Another Creation Story - Disciple

     Every story has a beginning, a middle, and an end.  The Bible is no different, but the Bible isn’t just another story or collection of stories.  The Bible represents our hope, but it is often ignored.  Whether spoken through the Prophets or revealed in a written format, this has been a problem throughout the ages, ignoring the Word of God.  Maybe you struggle with finding time to pick up your Bible at regular intervals to see what God wishes to reveal to you. Perhaps you are using a daily devotional, a podcast, or even a blog post as a substitute, rather than delving directly into the Word of God.  

     I am excited that this month, I am revisiting one of my favorite accounts of history, one that is worthy of my eyes to see again and again.  It is the one that seems to influence my resolve to act in faith.  It moves my faith from head knowledge to the pages of this blog.  It is the motivation behind my writing.  Just like the creation story found in the book of Genesis, where God creates the universe (the heavens, earth, and all its' inhabitants), Acts is also a creation story.  It reveals the creation of the church.  

     If we look at God’s first creation story, it doesn’t take long for humanity to ruin the perfect life that God designed for us.  Three chapters into this amazing account, man chooses to hide from God.  By chapter six, God nearly destroys all of His earthly creation, sparing only eight people to repopulate the land.  Likewise, in the first chapters of Acts we see the arrival of the Holy Spirit, which has been given to us to accomplish the great mission of believers, which is to spread the gospel throughout the entire earth.  The focus of this book is about building upon the foundation laid by Jesus Christ who is the cornerstone.  The mission is to spread the good news to the ends of the earth.  How do we see ourselves in this role?  Will we destroy this creation too?  In Luke 18:7-8 (ESV), Jesus says,  "Will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”  This question should cause us to ponder.  Are we supporting the mission of the church?  Will the seeds we leave behind, bear fruit as a witness that we want Jesus to find faith on earth?  

     As Peter and disciples acquired power from the Holy Spirit, we see the rapid expansion of the church.  This rapid expansion caused the ‘religious leaders’ to rally to fight against this growing number of believers.  It was not brick and mortar that they fought, but the Words of hope that were given to those with hungry ears.  In the fourth chapter of Acts, we see a well-respected Jewish Rabbi, provide a warning to these religious leaders.  It was under the stewardship of Gamaliel that even the apostle Paul received his early understanding of Scriptures.  Gamaliel advised these religious leaders to leave the disciples who followed this new movement called “The Way,” alone.  He reminded them of two prior movements that had caused others to drift away from their Jewish customs and beliefs, but both had failed.  He claimed that if this new movement were not of God, it too would die a natural death, and nothing would become of it.  With a warning, Gamaliel also told the religious leaders, that if it was from God, not only would they not be able to overthrow it, but they could be found opposing God.  

     In my English Standard Version I read, “so they followed his advice,” however, even though that may have been the agreement behind Gamaliel's wise counsel, these religious leaders took no time to act in a matter that did not agree with their own words.  The Bible tells us that these leaders brought the disciples (apostles) back into their court and beat them and charged them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus.  One can easily see that this is not leaving these men alone, but rather it showed their inability to act according to their declaration.  Even treated harshly, Scriptures tell us, 'the disciples went away rejoicing.'  They, unlike the religious leaders, had the conviction that the message they shared with others was relevant.  As we speak today, how relevant is our message we share through our lips?  Are we talking about our activities, where we went to dinner, the weather, or sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ? 

     At the end of this story, we are introduced to a man who would later be known for encouragement.  His name was Barnabas.  Wasn’t it good that God supplied Paul with a partnership that provided encouragement, especially as history reveals, he suffered greatly for the gospel of Jesus?  Who is your encourager?

     After this account of persecution, beating and then rejoicing, we see another story unfold.  It is a story of deception within the body of believers.  The story of Ananias and his wife, Saphhira, show us that sin resides among us, even among the members of the body of Christ. This isn't a revelation, yet when we encounter sin within the church, our jaw drops and we may claim indignation.  As the story tells, this couple made a secret agreement between themselves to pull the wool over the eyes of their fellow believers to appear more holy than their hearts would later reveal.  It wasn’t the withholding of resources that caused their fall, but the lies they told in response. Their need to appear one way to others undermined their integrity.  A lie cost them their lives.  How terrifying this should be to us.  Sometimes we barely flinch at the telling of lies.  Hoping to make ourselves appear better than we actually are, lies seem to carry little consequence.  How few of us would exist today if we too experienced this consequence because we told a lie?  What if we witnessed this first hand?  When have we made ourselves appear better than we are?  God detests sin.  Would our feet move more swiftly to repentance?  Fear spread through the body of believers with Ananias’ death, but increased and spread throughout the whole church as they also witnessed the death of his wife several hours later.  The early church recognized the power of the Holy Spirit with awe and fear.  How little do we fear now?  Have we put God's justice out of our minds as it pertains to us?  Are we only seeking justice for ourselves?  What makes us afraid?  Is it sin?  Is it a consequence?  Is it a lack of believing what God says is true?  Have you taken the time to consider what you are truly afraid of?  Does the cost of your fear reflect God or a lack of faith?

     In the next chapter we are introduced to Stephen as a dispute arose in the early church concerning the care of widows.  The disciples realized that splitting their attention between proclaiming the message and caring for the needs of believers would have an impact on the spread of the news they deemed urgent.  What once was viewed as urgent, has somehow lost its effects on us.  When we focus on eternity, do we consider that we may be slowing the progress of this message of hope?  Why aren't we as motivated?  Are we more concerned about programs offered by the church and losing sight of the mission?  Why aren't we running to share this news with others?  

     The disciples did not discount the needs of the body of believers; they responded by delegating responsibilities.  They found seven men who had good standing, grace, and truth, and assigned duties.  This couldn’t have been a simple task as it said they brought the whole assembly together to discuss the matter and find a solution.  This is where Stephen finds his place in the story.

     Now the eyes of those opposed to the gospel, the religious leaders, found a new church leader to persecute.  Their hearts were full of jealousy and rage.  Anger filled them.  Hoping to preserve their own glory, they resolved to stop of message of freedom and forgiveness.  The wickedness of their hearts was revealed through their actions.  These ‘religious leaders’ did not practice forgiveness, their anger led to killing, just as Jesus said it would.    In Matthew 5:21–22 (ESV), Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.”   This message was lost on the religious leaders who had heard Jesus teaching.  We, too must resolve anger, which leads us to sin.

     When we read a good book, it is easy to become so enamored with the characters in the story that we miss the story itself.  Rather than get caught up in the story of Stephen, I think it is vital for the sake of this writing to look more closely at Stephen’s mission.  What was he doing?  What had the disciples demonstrated to him through their actions?  The book of Acts gives us a historical account of the early church, but it also provides us with a glimpse of how important the disciples deemed the message they were commissioned to deliver.  Not only was Stephen performing his assigned role within the church, he also was proclaiming the gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit, to give sight to the blind.  It is important that we see what Stephen was willing to do for the sake of this message.  Oh, that one day, my own faith would reveal that there wasn’t anything more important in this life than proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Scriptures do not tell us that because of Stephen’s commitment (his death) that thousands came to know the Lord.  However, might it be worth our imagination that in thousands of years that it is very possible that millions of people have been influenced by his testimony.  How is the church today, championing the cause of spreading the gospel?  Are we filling our churches with believers who take the gospel no further than their own ears?  We’ve got to move the gospel out of our heads, into our hearts, and out of our hands.  The gospel is not only there to shape the lives we lead, but also to motivate us to serve the needs of those who have yet been transformed by its truth.  

     In Stephen’s dissertation of Old Testament Scriptures, he speaks of the temple and brings listeners to the understanding that God cannot be contained within a structure built by man.  We read in Acts 7:49-50, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.  What kind of house will you build for me?  Says the Lord, or where will my resting place be?  Has not my hand made all these things?”  Jesus has laid the foundation for our faith, and it is upon this foundation that we share His story.  I couldn’t help but meditate on the phrase, “What kind of house will you build for me?”  If we aren’t careful, we will begin to believe a lie, that we somehow influence the foundation of faith.  We are ambassadors sent to share the gospel message.  Are we willing to put our lives on the line for it?  Just because we don't face life and death persecution doesn't mean we should discount the importance of its' message.  It shouldn’t matter where we spend our days (employed, unemployed, school, home, or community) do our lives resemble enthusiasm, drive, or the willingness to share this kingdom message?  If not, what other purpose is taking its place?  

     I’ver heard it said that after six days, God stopped creating, but when I read the Bible, it seems to me that God has never stopped.  We may cease to see new creation through our physical reality, but God has created a family, a set of rules than bring pleasure to Him and security for us.  God’s raised leaders, mentors, and His son.  God is now asking us to respond to his message through the church.  Let’s not abandon the fellowship that keeps us motivated to respond like Stephen, giving our full attention to the cause of Christ.  If Stephen was willing to die for the gospel, are we willing to be inconvenienced for the needs of a growing church?  How can we give up the conveniences of only doing what we want to do, to stand in support of God’s creation?  We are the bride of Christ, Gods' Beloved Son.  Can we stop making church about us and recognized that the church is about God?

     As I started this article saying, “every story has a beginning, a middle and an end,”  God has revealed the ending to us.  God has designed two paths for mankind.  Only two!  One path leads to God, and the other leads us away from God.  As we read Scriptures and take in all that God wants us to know to choose the right path, we also study Scriptures to bear witness of Him.  Anyone who chooses Gods' path, in the end, wins!  Even a 'forever' story has an outcome.  Look at the way Stephen or Paul shares the message of Jesus Christ.  They support it with extensive knowledge of Scriptures.  Should we be inclined to do the same thing?  

     My homily today, "Focus on the Mission, Release Expectations, Do the Work," taken from Acts chapter 13 and Paul's teaching, "Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man (Jesus) forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by Him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.  Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:  "Look you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you."  (Acts 13:38-41)  May my words be like Barnabas, who was known as 'the Encourager,' to move your faith from your head to your heart, and out through your hands.  May the love of Jesus found in your hearts be evident to at least one other person today.