life? Well, the truth is you may be surprised at how much insight and teaching is contained in the Bible's lists of names.

In Acts 6, the Bible lists the names of the first deacons: "they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch (Acts 6:5). Of these seven names, only two become prominent in the New Testament. Stephen becomes the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:54-60) and Phillip takes the gospel to the Samaritans (Acts 8:4-25) and to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40). Of the other five men, we know almost nothing-except their names. Yes, just their good ol' Greek names, not Hebrew names, but Greek names.

And what does it tell us that all seven deacons had Greek names? It tells us that most likely they were all Hellenists and not Hebrews. The Hebrew apostles appointed seven men of the Hellenists to resolve the potential division in the church between the Hellenists and the Hebrews. How could the apostles have sent any clearer message to the Hellenists that they were a vital part of the body of Christ than to have appointed seven of their own to positions of service in the church?

So, what's in a name? Well, in this case, seven Greek names carry of message of love, acceptance, healing, and unity in the early church. May we be as wise as the leaders of the early church!

Monday, January 21, 2008

Who Knows the Weather?

For many of us here in Douglasville, yesterday was a frustrating day. Responding to weather forcasts given Saturday that roads would be icy and dangerous by Sunday morning, we cancelled services, only to awake Sunday morning to clear conditions. Some may blame the forcasters, but forcasts are based upon probability and I expect based upon the information available to them at the time the forcasters made a very reasonable prediction. Others may say that churches acted rashly in canceling services, but I believe that to have charged ahead with service plans given the weather forcasts of icy and trechoureous roads would have been gambling with the safety of our members. Just because someone survives a round of Russian roulette with only an empty click does not mean the game is safe.

So what can we learn from this experience? I read a verse this morning from Lamentations: "Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it?" (3:37) If anything, this past Sunday should teach us that God is in control. We cannot change the weather. We cannot even forsee the weather. Second, it should teach us that the future is uncertain. We have no promise of tommorrow. As quickly as the snow ended this past weekend, so may our time on earth end.

Jesus said: "As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." (Matt 24:37-44)

May we live each day with great expectation, taking nothing for granted. And may we respond to the news of Jesus' coming as John: "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev 22:20)

Monday, January 14, 2008

Modern Day Persecution (Sermon: Acts 5:17-42)

Although most believers today are familiar with the persecution of the early believers, in modern America we have in most cases enjoyed shelter from physical persecution. Other believers around the world are not so fortunate. A recent article published on the International Mission Board website describes persecution that is taking place among believers today in Turkmenistan.

--Across Turkmenistan, churches are under attack. Believers are placed under surveillance or house arrest. Others are beaten or tortured. Persecution has caused some to flee the country, others have recanted their faith. Pastors are frequent targets.

“One [pastor] was beaten so badly he lost hearing in one ear,” Russell says. “His head also was held underwater to the point he almost drowned – multiple times.”

Though some churches have weathered such attacks, not all are as steadfast. Last year, a 60-member congregation was scattered after its pastor was forced to leave Turkmenistan.-- (Link to full IMB Article)

As we read about the persecution these believers are facing, I hope it foster several responses from us. First, we should be thankful for the religious freedom that we enjoy in America. Second, we should have a profound respect for all of our missionaries who place themselves in harms way to share the gospel. Third, we should pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer from persecution. And finally, I hope that the knowledge of what some believers are facing will help us to keep our own difficulties in perspective.

Monday, January 7, 2008

Investing With An Eternal Perspective (Sermon: Acts 5:12-16)

Real estate, gold, international currency, stocks, bonds-where should we invest? It all depends on whether you have long range goals or short range goals. Some of us invest to be able to upgrade our house in a few years. Others invest for their children's college. Still others are looking toward retirement. But do you realize that even if you are just entering the work force and have 50 years until retirement, this is still a short range goal in relation to eternity.

I want to encourage you today to invest in something that will never depreciate, never run out, and can never be taken away from you. Invest yourself in leading others to faith in Jesus. No, it won't help you retire at 55. It won't lead to a nicer car or a bigger house. It may not even lead to more respect. But it will give you a satisfaction and joy that nothing else can buy. And a thousand years from now, when you have long forgotten about what car you are now driving and you can't remember the address where you used to live, you will be able to look into the face of someone who is experiencing heaven because you investing your time and energy to share the love of Christ with them.

Consider Jesus' parable: "The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' 18 And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.' 20 But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God" (Luke 12:16-21). --Amen

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