Jump Start # 681

Acts 9:26 “When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

This week we have been looking at the early pages of Acts and especially following Saul has he is introduced to us. Acts 9 shows the change in Saul. He had a vision. He met a preacher. He was taught. He learned. He believed. He was baptized. He came a Christian. Immediately the Jews were after him. He was a traitor in their eyes.

Saul comes to Jerusalem. He last was there when Stephen was murdered and he received letters from the high priest to chase down other Christians. Now he is back. He’s different. He’s not a radical Jew, but a believer in Christ. One of the things that Christians do is associate with one another. They worship together. They sing together. They pray together. The encourage one another. This is called fellowship. Fellowship isn’t about food and games, it is about a spiritual exchange with others. Saul needed that. We all do. Alone, Satan gets us. Alone, we become discouraged and over whelmed. Alone we don’t have much chance. Together, we are God’s army. Together, we are God’s family. Together, we are God’s nation.

The Christians in Jerusalem didn’t want Saul. He left as a persecutor. They are not sure about him. They were scared. Some of their family members had been arrested because of him. Stephen was killed and he was right there. Now he wants to come in and be with the church. It’s understandable where they were coming from.

Barnabas comes to the rescue. He speaks for Saul. He gives Saul a thumb’s up. Barnabas is the assurance that they need. We all need a Barnabas in our life. That powerful support, dependable friend, that  one who will stand with us and defend us. That’s Barnabas.

This verse brings a wonderful idea for us to consider. The church in Jerusalem didn’t believe that Saul was one of them. It took a Barnabas to convince them. Could we convince others that we are a Christian? Would people that know us be shocked to hear that. Do we show others that we are a Christian by the way we talk, by our attitudes and by the choices that we make. This is nothing more than letting your light shine. It shouldn’t be a surprise to co-workers, family members, neighbors that you are a Christian. Your habits, your lifestyle, your example ought to show that.

Some like to ride the fence between the world and the church. They want both. They fail miserably at both. They are too good to be completely in the world and they are too bad to be completely in Christ. On the fence they sit. They can fool many people. The guys at work wouldn’t dream that he is a Christian. He never talks about it, he never has a Bible, he is never seen praying. He laughs at things Christians shouldn’t, his language can be raw and rude, like the rest of the people at work. His influence for God doesn’t exist. He never invites co-workers to church services. He’s embarrassed to talk about those kind of things. Yet when he sits in church services, he’s never learned what others know. He is clueless and often confused. He has little knowledge and little interests. He comes because his family does. Outside of the church building he is all world and little Christ. Such a person cannot convince others that he is a Christian and the reason is because he hasn’t fully convinced himself. His lack of commitment and superficial faith will catch up with him some day when he needs it the most and he will be disappointed.

Saul was a Christian. How about you? Can you convince someone you are by the way that you live? The light shines the brightest when it is in dark places. Light stands out. It attracts. It is visible. It is different than darkness. It illuminates and allows others to see. Jesus said, ‘You are the light of the world…” That’s an absolute. We are. So it does us well to start being what we are.

Convincing others that you are a Christian is nothing more than simply living and doing what we are supposed to do.

Roger

Jump Start # 680

Acts 9:6 “but get up and enter the city, and it will be told what you must do”

Our journey through the early pages of Acts returns us to the violent persecutor Saul. We last read about him at the beginning of chapter eight where he was chasing down disciples and putting them into prison. Luke returns us to this man. He has letters, written by the high priest, giving him authority to enter the synagogue at Damascus in search of more Christians. Saul is on a mission. He is obsessed with stamping out Christianity. He has made this a personal motive of his life.

Before he reaches Damascus, the Lord intercedes. A vision, bright lights and the voice of Jesus stops Saul. He is blinded. His comrades have to lead him into the city. The Lord revealed that Saul was persecuting Him. What a great statement that is. What we do to brethren, we do to God. Jesus showed this principle at the end of Matthew where He revealed that the feeding, clothing and visiting of the least of the disciples was doing that to Him. You can not speak ill of God’s people without speaking ill of God. We need to be reminded of this.

Our verse today is what the Lord told Saul. He was instructed to go into the city and then it would be told what he should do. Saul was not saved on that road. The vision did not save him. Talking to the Lord did not save him. Being blinded did not save him. He had to go into the city. There he met Ananias, a simple servant of the Lord. It was not one of the apostles. It was not Philip. It was Ananias. Saul was told that he was going to be a witness for Jesus. He was told to be baptized (22:16), washing away his sins.

We know this Saul as the apostle Paul. What a change that took place in his life. He had a complete change in what he thought about Jesus Christ. He had a change in what he thought about disciples. He had a change in what he thought was right. Killing Christians wasn’t it. Destroying the church was wrong. The very thing he tried to stop, he became. More N.T. books were written by Paul than any other person. He is studied, preached and modeled as an example of what Christians should be. He changed. He was willing to admit that he was wrong. He was able to see that what he had thought about Christ and the church was not right.

Saul shows us that one of the greatest enemies we face in our relationship with God is ourselves. Self can keep us from changing. Stubborn attitudes, pride, refusing to admit that we could be wrong all trip a person and keep them from coming to Christ. What Saul did was incredible. Here is a man who had letters from the high priest in his hand. Here is a man who the Jews were looking upon as a hero. He left all that. The pressure, the ridicule, and rejection would have been enormous. He stood alone. There must have been some who tried to talk him out of this. There must have been some who looked upon him as a traitor and would refuse any contact with him. In a strange twist of things, the persecutor became the persecuted. Throughout the rest of his life, Paul suffered from the attacks of Jews. They tried to kill him. They twisted what he said. They followed him and stirred up trouble after he left. His journey with Christ was hard, but it was one that he never regretted nor turned back.

Many of us stand in the shadows of this Saul. Not that we are persecutors, but we have heard things about Jesus, and His church. Maybe we pointed fingers and said things ourselves. Then we find ourselves faced with the reveal truths found in the Bible. The evidence is overwhelming. God’s way is sure and right. We find that not only are we not right, but we have opposed what was right. Like Saul, we are faced with huge decisions. For some, leaving what they thought was right brings enormous family pressure. Pride, stubbornness and unwilling to change will forever keep some on the outside. Fear of what others will say will keep some on the outside. But a few, like Saul, will see that the Lord is right. The will follow the Lord. It brings all kinds of incredible pressure and hardships upon them, but they, like Saul, will never look back.

Could that be you? The fun and games in the name of religion that some are involved in are so unlike what we read about in the N.T. Feelings has replaced faith. Fun has replaced worship. Having a great time has replaced God. Is this truly what we find in the N.T.?  Is the mission of the church taking care of the wholeness of man or is it getting people ready for Heaven?

Saul had a decision to make. What he thought was right, wasn’t. He had to change. That’s hard for many folks. It is necessary, if one wants to remain with God.

Roger

Jump Start # 679

Acts 8:9 “Now there was a certain man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city, and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great.”

Luke, the writer of Acts, follows the scattering of the brethren who left Jerusalem because of persecution. Luke first follows Philip to Samaria. Great things will happen there. Philip preaches Christ and men and women alike are baptized.

We are introduced to Simon, commonly known as Simon, the sorcerer. Simon was a local celebrity. He preformed “magic art” and astonished the people. Many claimed he had the power of God. Under the O.T. witches, sorcerers and those that communicated with the dead were condemned by God. Israel was not to get involved with those things.

Simon thought he was a big shot. He played it up. People were impressed and helped encourage that mostly with his attitude. He “claimed to be someone great.” Some are great and they don’t have to make that claim. Simon was not one of those.

Simon hears about Philip. He comes and hears the gospel. He, too, believes. Simon is baptized by Philip. Simon is amazed at the miracles that Philip is doing. The one who amazed others is now amazed. Much of the “magic” that Simon did was fake. Some involved drugs and potions. He’s not seeing that with Philip. He is seeing things he could never do.

When Peter and John come to Samaria, Simon saw that it was through the apostles’ hands that others were able to perform miracles. Simon liked that. He wanted that. Just think of the power and prestige he could have if people had to come to him. This could easily become a cash cow for Simon. He offered to buy this power from the apostles. Peter immediately rebuked Simon saying that he was wrong for thinking he could buy the gift of God and that his heart was not right with God.

Simon was a new Christian, but there’s something that doesn’t seem to have been converted in Simon’s heart, and that was his ego. Pride trips a person and it’s an attitude that God will not tolerate. Some people will do anything to “be great” in the eyes of others, even in religion. Some will preach for the satisfaction of the praise that people give them. Such preachers quickly becomes the ones that tickle ears rather than preaching the truth. Some will do a nice deed for others so they get some public recognition. Simon thought he was someone great.

Pride will keep a person from admitting wrong. It’s hard for a proud person to apologize. Pride is quick to find excuses, blame others and find a way to come out looking good. It’s hard for a proud person to ask for help. Pride keeps one standing when he ought to be on his knees. A proud person sees himself better than others. Pride has a hard time relating to others.

When we look at many of the things the Pharisees said to Jesus, pride seems to be there in the background. They fussed at what He did. They complained about where He came from. They didn’t like what He said. They fought Him about doing things on the Sabbath. These were not independent or separate thoughts. They were proud hearts that could not accept Jesus as the Messiah.

Simon was just the opposite of Jesus. The Lord was humble. He said those that are first, would be last, and the last would be first. Poor Simon wanted to be first in the worst way. Like many of the disciples he would have loved to engage in the debate about who was the greatest. Some how Simon’s name would have made that list, if he was there with them.

Simon’s spirit still lives. There are those who are more interested in making a name than a difference. Some will sell themselves cheap if it gets them to the top. Some will engage in wrong, illegal, immoral and unethical behavior if it will accomplish what they want. Athletes have been found guilty of taking illegal substances to give them an edge. Others have found ways to break the rules so they could win. Winning, being on top, was more important to them than their character. This happens in business, real estate, sales, and sadly, in politics.

Actor James Cagney played a gangster in the 1949 movie, “White Heat.” Several times throughout that movie the expression, “On top of the world” is used. It’s what he was seeking. The movie ends with Cagney being blown up on top of a huge oil container. He was on top of the world.

I don’t know if Simon ever learned. I don’t know if he quit trying to “Be someone great” and started to follow someone who is great—Jesus Christ. Big shots in the church usually make things messy for everyone else. Those who want to be great miss it. It’s been said that the reason most church buildings have double doors on the front is to get the preacher’s head through it. After a Sunday sermon, the preacher might start thinking he’s “someone great” when he is simply a servant of God.

Many of us have to fight the Simon that is in us. The more Jesus is in us the less room and reason exists for a Simon.

Roger

Jump Start # 678

Acts 8:4 “Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.”

In our Jump Start yesterday, we saw that Saul gave his full approval of the killing of Stephen. The death of that preacher seemed to motivate Saul to personally and aggressive attack God’s people. Saul dragged men and women to prison. It wouldn’t take long before his name was known. The disciples would fear his name. The Jews would look upon Saul as a rising star, a hero among them.

Our verse today shows the impact that Saul was having. The disciples scattered. They left the area. Later, Luke picks up with this and says, “So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone” (11:19).

There is an interesting lesson here for us and it’s a hard one for us to grasp. Hardships, hard times, persecution was the means that got the disciples to spread out and in doing that the Gospel spread to other places. Had it not been for the persecution, many of the disciples may have stayed in Jerusalem. When things are calm we don’t see the urgency and often the need to do what we should. Throw in a bit of hard times and that changes everything.

This is not only true with the spread of the Gospel, it’s true concerning how serious one takes God and His word. Remember the prodigal? He was doing pretty good, walking away from home with a pocket full of money and a head full of dreams. The far country didn’t turn out as he planned. He spent everything, Luke 15 tells us. Then, came the famine. There are always famines in our life. It was at this point that the prodigal came to his senses. He was senseless when he was demanding his portion of the inheritance. He was senseless when he was going through the money with no concern for tomorrow. It was the hard times that brought him around. God used hard times, a famine, to bring Joseph’s family to Egypt. God uses hard times.

We fear hard times and trials so much that many of us panic when they happen. We pray for God to deliver us from the hard times. We want God to end the hard times. Could it be that the hard times is the means to bring us to where we ought to be? Maybe a good dose of hard times is what we all need to get closer to the Lord and to get about doing what we should.

I think it is interesting that Saul did not get his vision from the Lord immediately after Stephen’s death. God waited. God allowed some to be thrown into prison. Still God waited. God allowed fear to rise. God waited. God allowed the disciples to scatter. God waited. God waited until Saul was on his way to Damascus before He appeared to him in a vision. Chapter 9 begins with these words, “Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (9:1). Still breathing…still causing trouble…still a menace…still causing fear…God waited and then He finally showed Himself to Saul.

Peace and prosperity can make people and churches fat and lazy. We need to be challenged. We need to be moved. Still water tends to turn green. Still hearts tend to smother faith. The disciples scattered, but they didn’t stay silent. They scattered but didn’t go underground. They scattered and told others the Gospel.

The kingdom grew because scared disciples continued to share the message of hope and salvation.

The loss of a job…the loss of a parent…tough co-workers…closed doors…resistance…opposition…hard times…persecution…all of these can make us hide in the shadows or like the disciples of Acts 8, they can lead us to speaking to others in other places.

Got someone in the family who just doesn’t care or is stubborn in their sin? Maybe praying for a night with the pigs will bring them to their senses. Parents, instead of always coming to help your grown children who made messes of their lives, maybe letting them come to their senses is the best thing. It’s hard. It’s hard not to step in and make things right. It’s hard not to undo the mess they caused. The father of the prodigal waited…but he waited at home. He didn’t send a check to the pig pen. He didn’t come out to the pig pen. The son, alone and desperate, came to something he never had seen before. It was his senses.

Hard times will do that. Hard times will remind us what is important. The early church grew, not because of some large scale planning committee, nor some super organization that collected thousands of dollars and hired a slick PR firm. It grew without TV ads, billboards, telemarketing, fancy fliers, magnets, buttons or any such things. It grew without fine church buildings to meet in. It grew without powerpoint sermons and packets to hand to visitors. It grew in the midst of hard times. It grew when it wasn’t popular. It grew because disciples told others about Jesus. That is the best way the church will grow. It will continue to do so when we get that lesson ourselves.  We don’t need this or that. What we need is a good kick in the pants by hard times to remind us to turn off the TV and pick up the phone and call a friend and talk to him like we never have before.

Hard times—God uses them…maybe we ought as well.

Roger