Sermon - Who is converted?

Preached at St Mary the Virgin, Little Burstead 12 January 2020

Reading Acts 10v34-43; Matthew 3v13-17

Intro – Acts 10

The Christian faith is beginning to spread. The book of Acts documents the growth of the early church, from a few disciples, to a few thousand disciples on the day of Pentecost, and now in chapter 10 another vital change takes place. Without this none of us would be sitting here today, and this building would most probably not exist.

10 verse sermon

All we have heard read is a short 10 verse sermon, that comes near the end of the story. The story starts at the beginning of chapter 10, and I will give you a short summary of it and some of the things you need to know to make sense of what Peter says.

Background – Cornelius – who is he?

Cornelius is a Roman Centurion, in charge of up to about 100 men. The actual numbers varied over time and with circumstances. He is called devout and God-fearing. That means he is not a Jew, but someone who has recognised the Jewish God, and prays to Him regularly. He couldn’t become a Jew if he wanted to, you can only be a Jew by birth. He could become a proselyte – someone who has converted to Judaism, and has been circumcised. He is neither of those, he is a god-fearing Gentile.

Cornelius and the Angel

Cornelius is praying at the regular time and has a vision of an angel who gives him a very specific message. Send for Simon, also known as Peter, who is staying with Simon the tanner in Joppa. Which, of course, he does. I can’t imagine how anyone could ignore such a specific message from God.

Peter’s vision

Meanwhile, God is also talking to Peter, but what he is saying is very different. Peter is hungry and while he is waiting for the food to be prepared he falls into a trance. He sees something like a sheet lowered from heaven, on the sheet are all sorts of animals, reptiles and birds. He is told to get up and eat.

Unclean Animals

The animals he sees are unclean, and are repulsive to him. The Jewish food laws are in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. A short summary of unclean animals is:

• those that died of old age, disease or injury
• mammals that did not chew the cud and have split hooves (pig, rabbit, camels)
• fish that did not have fins and scales (all shellfish)
• birds that were scavengers or carnivores
• insects except those that hop, grasshoppers were okay
• animals that crawl on their bellies (snakes, lizards, mice and weasels)

I’m sure there are things that you wouldn’t consider eating, I would have problems with some of those creatures that Peter was quite happy with (mainly grasshoppers). So we can imagine what it was like for him, but then we have to add the impact that his faith had on his revulsion.

Off to Cornelius’s

The vision is repeated twice more and as the sequence ends Cornelius’ men arrive, and the Holy Spirit tells Peter to go with them.

The next day they travel to Cornelius’ house, and Cornelius tries to worship Peter. Peter will have none of that, but goes into Cornelius’ house. That is another thing the Law forbade and Peter explains this to Cornelius.

If you don’t associate with gentiles there is no chance that you may be put in a situation where you are expected to eat their food and therefore might risk consuming something unclean.

The sermon – 1^st sentence

Cornelius wants to hear what Peter has to say. So Peter starts to explain the gospel. But he starts with “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right”.

And there it is – a Jew denying his own heritage. The Jews enjoyed most favoured nation status with God. They were proud of it, even if they didn’t fulfil their side of the bargain. They were supposed to be a light to the world, instead they were all to often indistinguishable from the peoples around them. Nevertheless, God kept his side of the bargain (His covenant) and the Messiah was brought into the world through the Jewish nation.

The sermon – remainder

The remainder of Peter’s sermon is a very short version of the story of Jesus’ life and ministry. He emphasises his personal part in it. “The risen Jesus was seen by those who God chose as witnesses, and we ate and drank with Him. He commanded us to testify that Jesus is the one that God appointed to judge the living and the dead.” he says.

The Holy Spirit acts again.

Before Peter realises that he has said enough, the Holy Spirit acts again. All the visitors hear Cornelius and his family speak in tongues. Peter, still unsure of what’s happening asks those with him if there is a reason not to baptize the new believers. No objections are raised. I bet if that had been a PCC, there would have been at least one dissenting voice, but it wasn’t. So Cornelius and his family are baptised.

In Jerusalem

Back in Jerusalem, Peter had to face up to the inevitable criticisms that he has broken the Jewish law. However, when they heard the story of Peters trip, no objections are raise. Even better they all accepted that “God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”

Who is the convert?

Now you’ve heard the whole story, and listened to Peters mini-sermon, who do you think is the convert here? Cornelius or Peter.

While Cornelius has clearly received the Holy Spirit, for me it is Peter who’s faith has taken a great leap forward. It is Peter who as seen what the Holy Spirit is doing and followed along. So from that perspective, nothing much has changed, but it is the opening line of his 10 verse sermon which really gives it away “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” Had he not taken that view the story would have ended differently and would have gone down as another of Peter’s many failures.

Global Christianity

Because of that simple realization, Christianity spread from Jerusalem, through Judea and across the whole world. The amazing truth that God loves every single human being just the same, that He sent his son to die for every one of us, all we have to do is to have a proper respect for God.

Fear

Fear of God, is not like fear of crime, or fear of war. It is not the sort of fear that sends you into a blind panic. Fear of God is a type of extreme caution that helps us to understand and see God as holy and all-powerful.

Imperfect Church

The church has come a long way, but it is not perfect, even now we prefer to keep these amazing truths to our selves and to people like us.

Those who would spread the word to the few remaining tribes in the world who have not yet heard still risk their. You may remember in November 2018 John Allen Chau, travelled, illegally to a remote island off India and was killed by the local tribespeople. He was attempting to do what we are all called to do – to spread the gospel.

Our Mission field

Our Mission field is closer to home, there are people all around us, in the clubs we attend, in our places of work, in the high street and in the supermarket. Think for a minute of all the people you connect with from week to week. Now think of those people around them – who perhaps are different, who we don’t easily mix with. They too are loved by God, they too are the people we are called to tell of God’s love. It doesn’t always have to be a simple telling, indeed to have a real effect on someone is much harder than just talking to them.

I’m going to finish with quite a long story that illustrates the point.

Ted Stallard

Ted Stallard undoubtedly qualifies as the one of "the least." Turned off by school. Very sloppy in appearance. Expressionless. Unattractive. Even his teacher, Miss Thompson, enjoyed bearing down her red pen – as she placed Xs beside his many wrong answers.

If only she had studied his records more carefully. They read:

1st grade: Ted shows promise with his work and attitude, but (has) poor home situation.

2nd grade: Ted could do better. Mother seriously ill. Receives little help from home.

3rd grade: Ted is good boy but too serious. He is a slow learner. His mother died this year.

4th grade: Ted is very slow, but well-behaved. His father shows no interest whatsoever.

Christmas arrived. The children placed elaborately wrapped gifts on their teacher's desk. Ted brought one too. It was wrapped in brown paper and held together with selotape. Miss Thompson opened each gift, as the children crowded around to watch. Out of Ted's package fell a gaudy rhinestone bracelet, with half of the stones missing, and a bottle of cheap perfume. The children began to snigger. But she silenced them by splashing some of the perfume on her wrist, and letting them smell it. She put the bracelet on too.

At day's end, after the other children had left, Ted came by the teacher's desk and said, "Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother. And the bracelet looks really pretty on you. I'm glad you like my presents." He left. Miss Thompson got down on her knees and asked God to forgive her and to change her attitude.

The next day, the children were greeted by a reformed teacher – one committed to loving each of them. Especially the slow ones. Especially Ted. Surprisingly – or maybe, not surprisingly, Ted began to show great improvement. He actually caught up with most of the students and even passed a few.

Time came and went. Miss Thompson heard nothing from Ted for a long time. Then, one day, she received this note:

Dear Miss Thompson:

I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my class.

Love, Ted

Four years later, another note arrived:

Dear Miss Thompson:

They just told me I will be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be first to know. The university has not been easy, but I liked it.

Love, Ted

And four years later:

Dear Miss Thompson:

As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, M.D. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know. I am getting married next month, the 27th to be exact. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now; Dad died last year.

Miss Thompson attended that wedding, and sat where Ted's mother would have sat. The compassion she had shown that young man entitled her to that privilege.

Jon Johnston, Courage - You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear, 1990, SP Publications, pp. 111-113.

Who do we know who would benefit if we were to change our attitude as Miss Thompson did, if we were to be converted, just as Peter was? When you identify them, that will be the Holy Spirit leading you in a new direction. Please don’t ignore His voice.

References

https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1261
http://www.standrews-clevedon.org.uk/sermons.html - listened to Easter day Acts 10v34-43
https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/smith_chuck/SermonNotes_Act/Act_82.cfm
https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/smith_chuck/SermonNotes_Act/Act_83.cfm
https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/freedom-to-eat-freedom-to-meet-freedom-to-speak-david-elvery-sermon-on-evangelism-how-to-73633?ref=SermonSerps
http://calvaryot.com/index.php/pastor-s-desk/an-agent-of-christ
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/21/asia/andaman-nicobar-us-missionary-killed-intl/index.html
http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/l/love.htm
Ted Stallard

Reviewed
https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/a-love-that-changes-everything-keith-manry-sermon-on-love-for-god-55695

Sermon: Messiah?

Preached at Christ Church, Billericay 5 Jan 2020 @ 10:00

Reading Jeremiah 31v7-14; John 1

Convert You / Con You

I watched a trailer for a Netflix series called Messiah. There are suggestions it is about the second coming, but I haven’t watched any of the episodes yet so I can’t be sure. What I can say is that it is a typical Netflix series, well produced and no doubt has plenty of twists and turns. There is also the portrayal of events that may be seen as miracles. There will be controversy – people arguing for both sides of the debate. Is he the messiah or not? Is he dangerous? Is he leading a cult? Just exactly who is this guy? I’m sure that Netflix can make that go on for any number of series. The trailer ends with Convert You / Con You.

The Gospels

It set me wondering what the controversies and questions were when John wrote his Gospel. Matthew, and Luke were writing to simply explain what happened, so they used their sources to tell the story as they remembered it or had heard it. They start with stories of Jesus’ origin – his birth, his genealogy, his childhood, and then move on to the story of John the Baptist. Mark’s gospel doesn’t worry about Jesus’ origins but starts with John the Baptist.

In each of them we find out who Jesus is bit by bit as His divinity and mission are revealed to those around him during his life. Only Luke gives us early clues as he tells Mary’s story.

John’s Gospel

By the time John was writing towards the end of the 1^st century, Christianity had already spread widely around the Roman Empire. It is most likely addressed to 2^nd and 3^rd generation Christians. Already there were theological questions being asked. Already there are all sorts of heresies cropping up, although it is difficult to know exactly what they were. So John starts his Gospel, not with Jesus’ birth or His genealogy, but right at the beginning, of time (or even before time began).

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

The Word

Echoing Genesis, even pre-dating Genesis, John tells us the The Word was with God, and the Word was God. The theology of the Trinity has been started, but more importantly John has established who Jesus is right at the beginning of the gospel. There is little room for debate. Even Netflix would struggle to make an argument about who Jesus is based on this.

The creator

John also tells us that Jesus is the agent of creation, everything that has been created was created through Him.

The Universe

When you look up at the night sky and see the Milky Way (if you can get away from our light pollution) remember that Jesus made all of that. The people originally reading John’s gospel would share our sense of awe at what we see, but they wouldn’t have the understanding we do now. We know that what we see is mainly just our galaxy and that here are more than 100 billion other galaxies out there.

Life

Don’t think about it too hard because it’s not the most awesome thing you can see. John goes on, telling us more about Jesus, the Word.

⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

Jesus has all life in Him. That life was the light of people. 100 billion galaxies with maybe 300 billion stars in each but that is just darkness. The real light is the life in Jesus, everything else is just darkness. Those in the darkness do not understand what true light is, they are just stargazers.

Mission

Now, you’ll be relieved to know, I’m going to move a little faster through the chapter. The true light that give light to everyone has come inside His own creation. That idea on its own is quite mind bending, but we must allow that God can indeed do anything. The hows are not discussed, how could they be, but the purpose is. That is in verse 12 if you’re following through with me. To those who received Him, He gave the right to become children of God. Children born of God, not by the natural processes of the world. We’ll hear more about that in Chapter 3 where Jesus is talking to Nicodemus and tells him that we must be born again.

“Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. ⁶Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. ⁷Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

So, now we know Jesus’ mission. He has come to literally re-connect us to God, and we have a small insight into how that will happen, but the full story is not told here.

End of the Intro

The next verse (v14) brings this introduction to an end. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. The literally means ‘pitched His tent among us’. If you’ve ever been to a camp site or a music festival (like Greenbelt or Glastonbury) you will get a sense of how close that is.

John, as the writer says “We have seen His glory” that means that John knows the end, the death and resurrection of Jesus and is claiming to be a witness to it, but he will tell that part of the story in due course.

Grace and Truth

Jesus, the One and Only, John says is full of grace and truth. This is an important idea for John, because it is repeated in verse 17. It is because of God’s grace to us, that we are able to benefit from Jesus’ death and resurrection and be united with God. Only because of God’s grace can we see the light that is in Christ and be turned from out and out sinners to faithful Christians.

Conclusion to Introduction

So John has set out for his readers his basic theology, and has no doubt addressed many of the questions that were around at the time. He has made it very clear for people who He says Jesus is – the Word of God, the creator of all things, who was with God in the beginning and is therefore not part of creation.

Now the story of Jesus’ life can be told. With everything that happens we can reference back to who Jesus is.

Lamb of God

Let’s skip forward now, jumping over the story of John the baptist, that John needs to tell to ensure his account fits with the others going around at the time, to verse 29. Here we will get some more ways of identifying Jesus.

In this short section John records John the baptist identifying Jesus as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. His Jewish readers and probably many of his gentile readers would be reminded of Isaiah 53:7

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

They may also realise that he is referring to Jesus like the daily sacrifices in the temple, which took place each morning and each evening – a lamb whose sacrifice atoned for the sins of the people was offered to God on the alter.

Except, of course, Jesus’ sacrifice can only occur once, not twice a day, but because of who Jesus is this is sufficient.

Son of God

John says that he identified Jesus because he he saw the “Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him” (verse 33). This is recorded in Matthew 3:16 as John baptises Jesus:

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.”

and in verse 34 we have the title “Son of God” or “God’s Chosen one” depending which edition of the NIV you read.

Calling the Disciples

The remainder of the chapter is about the calling of the first disciples. The first two are John the baptist’s disciples who leave John to follow Jesus. They recognise Jesus as a teacher (they call him Rabbi). Andrew tells Simon that he has found the Messiah.

When Philip is called he identifies Jesus as the “one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets wrote.”

Nathaniel

Nathaniel recognises who Jesus is very quickly and identifies him as Rabbi, ‘Son of God’, and King of Israel after what appears to be a very minor miracle.

Conclusion

We have seen Jesus identified as many different things by John, who knew him well to Nathaniel who had only just met him. If we think back to the Netflix series and ask some of the questions, what answers will we get?

Is He the messiah? Yes, according to John he clearly is.

Is he dangerous? Well that depends on who you are, if you are the authorities exercising power over the people, then yes. Not only did he rise from the dead, but he completely changes the Roman Empire in just a few hundred years.

Is he leading a cult? No, he is leading a movement.

So what’s your answer to the question Just exactly who is this guy?

And what difference will that answer make to the world around you in the coming year?