Christian Courage
Sermon
The Power To Change
Sermons For Lent And Easter
"You will go to prison for six months," said the Judge.
So John Bunyan went to prison for nothing worse than preaching
in the little Bedford Baptist Church. "Baptist" preaching was
against the law. But Bunyan persisted in breaking the law. He
told Justice Keeling, "If I was out of prison today, I would
preach again tomorrow, by the help of God."
So it was back to prison. This time for 12 years. And again
for six months. John Bunyan, who gave us the great classic,
Pilgrim's Progress, spent one fifth of his life in jail.
This was not an easy decision for him, to break the law for
the sake of his conscience. John Bunyan was poor. He had a wife
and four children who were dependent upon him. He had little
political clout and virtually no status. All he had to do to
avoid prison was to quit preaching because the law said that
preaching could only be done in the established church.
Martin Luther told the government, "Here I stand! I can do no
other!" John Bunyan refused to give any promise that would bind
his conscience, and because of it, remained a prisoner for the
best part of his adult life.
One wonders how different our world would be if John Bunyan
had given in to the government? One wonders how different our
world would be if more people like the great theologians Karl
Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, would have said
no to Adolph Hitler? Isn't Stanley Hauerwas right, when he
writes, "Auschwitz began when Christians assumed that they could
be the heirs and carriers of the symbols of faith without
sacrifice and suffering."1
John Bunyan is a good example for our time. Today the
temptation is to hand over more and more of our decisions to the
government and to believe that as Christians we can get through
this life without trouble.
John Bunyan is also a good introduction to Peter's third
sermon. Remember last Sunday? ... Peter's second sermon in which
he explained that the Risen Christ was responsible for the
healing of the crippled beggar -- not he or John. Then he goes on
to proclaim that all need healing from a much more serious
sickness, and that is the sickness of sin. His sermon ended on
the strong note for the need of repentance.
You know what happened when he finished preaching the sermon?
He was arrested and thrown in jail. You know something else that
happened? The church grew by another 2,000 people! In the book of
Acts, there seems to be some sort of correlation between
courageous preaching (which results in persecution and
imprisonment) and church growth. Preachers were in jail, but the
church grew!
Let me read to you how Luke describes the arrest of these
preachers:
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests,
the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them, much
annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming
that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. So they
arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it
was already evening. But many of those who heard the word
believed; and they numbered about 5,000. (4:1-4)
The wealthy, aristocratic party of the Sadducees was annoyed
by Peter's sermons. First of all they were offended by Peter's
emphasis of Jesus' resurrection, because they did not believe in
life after death. Since they were wealthy people who
lived in comfort, prestige and power, the last thing they wanted
was any disturbance of the way things were. It was to their
advantage to stay on friendly terms with the Roman government.
They were fearful that Peter's preaching would provoke the wrong
kind of attention from the Roman authorities.
We know this is not the first time a small group of people, in
order to protect their own vested interests, would not listen to
the truth or give anyone else a chance to hear it. So for
preaching the truth, these preachers spent the night in jail.
I am a preacher who has never spent a night, or for that
matter, even a few hours in jail. A text like this forces one to
think about that. I remember reading some years ago this comment
by Dean Inge, "We are distressed because our churches aren't
half-empty; but many of them would be emptier if the gospel were
preached in them." To insure my safety and popularity do I water
down the gospel?
I know some people who for conscience sake, were arrested and
spent a night in jail. They were very fearful and apprehensive.
Was this the right thing to do? Will I be forever branded as a
law-breaker? What will jail be like? These were some of the fear-
producing questions. But the jail experience, for conscience
sake, turned out to be much more positive than they expected. It
seems that most people who go to jail because of their
convictions, come out of that experience with even more courage
and determination. More recently, I think of Nelson Mandela who
spent nearly 26 years in prison because of his convictions. It
seems impossible to even imagine such a sacrifice. Yet his clear-
eyed convictions and statesman's-like attitude and bearing, place
him head and shoulders above most of the leaders of our world
today.
A night in jail didn't seem to do any spiritual damage to
Peter and John. The next morning they appeared in court, before
the prestigious and powerful Sanhedrin. Weeks before, Jesus had
been tried and declared guilty before these same powerful people
-- people who worked closely with the government and who could
expect their decisions to be supported by Roman soldiers.
"By what sort of power or by what name did you do this?" is
how this court session began. The court wanted to know how
ordinary, common people could heal a crippled beggar and stir up
such a positive and growing congregation. The fact that a person
had been healed could not be denied. But maybe suspicion could be
directed toward the healers so they would be discredited. Perhaps
they were misleading people with some sort of magic.
This is the question that triggers Peter's third sermon. Once
again he seizes the opportunity to proclaim Jesus Christ. Jesus
Christ was not just another human being. He was different. Since
his life and death, the world is different. In Christ, through
the presence and power of Christ's spirit -- living is not the
same. In Christ, life begins to make sense. In Christ we
experience purpose, meaning and satisfaction. In Christ, living
is no longer a treadmill existence of one thing after another.
Yes, living in Christ, the world is different, because we are
different.
This was sort of Peter's standard sermon. He preached it with
boldness. In fact, Peter is an excellent model of a preacher
practicing what he preached. Luke tells us that Peter stepped in
the pulpit before the Sanhedrin, "full of the Spirit." Have you
ever wondered what it is like to be "full of the Spirit?" I don't
know all that is involved in being "full of the Spirit," but it
certainly means being "full" of courage. You have heard the
modern interpretation of the golden rule -- "those who have the
gold, make the rules." Silver and gold Peter did not have, but he
did have a heart full of power and courage, willing to share a
message that people with gold needed to hear.
One wonders if Peter remembered as he was preaching, these
words of promise and strength by Jesus: "When they bring you
before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not
worry about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to
say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you at the very hour what you
ought to say."
We certainly see this promise coming true in Peter. What a
change! What a transformation! Peter did not stay the way
he was. A short time before, Peter had been afraid of just about
any kind of confrontation, especially with the authorities.
Before, their servants had so frightened him that he denied his
Lord three times. Now, having spent a night in jail, fully aware
that he was in real trouble, he boldly confronted his accusers
and confessed his Lord.
"Aren't you afraid about saying what you do on human rights?"
a South Dakota farmer asked Manas Buthelezi, who had just been
driving the farmer's air-conditioned harvester. The South African
theologian replied, "If I'd be as careful as all that, I'd become
irrelevant." The farmer, himself a member of the state
legislature, got the point and perhaps some additional insight as
to what it takes to live the gospel in our time.
It is difficult for many of us to deal with tough issues. Most
administrations want to keep things peaceful and harmonious.
Congregations are no exceptions. "Don't rock the boat." "Keep
politics out of the pulpit. Sermons are expected to help us in
our spiritual life. Count your blessings preacher and stick to
the gospel." So comes the pressure to mute the trumpet.
In addition, many preachers are in an ambiguous situation. We
receive our salaries from the very ones whose idols we challenge.
Hence the subtle temptation to shape the content of our sermons
in ways that court approval. Yes, even to become your pastoral
puppy -- always smiling, always affirming and never dealing with
anything divisive, controversial or serious.
There are no simple or easy answers to these subtle pressures
to change the preacher into your kind of preacher. I have heard
congregational leaders say about their new, young pastor, "Give
us a couple of years and we will train him to fit our
congregation." You know and I know, that the preacher worth his
salt is the preacher who in season and out of season preaches and
teaches the word of God. This means not only "comforting the
afflicted," but also "afflicting the comfortable."
Remember what Jesus had to say about John the Baptist's
preaching and witness?
"What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed
shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone
dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and
live in luxury are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to
see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet." (Luke
7:24-26)
Faithful servants of the Word are not in the pulpit primarily to
keep the congregational machinery well-oiled and the money coming
in. God's word not only soothes and blesses, it also judges and
demands. Faithful preachers therefore, are not just to be nice
and do nice things, but they are also to speak the truth in love.
Christian courage is not just for the pulpit, but also for the
pew. Most of us like to be liked a lot more than we want to
admit. It begins in childhood. How hard it is to be different
than our friends. We have to like the same movies, music, hair
styles and clothes. And it doesn't change all that much as we get
older. "What will the neighbors think?" is usually much more
persuasive than our pulpits. H. G. Wells said, "The trouble with
so many people is that the voices of their neighbors sound louder
in their ears than the voice of God." It was said of John Knox,
the Scottish Martin Luther, "He feared God so much he never
feared the face of any person."
Peter, "full of the Spirit, full of courage," ends his bold
sermon with this bold claim:
"There is no salvation in no one else, for there is no other name
under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."
(4:12)
The well-known statement is worthy of a sermon in itself. The
circumstances under which Peter gave it should clinch the
argument as to his courage. There is no compromising spirit here.
Peter, even in front of powerful people who could put him
back in jail, had little time for the popular and acceptable
wisdom, "Since we are all going to the same place, it doesn't
matter what road we travel." By virtue of our faith in Christ and
the Bible, we are compelled to see Christianity as something
special and unique in the matter of salvation.
Yes, we are to see ourselves as the people of God in a special
way. But our unique calling is not to result in pride, but rather
in additional responsibilities. "To whom much is given, much will
be required." We are here for others. Our God has always had one
goal, to make it clear to all people that God loves all people.
Speak out, O saints of God!
Despair engulfs earth's frame;
As heirs of God's baptismal grace,
His word of hope proclaim.2
1-Stanley Hauerwas, Truthfulness and Tragedy, Notre Dame Press,
1977, p. 83.
2-Lutheran Book of Worship, "Rise Up, O Saints of God!" #383,
Augsburg, 1978.
So John Bunyan went to prison for nothing worse than preaching
in the little Bedford Baptist Church. "Baptist" preaching was
against the law. But Bunyan persisted in breaking the law. He
told Justice Keeling, "If I was out of prison today, I would
preach again tomorrow, by the help of God."
So it was back to prison. This time for 12 years. And again
for six months. John Bunyan, who gave us the great classic,
Pilgrim's Progress, spent one fifth of his life in jail.
This was not an easy decision for him, to break the law for
the sake of his conscience. John Bunyan was poor. He had a wife
and four children who were dependent upon him. He had little
political clout and virtually no status. All he had to do to
avoid prison was to quit preaching because the law said that
preaching could only be done in the established church.
Martin Luther told the government, "Here I stand! I can do no
other!" John Bunyan refused to give any promise that would bind
his conscience, and because of it, remained a prisoner for the
best part of his adult life.
One wonders how different our world would be if John Bunyan
had given in to the government? One wonders how different our
world would be if more people like the great theologians Karl
Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, would have said
no to Adolph Hitler? Isn't Stanley Hauerwas right, when he
writes, "Auschwitz began when Christians assumed that they could
be the heirs and carriers of the symbols of faith without
sacrifice and suffering."1
John Bunyan is a good example for our time. Today the
temptation is to hand over more and more of our decisions to the
government and to believe that as Christians we can get through
this life without trouble.
John Bunyan is also a good introduction to Peter's third
sermon. Remember last Sunday? ... Peter's second sermon in which
he explained that the Risen Christ was responsible for the
healing of the crippled beggar -- not he or John. Then he goes on
to proclaim that all need healing from a much more serious
sickness, and that is the sickness of sin. His sermon ended on
the strong note for the need of repentance.
You know what happened when he finished preaching the sermon?
He was arrested and thrown in jail. You know something else that
happened? The church grew by another 2,000 people! In the book of
Acts, there seems to be some sort of correlation between
courageous preaching (which results in persecution and
imprisonment) and church growth. Preachers were in jail, but the
church grew!
Let me read to you how Luke describes the arrest of these
preachers:
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests,
the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them, much
annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming
that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. So they
arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it
was already evening. But many of those who heard the word
believed; and they numbered about 5,000. (4:1-4)
The wealthy, aristocratic party of the Sadducees was annoyed
by Peter's sermons. First of all they were offended by Peter's
emphasis of Jesus' resurrection, because they did not believe in
life after death. Since they were wealthy people who
lived in comfort, prestige and power, the last thing they wanted
was any disturbance of the way things were. It was to their
advantage to stay on friendly terms with the Roman government.
They were fearful that Peter's preaching would provoke the wrong
kind of attention from the Roman authorities.
We know this is not the first time a small group of people, in
order to protect their own vested interests, would not listen to
the truth or give anyone else a chance to hear it. So for
preaching the truth, these preachers spent the night in jail.
I am a preacher who has never spent a night, or for that
matter, even a few hours in jail. A text like this forces one to
think about that. I remember reading some years ago this comment
by Dean Inge, "We are distressed because our churches aren't
half-empty; but many of them would be emptier if the gospel were
preached in them." To insure my safety and popularity do I water
down the gospel?
I know some people who for conscience sake, were arrested and
spent a night in jail. They were very fearful and apprehensive.
Was this the right thing to do? Will I be forever branded as a
law-breaker? What will jail be like? These were some of the fear-
producing questions. But the jail experience, for conscience
sake, turned out to be much more positive than they expected. It
seems that most people who go to jail because of their
convictions, come out of that experience with even more courage
and determination. More recently, I think of Nelson Mandela who
spent nearly 26 years in prison because of his convictions. It
seems impossible to even imagine such a sacrifice. Yet his clear-
eyed convictions and statesman's-like attitude and bearing, place
him head and shoulders above most of the leaders of our world
today.
A night in jail didn't seem to do any spiritual damage to
Peter and John. The next morning they appeared in court, before
the prestigious and powerful Sanhedrin. Weeks before, Jesus had
been tried and declared guilty before these same powerful people
-- people who worked closely with the government and who could
expect their decisions to be supported by Roman soldiers.
"By what sort of power or by what name did you do this?" is
how this court session began. The court wanted to know how
ordinary, common people could heal a crippled beggar and stir up
such a positive and growing congregation. The fact that a person
had been healed could not be denied. But maybe suspicion could be
directed toward the healers so they would be discredited. Perhaps
they were misleading people with some sort of magic.
This is the question that triggers Peter's third sermon. Once
again he seizes the opportunity to proclaim Jesus Christ. Jesus
Christ was not just another human being. He was different. Since
his life and death, the world is different. In Christ, through
the presence and power of Christ's spirit -- living is not the
same. In Christ, life begins to make sense. In Christ we
experience purpose, meaning and satisfaction. In Christ, living
is no longer a treadmill existence of one thing after another.
Yes, living in Christ, the world is different, because we are
different.
This was sort of Peter's standard sermon. He preached it with
boldness. In fact, Peter is an excellent model of a preacher
practicing what he preached. Luke tells us that Peter stepped in
the pulpit before the Sanhedrin, "full of the Spirit." Have you
ever wondered what it is like to be "full of the Spirit?" I don't
know all that is involved in being "full of the Spirit," but it
certainly means being "full" of courage. You have heard the
modern interpretation of the golden rule -- "those who have the
gold, make the rules." Silver and gold Peter did not have, but he
did have a heart full of power and courage, willing to share a
message that people with gold needed to hear.
One wonders if Peter remembered as he was preaching, these
words of promise and strength by Jesus: "When they bring you
before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not
worry about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to
say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you at the very hour what you
ought to say."
We certainly see this promise coming true in Peter. What a
change! What a transformation! Peter did not stay the way
he was. A short time before, Peter had been afraid of just about
any kind of confrontation, especially with the authorities.
Before, their servants had so frightened him that he denied his
Lord three times. Now, having spent a night in jail, fully aware
that he was in real trouble, he boldly confronted his accusers
and confessed his Lord.
"Aren't you afraid about saying what you do on human rights?"
a South Dakota farmer asked Manas Buthelezi, who had just been
driving the farmer's air-conditioned harvester. The South African
theologian replied, "If I'd be as careful as all that, I'd become
irrelevant." The farmer, himself a member of the state
legislature, got the point and perhaps some additional insight as
to what it takes to live the gospel in our time.
It is difficult for many of us to deal with tough issues. Most
administrations want to keep things peaceful and harmonious.
Congregations are no exceptions. "Don't rock the boat." "Keep
politics out of the pulpit. Sermons are expected to help us in
our spiritual life. Count your blessings preacher and stick to
the gospel." So comes the pressure to mute the trumpet.
In addition, many preachers are in an ambiguous situation. We
receive our salaries from the very ones whose idols we challenge.
Hence the subtle temptation to shape the content of our sermons
in ways that court approval. Yes, even to become your pastoral
puppy -- always smiling, always affirming and never dealing with
anything divisive, controversial or serious.
There are no simple or easy answers to these subtle pressures
to change the preacher into your kind of preacher. I have heard
congregational leaders say about their new, young pastor, "Give
us a couple of years and we will train him to fit our
congregation." You know and I know, that the preacher worth his
salt is the preacher who in season and out of season preaches and
teaches the word of God. This means not only "comforting the
afflicted," but also "afflicting the comfortable."
Remember what Jesus had to say about John the Baptist's
preaching and witness?
"What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed
shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone
dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and
live in luxury are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to
see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet." (Luke
7:24-26)
Faithful servants of the Word are not in the pulpit primarily to
keep the congregational machinery well-oiled and the money coming
in. God's word not only soothes and blesses, it also judges and
demands. Faithful preachers therefore, are not just to be nice
and do nice things, but they are also to speak the truth in love.
Christian courage is not just for the pulpit, but also for the
pew. Most of us like to be liked a lot more than we want to
admit. It begins in childhood. How hard it is to be different
than our friends. We have to like the same movies, music, hair
styles and clothes. And it doesn't change all that much as we get
older. "What will the neighbors think?" is usually much more
persuasive than our pulpits. H. G. Wells said, "The trouble with
so many people is that the voices of their neighbors sound louder
in their ears than the voice of God." It was said of John Knox,
the Scottish Martin Luther, "He feared God so much he never
feared the face of any person."
Peter, "full of the Spirit, full of courage," ends his bold
sermon with this bold claim:
"There is no salvation in no one else, for there is no other name
under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."
(4:12)
The well-known statement is worthy of a sermon in itself. The
circumstances under which Peter gave it should clinch the
argument as to his courage. There is no compromising spirit here.
Peter, even in front of powerful people who could put him
back in jail, had little time for the popular and acceptable
wisdom, "Since we are all going to the same place, it doesn't
matter what road we travel." By virtue of our faith in Christ and
the Bible, we are compelled to see Christianity as something
special and unique in the matter of salvation.
Yes, we are to see ourselves as the people of God in a special
way. But our unique calling is not to result in pride, but rather
in additional responsibilities. "To whom much is given, much will
be required." We are here for others. Our God has always had one
goal, to make it clear to all people that God loves all people.
Speak out, O saints of God!
Despair engulfs earth's frame;
As heirs of God's baptismal grace,
His word of hope proclaim.2
1-Stanley Hauerwas, Truthfulness and Tragedy, Notre Dame Press,
1977, p. 83.
2-Lutheran Book of Worship, "Rise Up, O Saints of God!" #383,
Augsburg, 1978.
