Welcome and Call to Worship
Good morning. We are so honored you have chosen to worship with us today.
Did you see the news item a few days back about the lady who was arrested on Highway 11 in Tulsa? It appears she was driving the wrong direction; she was headed eastbound in the westbound lane.
Sometimes I see people who have never experienced Christ’s love and forgiveness and I feel like they are headed the wrong direction; the impending crash seems so avoidable. As we look at week #3 of our series on Evangelism we will see the need to experience a transformation from the inside-out. This not only puts us on the right road but also gives those in our network a model to follow.
Listen as I read 1 John 2:1-6.
1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
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Responsive Prayer For Mission
Leader: Here in this sanctuary, we remember, O God, your gift of life to each of us;
People: And we seek to carry it to the streets-
Wherever there is death and violence
Wherever there is grief and loss.
Leader: Here in this sanctuary, we remember, O God, your invitation to belong and find shelter;
People: And we seek to carry it to the streets- Wherever there is loneliness and rejection Wherever there is homelessness and people displaced.
Leader: Here in this sanctuary, we remember, O God, your reign of justice and righteousness;
People: And we seek to carry it to the streets-
Wherever there is lawlessness or tyranny
Wherever there is corruption and oppression.
Leader: Here in this sanctuary, we remember, O God, your sacrifice of love and mercy;
People: And we seek to carry it to the streets-
Wherever there is hatred and evil
Wherever there is hopelessness, regret, and guilt.
Leader: Here in this sanctuary, where we remember all that you have done for us, O God, we remember also your call to live what we sing and pray.
People: And so we commit to ourselves again to carry our worship from the sanctuary to the streets.
AMEN. COME LORD JESUS!
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Giving needs no more apology than does praying. In the Bible there are 1,539 passages that reference giving, while there are only 523 that refer to praying.
Anonymous
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BRIDGES AND DITCHES: THE BOOK OF ACTS FOR TODAY**
SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE
ACTS 4:13
Big Idea: The real component in the success of the first century Christians lies not in external tactics but with their internal values … their Christ-like character.
Supporting Scripture:
• Malachi 3:16-18 (Responsive Reading)
• Luke 9:23-26
• 1 Peter 2:1-10
• 1 John 2:1-6
INTRO
Do you mind if we return to a passage in Acts I mentioned last week? It’s Acts 4:13, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled and ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
“They took note that these men had been with Jesus.” I like that! That’s one of those little sentences it would be easy to read over and keep going but for me it touches a visceral chord. If there was something I want to people to be able to say about me it’s that they can tell that I have been with Jesus.
I know you do too.
Even though these first generation Christians were “ordinary” the accompaniment of Jesus had made them into something “extra-ordinary.”
One Christian historian says it like this:
It was a small group of eleven men whom Jesus commissioned to carry on his work, and bring the gospel to the whole world.
• They were not distinguished
• They were not well educated
• They had no influential backers.
• In their own nation they were nobodies.
(“Evangelism in the Early Church”, p. 39)
If these first Christians had stopped to weigh up the probabilities of succeeding in their mission their hearts would most surely have sunk. The odds weighted against them were enormous! It is almost impossible to exaggerate the obstacles that lay in their way. Yet, in spite of the “ditches” these first Christians had to jump they succeeded! In spite of the bridges that had to be built to share the Gospel they were successful.
So what was it that made their mission such a success? I contend it was not their procedure and tactics (although we will look at those next week and see some crossover elements that can help us). The real component of their success lies elsewhere – not from external tactics but with their internal values … their character.
There was something about these people that made them very distinguishable; there was something very different and special about their lives that added credibility to their words. It wasn’t their dress or accent, or any such superficial thing – it was the unmistakable mannerisms and values of Jesus that had rubbed off on them.
There is an ancient document from the second century written by Athenagoras titled “Embassy.” In it he describes what he sees as the hallmark of the Christians in his day. Listen closely:
Among us you will find uneducated persons and artisans and old women, who, if they are unable to prove the benefits of our doctrine, yet by their deeds they exhibit the benefits arising from their persuasion of its truth. They do not practice great speeches, but they exhibit good works. When struck, they do not strike back. When robbed, they do not go to the law. They give to those that ask of them. And they love their neighbors as themselves. (“Embassy”, 11)
Christian lifestyle and character turned “ordinary” people into extra-ordinary disciples. And, if we are to witness a movement of God in our place, we would do well to follow their lead.
In Ravi Zaccharias’ book, “Has Christianity Failed You?” he says one of the greatest proofs of the truth of Christianity and the reality of the resurrection is the radically changed life and lifestyle of the believer. I agree – nothing can argue with a changed life.
Tim Winton’s Story
Tim Winton is a novelist who lives in Sydney, Australia. Among his writings are three books, “Cloud Street”, “Dirt Music”, and “Breath.” Not only is he a celebrity is Australia, he is also a devout Christian. While being interviewed on an ABC television show he was asked about his faith. The interviewer found it a bit curious that Tim tracked his eventual embrace of Christ back to early childhood – 5 years old to be exact.
Winton responded by telling what happened. Tim’s dad was a police officer – he was a motorcycle cop and he was knocked off his bike by a drunk driver. After weeks in a coma and many surgeries his dad was allowed home but he was not recognizable to Tim. His dad was a big man and it was hard for his mom to get him bathed and dressed each day and Tim, being 5, was powerless to help.
One day there was a knock at the door and a man stood there that Tim had never seen before. The man introduced himself as Lynn Thomas and said he was from the church down the road and wanted to know if Mrs. Winton could use any help caring for her husband. No costs, no catches, he just wanted to help if he could.
Everyday Mr. Thomas came to the house and helped mom bathe and dress Tim’s dad. Everyday. According to Winton, that simple act of kindness from a single Christian had a powerful effect on his life and his family’s. According to Winton, that strange sacrificial and holy act was the doorway into the faith for the whole Winton family.
{Source: “The Best kept Secret of Mission” by John Dickson}
Last week I told you to use your words; that your actions alone were not enough to share the Gospel effectively. This week I want to tell you to use your life … your words alone are not enough to share the Gospel effectively.
Jesus said to “let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
All through the New Testament you see echoes of this by the writers. We read John’s exhortation earlier in the service (from 1 John 2) and Peter echoes it is 1 Peter 2 and 3 and Paul echoes it three times in Titus 2.
• When speaking to the women and instructing them how to manage their households he says, “so that no one may malign the Word of God”
• When speaking to men about self-control and integrity he says, “So that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
• When speaking to slaves about their relationships with their masters he says, “so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.”
Let me say again, USE YOUR WORDS!!!!
But let me quick follow up by saying YOU MUST PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH. Your loving character can change the world.
A holy life shines brightly in a dark world.
It cannot be hidden.
It jumps ditches and builds new bridges.
It wasn’t just the “big names” or the “Christian celebrities” of the first century church that were on display – it was every life that claimed Jesus as Lord. It is that way today too. It really isn’t the big names that change the world in our day – it’s those who simply and faithfully go about their business in a Christ-like manner.
In 1 John 2:6 we are told, “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”
Everyone was (is) expected to “walk as Jesus walked.” I mean, Look at the qualifications that were needed to simply serve tables: you needed to be “known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom” (6:3). And if that seems a demanding set of qualifications, it could be because the general standard of ethics in the early Christian community was so high.
Our world has a lot of suspicion regarding Christianity. The scandals of the tele-evangelists, the Catholic priesthood, and now a Tulsa pastor that stole almost a million dollars from his parish gives people justifiable reason to pause.
People look at our faith with a jaundiced eye and the reason is not the message of the Gospel – it’s the character of Christ’s followers. If we want to defuse suspicion it requires integrity.
The only thing that will counter ‘murmurings’ is holiness.
The early Christians managed to maintain a relaxed attitude that was clear on the freedom they had in Christ, but was equally clear by their self-denial and Christ-like lifestyle that their faith was authentic.
May I cite another ancient writer as a witness to their character? Theophilus of Antioch, wrote,
Believers are forbidden even to go to gladiatorial shows, lest they become hardened to cruelty and condone murder. Be it far from Christians to conceive any such deeds, for with them temperance swells, self-restraint is practiced, monogamy observed, chastity guarded, righteousness exercised, worship performed, God acknowledged. Truth governs them, grace guards them, peace screens them, and holy word guides them. (“Ad Autolochum,” 15)
These Christian people managed to remain pure in the cesspit of the ancient world.
YOU CAN MAINTAIN PURITY TOO!
The books of Acts paints the picture of a people of faith who are genuine, authentic, and transparent. They have nothing to hide – they didn’t “Johnny Manziel” it by excusing their sin or saying “this is just who I am and this is just how I do things.” No, they held themselves accountable; and our world needs to see that same authenticity coupled with holiness and transformation today.
The obedience of these first disciples … was one of the main influences in the spread of the early church.
When preaching through Haggai a few months back I read the following to you, please listen to this quote again.
It would probably not be an exaggeration to say that disobedience is one of the main characteristics of modern Christianity. We know what Jesus teaches but we do not do it. Disobedience in sexual morals, in relationships, in attitudes, in begrudging our money, in unwillingness for change. Our disobedience is not marginal to our lives; it is central. We do not make time to spend with God, but give it all to our work and pleasure. We do not set our affection on things above and find treasure in heaven, but are more materialistic that any previous generation has ever been.
God can do wonders through an obedient person, however limited their capacities. God cannot and will not use a habitually disobedient person, however great their talents.
(Michael Green, “Thirty Years that Changed the World” P. 43-44)
WRAP-UP
The character of Christ shined through those first Christians in so many ways. You see it in their courage, their joy, their endurance, they forgiveness, their hospitality, their obedience, their enthusiasm, their generosity, and their prayers.
This internal character is what caught the eye of onlookers … its what made the difference and drew people to their Savior.
Let me remind you – the messenger is the message. If what we say does not correspond with what we do then our message is discarded … and rightly so! It is only as Jesus transforms you from the inside out that people will sit up and take notice.
As in the first century where the unbelievers were “astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” So they will in our day too!
My Trip to Arkansas
When I was a small boy I took a vacation with my paternal grandparents. We went to my dad’s hometown of Locksburg, Arkansas. While travelling we stopped to get gas and I was standing with my grandpa outside the car while a man was pumping the gas. I made a very rude and inappropriate comment that my grandpa overheard. He said, “Kenny, you are a Pell. Pells do not say things like that.”
That’s all he said. To this day I have never made the comment I did that day … because I am a Pell and Pells do not say things like that.
Families carry the reputation of their family with them. On more than one occasion I have heard people say things like, “Well, she’s a _____ and that’s how they do things” … its “The Apple does not fall far from the tree” aphorism.
My point is that in naming us his children God has, in essence placed his reputation (his public image) on us. “We are Christians and Christians do not act like that.”
With that in mind, listen to Peter’s word from his first letter (1 Peter 2:1-5, 8-10).
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Let’s let our lives speak what our mouths confess. Let’s jump ditches and build bridges by being a holy people whose lives have been indisputably changed from the inside out.
No more excuses.
No more rationalization.
No more!
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** The idea, and much of the content, for this sermon series is owed to two books by Michael Green, “Thirty Years That Changed the World” and “Evangelism in the Early Church.”
This sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
First Church of the Nazarene
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
www.banazarene.org
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Responsive Reading
“A Distinctive People”
Malachi 3:16-18 (portions)
Leader: Those who feared the Lord talked with each other and the Lord listened and heard.
People: “They will be mine,” says the Lord Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possessions.”
Leader: “In will spare them, just as in compassion, a man spares his son who serves him.”
People: “And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
