Witness to These Things
Stories
Contents
"Witness to These Things" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Grateful and Free" by Keith Wagner
"Faith for the Skeptic" by Keith Wagner
Witness to These Things
by Peter Andrew Smith
Acts 5:27-32
“You need to stop,” Jodi said. “You’re embarrassing yourself.”
Cindy looked up at the three girls surrounding her table in the High School cafeteria. “What are you talking about?”
Jodi rolled her eyes. “Oh come on, you might fool other people but you don’t fool me. This ‘holier-than-thou’ attitude you have. It’s sickening.”
Cindy put down her drink. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“We saw your post on the notice board about what’s happening at your church,” Jodi said. “How dare you push your religion on us.”
“First of all I’m not pushing anything on any of you. There’s a gathering at the church which I thought you might be interested in so I forwarded the invitation to you. You’re welcome to come or not come. The choice is really up to you.”
Kristen shook her head. “We don’t need you to tell us how to live.”
“I’m simply telling you what I believe.”
“No one cares what a Jesus freak like you believes.”
Cindy smiled. “I am a Jesus freak.”
“That isn’t a compliment.” Kristen frowned.“That’s an insult.”
Cindy shook her head. “Not to me it isn’t. I’ve discovered how much of a difference Jesus makes in my life so I’m not ashamed of following him and telling others about him.”
“What difference could Jesus make?”
“My Dad is in the Army.” Cindy paused. “I get scared and worried for him and I find that leaning on Jesus in prayer gives me the peace and strength I need to keep going.”
“Huh.” Kristen looked thoughtful. “My Mom is heading on deployment in a couple of weeks.”
“That doesn’t matter.” Jodi crossed her arms. “Listen, I don’t know how they did things in whatever hick place you grew up in but here in the city we don’t talk about Jesus at school.”
“I grew up all over. I’ve been in small towns and big cities,” Cindy said. “I’ve talked about Jesus in all the schools I’ve attended.”
Patsy stepped forward and scowled. “You’re just making a fool of yourself.”
“Why?” Cindy asked.
“Because no one cares about Jesus.” Patsy stomped her foot. “We’ve got more important things to worry about than what happens after death- we need to do something about the environmental crisis, about violence and bullying, and the rampant racism in society.”
“I care about all of those things,” Cindy said. “They’re all very important to me.”
“Good. Then talk about them and stop all this Jesus nonsense.”
“I think that being a follower of Jesus means that I cares about the world God has entrusted to us, I’m called to make sure we treat each other right, and to listen to the voices of all people made in God’s image.” Cindy paused. “A life of faith isn’t just about getting ready for the next life but also making a difference in this world.”
“Really?” Patsy tilted her head.
“That doesn’t’ matter either.” Jodi leaned forward. “Listen, we’re not going to tell you again. Stop talking about Jesus unless you want to find yourself an outsider for the rest of your time in school. We’re the people who are important in this place.”
“I believe that every person is important.” Cindy stared back at her. “There is no way that I’m going to stop talking about Jesus.”
“Well, be ready to have no friends.” Jodi turned to Kristen and Patsy. “Come on, let’s go.”
Kristen looked at Jodi for a moment and then sat down beside Cindy. “I’m worried that Mom is going to get injured or not come back. You say that prayer helps? I thought you just prayed to keep God from getting mad at you.”
“No, prayer is about talking to God about your fears and worries,” Cindy said. “Praying keeps me sane when Dad is away. I know that when I’m worried I can ask Jesus to watch over him and care for him and when I ask for that I find peace.”
“I could use some peace about now,” Kristen said. “Maybe I should start praying.”
“There’s a group of us at church who gather to pray for those overseas. If you want to join us you’d be welcome.”
Kristen smiled. “I’d like that.”
“Ugh,” Jodi said. “Come on Patsy.”
Patsy shook her head and sat down. “Were you serious about wanting to help with those social issues?”
“Absolutely.” Cindy nodded. “There are some social justice groups that do projects in our church that you might be interested in.”
“I’m not sure I’m really into Jesus.”
“That’s okay. Come and see what we’re doing. Who knows, maybe seeing what people who follow Jesus are doing will change your mind.”
“Maybe.” Patsy rubbed her chin. “I suppose trying couldn’t hurt.”
Jodi looked at her two friends and threw up her hands and stormed off. Kristen and Patsy though remained at the table and listened as Cindy talked about her faith and the difference Jesus makes for her and for the world.
* * * * * * * * *
Grateful and Free
by Keith Wagner
Revelation 1:4b-8
One time I was visiting an elderly woman. As we talked she was lamenting over the loss of her husband and home. She now lived in a retirement center. After a few moments her sorrow changed to a spirit of gratefulness. She said, "O well, I have so much to be thankful for." She was thankful for all her experiences, the life with her husband, her home, her family.
It is our human nature to lament over the things in life we have lost and common to share our feelings of sorrow about loved ones who have died. On the other hand, to acknowledge our blessings or express an attitude of thankfulness takes a bit more effort. It comes from the belief that God deserves our praise for all that has been given.
Back in 1988, a Polish railway worker named Jan Grzebski was hit by a train. He lived, but only barely. For the next 19 years (until the year 2007), Grzebski was in a coma. He awoke in 2007 to a whole new world. Nineteen years earlier, Poland was a communist state. Grzebski noted that back then meat was rationed and there were huge lines at nearly every gas station. And, "there was only tea and vinegar in the shops."
When Grzebski awoke he learned he was now in a free nation. He said, "There are people on the streets with cell phones and there are so many goods in the shops it makes my head spin." But something puzzled him. He said, "What amazes me is all these people who walk around with their mobile phones and yet they never stop moaning." These people have freedom, and food and wealth greater than Poland had had for decades and yet Grzebski woke from his coma to find that all they seemed to want to do was grumble!
Here in the Revelation to John, John sent a message of praise and thanksgiving in his time to the church. He said, “Grace to you and peace from him who is, who was and is to come.” In other words, God was with them in the present, God was with them in the past and God would continue to be with them in the future. John was thankful for God’s constant presence in life and he was thankful for God’s gift through Jesus Christ.
John also said that Jesus was the “faithful witness, first born of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth.” I believe the core of John’s message was Jesus’ forgiveness. “He loved us and freed us,” John said. What John wanted his listeners to remember most was why Jesus came in the first place; to forgive our sins. John’s message to the church also implies that Jesus is recognized every time we experience forgiveness. He is also recognized when we forgive others.
A gentleman once saw a boy steal a flower from his flower garden. He went forth quietly in a roundabout way to meet the boy and, coming up behind him, laid his hand on the boy's shoulder, saying: "Now, my boy, answer me one question: Which is the best flower in my garden?" The boy, finding no escape, looked around and after a few minutes' pause, said, "That rose is best," as he pointed to a beautiful moss rose.
The gentleman, still keeping one hand on the boy's shoulder, reached out his other hand and, plucking the rose in all its beauty, gave it to the boy. As he released him he said, "There, take it, my boy." The boy was amazed. Looking into the face of his strange benefactor, he said, "Aren’t you going to have me punished, sir?" "No," was the reply; "But since I am going to give you the best flower in my garden, I don’t want you to ever steal from my flower beds again.” The boy replied, “Never, sir, not as long as I live."
The boy learned his lesson. Undoubtedly he will make mistakes in his future as we all do. However the gentlemen’s pardon will remain with him forever. The boy was grateful for his new found freedom and replied by saying to the gentleman, “Sir, isn’t there some little errand I can do for you?" From that time on the boy became a willing servant of his friend.
Let us claim our heritage of gratefulness and be grateful for today. Times have changed, but God has not ceased to be with us.
* * *
Faith for the Skeptic
by Keith Wagner
John 20:19-31
In a Charlie Brown cartoon, Charlie and Lucy are walking home from their last day of school year. Suddenly Charlie bursts out with an enthusiastic note. “Lucy, I got straight A’s, isn’t that great!”
Lucy turns, looks at him very sceptically and doubtfully, and says: “I don’t believe you Charlie Brown. Unless you show me your report card, I cannot believe you.”
Here was Charlie Brown, the guy who never seemed to do anything right. However in this cartoon he is overjoyed. But this is just too much of a shock for Lucy. Shecannot believe that Charlie Brown could get straight A’s.
What does it take to make people believe?
I suppose that if you won the lottery you would believe that God is watching over you. Or, if you were miraculously cured of some disease, like cancer, you might believe that God had something to do with it. Many of us would like to try new things but we hesitate because of the lack of faith.
In our story today, Thomas, known as “Doubting Thomas,” is skeptical about the resurrection of Jesus. “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” Plain and simple; Thomas needed proof that Jesus really appeared to the disciples.
For me however, Thomas is acting very normal. He discounted the word of the disciples since he wasn’t with them when Jesus appeared in their midst. Thomas was insecure about his faith and I believe that we are too. Like Thomas we need assurance. Assurance gives us hope. Assurance acts as a catalyst to our skepticism.
That being said we all have doubts. The resurrection story is not something that can be explained. We accept it on faith. The truth is we are all vulnerable and whenever things aren’t going well, our faith is diminished. In those moments we need someone to listen to us, someone who will affirm out doubts and care about us.
Scott Peck, in A World Yet to Come, tells of an experience he had in college. He thought about transferring to another college but really felt quite confused concerning what to do. He went to his advisor who listened about five minutes and replied with something like, "You need to stay in school. You might not be the best student but a degree from here is worth a lot. Just hang in there." Then he went to the school president who listened about two minutes and stated very strongly something like this, "This is the finest college you could be attending. Now, buckle down and do your work."
Finally, the young Peck went to a mathematics professor who was rumored to be brilliant but cold and emotionally unavailable. To his surprise he found the professor to be all ears. He listened for nearly 30 minutes. Then the professor asked if he could ask some questions about his situation. He continued to listen to his story. Eventually, the professor said, "I don't know what to tell you to do. And in fact, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't know what to do."
Peck writes that he felt understood and relieved that the brilliant professor did not know what to do either. He believes this experience was one of the watershed experiences of his life. When our doubts are validated we feel assured.
Jesus also took the concerns of Thomas very seriously. He said, “Go ahead and touch me,” thus affirming his skepticism. It is then at that point that Thomas responded by saying, “My Lord and my God.”
The skeptic has faith when he/she feels assured. The skeptic has faith when his/her doubts are heard. And the skeptic has faith when he/she learns to trust in God.
*****************************************
StoryShare, April 28, 2019, issue.
Copyright 2019 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
"Witness to These Things" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Grateful and Free" by Keith Wagner
"Faith for the Skeptic" by Keith Wagner
Witness to These Things
by Peter Andrew Smith
Acts 5:27-32
“You need to stop,” Jodi said. “You’re embarrassing yourself.”
Cindy looked up at the three girls surrounding her table in the High School cafeteria. “What are you talking about?”
Jodi rolled her eyes. “Oh come on, you might fool other people but you don’t fool me. This ‘holier-than-thou’ attitude you have. It’s sickening.”
Cindy put down her drink. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“We saw your post on the notice board about what’s happening at your church,” Jodi said. “How dare you push your religion on us.”
“First of all I’m not pushing anything on any of you. There’s a gathering at the church which I thought you might be interested in so I forwarded the invitation to you. You’re welcome to come or not come. The choice is really up to you.”
Kristen shook her head. “We don’t need you to tell us how to live.”
“I’m simply telling you what I believe.”
“No one cares what a Jesus freak like you believes.”
Cindy smiled. “I am a Jesus freak.”
“That isn’t a compliment.” Kristen frowned.“That’s an insult.”
Cindy shook her head. “Not to me it isn’t. I’ve discovered how much of a difference Jesus makes in my life so I’m not ashamed of following him and telling others about him.”
“What difference could Jesus make?”
“My Dad is in the Army.” Cindy paused. “I get scared and worried for him and I find that leaning on Jesus in prayer gives me the peace and strength I need to keep going.”
“Huh.” Kristen looked thoughtful. “My Mom is heading on deployment in a couple of weeks.”
“That doesn’t matter.” Jodi crossed her arms. “Listen, I don’t know how they did things in whatever hick place you grew up in but here in the city we don’t talk about Jesus at school.”
“I grew up all over. I’ve been in small towns and big cities,” Cindy said. “I’ve talked about Jesus in all the schools I’ve attended.”
Patsy stepped forward and scowled. “You’re just making a fool of yourself.”
“Why?” Cindy asked.
“Because no one cares about Jesus.” Patsy stomped her foot. “We’ve got more important things to worry about than what happens after death- we need to do something about the environmental crisis, about violence and bullying, and the rampant racism in society.”
“I care about all of those things,” Cindy said. “They’re all very important to me.”
“Good. Then talk about them and stop all this Jesus nonsense.”
“I think that being a follower of Jesus means that I cares about the world God has entrusted to us, I’m called to make sure we treat each other right, and to listen to the voices of all people made in God’s image.” Cindy paused. “A life of faith isn’t just about getting ready for the next life but also making a difference in this world.”
“Really?” Patsy tilted her head.
“That doesn’t’ matter either.” Jodi leaned forward. “Listen, we’re not going to tell you again. Stop talking about Jesus unless you want to find yourself an outsider for the rest of your time in school. We’re the people who are important in this place.”
“I believe that every person is important.” Cindy stared back at her. “There is no way that I’m going to stop talking about Jesus.”
“Well, be ready to have no friends.” Jodi turned to Kristen and Patsy. “Come on, let’s go.”
Kristen looked at Jodi for a moment and then sat down beside Cindy. “I’m worried that Mom is going to get injured or not come back. You say that prayer helps? I thought you just prayed to keep God from getting mad at you.”
“No, prayer is about talking to God about your fears and worries,” Cindy said. “Praying keeps me sane when Dad is away. I know that when I’m worried I can ask Jesus to watch over him and care for him and when I ask for that I find peace.”
“I could use some peace about now,” Kristen said. “Maybe I should start praying.”
“There’s a group of us at church who gather to pray for those overseas. If you want to join us you’d be welcome.”
Kristen smiled. “I’d like that.”
“Ugh,” Jodi said. “Come on Patsy.”
Patsy shook her head and sat down. “Were you serious about wanting to help with those social issues?”
“Absolutely.” Cindy nodded. “There are some social justice groups that do projects in our church that you might be interested in.”
“I’m not sure I’m really into Jesus.”
“That’s okay. Come and see what we’re doing. Who knows, maybe seeing what people who follow Jesus are doing will change your mind.”
“Maybe.” Patsy rubbed her chin. “I suppose trying couldn’t hurt.”
Jodi looked at her two friends and threw up her hands and stormed off. Kristen and Patsy though remained at the table and listened as Cindy talked about her faith and the difference Jesus makes for her and for the world.
* * * * * * * * *
Grateful and Free
by Keith Wagner
Revelation 1:4b-8
One time I was visiting an elderly woman. As we talked she was lamenting over the loss of her husband and home. She now lived in a retirement center. After a few moments her sorrow changed to a spirit of gratefulness. She said, "O well, I have so much to be thankful for." She was thankful for all her experiences, the life with her husband, her home, her family.
It is our human nature to lament over the things in life we have lost and common to share our feelings of sorrow about loved ones who have died. On the other hand, to acknowledge our blessings or express an attitude of thankfulness takes a bit more effort. It comes from the belief that God deserves our praise for all that has been given.
Back in 1988, a Polish railway worker named Jan Grzebski was hit by a train. He lived, but only barely. For the next 19 years (until the year 2007), Grzebski was in a coma. He awoke in 2007 to a whole new world. Nineteen years earlier, Poland was a communist state. Grzebski noted that back then meat was rationed and there were huge lines at nearly every gas station. And, "there was only tea and vinegar in the shops."
When Grzebski awoke he learned he was now in a free nation. He said, "There are people on the streets with cell phones and there are so many goods in the shops it makes my head spin." But something puzzled him. He said, "What amazes me is all these people who walk around with their mobile phones and yet they never stop moaning." These people have freedom, and food and wealth greater than Poland had had for decades and yet Grzebski woke from his coma to find that all they seemed to want to do was grumble!
Here in the Revelation to John, John sent a message of praise and thanksgiving in his time to the church. He said, “Grace to you and peace from him who is, who was and is to come.” In other words, God was with them in the present, God was with them in the past and God would continue to be with them in the future. John was thankful for God’s constant presence in life and he was thankful for God’s gift through Jesus Christ.
John also said that Jesus was the “faithful witness, first born of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth.” I believe the core of John’s message was Jesus’ forgiveness. “He loved us and freed us,” John said. What John wanted his listeners to remember most was why Jesus came in the first place; to forgive our sins. John’s message to the church also implies that Jesus is recognized every time we experience forgiveness. He is also recognized when we forgive others.
A gentleman once saw a boy steal a flower from his flower garden. He went forth quietly in a roundabout way to meet the boy and, coming up behind him, laid his hand on the boy's shoulder, saying: "Now, my boy, answer me one question: Which is the best flower in my garden?" The boy, finding no escape, looked around and after a few minutes' pause, said, "That rose is best," as he pointed to a beautiful moss rose.
The gentleman, still keeping one hand on the boy's shoulder, reached out his other hand and, plucking the rose in all its beauty, gave it to the boy. As he released him he said, "There, take it, my boy." The boy was amazed. Looking into the face of his strange benefactor, he said, "Aren’t you going to have me punished, sir?" "No," was the reply; "But since I am going to give you the best flower in my garden, I don’t want you to ever steal from my flower beds again.” The boy replied, “Never, sir, not as long as I live."
The boy learned his lesson. Undoubtedly he will make mistakes in his future as we all do. However the gentlemen’s pardon will remain with him forever. The boy was grateful for his new found freedom and replied by saying to the gentleman, “Sir, isn’t there some little errand I can do for you?" From that time on the boy became a willing servant of his friend.
Let us claim our heritage of gratefulness and be grateful for today. Times have changed, but God has not ceased to be with us.
* * *
Faith for the Skeptic
by Keith Wagner
John 20:19-31
In a Charlie Brown cartoon, Charlie and Lucy are walking home from their last day of school year. Suddenly Charlie bursts out with an enthusiastic note. “Lucy, I got straight A’s, isn’t that great!”
Lucy turns, looks at him very sceptically and doubtfully, and says: “I don’t believe you Charlie Brown. Unless you show me your report card, I cannot believe you.”
Here was Charlie Brown, the guy who never seemed to do anything right. However in this cartoon he is overjoyed. But this is just too much of a shock for Lucy. Shecannot believe that Charlie Brown could get straight A’s.
What does it take to make people believe?
I suppose that if you won the lottery you would believe that God is watching over you. Or, if you were miraculously cured of some disease, like cancer, you might believe that God had something to do with it. Many of us would like to try new things but we hesitate because of the lack of faith.
In our story today, Thomas, known as “Doubting Thomas,” is skeptical about the resurrection of Jesus. “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” Plain and simple; Thomas needed proof that Jesus really appeared to the disciples.
For me however, Thomas is acting very normal. He discounted the word of the disciples since he wasn’t with them when Jesus appeared in their midst. Thomas was insecure about his faith and I believe that we are too. Like Thomas we need assurance. Assurance gives us hope. Assurance acts as a catalyst to our skepticism.
That being said we all have doubts. The resurrection story is not something that can be explained. We accept it on faith. The truth is we are all vulnerable and whenever things aren’t going well, our faith is diminished. In those moments we need someone to listen to us, someone who will affirm out doubts and care about us.
Scott Peck, in A World Yet to Come, tells of an experience he had in college. He thought about transferring to another college but really felt quite confused concerning what to do. He went to his advisor who listened about five minutes and replied with something like, "You need to stay in school. You might not be the best student but a degree from here is worth a lot. Just hang in there." Then he went to the school president who listened about two minutes and stated very strongly something like this, "This is the finest college you could be attending. Now, buckle down and do your work."
Finally, the young Peck went to a mathematics professor who was rumored to be brilliant but cold and emotionally unavailable. To his surprise he found the professor to be all ears. He listened for nearly 30 minutes. Then the professor asked if he could ask some questions about his situation. He continued to listen to his story. Eventually, the professor said, "I don't know what to tell you to do. And in fact, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't know what to do."
Peck writes that he felt understood and relieved that the brilliant professor did not know what to do either. He believes this experience was one of the watershed experiences of his life. When our doubts are validated we feel assured.
Jesus also took the concerns of Thomas very seriously. He said, “Go ahead and touch me,” thus affirming his skepticism. It is then at that point that Thomas responded by saying, “My Lord and my God.”
The skeptic has faith when he/she feels assured. The skeptic has faith when his/her doubts are heard. And the skeptic has faith when he/she learns to trust in God.
*****************************************
StoryShare, April 28, 2019, issue.
Copyright 2019 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
