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Text: Acts 10:24-48 Review: ● The faith that we espouse, “Christianity”, comes to us as ‘story’ (the story which we believe best explains our world), and although that term is rife with baggage, it identifies us, first and foremost, as a people who are learning life from ‘the Christ’ (originally referred to as “people of the Way”). ● Christianity is a decidedly Jewish story which included (3) essential convictions: 1. They believed in one Creator-God. This God was distinct from his creation, but remained actively involved in it. 2. They believed that they were chosen by God to reflect his presence and his purposes in the world, and that when God did act to restore order and eliminate evil (set things right) he would do so through them [identity and mission]. 3. They believed that history was moving toward a purposed-end; a time when their God would come and be King. ● All early Christianity was Jewish Christianity because it was; all early efforts at sharing that message was done by Jewish Christians. As Christianity was expanding beyond the boundaries of Jerusalem and Judea, it raised many questions and challenged many of the presumptions that were inherent in their ethnic identity. ● In the process of moving forward, they needed a new way to identify themselves; there just too many labels and too much exclusivity. What they needed was a new identity… one that would better capture God’s heart and the scope of his dream: “in Christ”. ● So, based on the faith of our fathers, Christianity… … holds a unique view of God and understanding of who we are as his creation, …. recognizes that our sense of identity is uniquely connected to our sense of mission: we are to be part of God’s reclamation project, … offers a hopeful conclusion to life amidst cynicism and meaninglessness. ● Now, understand that for the early followers of ‘the Way’, spreading this news was not just a matter of calling people to respond to what they already knew, but were simply ignoring (i.e. “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life…”); they were actually being invited into a new way of being ‘human’, one which better reflected God’s original intent and transcended any classifications which would welcome all, but naturally only include those who were willing to rethink life from Jesus’ perspective. It would have to represent a new identity: “in Christ”. In the first century, there was no simpler way to define people than Jew or Greek (ethnicity), slave or free (social status) and male or female (gender). Each of these would be significant influences in determining one’s sense of identity. Each set seems to imply a favored status and a disadvantaged position. In comparison, you could only hope that you were not ‘the wrong one’. ● While those in the first century were just being introduced to Jesus (just beginning to see how Jesus was the fulfillment of all that God had planned) through the somewhat fantastic testimony of many who claimed to have experienced the post-resurrection Jesus for themselves, they were already, what we would consider “religious” (i.e. nearly everyone embraced some form of religious expression or philosophy). ● It was in this context that Christianity rapidly formed and spread. Why? What were some of the factors involved? Let me suggest a few: ~ Its primary appeal was to be found in its profound sense of ‘welcome’; it was accessible to the general populace. Many of the mystery cults were secretive or exclusive; quite frankly, they made it difficult to belong. “The Way” required no special pedigree or secret knowledge and was open to even the ‘marginalized’ in society. ~ The somewhat ‘defining’ nature of their claims; the followers of Jesus claimed that he was “the way”. Most religious expressions were fairly ‘adaptable’; since it was based on the concept of ‘many gods’, what’s one more, huh? You didn’t really have to believe, you just needed to be proficient at performing certain duties or rituals. In fact, in many of the religions, there was no sense of (or requirement for) a common belief. All religious expressions were equally valid. While such an environment of religious pluralism would seemingly invite ‘conformity’, it was actually their distinctiveness that caused ‘the Way’ to flourish. ● Let’s not assume that the disciple’s proclamation of Jesus as ‘the way’ was arrogant or intolerant in any way. We have to attempt to understand how it would have been heard in context. John 6:37-40; John 3:36; John 3:16-18 What about any of those verses sounds arrogant or exclusive? JESUS’ WORDS WERE NOT TO BE INTERPRETED AS ‘DISMISSING’, BUT SIMPLY ‘DEFINING’ (to offer clarity and provide direction). ● Jesus’ own ‘bad table manners’ were a demonstration of the kingdom; there were no restrictions placed on the invitations… all were welcome (that’s why he was considered a ‘friend of sinners’; not that he befriended them, but that they liked him!) ALWAYS LOVING ALL THE WRONG PEOPLE FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS! Jesus was simply making sure that no one who pursued him would be denied accessibility; instead of creating obstacles, he was helping to eliminate any that might keep people away. ~ The sense of community which their faith in Jesus had allowed them to realize. Their belief in Jesus had bound them together; their commonality provided its adherents with a sense of belonging and security. Historians say that it was the Christians’ sense of charity (compassion) amongst themselves and others which provided such a contrast to the empire of Rome. In contrast to the prevailing religious expressions of the day, Christianity represented a common belief, a common lifestyle (love) and a common sense of belonging. What are we to learn? Where have we gone wrong? How has such a remarkable movement lost its influence? From the story, let me offer the following… ►Believe that God is at work in everyone’s lives; that their quest is not a denial of God, but indicative of their search for him. Look for trace-evidence of God in people’s lives; look for him at work outside the boundaries of your own personal creed (even if you don’t recognize it). Stop feeling so threatened by other’s pursuits. The instant we begin to feel threatened, we move toward regaining control and lose our ability to love. ● And, instead of dismissing people’s goodness as ‘self-imposed righteousness’, recognize it as their sincere efforts to honor what they know of him.
● In Acts 10:2, Luke identifies Cornelius as a devout man (godly), who feared the God of Israel, he gave generously to charity and prayed often. The angel sent to Cornelius says, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have not gone unnoticed by God!” (10:4) ● These are the kind of people we don’t know what to do with! In a way, Cornelius is exhibiting qualities more consistent with those of ‘the Way’ than Peter! You almost wonder ‘who needed whom’ here! And now, the rest of the story…” A phrase made popular by commentator Paul Harvey. Peter was not sent to ridicule their faith, but simply to give them ‘the rest of the story’. ►In Christianity, the “goal” is the “means”. It’s not only our desire is to see people immersed into the way of Jesus (community), but we discover that in our current culture, the community itself actually becomes the means by which most will enter. In community, people find the sense of connectedness needed to sustain a new direction in life; people who are on the same ‘way’. ● In the context of relationship, our faith isn’t argued, it’s embodied! In community, we offer not a list of irrefutable facts, but the truth of lives which reflect the way of Jesus. Mere words and presentations do not define a culture; people need to be exposed to multiple glimpses of a way of life that somehow challenges their own conclusions and offers an “alternative lifestyle” (we must present them with something else; something better). It requires that we ourselves have first adopted this way of living. ►We must be open to all, we are to embody a distinct message, and create a community that is learning to love God and others with the ‘all’ that devotion requires. While pluralism and ambiguity are not the answers, neither is arrogance! ►Our presentation of truth must always reflect the humility which it demands. We need to be able to distinguish between the authentic message of Jesus and our particular version of it. Do I believe that Christianity is true? Yes, but I’m just realistic about the limitations of my version of it. ● Peter’s willingness to confess the limitations of his own particular version of faith created an environment for gentle persuasion (persuade, literal Greek means ‘having made their friend, to listen, to win over, to bring about a change of mind by influence’). ►Peter’s ability to survive his faith was contingent upon his openness to the limits of “knowledge”. Love will always take you farther than knowledge ever could. Matthew 16:13; Ephesians 3:14-19 Already controversy is stirring; various conclusions about Jesus and his teachings are being reached. “Who do you say I am?” vs.17 “… you’re blessed, Simon son of Jonah, because this was not revealed to you by man, but my Father in heaven.” ● I grew up, as did many of you, in an age of ‘reason’; but, even all the answers to my questions failed to connect with my heart; my ability to store and regurgitate the cold, hard facts failed to produce the kind of life I envisioned; it certainly wasn’t full or abundant. Facts can be compelling, but not necessarily convicting. It will require a different kind of ‘knowing’. ►To stop asking questions is to assume you have all the answers. I continue to question, not in order to confirm my suspicions and strengthen my case for abandoning Christianity; I question out of a desire for a more ‘pure’ faith; to ensure that what I am holding to is the most authentic expression, which actually solidifies my faith. ►Simply portray the story and give people permission to say ‘no’. If we’re honest, our attempts at sharing the message of Christ have been woefully ineffective and painfully manipulative. ● Allowing someone else to say ‘no’ to our honest attempts at persuasion not only validates the depth of our conviction, but it opens the door to continued dialogue. And, by the way, don’t attempt to answer questions that they aren’t asking (“Tell me why you sent for me?” 10:29) Why assume that you already know? Why not just ask? ►Embrace ‘discomfort’; expect your faith to make you uncomfortable at times. ►Now that some things never change.
Even though cultures continue to change and
adapt, one thing remains constant: the restlessness of the human heart. |
