What Happened Next #1 Acts 1:1-11: It Will Happen

What Happened Next?

A series on Acts

• Each week we will ask a question that the sermon will help people to answer. 
• We'll see how the experience of the early church reflects something that Jesus said or did in the Gospels.
• Our understanding is that The Holy Spirit is still at work in and through us, his Church, in the same way today though the way that is expressed will be culturally relevant.

This Week: "It Will Happen", The Promise of the Holy Spirit Acts 1:1-11. 

Is the promise of the Holy Spirit still valid? 

When has the Spirit confirmed your faith? 

When has the Spirit taught you something in particular? 

When have you felt strengthened by the Spirit? 

Why would you like more of the Spirit's power in your life right now?

The Raincoat and The Jumper.

Jesus says: “John baptised with water but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Water” – to symbolise cleansing from your old life and being saturated with the life of God. We know now that it is the death of Jesus for us that cleanses us from sin and that we rise with him to new life – but life that is to be saturated with the presence of Jesus by His Spirit. A raincoat gets wet in the rain but a quick shake will dry it off and you remain teh same underneath. A jumper is “saturated” and you are definitely different!.  But is this true for us – or just for the first apostles?

Some say:

• Holy Spirit manifestation was for the confirmation of the Apostles as the inheritors of Jesus mission. These were the “signs following” of which Jesus spoke. Once the gospel was preached and the Apostles recognized then these manifestations ceased “Are there tongues, they will cease..” says St. Paul who spoke in tongues more than anyone. But – did Jesus say “you will receive confirmation when the Holy Spirit shall come upon you”?
• Holy Spirit came to “lead us into all truth”. In the early days the church had only the oral tradition of its Apostles but as the church grew this would not be sufficient. The Holy Spirit spoke to individuals and to the church until such time as the councils, led by the same spirit, could gather all the true teaching into the canon of scripture which would contain “all truth” and so be all the teaching that we need to follow Christ. But – did Jesus say “You will receive Teaching when the Holy Spirit shall come upon you”?
• Holy Spirit comes to feed and strengthen our Spirits and to make us more like Jesus. When we take and eat bread and wine together we are, by the power of the Holy Spirit, imbibing Jesus himself. Each week or month we use up this spiritual nourishment and need to come back to the Lord's Table or The Altar to be topped up with the sacraments to keep us going. These sacraments are the channel that the Holy Spirit has established to feed his people. But did Jesus say “You will receive feeding when the Holy Spirit shall come upon you”?
• Jesus said “you shall receive POWER when the Holy Spirit shall come upon you.” He means that we will be changed by this encounter with His Spirit. “You will receive Power when the Holy Spirit shall come upon you”. (Red Dwarf Time Machine in Space. No change! Add turbocharger to engine on bench. No change!) Power needs a purpose. “You will receive Power when the Holy Spirit shall come upon you. And you shall be my witnesses”. Confirmation – Teaching – Feeding, Yes! But more than that – Power to change you and for you to change the world into followers of Jesus. Not just getting you wet on the outside – but saturated with his love so everyone you touch is “infected”. Like Annie in the River. Me? Allesley? 2015? Far off?
• 38Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39"For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.

Should Christians Vote?

10 reasons why Christians should vote. (taken from the web)

John 10:11-16, 

Jesus is the one who takes responsibility for us – all God's children – like a good shepherd. Its not just that Jesus is a decent bloke and wants to do a good shepherding job. Its more than that – he is committed to the sheep. Knew their mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers – and will provide for them, help them give birth, protect them even at the cost of his own life. Jesus takes responsibility.

Just as these parents and God parents take responsibility – make themselves answerable to God for these children. They are committed.

Jesus says that there is “one flock and one shepherd” the implication is plain. We are all responsible for one another. We must all care for one another. We cannot opt out with impunity. And that brings me to the General Election.

John 6:30-40
“What's in it for me?” asks the voter? Ask those who follow because of the bread (Jn6). We expect those who lead us to benefit us. But our membership of a community also has responsibilities. We cannot opt out. You can't have the bread of heaven without following the Son. This is true for us in our society. We must play our part rather than bemoan its failings from the spiritual sidelines. 

Why?

1. Voting publicly recognises that we submit to the authority of the political system in our nation as established by God. (Romans 13:1-7)

2. Voting recognises the equality of all people and their right to speak and be heard. (Deuteronomy 10:17-19) OPOV was a hard won battle.

3. It is one way that we can obey God's command to seek the good of those around us and our nation as a whole. (Jeremiah 29:5-6)

4. It shows that we care deeply about who our leaders are as we are urged to offer prayer and intercession on their behalf. (1 Timothy 2:1,2)

5. It is a simple yet significant way we can do something about politics in our nation. 'All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing', Edmund Burke. (Psalms 34:14)

6. It makes a difference the way a grain of salt makes a difference, and that is how we are to influence our society for good. (Matthew 5:13)

7. It is a privilege not to be taken for granted. Those of us who reap the benefits of living in a democracy should play a part in upholding democracy.

8. Not voting is a form of voting, as it will influence the outcome. We need to take responsibility for our actions, as well as our lack of actions. (Luke 10:25-37) If we do not vote we are tacitly accepting responsibility for the actions of those who are elected.

9. Voting has biblical precedence for example Acts 14:23 describes that the early Christians elected elders by voting.

10. Voting is part of our stewardship to use all the resources we have been given in ways that honour God; to waste a vote is to squander a gift.

The House of Bishops of the Church of England writes this:-

“At this election, we can sow the seeds of a new politics. We encourage voters to support candidates and policies which demonstrate the following key values:

• Halting and reversing the accumulation of power and wealth in fewer and fewer hands, whether those of the state, corporations or individuals.

• Involving people at a deeper level in the decisions that affect them most.

• Recognising the distinctive communities, whether defined by geography, religion or culture, which make up the nation and enabling all to thrive and participate together.

• Treating the electorate as people with roots, commitments and traditions and addressing us all in terms of the common good and not just as self-interested consumers.

• Demonstrating that the weak, the dependent, the sick, the aged and the vulnerable are persons of equal value to everybody else.

• Offering the electorate a grown up debate about Britain’s place in the world order and the possibilities and obligations that entails.”

You may want to add some other core values yourself?

This requires us to do more thinking and praying than simply saying “Don't vote for BNP” or “All Christians should vote Green”. Obviously they will all depend on your reading of scripture and your understanding of God will.

Like me you probably have parties with whom you broadly agree but who have one or two policies with which you cannot agree: Same Sex marriage, EU membership issues, Education controls, Immigration, outsourcing of parenting, Social housing policies etc. We have to balance the importance of those issues against the “good” policies we perceive and not let them stop us from making our contribution.

Above all: Listen – Think – Pray – Vote.

A Bit Of Peace And Quiet. Palm Sunday

John 12:9-19 6pm Palm Sunday HC

After the carnival....

What’s all this debris?

Trampled cloaks and palm leaves.

Damaging the trees?

Littering the environment?

Someone ought to do something.

Write to the council.

What do they teach them in schools these days.

Its all science and maths and literacy.

They need to be taught respect for the community.

I blame the parents.

There must have been some adults around.

Someone must have seen what was going on?

Too scared to stand up to them, some people.

Pathetic.

One of those extremists I expect.

Filling their heads with religious nonsense.

Promising them a kingdom

All in the name of God.

Off on some fantasy about justice and freedom and “love” I expect.

Getting our kids riled up and rebellious.

Its alright for them - they don’t have to live with them.

No thought for good hardworking taxpayers.

I hope they catch them

I hope they sort them out.

Then we can have a bit of peace and quiet.

Hanging’s too good for them.

What do people see?

The crowd shout:

Hosanna! - Save! The Lord Saves!

Blessed! - in the name of the Lord!

Blessed! - the King of Israel.

Fired up by the raising of Lazarus who was part of the group. A big deal. Hard evidence.

The rule of God breaking in!

What does Jesus see?

Danger!

“Do not be afraid O daughter of Jerusalem” says Jesus v15.

I remember the “Who wants a game of..” march and the fast ebbing enthusiasm and bravery when the cane was mentioned…. Have you ever baulked at the implications?

What do the authorities see?

Danger!

The donkey speaks of humility but those Romans are very sensitive.

They see things slipping out of their control.

Their rule is passing away.

A new kingdom is coming and they don’t like it one bit.

But what about those who came late to the party?

the ordinary ones

the ones who were out of town visiting relatives or working in the vineyard.

They didn’t see nothing.

They didn’t like all the noise and commotion of market day at the festival.

They were the silent majority.

They’d seen it all before - “messiahs” come and go. Life goes on.

If only there wasn’t all this mess everywhere.

They don’t think it will ever be the same again.

And when the carnival is over

As they emerge from the safety and security of their lives,

they ask

What’s all this debris

Trampled cloaks and palm leaves.

Damaging the trees?

Littering the environment?

Someone ought to do something.

Write to the council.

What do they teach them in schools these days.

Its all science and maths and literacy.

They need to be taught respect for the community.

I blame the parents.

There must have been some adults around.

Someone must have seen what was going on?

Too scared to stand up to them, some people.

Pathetic.

One of those extremists I expect.

Filling their heads with religious nonsense.

Promising them a kingdom

All in the name of God.

Off on some fantasy about justice and freedom and “love” I expect.

Getting our kids riled up and rebellious.

Its alright for him - he don’t have to live with them.

No thought for good hardworking taxpayers.

I hope they catch him

I hope they sort him out.

Then we can go back to our bit of peace and quiet.

Hangings too good for Him.

The Man Born Blind - Lent 3

Lent 3: Seeing Jesus and being seen by Him.  John 9

The man born blind.

Intro: When they ask Jesus whose fault this is he replies that it is no one’s sin. That seems comforting to our sensibilities, We love the God of grace and forgiveness and not one who takes an eye for an eye. And definitely not one who would visit the sins of the fathers on their children. The gospel has taught us better. But then Jesus pulls the rug out from under our feet. “this happened that the work of God might be displayed in his life” v3. Really? Is it right that a child’s life could be so blighted simply to make him useful for a demonstration by Jesus? Are we OK with that? Hmmm?

1. Seeing.

The story here is on someone who gradually comes to see God in Jesus. It’s not always an instant thing. How do those blind from birth manage the new sensations that visual stimulation brings? For the bare fact of light triggering a chemical/electrical impulse from visual receptors via a network of nerves and ganglia to the visual cortex is just the start of the story of seeing. How does the brain learn to interpret those signals? How do the connections get made between experiences, memory and education which can bring about our perception?

Here we see the man move from blind obedience v7, with no sense of who Jesus is, to one who admits “I don’t know” when asked about his experiences v13. Then from a guess that he might be “a prophet” v17 to a sort of proto-disciple as he asks “do you want to become his disciple too” in  v27. He comes to the conclusion that Jesus comes from God v33 before Jesus himself asks him “Do you believe” v35 and he confesses his faith v38 “Lord, I believe” and he worshipped him. He has “seen” Jesus.

Jesus says to the first disciples “Come and See” ch1v39. Here too someone is invited to experience what it means to follow and thereby to come to see, to perceive, who Jesus is. What experiences have we had which have informed our perception of Jesus as the Son of God?

2. Being Seen

How is this man able to tell that Jesus sees and knows him? Not like Simon whom Jesus renames “The Rock” at first sight, or Nathanial whom Jesus calls “a true Israelite in whom there is no guile”. At first the man would have had no conception that Jesus was aware of him at all. He did not see Jesus or call out. He had not been brought to Jesus. It was Jesus who saw him v1. It was the disciples who engaged in the debate. But the man learnt that he was the focus of Jesus attention. Did he hear Jesus talk of God’s glory being displayed in his life, v3? Did he wonder what Jesus’ enigmatic saying “I am the light of the world” might mean - as one who had no concept of light and darkness? What happens? He hears someone spit and then a great glob of mud is put on his eyes and he’s told to wash it off in the pool.  He’s certainly been noticed and the Rabbi has singled him out for action. Jesus cares for him. He doesn’t ignore him. Beggars are used to being invisible. He is worthy of being trusted with a task to do and he obeys. He sees!. No longer a blind beggar but a local celebrity. He is someone with a story to tell v11. He’s seen also as a possible subversive, a charlatan v18, someone dangerous to know v21, and a possible disciple? Jesus sees him as someone who can serve in the purposes of God v3. All those dark days of poverty are seen as purposeful in God’s kingdom. A man with potential.

Are we able to grasp that our purpose in the kingdom of God is our true worth and outweighs any earthly consideration. The disciples did; because they followed Jesus. “Come and see”.

3. Seeing Differently

So what? How will the world change for the one whose eyes are opened?

There will be beauty. For visual stimuli, colour, movement, symmetry, contrast all have emotional impact too. There is a whole new dimension to be integrated into his experience of the world. From here there is just more than there was before. When we see Jesus and know that we are seen by Him - there is just more.

There will be confusion. Is that a very small cow right in front of me or a normal cow far away? What does a facial expression convey? How do I deal with so much information? Can I still hear, smell, touch the same? When we see Jesus and know that we are seen by Him - our old ways and values can confuse us. There will be dangers and there will be opportunities. Looking from beneath Jesus’ feet as one who has been welcomed into the life of Christ, he too will see a world inhabited by those who see and by those who are blind. He will know that it is possible to move from one state to the other. he will have his story to tell. I once was blind - but now I see. You too can “come and see”. The world is no longer divided into those who are compassionate for his disability and those who will ignore or exploit him. He is no longer victim and beggar but can walk in the footsteps of saviour and grace. He can see things differently. Can we?

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound

That save a wretch like me

I once was lost but now I’m found

Was blind but now I see.

Temptation?

Temptation?  Ephesians 6:13-18

The Lord's Prayer asks: “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

Lets get some things straight:-

1. God does not tempt you. James 1:13   When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.
2. He will show you the way out. 1Cor10:13b “But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
3. God will equip you to combat temptation. Ephesians 6 see below
4. Practice makes perfect as you resist temptation.
5. There's no need to fall into temptation (He will not let you be tempted above what you can withstand) 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. “  

Fall Into Temptation.

Why do we “Fall” in everyday life? Obviously there are spiritual parallels to be drawn here - I'll let you draw them!

• Not looking where you are going.
• Incorrect footwear.
• Disability  - permanent, temporary, self inflicted.
• Distractions -
• Overloading – ambition, pride, stress
• Malign forces – may be sneaky!

Jesus says to the disciples: “stay awake and pray lest you fall into temptation.” Matt 26:31 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Resist Temptation

Eph 6 tells us about God's provision for combating Temptation.

One thing about armour is that you have wear it all. The “whole armour” of God. Remember Achilles. Remember Smaug!

Another is that you have to remember that you are still vulnerable. Remember the Titanic. Remember Goliath!

And one more – you have to be on active service. Armour is no good for sleeping in. There's not much protection from the back.

Belt – equipped and organized - truth

Breastplate – your heart and lungs in the right place – righteousness.

Shoes – readiness to talk about the good news.

Shield – faith against fire arrows

Helmet – get your head straight – saved!

Sword  - the Word of God (remember this is before the NT was written so it about actually paying attention to what God is saying to you now.)

Pray – for all the saints – like military air cover?

We said “Your kingdom come” and we are the invasion force, not the trembling defenders.

We are moving forward.

Lead us not into temptation is not a feeble “Oo don't make it too hard” prayer. It is an acknowledgement that when wee seek the Kingdom of god we will come up against evil. But we will not be “tempted” to fold or turn and run. We will be delivered from it as we overcome.

Cos that is the temptation. Its not about preserving your purity (for most of us that train is long gone!)

Its not about engaging in hand to hand combat with the forces of evil (like some sort of spiritual road rage) but about having the get-up-and-go every morning to get up. And go.

The Lords Prayer: Your Kingdom Come...

Psalm 99 18/1/15 Pilgrim 2#2

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven”

Where Is The Kingdom Found?

Imagine the scene:

“Gosh, what a lot of dog hair!”. And Mum says nothing.

“It would be good if someone could clean up this Dog hair”, And Mum says nothing.

“Ugh a Dog Hair in my dinner!”. And Mum says nothing.

“Aargh! My socks are completely covered in Dog hair!!” And Mum says nothing.

“Right! I'll get the Vacuum out and clean it up myself!” and THERE is the Kingdom of Heaven!

What Is The Kingdom Like?

The Kingdom: where god has his way and everything comes right.

Jesus message “the kingdom of God has come close to you”

Nature of the Kingdom = the nature of the King. Ps99 “Justice”, “Holiness”, “Engaged”, “Forgiving”, “Correcting”.

The Kingdom is not the Church, it is supposed to be the whole of creation.

But we are often so aware that our bit of creation doesn't look as if God is is King now.

Is that what we want? “Your Kingdom Come”?

Brian McLaren “The church is a community that lives to see God's dream come true for the world”

What Are We Praying For Here?

Prayer in & for the Kingdom: on earth.

Compare with: ISIS & the Caliphate – Claim and Establish. The Moorish occupation of Spain and the rise of the Camino Frances which forced the Holy Roman Empire to defend they route instead of retreating beyond the mountains. We are not defenders of a shrinking and endangered kingdom. We are not "Dads Army". We are the invading force ushering in the rule of God.

This is not a prayer of abnegation. We are not saying “It's up to you Lord, I give up”. Cyprian of Carthage AD 200 “When we pray “your will be done on earth as in heaven” we are not praying that God may accomplish what he wills, but that we may be able to do what God wills”.

We are the invasion force. We strive to usher in the Kingdom of God. When we pray “your kingdom come, your will be done” we hear God say “Great. My will is that you usher in my kingdom of Justice, Holiness, Engagement, Forgiveness and Teaching on earth – as in heaven.”

Jesus says that we are like yeast, light, salt – things that are common and start small but whose influence is far reaching, who grow and change the environment around them and usher in the life, the rule, the kingdom of God.

Harvest Time? Ants and Grasshoppers Luke 12

But what if it really said....

If you are nor dancing,

If you are not singing God's praises;

You are not really living at all.

So don't be fooled by the "wise"

• Your purpose is not "to survive".
• Your purpose is not "to be self sufficient"
• Your purpose is not "to leave a legacy".
• Your purpose is "to seek His Kingdom" Luke 12:21

How will you "seek His Kingdom"?

Some have rejected the received wisdom of the time in which they lived and determined to make things better.

This celebration of those who fought fascism in Spain reads "Better to die on your feet than to live forever on your knees." 

Robert Owen set up a new community at New Lanark to allow mill workers to escape the "dark satanic mills" that seemed essential for wealth creation. 

People can make things better if they seek the Kingdom of God - by which I mean - wherever God has his way and everything comes right.

Amen and Alleluia!

Look around you wherever you are and see what you can say "Amen!" to. Amen as in "I agree, I recognize that as being in harmony with God's kingdom, Lets have more or that!"

Look around and notice, really notice, anything that you cannot say "Amen " to, Its not in harmony with God's kingdom. Then ask what you can do to change it - and do something.

And when you see the Kingdom of God coming, as Jesus taught us always to pray, then say, shout, sing out "Alleluia!" as a witness to God's glory in that place.

For

If you are nor dancing,

If you are not singing God's praises;

You are not really living at all.

And when Jesus says "Seek his kingdom and these things will be given you as well", He means it.

Look out for the Amen and Alleluia this week.