Here is our text for the week. Yes, it is rather long.
Acts 1:3-15
After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty). . .
Try imagine what the scenes presented in these words. What strikes you as remarkable?
What do you think of the fact that there are only 120 believers at this time?
How the does the promise of Second Coming affect you?
This passage is the second in a loosely (in process) constructed series that we are calling "Ancient Future Church. " We are wanting to have a better understanding of who we are and what we should do, based on the Ancient Church.
What thoughts do you have about that?
What else is on your mind this week?
Sunday, April 15, 2007
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Here it is another Sunday morning. They seem to be rolling around faster lately. I always get up early and go over my sermon a couple of times, making last minute changes, etc. I look over my Sunday morning class material, which is Proverbs presently. Soon I will go upstairs and get ready. I’ll leave at 8.30 to go set up all the stage stuff: lights, microphones, projector, communion table, etc. I always wonder what kind of day it will be. Will there be a big crowd? Will they be alert? As I get older I guess I am less concerned about those things and more concerned about faithfulness in my role. My prayer is that I will do what God wants me to do today. Beyond that I seem to walk into things over which I have little control, things that lead to possible stress and frustration.
I may be a little sleepy today (but probably not, thanks to high-powered Starbucks coffee). I went to bed with my three sons working on the Bronco. They said they would have it back together sometime later that night or early in the morning. At 2 a.m. I woke up to the sound of a very loud engine being revved up in what used to be my garage. I had to get up. I was met by three very happy boys with looks of triumph on their faces. I wonder how they will look when they wake up?
Here are some of the questions I posed this morning:
Do you think we have the right focus as a church?
What should it be? What should we do?
What it is it that we do that is right? What it is it that we do that maybe isn’t right?
Are there things that we should be doing?
Are there things that we need to stop doing?
What we do is governed by Scripture, and as a community we have identified ourselves as Baptized believers who participate in the life of God for the sake of others.
Just a guess
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty). . .
Does this mean Peter was standing before a church group numbering 120?
Just because of how its worded makes me thing this.
Annette
This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
To me this watching Jesus coming back down (being seen) doesn't sound like returning in a twinkling of an eye. Or is this not referring to the same thing?
Annette
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
when I read this, I wonder, how did they feel a week after this happened, or months, or years...these humans had a truly mountaintop experience--one of the toppiest. How did they endure and continue when that wore off and everydayness set in and they lived and died and Jesus still hadn't returned? How did their faith hold up? I guess I wonder if they struggled like I do, like the Isrealites did, hungering for another flash/boom reassurance. I wonder if they learned to be comforted and reinforced in their anticipation by what they saw and experienced through fellow believers and through the testimony of God's beautiful creation.
The small group of 120 people had convincing proof that Jesus was alive and from that small group of believers the promise that His gospel would spread all over the world which is amazing to me. That a few convinced people empowered with the Holy Spirit can do such a powerful thing in a time when transportation was by foot and beast of burden and word of mouth and letters were the main source of communication. We, today have received and send the same words that we read of. For that miricle alone how can we but help believe. Knowing how things get altered by word of mouth and by words on paper by mere men how wonderful that the words from God are always the same. They never change. That is a comfort to us all in a changing world. They had 'convincing proof' that he was alive and the message was true. I have to ask myself if my life is a 'convincing proof' that the Holy Spirit dwells in me to others around me. I think we all do. As they gazed into the sky and he disappeared they were asked, 'Why do you stand here looking, He will come again in the same way He left. I am reminded of that with every beautiful sunrise and sunset. Our King is coming, get ready for His appearing. And, prepare the way for others to hear the message, both by the way we live and by what we do. Mary, His mother was with the 120. That does not surprise me. I wonder what her message to unbelievers was. It must have been powerful. She stood there with Him through it all. His earthly brothers were there too who had previously been unbelievers. Sibling rivalry had ended.
Spring is coming. Have a beautiful week everyone and my prayer is that God bless all of you with peace and comfort this week. Sherron
Good evening to all and to all a wonderful evening. Allen, if you don't make it to heaven I will ask God can you take my place after all the things you have done for me. Just kidding, you will make it. I would like to say thank you as well as for the church family because in truth, and I know that God is the reason all the blessing is happening. You didnt have to do this for me, you nor the church family. In the nine years that I have walked with Christ, no church has ever come close to doing what Mitchell Church of Christ has done and I am fully grateful. I have been to a lot of churches since 98 and most of them are great at talking but this church is more into action then talk. The apartment is wondeful and the car is running like a baby. I'm trying to get use to a camaro engine.
For the past couple of weeks, Allen has talked about what the church need to do as far as going out and doing the job Christ want us to do. With me it started as a joke with one of the counselors at the Los Angeles Mission. I asked him could I talk to the new guys that were coming into the problem and I did not expect him to tell me yes. I told him that I couldnt do that and he told me that I can do anything with the strength and the trust in Christ. After the first time doing it I had my doubts but when people started asking the chaplain could he send me back to talk again, it had gotten a lot easy. after that day I was asked to do it once a week, by the end of the second month, I was talking to every new guy that came into the program five days a week. The chaplain knew I could do it since I was like most of the guys that came into the program, broken and lost like I came in. I believe even til this day, the best teachers are the ones that walk that long green mile. You really cant teach someone something if you havent fully walked the mile and boy have I walked a lot of dark roads. When I was asked to go to the Old Savannah City Mission to be a spiritual advisor there, I was a little shocked because I felt that my place was there at the Los Angeles Mission. Of course I couldnt turn down an opportunity like that so I went. For three years I have talked with over 500 Christ seekers and about half of them knew little or nothing about Christ. I of course take no credit for anyone being led to the Lord. God used me to plant the seed and that is all I did. Nothing more, nothing less. After my season there was up, for a couple of years, I went silent. When I started working at Runy Tuesday's, it wasnt long before I was witnessing there. It was great talking to people who didnt know about God especially two atheist who hated the fact that I was trying to lead people to the Lord. One guy talked about he was his own God and that when he dies, he will just go back into the ground. I had ask him this, let's say that you are right, there is no God and we go back to the dirt, then guess what, you will be right, but let's say that God and the devil does exist and there is a heaven and hell, would you want to take that chance in going to hell where your spirit will burn forever or would you rather believe and make it into heaven with me. I told him not to answer that question right then but to go home and think about it. He came back and asked me for a bible a couple of days later. I have witness to over a thousand non-believers. in the missions I have worked at, I have had a few walk away from the program and a high majority that came back to the program would tell me, dang you were right. For thirty years I have ran with the devil. Broke almost every commandment there is. if not physically, I'm sure verbally or mentally. I know that the devil hates me and I am one of his biggest enemy today. I am a child of Christ, born a sinner but died and became new. Every day I am a new person with newer knowledge. God doesnt see my yesterday but he sees my today. yesterday problems are washed away. Today I am happy (blessed) because I know how God sees me. I am a seed planter, and I will continue to plant my seeds. Will you plant your seeds in order for God to water them? around the end of July, I will be giving my testimony if that is the will of God. I hope all will attend because I am so pump up in telling you how God has changed my life. Well I have to go, I am going over to TW house to get on his and his family nerve like I have done last week. Thanks again for everything. your friend, brother and follower of Christ.
[I wrote this this afternoon, but the website was down so I could not post.]
Great start!
I think the church starts with these 120 “charter members,” ones who were left from the ministry of Jesus. How does that strike you? Thirty-three years, a crucifixion, a Resurrection, and only 120? Wow.
I think the manner of the Second Coming is similar to the Ascension only in that it will be in the sky. If you put together all the passages that speak of the Second Coming, they present a picture of a catastrophic, cataclysmic end of life as we know it. It ushers in the new heaven and earth as it brings about a bodily resurrection of all the dead and judgment.
To address Jillena’s thoughts just a little: it seems that these early ones stayed pretty focused for quite a while. It’s a little later on that you see some concerns show up about the Second Coming being delayed. I think, for example, of 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 5:11 and 2 Peter 3.
My best example of someone having a Mountain Top experience, followed by deep depression, is Elijah. You can read about it in 1 Kings 18 & 19. I THINK most of us experience a mild form of spiritual bipolarism (manic-depression) i.e., we are feeling great about our life in God and then something happens and we feel pretty low and maybe useless. This is when and where we need to remember those “convincing proofs” that Sherron cites. For me, as I have said a lot lately (maybe because I have not been not on the manic side of things?), it comes down to duty, discipline and obedience. Some times you do the right things because they are right, even though you don’t feel like doing them. I think God honors that, and, in fact, I think he expects it.
Thanks Gino! Cool stuff.
Good morning! I hope you are “up and at ‘em.” I used to think the expression was “up and Adam,” which never made sense to me, since I was not Adam. Of course, I still may be wrong about the expression. I hear people all the time misuse old, old expressions. Oh well, don’t know where that came from...
Kedra and I are going to Alabama later on. Her father is having back surgery. She wants to be there, and I don’t want her to make the trip alone. We should be back Thursday night. I find that I work pretty well down there; hardly any distractions make it is easier to think clearly. [I will be checking in here fairly often, so don’t get any ideas about “the cat’s away...” Or is it the “The cats aweigh (like anchors)...” Never mind.]
Mowed the grass last night. Then after supper I drug the entire family, minus Luke who was playing golf for MHS, to the woods to pick up rocks for a rock wall that I am building back by my pond. I leveled my fire pit area, put in another swing, and am now going to build a retaining wall that you can sit on. It should be pretty cool, if my vision can be turned into reality. Getting rocks was quite the adventure. Some of them probably weigh a 100 pounds. Ben and Kedra jumped right in and worked hard; Rebecca assumed more of a supervisory role, especially after she spotted a couple of salamanders under one rock and colonies of ants under others. We had a little adventure when it was time to leave. I got dad’s tractor pretty well stuck, but we managed to get it out.
We brought the rocks back and unloaded them and then dreamed about how it will look. Also back at the pond I plan to build some more split rail fence to match what we constructed last year. Ben and I found the mother lode of sassafras trees that will be perfect for the project.
As we think about Ancient Future Church, I want to share that I have been very impressed with a book called Simple Church. You can read some thoughts and reviews about it Here. The simple idea is that everything we do as a church is driven/governed by disciple-making. I think we have a lot of things, good things, in place, but it seems to me that we are lacking a clear and stated process for making disciples of Christ, which seems to me to be our true, ultimate purpose. I think our mission statement is excellent, biblical, and fits our context. We are baptized believers participating in the life of God for the sake of others. We now want to work on getting everyone and everything on the proverbial “same page,” moving intentionally toward making disciples. What thoughts and ideas do you have about this?
I will pray for Kedra's dad and for the safe journey you both will have. Thinking about mountain tops and returning to certain things...I think that is when the power in God's words really reveals itself. When you go back empty and "find something you never noticed before", I think this the wellspring--God's Spirit nudging you (me), saying look closer, it's all still there. I AM is still here.
From Simple Church, p. 185-6
Churches are filled with a variety of generations, nationalities, preferences, and backgrounds. Thankfully, most churches do not have uniformity. Uniformity is boring, and uniformity is different from unity. Athletic teams wear the same uniforms and may be divided.
Unity is much deeper than uniformity.
In fact, unity is best expressed in the midst of diversity. That is when it is clear that God is the one uniting people. Ultimately unity is found in Christ; however, the simple ministry process is a great tool to keep people on the same page.
In reality, Christ followers have argued and disagreed for centuries. Differences in beliefs, both major and minor, have separated believers. However, more often in churches, the differences that lead to division are not theological or biblical. The differences that harm most churches are in the realm of ministry approach and philosophy.
People will often agree theologically but disagree about ministry philosophy. People will often nod their heads in agreement about a biblical issue but be diametrically opposed over a specific approach to ministry.
You have heard it, “Why are we doing it this way?” “Why are we not doing this anymore?” These are not theological issues; these are debates over preference, style, and approach.
Using your simple process as a unifying factor brings philosophical alignment. It helps leaders agree at the level where disagreement most often festers. It helps people be of the same mind in regards to ministry approach. In other words, leaders agree on how ministry is done at your church.
A simple church design is a philosophy of ministry. A simple church is a congregation designed around a straitforward and strategic process that moves people through the stages of spiritual growth. When people commit not only to the doctrinal beliefs of a church but also to a simple and strategic process, the energy of everyone is released.
I think this is exactly right, but what is our simple and strategic process for making disciples? For example, how do we take people who show up at our building for various reasons and lead them to becoming disciples of Christ? Is that what we should be doing? If so, then how do we do it? How did the Ancient Church do it?
We are not in Alabama. Kedra’s mother has been very ill with a virus and barely avoided hospitalization, so Kedra’s father postponed his surgery. Since we made considerable arrangements to have all our responsibilities covered, we decided that we are going to go away for the day. We could use a little break anyway.
Last night, since I was still in Indiana, I took advantage of the beautiful weather to gather more rocks. This time I took the beast–the Bronco II–to the woods. I piled rocks in the back of it. It worked out very well. I am going to take some pictures of my project and post them sometime soon so you can see what I am doing.
Have a good ‘un.
illena, I love reading your posts. You were always very good for my soul!! Any chance we might get our "Roses" back someday? You are missed here.
I remember several years ago at SMBC, when Paul Denny was still going there as a director, the staff used to go out on Saturday and have a worship service. One year Paul spoke about going to the mountain to renew yourself and your faith. He said God wants us to reach out to others and bring them to Christ but everyone has to take the time to go to the mountain, remember The Word and bring yourself closer to Him thru this. Just step back and renew. I wonder if anyone has had experiences like these? I'd love to hear about others experience on the mountain.......no distractions, just God and His Word.
Diane Slone
It’s sermon final prep day for me. I’m not sure how this is one is going to work out. The text is so long. I would appreciate your prayers for good insight and creativity.
What do you think of the Virginia Tech deal? I told Kedra, and I want to tell my kids this, if I was in one of those rooms and it was clear that we were all going to be killed, then I think I would encourage all of us to rush the killer to disable/disarm him. A few might die in the process but most would not. I think this is what Todd Beamer and company tried to do on Flight 93.
Think I’m crazy?
All I have received this week, in response to my invitation to give feedback regarding the church, is one heartfelt, good-intentioned complaint about the disruptive nature of our periodic “greeting.” I find it interesting that there has not been more input/response. I’m not sure what to make of it. I THINK it means that most people are satisfied with the way things are and probably feel like it is up to leadership to lead and make decisions. I could be way wrong on both accounts, but that’s what I am thinking presently. I base that on past surveys and interviews with members of our church family. What do you think?
Wow! Here is a Great Article stating many of the things I have been trying to say over the last few weeks.
Kedra’s mother ended up in the hospital due to dehydration. I think she is going to be fine and will likely come home soon.
Been a busy week for me and I have checked in to see what was here but i have not had time to drop a note.
With respect to the "greetings", i personally like it. i think we come in and hurry to our assigned seats and talk to a few standard members but really are not in the "mood" yet. after a few songs, comments and prayers, the "mood" has been set and it is nice to get up and speak to that person you haven't spoken to earlier, because they came in after you, you didn't have time to talk with, etc. it is my opinion that those who dont particularly like this is because it is out the standard norm or flow of typical worship. not wrong or right but different.
On the VT crisis, i find it very distrubing of course as I am sure all do. i have thought while running this week what led this individual to this point. i felt for his parents and family as well as those of his victims. the poor soul. not sure how i would react in that situation as you said allen. i think all of us dream or hope we would act in some valent way, but not sure if i would or not.
on the subject of the church, it does my heart good to be a part of a group that know they do not have all the answers and are looking. also i continually am blessed to see the open minded and acceptance and the meshing or bridging of the generations. a great example of that is the tremendous support that the youth recieve for anything they need. i dont know this but i would guess that most of that $ comes from the older part of the congregation. a great bridge there.
i am looking for some new books to read. here are the books i have read lately and an insight to what i like; starving jesus, when character was king (about ronald reagan), adventures of tom sawyer (really !!) all of mitch album's books, man with out a country (vonnegut) the end of faith. these are the ones in the last two months. i dont enjoy dobson, or max lucado (sorry)
have a good one!
RR
Good post Ryan. Thanks. Interesting and broad range of books you have been reading.
I’ve been pondering the mountain/valley metaphor some more, and my thoughts relate to the article I linked to, a couple of posts ago. The article is about how the “ordinary” of life can suck the (spiritual) life out of you, so we must continue to re-imagine the Resurrection and appropriate it in our lives. The truth is that most of our lives are lived in the “ordinary,” the mundane, non-mountain-top experiences. Maybe this “ordinariness” sometimes leads to the valleys of boredom, frustration, or depression. I think one of the greatest truths that I have discovered in the last couple of years is that “the ordinary” is “where it's at” (to use an expression that I don’t like). It faithfulness in the small, ordinary things, the middle, narrow, non-mountain-top, non-valley road that is so important. Dream about the mountain tops and pursue them! Endure the valleys, knowing God walks with you! But just live today faithfully with ordinary people doing ordinary things that just may have extraordinary results (See Matthew 25:31ff.).
allen
yes, i cover an odd array of topics in my readings. rhonna laughs about that a lot as well as my taste in music. to her it is really odd to have a heavy metal cd next to opera.
your comments of valleys and mountains the ordinary is interesting. in fact yesterday while running i was thinking about that. i was actually thinking that a few years ago when we were going through some rough times and as I was thinking yesterday i actually felt closer to god then than i do now. i asked my self why and what i decided was that i was so deep in the valley i knew the way out was god and when i ran i prayed for all the issues ( 10 miles at a time) those issues preoccupied my thoughts all the time. now things are smooth for the most part and i think about trival stuff and thus i dont search for that closeness with god as often. make sense?
RR
Personally I think the mid-service greeting is disruptive and a waste of time. Sorry Matthew. This is because most people have already greeted those around them and there isn't enough time to run all over the building talking to others and what chaos that would be!
I have always liked the greeting times, before or after the songs.
I also really liked singing Lift Your Name On High right at start time (I still have the flyer in my bible) like we did a long time ago. Didn't we also used to sing This Is The Day before starting?
Mountain top times come for me during rough times too but they also come (and mean as much or more) when I have a good home study time going on. During these times I found I got confirmation on what I'd been studying on in little ways all the time and that was very thrilling. This is one thing I have been trying to get set in place again, I miss the closeness and the peace those studies and prayers bring.
Annette
I wish our sermon time was twice as long, why is it so important to cut it short and get out on time all the time?
That has to be one of the wisest, smartest, bestest comments ever.
Of course they could just be wanting a longer nap?
The greeting time is good; I would suggest that we not do it every Sunday because then it would become just old hat; and seem to much like Catholic service when they give the sign of peace.
Mountian top experiences and then the valleys. If you ever have a mountian and then the valley it will make you appreciate it that much more. I am afriad that most of us only hit the foot hills; and that is not because God wants us there; it is because of our own actions that is all the father we go before we do something to go back to the valley.
The VT situation. What a sad happening. As for rushing the gunman; I believe most law enforcement people would tell you do not do that; but I agree with you Allen go for it. What if you did and you just saved one life; think of the number of people that one life would keep from feeling the sarrow and grief that is being felt now.
Ordinary time: I would have to agree. I am finding more and more that I (and the people around me) benefit when I can say "I'm just going to do what needs doing today" what I also find is that usually, there is a gift buried in a day like that--something truly beautiful. Not mountain-top, maybe, but truly beautiful. I also believe this because my last chinese fortune said "stop searching. Happiness will come to you." Whereas I don't believe in Friday the 13th, I take my Chinese fortunes very seriously.
VA Tech. Devastatingly sad--the young man must have been terribly empty inside. My lesson from that is to listen to my intuition aobut people. Many Prof's etc. knew he was a ticking time bomb--they felt it, but not quite enough was done (I take this very personally. I work with students and am hindered by the same laws and protocols from getting students help they need, sometimes). If you think someone needs to be "rushed at"--whether it's with hugs or other help before they get desperate, or in a sad moment where you might saveo ne life--obey the impulse/ The Spirit puts it there.
Diane, I don't know if you'll ever get Roses back permanantly, but now that the snow if is off and the sun is out (and so is school almost), you can expect some sightings in your area....
Yes, study time is wonderful. I know that I can't study romance and study books and think my life is going to go ockey dockey.
I don’t know Gino. I’m not sure what you’re trying to say, but I think there is a lot of value is studying/reading widely. A long time ago Tertullian asked, “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?” He was being critical of the study of philosophy for the Christian. Many others have come along and shown the value of such study. I think that Scripture takes priority always, but I think we do need to be aware of what is going on in other areas. God is the author of all life. Yes some things are perversions, but there are a lot of things that are very instructive for our life in God that are found outside of Scripture. Seems to me that Jesus often used stories that were not found in Scripture to make his points.
ringing in quickly with agreement. A reader intent on growing toward God DOES have to choose carefully what they feed themselves(just like choosing television or music). That said, there is a world of writing out there that just explores the world and human beings and how things are made or how they work in the world that can be Faith building (even if the author did mean for that to happen). I find that by reading widely, I THINK I understand better where some people are coming from, why some people end up "empty" and in need of God. And why I do. I think it's in the way you approach it. If you approach reading as a child of God determined to learn more about HIM in everything you do, you will find work that supplies your journey. And you will know when to put down the stuff that doesn't. Right now, I'm exploring the "science" of light and color, how the eye works. I am in awe of the sense organs God has given us to feed our less than practical side.
I am currently reading a book by Liz Curtis Higgs called "Bad Girls of the Bible...and what we can learn from them" long title, really good study. SO many of us feel "bad", like we can't measure up, and reading about these women and studying more deeply about them helps me to see that God's purpose for me is so much bigger than the small scales I think and function on.
Jillena brought up a good point about intuition. I have a strong intuition of people and I find myself trying to fight it because sometimes it feels like I am judging them but time and time again my intincts prove correct. Maybe it is a gift God gave me (or a curse!!) that I need to find a use for. :o)
And Jillena......if I can't have my Roses back I will take what I can get!! Looking forward to seeing you this summer. I feel bad for all our newer members who haven't got to know you and your family because you really are outstanding people. I think you are a gift from God!! Thanks for being who you are and having such wonderful kids.
Diane
Hi, guys! Gotta admit, I'm not crazy about the greeting. I feel goofy and awkward. Also, what's with all the "ancient future church" stuff? Please tell me we're not going "Emergent." A little too trendy for my taste.
Donna
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