Jump Start # 819

Acts 11:26 “And when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

The disciples were called Christians. The word “Christian” is the most common expression to define the people who follow Jesus. You’d think the word is found everywhere in the N.T. It isn’t. The word is used twice in Acts and once in 1 Peter. That’s it. Three times. All three times, it is used to describe the people of God. Today, people talk about a Christian school, a Christian bookstore, a Christian nation.

Our passage does not tell us who came up with the word “Christian.” Some believe it was the opponents who used the expression as a slang or derogatory expression. What was intended as an insult became the rally cry for the followers of Christ. Others, believe it came from the Holy Spirit. They believe God was behind this and He intended the followers to be called this. A passage in Isaiah, about a new name, has given some credibility to that. Our passage in Acts doesn’t tell us.

The word “Christian” means, “belongs to Christ.” That term expresses an accurate concept. We DO belong to Christ. His blood paid the cost to release us. We have been bought by Christ. We belong to Him. We are His!

But more than a title, this word is about impressions. The disciples in Antioch were called Christians because they left that impression. They followed Jesus. They were devoted to Jesus. They worshipped God. They followed the teachings of Jesus. They were busy in kingdom work and they shared the story of Jesus with others. They were Jesus’ people. They were “Christians.”

We all leave impressions upon others. Our impressions is how others see us. It may not be the way we see ourselves and it may not be totally accurate, but it’s how others see us. I go to a certain dry cleaner. I’m there a lot, every week. The same manager always waits on me. The other day I popped in to drop off some shirts. A customer in front of me was getting his pants altered. After he left, I told the manager that I didn’t know they offered those services. She pointed to a sign which listed all the services they offer. She then commented, “You are always in a hurry and probably didn’t read the sign.” YOU ARE ALWAYS IN A HURRY. That’s how she saw me. There is a truth to that, especially when it comes to the dry cleaners. There’s not a lot of hanging around the ole’ dry cleaners for this guy.

Impressions is how people see us. You are always in a hurry stuck with me. Now, when I go to the dry cleaners, I try to hang around a bit more and do some chit-chatting.

How do your kids see you? What they see, may not be how it is, but it is to them. Impressions. How do the folks at the church house see you? Are you the one who is always in a hurry? Are you the one who has the smile? Are you the one who has candy for the kids? Are you the one who hangs around and talks with others? Are you seen as grumpy? Are you the one who seems to be against everything or everyone? Are you viewed as a positive person? Are you viewed as a negative person? Impressions.

How does your mate see you? You may believe that you are kind, sensitive and caring. Their impression may be that you are moody or always busy doing things or more interested in the TV than your mate. Impressions are how people read us. The read could be wrong, but it’s how they see us.

How does God see us? We’d like to think that He sees us as a loving child who trusts Him and will do anything for Him. That’s how we want God to see us. Instead, His impression may be that we are preoccupied with stuff or are bothered by so many things or are consumed with worry or are always in a hurry.

There is a wonderful passage in the O.T. about a poor man who pretends that he is rich and a rich man who comes across like he is poor. We understand that. Certain labels can draw attention. Certain brands costs more than others. We can be flashy to draw attention and leave the impression that we are somebody when we are really not. Trying to impress others is usually vain and superficial.

How do we get impression and reality to be the same? First, it comes from being genuine and true all the time. Stop putting on a show. Stop pretending. Stop being one way at home and a different way at work or worship. Be yourself. Be humble. Be honest. Don’t worry about others, don’t compare yourself with others or try to be someone else. You are someone who needs Jesus. You are a work in progress. You have good days and bad days. You want to go to Heaven. Your talk reveals that. Your attitude shows that. Your choices prove that. Reality and impression become the same when we act the same. Some seem spiritual on Sundays but they don’t leave that impression on a Thursday. Why? Should that impression be any different at work, play or worship?

The disciples were called Christians, because that’s what they were. They belonged to Jesus.

How do people see you? Is it the way you really are or do you need to leave a better impression?

Roger