A Living Faith
Commentary
There is a general (mis)understanding, once the resurrection was perceived and understood, there immediately arose consensus among the disciples and the early church as to its meaning.
Nothing could be further from the truth, and to assume such is to rob the early Christians of their struggle and encounter during those early years.
In the first place, it is clear that, for at least fifteen years (A.D. 30-45), they must have spent a great deal of time sorting through their early experiences, trying to relate them to the faith they had long held. All that meant going through Scriptures again and asking how what had happened in their midst squared with or fit into what they found there.
Paul then steps on stage and, as one steeped in the Hebrew Scriptures and traditions and having met the living Lord, will enable those early Christians to see how all their hopes had been fulfilled.
The Gospels and the Acts will flesh out Paul's ideas with the story and show signs of a continuing struggle to come to consensus. Especially take note of the Gospel of Matthew and his attempt to standardize the faith statement of his church. How can anyone read the Gospel of John and not see it is dealing with conflicting ideas about the Messiah and the return of Christ?
How can anyone miss the struggle that continues early on with the ideas that erupt in forthright fashion in 1, 2, and 3 John?
Or, how can one miss the struggles that have continued ever since?
Does all this mean there is no real unified understanding of the faith? Heavens no! What it means is the faith is living, vital, dynamic, and must always be struggled with in every present moment.
Then and only then does it remain relevant. It can never be entombed in our words and ideas. It always breaks free, in every age, and forces new questions, new decisions, new words, and new commitments.
When someone has it all nailed down once and for all, beware! It is likely they have somehow missed what has been going on for 1,950 years.
OUTLINE I
Miracles Are Where You See Them
Acts 16:16-34
Introduction:This is the kind of story that generates great interest among church people. Miracles and mighty works seem to be the experience of those in the early church. In our Scripture, an exploited girl is freed from an alien spirit, and Paul and Silas are mysteriously freed from prison. Surely, if such wonders would happen today, many would be like the Philippian jailor and become believers!
1. Has the day of miracles and wonders ceased? Or do they only happen for those who believe? Discuss the confusion and consternation presently abroad in the community of faith because of great claims made by TV healers and evangelists these days. You'll probably not come up with a clear answer but it is good to discuss the issues involved. Does God pick and choose among us and give miracles to a few? Does God wait until we have "enough" faith? Are there specific things one needs to do, specific persons one can see in order to get a miracle?
2. Discuss the nature of miracles. If one begins by defining miracles as any extraordinary happening or any unexplainable happening, then little wonder it seems the day of miracles is passing (or has passed). Every time a thing is explained or becomes commonplace it is no longer a miracle. Wrestle with this definition: a miracle is any event in which one is confronted with the presence and activity of God.
Conclusion: Miracles, then, are where you see them. What is a commonplace event for one may be filled with wonder for another. Don't we need to stop reserving the term "miracle" for an ever smaller part of life and begin to see the wonder of God's presence and action in all of life. Remember what he said. (John 14:12)
OUTLINE II
Sorting Out Trees
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17
Introduction:Nearly everybody will read today's selection of Scripture and zero-in on the Alpha and Omega, the bright and morning star, or the second coming. I challenge you to consider verse 14 and the invitation to the blessed to wash their robes that "they may have the right to the tree of life." Often overlooked, seldom spoken of, this vital phrase drives one's memory back to the beginning.
1. Genesis 2 and 3. Take time to read the story of Eden again. Everybody recalls the first man and woman are said to have eaten of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and, therefore, were disobedient. But look carefully at 2:9. There it is: the tree of life among all the trees.
2. The real sin of Adam and Eve was not so much their disobedience, but they turned their back on the Tree of Life. Do some extra work on the meaning of this important faith symbol. It will be helpful in coming to a better understanding of the ways in which all of us turn away from God's offers of life and grab hold of the handles of deadly things.
Conclusion: Invite the congregation to begin to major not so much in considering the things they ought not to do (see Romans 7:7-12), but in considering the good things God offers and how to avail oneself of them. Help them learn how to sort out the trees.
OUTLINE III
Jesus' Prayer For Us
John 17:20-26
Introduction:Call to the attention of the hearers the fact that Jesus' great prayer, in John, includes a prayer for us. Note especially verse twenty. We are "those who have believed through their word." Isn't it a bit exciting to know our Lord was thinking of the future and those who would face the same problems as those faced by his own contemporaries. John knew, and that is why he reminded the hearers of his day (A.D. 110) Jesus had prayed for them.
1. So that we may all be one. Already the early church was stressed by factionalism. The major problem was over the true Messiah. Recall that the Gospel of John firmly puts John the Baptizer in his proper place (chapter 1), and establishes Jesus as the true Messiah. It is factionalism that threatens in every age. Those who are watching will use our differences as a basis for refusing to hear our word. We are to be one so that others will hear and believe.
2. That they may be with me. By the time of the writing of the Gospel of John, the idea of the exaltation of Jesus was pretty well in hand. See Acts 2:32, etc. and, of course, the entire Book of Revelation. Jesus' prayer is his disciples (then and now) will be given the gift of being with him wherever he goes so that they may behold his glory and know for certain he is the Son of God. It is the final validation of their faith.
Conclusion: Jesus knew doubts would arise, other messiahs would be proclaimed, assorted interpretations would be given, and they surely have. Remind the hearers of his prayer which is a call to unity of belief in him and a promise to validate that belief.
Nothing could be further from the truth, and to assume such is to rob the early Christians of their struggle and encounter during those early years.
In the first place, it is clear that, for at least fifteen years (A.D. 30-45), they must have spent a great deal of time sorting through their early experiences, trying to relate them to the faith they had long held. All that meant going through Scriptures again and asking how what had happened in their midst squared with or fit into what they found there.
Paul then steps on stage and, as one steeped in the Hebrew Scriptures and traditions and having met the living Lord, will enable those early Christians to see how all their hopes had been fulfilled.
The Gospels and the Acts will flesh out Paul's ideas with the story and show signs of a continuing struggle to come to consensus. Especially take note of the Gospel of Matthew and his attempt to standardize the faith statement of his church. How can anyone read the Gospel of John and not see it is dealing with conflicting ideas about the Messiah and the return of Christ?
How can anyone miss the struggle that continues early on with the ideas that erupt in forthright fashion in 1, 2, and 3 John?
Or, how can one miss the struggles that have continued ever since?
Does all this mean there is no real unified understanding of the faith? Heavens no! What it means is the faith is living, vital, dynamic, and must always be struggled with in every present moment.
Then and only then does it remain relevant. It can never be entombed in our words and ideas. It always breaks free, in every age, and forces new questions, new decisions, new words, and new commitments.
When someone has it all nailed down once and for all, beware! It is likely they have somehow missed what has been going on for 1,950 years.
OUTLINE I
Miracles Are Where You See Them
Acts 16:16-34
Introduction:This is the kind of story that generates great interest among church people. Miracles and mighty works seem to be the experience of those in the early church. In our Scripture, an exploited girl is freed from an alien spirit, and Paul and Silas are mysteriously freed from prison. Surely, if such wonders would happen today, many would be like the Philippian jailor and become believers!
1. Has the day of miracles and wonders ceased? Or do they only happen for those who believe? Discuss the confusion and consternation presently abroad in the community of faith because of great claims made by TV healers and evangelists these days. You'll probably not come up with a clear answer but it is good to discuss the issues involved. Does God pick and choose among us and give miracles to a few? Does God wait until we have "enough" faith? Are there specific things one needs to do, specific persons one can see in order to get a miracle?
2. Discuss the nature of miracles. If one begins by defining miracles as any extraordinary happening or any unexplainable happening, then little wonder it seems the day of miracles is passing (or has passed). Every time a thing is explained or becomes commonplace it is no longer a miracle. Wrestle with this definition: a miracle is any event in which one is confronted with the presence and activity of God.
Conclusion: Miracles, then, are where you see them. What is a commonplace event for one may be filled with wonder for another. Don't we need to stop reserving the term "miracle" for an ever smaller part of life and begin to see the wonder of God's presence and action in all of life. Remember what he said. (John 14:12)
OUTLINE II
Sorting Out Trees
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17
Introduction:Nearly everybody will read today's selection of Scripture and zero-in on the Alpha and Omega, the bright and morning star, or the second coming. I challenge you to consider verse 14 and the invitation to the blessed to wash their robes that "they may have the right to the tree of life." Often overlooked, seldom spoken of, this vital phrase drives one's memory back to the beginning.
1. Genesis 2 and 3. Take time to read the story of Eden again. Everybody recalls the first man and woman are said to have eaten of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and, therefore, were disobedient. But look carefully at 2:9. There it is: the tree of life among all the trees.
2. The real sin of Adam and Eve was not so much their disobedience, but they turned their back on the Tree of Life. Do some extra work on the meaning of this important faith symbol. It will be helpful in coming to a better understanding of the ways in which all of us turn away from God's offers of life and grab hold of the handles of deadly things.
Conclusion: Invite the congregation to begin to major not so much in considering the things they ought not to do (see Romans 7:7-12), but in considering the good things God offers and how to avail oneself of them. Help them learn how to sort out the trees.
OUTLINE III
Jesus' Prayer For Us
John 17:20-26
Introduction:Call to the attention of the hearers the fact that Jesus' great prayer, in John, includes a prayer for us. Note especially verse twenty. We are "those who have believed through their word." Isn't it a bit exciting to know our Lord was thinking of the future and those who would face the same problems as those faced by his own contemporaries. John knew, and that is why he reminded the hearers of his day (A.D. 110) Jesus had prayed for them.
1. So that we may all be one. Already the early church was stressed by factionalism. The major problem was over the true Messiah. Recall that the Gospel of John firmly puts John the Baptizer in his proper place (chapter 1), and establishes Jesus as the true Messiah. It is factionalism that threatens in every age. Those who are watching will use our differences as a basis for refusing to hear our word. We are to be one so that others will hear and believe.
2. That they may be with me. By the time of the writing of the Gospel of John, the idea of the exaltation of Jesus was pretty well in hand. See Acts 2:32, etc. and, of course, the entire Book of Revelation. Jesus' prayer is his disciples (then and now) will be given the gift of being with him wherever he goes so that they may behold his glory and know for certain he is the Son of God. It is the final validation of their faith.
Conclusion: Jesus knew doubts would arise, other messiahs would be proclaimed, assorted interpretations would be given, and they surely have. Remind the hearers of his prayer which is a call to unity of belief in him and a promise to validate that belief.
