Framed, Changed, Challenged
Sermon
Show-and-Tell
First Lesson Cycle A Sermons for Lent and Easter
Object:
The week before classes began, Harold, a high school history teacher, fell off a step ladder and injured his back. For the next three months he was forced to wear a plaster cast around the entire upper part of his body. The cast fit so well underneath his shirt and sport coat that it was not at all noticeable.
On the first day of class, with the cast under his shirt, Harold discovered that he had been assigned the rowdiest and most rebellious students in the whole school. Walking confidently into his boisterous and disorderly classroom, Harold opened the windows and then busied himself at his desk until the bell rang to indicate the beginning of what looked like a very long history class. When a strong breeze started Harold's necktie flapping in his face, Harold calmly picked up his desk stapler and stapled the unruly tie to his chest. That little demonstration got everybody's attention. Harold had no discipline problems that semester. During the next few weeks, students began to look at Harold with new respect. Their grades improved, their attendance increased, and their number of detentions declined.
Soon other teachers and even the school principal began to notice the changes in Harold's students. One afternoon after students had gone home, some of Harold's peers asked him how he had accomplished the impossible. Harold replied, "Well, I just did something ridiculous and humiliating that got their attention." Then Harold described the tie stapling incident. Continuing on, Harold explained, "Well, you might have guessed that after a week or so, students began to realize that I was not a full-contact boxing champion and that I was actually wearing a cast. I was afraid that their old rowdy, disrespectful behavior would come back worse than ever. Fortunately, it did not. They had begun to appreciate the new respect from other teachers and students. Every day we challenged each other. It's surprising, but we actually seem to like each other... most of the time anyway."
Hmmm... something ridiculous, humiliating, and impossible that changes everything. Sounds a lot like the crucified and risen Jesus, doesn't it? On the cross Jesus framed us in the center of his love. Through his resurrection Jesus changed us from a people with little meaning and purpose into a new fellowship with mission and focus.
Today's text describes what that new fellowship in Christ looked like then. As we explore this lesson, listen for the spirit's challenge to faithful living today. Pay careful attention to the results too. Notice how the behavior of these first Christians got the attention of others. Here is an excellent "show-and-tell" model of Christian witness.
So what were the basic characteristics of that early Christian community? Look at the first verse: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (Acts 2:42).
First, it was crucial for those early Christians to know the story of Jesus as told by the eyewitnesses, the apostles themselves. Here Christians learned how their experience of Jesus as Messiah was described in their own scripture. Here they discovered what it really meant to be named as Christ's followers, claimed by Christ himself, and framed in Christ's own embrace. Here they began to grasp a vision of what Christ was challenging them to be and to do.
Second, living in close and daily fellowship with other Christians was essential. It was within this fellowship that many astonishing "wonders and signs were being done by the apostles" (Acts 2:43). It was within this fellowship that encouragement was given, faith matured, friendships grew, and even material needs were addressed with generosity (Acts 2:44, 35). Something unusual, substantial, and unique was happening within this new community.
Third, these first church members gathered to break bread; sharing meals at home (literally, the Greek here is translated "from house to house") nearly every day. Eating together in homes groomed and deepened relationships. Breaking bread together also broke down barriers that separated and inhibited relationships. Giving thanks and breaking bread together also connected the community with the risen Christ within a common and holy meal.
Fourth, these first Christians in Jerusalem remained faithful. They still worshiped regularly in the temple and maintained daily Jewish prayer routines (Acts 2:46).
So, what is the challenge that the risen Jesus lays before his changed people... you and me... the church? Well, when our text was written, the Spirit formed the church as an alternative community within Jewish society. Today, the Spirit of the risen Christ continues to form us as an alternative fellowship within our society. Although our languages differ, our cultures vary, our ethnicities diverge, and our politics are often diffuse, the shape of Christ's community looks very much the same as that described in today's scripture lesson. 1) Know the Jesus story; 2) Live daily within the fellowship of encouraging, supporting, and serving people; 3) Share meals together often in one another's homes; 4) Worship and pray together regularly.
Now, here comes a refreshing surprise especially for those who are worried about declining church membership and a reduced Christian influence in modern society. Notice the attitudes and behavior of those early Christians as they went about their daily lives "with glad and generous hearts praising God and having the goodwill of all the people" (Acts 2:46-47). Now, notice what happened next. "Day by day the Lord added to their number" (Acts 2:47).
It was the attitudes and behavior of these Christians that God used to get the respect and goodwill of the people. It wasn't three-step strategies or free camel rides. It wasn't fancy greeter badges or even changes in worship style that did it. Folks simply saw behaviors change, generosity flow, and attitudes improve. Then the Lord (not a committee) drew them into this growing community of changed people. Then, together they learned the Jesus story, shared the fellowship, broke some bread, and prayed together. That same challenge is ours today.
Here is just one actual example of what that faithfulness looks like. Some of you may have heard about this.
It happened a few years ago at a high school football game between the Lions and the Tornadoes. The Lions belonged to a Christian school with supportive and involved parents, up-to-date equipment, and a 7-1 record. The Tornadoes were from a state juvenile correctional facility. Many of the players had convictions for drugs and assault. Many had been disowned by their families. Their equipment was old and worn. Their record was 0-8.
Kris, the head coach of the Lions, decided that this game was an opportunity to show what the love of Jesus might look like. He sent letters and emails to Lion parents and fans asking for volunteers to cheer for the Tornadoes. In his message, Kris said, "Imagine if you don't have a home life; if everyone had given up on you. Now imagine what it would mean if hundreds of people believed in you and even cheered for you by name."
At game time, the Tornadoes took the field running through a 40-yard double line of screaming fans and cheerleaders yelling, "Go, Tornadoes!" During the game Tornado players heard hundreds of fans behind their team bench cheering for them by their first names.
When both teams gathered on the fifty-yard line for the customary post-game prayer, one of the Tornadoes players asked to lead. Coach Kris still remembers it word for word: "Lord I don't know how this happened and I don't know how to say thank you. I would never have thought there were so many people in this world who cared about us."
As the Tornadoes got back on their bus, they were each handed a bag containing a fast food meal, a Bible, and a letter of encouragement from one of the Lion players. Before the bus left, the tornado coach hugged Coach Kris, thanked him and said, "You'll never be able to know what your folks did for these kids tonight. Thank you."
But who won the game? Jesus of course. He has framed, changed, and challenged us to show the same compassion to others.
What signs of wonder and encouragement are part of everyday life in your congregation? What generosity flows from your worship space into the world around you? How do you learn and teach the Jesus story? What does breaking bread from house to house look like for you? What about regular worship and prayer patterns? Where are the glad and generous hearts? Where is the goodwill of all the people outside the parish community?
These are challenging questions all right. Their answers can be downright depressing and humiliating if we try to answer them without Jesus. You see, it is Jesus who gets our attention with his brutal, ridiculous, humiliating death on the cross. It is Jesus who frames us in his outstretched arms. It is Jesus who changes the way we view the world's reality with his resurrection from the grave. It is Jesus who challenges us to live so faithfully that others are drawn into new life. It is Jesus who makes the impossible possible. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen.
On the first day of class, with the cast under his shirt, Harold discovered that he had been assigned the rowdiest and most rebellious students in the whole school. Walking confidently into his boisterous and disorderly classroom, Harold opened the windows and then busied himself at his desk until the bell rang to indicate the beginning of what looked like a very long history class. When a strong breeze started Harold's necktie flapping in his face, Harold calmly picked up his desk stapler and stapled the unruly tie to his chest. That little demonstration got everybody's attention. Harold had no discipline problems that semester. During the next few weeks, students began to look at Harold with new respect. Their grades improved, their attendance increased, and their number of detentions declined.
Soon other teachers and even the school principal began to notice the changes in Harold's students. One afternoon after students had gone home, some of Harold's peers asked him how he had accomplished the impossible. Harold replied, "Well, I just did something ridiculous and humiliating that got their attention." Then Harold described the tie stapling incident. Continuing on, Harold explained, "Well, you might have guessed that after a week or so, students began to realize that I was not a full-contact boxing champion and that I was actually wearing a cast. I was afraid that their old rowdy, disrespectful behavior would come back worse than ever. Fortunately, it did not. They had begun to appreciate the new respect from other teachers and students. Every day we challenged each other. It's surprising, but we actually seem to like each other... most of the time anyway."
Hmmm... something ridiculous, humiliating, and impossible that changes everything. Sounds a lot like the crucified and risen Jesus, doesn't it? On the cross Jesus framed us in the center of his love. Through his resurrection Jesus changed us from a people with little meaning and purpose into a new fellowship with mission and focus.
Today's text describes what that new fellowship in Christ looked like then. As we explore this lesson, listen for the spirit's challenge to faithful living today. Pay careful attention to the results too. Notice how the behavior of these first Christians got the attention of others. Here is an excellent "show-and-tell" model of Christian witness.
So what were the basic characteristics of that early Christian community? Look at the first verse: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (Acts 2:42).
First, it was crucial for those early Christians to know the story of Jesus as told by the eyewitnesses, the apostles themselves. Here Christians learned how their experience of Jesus as Messiah was described in their own scripture. Here they discovered what it really meant to be named as Christ's followers, claimed by Christ himself, and framed in Christ's own embrace. Here they began to grasp a vision of what Christ was challenging them to be and to do.
Second, living in close and daily fellowship with other Christians was essential. It was within this fellowship that many astonishing "wonders and signs were being done by the apostles" (Acts 2:43). It was within this fellowship that encouragement was given, faith matured, friendships grew, and even material needs were addressed with generosity (Acts 2:44, 35). Something unusual, substantial, and unique was happening within this new community.
Third, these first church members gathered to break bread; sharing meals at home (literally, the Greek here is translated "from house to house") nearly every day. Eating together in homes groomed and deepened relationships. Breaking bread together also broke down barriers that separated and inhibited relationships. Giving thanks and breaking bread together also connected the community with the risen Christ within a common and holy meal.
Fourth, these first Christians in Jerusalem remained faithful. They still worshiped regularly in the temple and maintained daily Jewish prayer routines (Acts 2:46).
So, what is the challenge that the risen Jesus lays before his changed people... you and me... the church? Well, when our text was written, the Spirit formed the church as an alternative community within Jewish society. Today, the Spirit of the risen Christ continues to form us as an alternative fellowship within our society. Although our languages differ, our cultures vary, our ethnicities diverge, and our politics are often diffuse, the shape of Christ's community looks very much the same as that described in today's scripture lesson. 1) Know the Jesus story; 2) Live daily within the fellowship of encouraging, supporting, and serving people; 3) Share meals together often in one another's homes; 4) Worship and pray together regularly.
Now, here comes a refreshing surprise especially for those who are worried about declining church membership and a reduced Christian influence in modern society. Notice the attitudes and behavior of those early Christians as they went about their daily lives "with glad and generous hearts praising God and having the goodwill of all the people" (Acts 2:46-47). Now, notice what happened next. "Day by day the Lord added to their number" (Acts 2:47).
It was the attitudes and behavior of these Christians that God used to get the respect and goodwill of the people. It wasn't three-step strategies or free camel rides. It wasn't fancy greeter badges or even changes in worship style that did it. Folks simply saw behaviors change, generosity flow, and attitudes improve. Then the Lord (not a committee) drew them into this growing community of changed people. Then, together they learned the Jesus story, shared the fellowship, broke some bread, and prayed together. That same challenge is ours today.
Here is just one actual example of what that faithfulness looks like. Some of you may have heard about this.
It happened a few years ago at a high school football game between the Lions and the Tornadoes. The Lions belonged to a Christian school with supportive and involved parents, up-to-date equipment, and a 7-1 record. The Tornadoes were from a state juvenile correctional facility. Many of the players had convictions for drugs and assault. Many had been disowned by their families. Their equipment was old and worn. Their record was 0-8.
Kris, the head coach of the Lions, decided that this game was an opportunity to show what the love of Jesus might look like. He sent letters and emails to Lion parents and fans asking for volunteers to cheer for the Tornadoes. In his message, Kris said, "Imagine if you don't have a home life; if everyone had given up on you. Now imagine what it would mean if hundreds of people believed in you and even cheered for you by name."
At game time, the Tornadoes took the field running through a 40-yard double line of screaming fans and cheerleaders yelling, "Go, Tornadoes!" During the game Tornado players heard hundreds of fans behind their team bench cheering for them by their first names.
When both teams gathered on the fifty-yard line for the customary post-game prayer, one of the Tornadoes players asked to lead. Coach Kris still remembers it word for word: "Lord I don't know how this happened and I don't know how to say thank you. I would never have thought there were so many people in this world who cared about us."
As the Tornadoes got back on their bus, they were each handed a bag containing a fast food meal, a Bible, and a letter of encouragement from one of the Lion players. Before the bus left, the tornado coach hugged Coach Kris, thanked him and said, "You'll never be able to know what your folks did for these kids tonight. Thank you."
But who won the game? Jesus of course. He has framed, changed, and challenged us to show the same compassion to others.
What signs of wonder and encouragement are part of everyday life in your congregation? What generosity flows from your worship space into the world around you? How do you learn and teach the Jesus story? What does breaking bread from house to house look like for you? What about regular worship and prayer patterns? Where are the glad and generous hearts? Where is the goodwill of all the people outside the parish community?
These are challenging questions all right. Their answers can be downright depressing and humiliating if we try to answer them without Jesus. You see, it is Jesus who gets our attention with his brutal, ridiculous, humiliating death on the cross. It is Jesus who frames us in his outstretched arms. It is Jesus who changes the way we view the world's reality with his resurrection from the grave. It is Jesus who challenges us to live so faithfully that others are drawn into new life. It is Jesus who makes the impossible possible. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen.
