Acts 1:9-11

⁹ After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

¹⁰ They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ¹¹ “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.”

About a year ago, I was involved in a discussion with a member of the Bahá'í Faith. The Bahá'í Faith is incredibly interesting[1]. While I’m sure I am oversimplifying things, the religion is a belief that all the major religions of the world are correct, and simply different manifestations of God at different times[2]. The contradictions among the different faiths are problematic for the Bahá'í Faith, but they have grown adept at making the puzzle fit together somehow. Another major component of their faith is the belief that Jesus returned in the 1800’s in Iran, where he was imprisoned and eventually executed. This version of the Messiah came to tell the world that an omni-nation government and world peace was God’s plan of restoration for fallen creation.

The young man I was talking to blasted Christians for believing that Christ would return to Earth on a cloud and fix all of our problems. He felt that this doctrine is what was keeping Christians from actively pursuing world peace and a world government. In order worlds, the church needs to stop “looking into the sky” and go change the world. Despite the obvious holes in logic and tragic misunderstanding of God’s covenant, the man from the Bahá'í Faith was saying the same thing two angels told the disciples 2,000ish years ago. “Why do you stand here looking into the sky?” was the angel's way of saying the show is over, stop concerning yourselves over when Christ is returning and go do the things you were instructed to do. Remember, this is only a couple of verses after Christ tells them to be his witnesses to the very ends of the earth.

I’d like to think too that these were the same angels who asked Mary Magdalene when she saw the empty tomb “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”. Regardless, there seems to be a similar message that the angels are trying to communicate through rhetorical questions. Since the death and resurrection of Christ, we have grace through faith and not through the law as was previously the case. Without this constant need to redeem ourselves through sacrifice, it’s easy and familiar for Christians to fall into a pattern of waiting. We wait to repair our relationship with God, we wait to represent Christ to those around us, and we wait to serve him. The angels seem to be saying there is more to following Christ then waiting for death or waiting for his return. It’s about taking up our cross daily in order to do what he has called us to do. It doesn’t matter what has happened or what will happen, God does not allow us to use the past and the future as excuses for apathy, but rather encourages and equips us to use them as tools to further his kingdom.

1. Obnoxious to type though

2. For more information from a reliable source, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1%27%C3%AD_Faith

Another Perspective On Peace

http://davehershey.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/why-i-am-not-quite-a-pacifist/

An interesting article that touches on the topics brought up when we discussed peace last semester. The author is a colleague who works at Penn State Berks. What do you guys think? Is his argument of justified violence in defense of others biblically sound? Do these same principles apply on a broader scale to war?

Acts 1:6-8

⁶ Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ 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.”

About five years ago, I agreed to help my brother into a house in Salisbury, Maryland, where he attended school. We were moving him in on a Sunday, but as I was spending Saturday in Ocean City, NJ, I figured I would drive down Saturday night. I left Ocean City at about eleven o’clock, and started following my printed out directions[1]. I had gotten lost and was getting tired, and so with about an hour of driving left, my head was dancing with thoughts of a warm bed and a soft pillow. I was picturing the finish line, and it looked glorious. The directions lead me to turn left onto some shady road, and at the end of it was a closed gate. I re-check the directions and discover this was not a mistake. Worse, the directions have told me to take the ferry across the water and continue driving from there[2]. At this point it’s one in the morning; there will be no more ferries until sometime the next morning[3]. I was stuck.

At that point, I had already come so far and thought the end had to be imminent, only to discover that my driving adventure had only just begun. I imagine that’s how the disciples feel in Acts 1:6-8. They had given up their lives to serve Jesus, only to watch him be beaten and crucified. But now, he has conquered death and redeemed sinful man, isn’t it time to eat at the Lord’s table and sit on thrones as Christ told them they would[4]? Isn’t the story over at this point? I’m sure the disciples that certainly now Christ would step in and deliver captive Israel.

I think Christ understands that the question had some legitimacy, as he doesn’t correct them or call them selfish, but gently tells them their adventure had only just begun, and they are not to know when it ends. However, he doesn’t just let them walk away disappointed. Instead, he tells them that they will receive power and be his witnesses to the very ends of the earth. The story isn’t over, and their job is not to sit and wait for the end. They are to receive power and represent Christ anywhere they could possibly go.

I suppose the lesson here is that salvation is only step one. When we receive Christ, it is not a call to patience but a call to action. We have been given the same power the disciples were given through the Holy Spirit, and have the same calling to represent Christ anywhere we could possibly go. It is a tremendous blessing that a Christian life isn’t about being a statistic for salvation, but rather an active call to be part of God’s plan, no matter what point you are at in your walk. Whether you are a disciple of Christ who has given up everything or someone who first heard about Jesus yesterday, we are called to spend today representing Christ in every way that we can. Therefore, let us live like today has never happened before.

1. For you younger kids, it was like using a GPS that didn’t allow for any mistakes and couldn’t adjust to detours.

2. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Ocean+City,+NJ&daddr=Salisbury,+MD&hl=en&geocode=FTBUVwId-BSO-yklGHNFP6XAiTHnJphiqm2Yuw%3BFWJWSQId93F--ylhnpJWugO5iTGTO2pbsYMqzA&aq=0&sll=38.360674,-75.599369&sspn=0.139987,0.215263&vpsrc=0&gl=us&g=Salisbury,+MD&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=m&z=9&layer=c&ei=9xcDT9eiLobY8QaOq_yHDw&pw=2

3. I wound up sleeping in my car parked behind some lawyer’s office that apparently was a meeting spot for a gang of wild cats, who chilled on the hood of my car. It was not pleasant, and I maybe got an hour total sleep before boarding the ferry at 8 or 9 the next morning. I still hate that experience. Since when can MapQuest simply guide you to another mode of transportation? I don’t want to look up directions to Tampa and have them just lead me to the airport, it’s so lazy on their part. Chances are the clientele still using MapQuest are not the people who are driving because no one has bothered to suggest an alternative, more expensive means of transportation. I’m still not over this.

4. Luke 22: 29-30

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Acts 1:1-5

Acts 1:1-5

¹ In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach ² until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. ³ After his suffering, he presented himself to them 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. ⁴ 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. ⁵ For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Anyone who has ever read a history textbook appreciates Luke[1] as a writer. Most history textbooks are written by men who are really into history, but secretly think they are John Steinbeck. Everything you actually need to learn is scattered throughout pages of alliterations, metaphors, and fancy introductions that provide no purpose[2]. Luke just doesn’t care. He states the purpose of his writings and then just dives right into the story (Luke), or simply acknowledges to the reader that this is part two and continues with the story (Acts). So then, what is the purpose behind Luke writing the books of Luke and more importantly for our study, the book of Acts?

Both the book of Luke and the book of Acts are directed toward “Theophilus”. While there are many theories as to whom Theophilus was[3], it is extremely likely that he was not, at the moment of the writings, a follower of Christ. Luke seems to acknowledge this, and then just jump right into the story. He seems to be writing to provide an overview of Christianity, from the birth of Christ, through his death on the cross, and the continuation of his work through the church. As reading Luke and Acts will show you, Luke does not see any need to sugarcoat who Christ is, or to make any apologies for what a non-Christian would probably view as extreme. Even in this intro to Acts, he mentions being baptized in the Holy Spirit[4] and doesn’t pause for a second to consider how that sounds to a non-Christian. It’s a powerful example for us in our post-modern world, as we attempt to describe our Christian experience in a way that often minimizes the impact Christ has had on our lives. I believe that we will have a more powerful witness when we are open and proud of who are God is, not attempting to describe the god you think the world wants.

Acts serves another very unique purpose as well. It openly admits to being merely a continuation of the gospel of Luke. More importantly, it is a continuation of the story of Christ. None of the gospels continue the story after the ascension, but Luke realizes that the story does not end there. The story of Christ is continued through the acts of the Church, both recorded in Acts and those that continue today. Luke writes Acts to show us our place in the story. It shows historical backing to Christ stating he will always be with us, the Holy Spirit is coming, and we will do greater things than he did[5]. Acts doesn’t allow us to sit around and wonder what’s next, it shows us what it looks like to go into the world and be the body of Christ.

1. The author of Acts

2. Don’t say it.

3. This starts with debate over whether Theophilus was someone’s actual name or just an expression for “friend of God”. Regardless, the way Luke describes him makes him seem important, and the phrase “most honorable” (used to describe him in Luke) is often used for a Roman official. Of all the theories, the belief that Theophilus was Paul’s defense attorney in his trial in Rome may make the most sense, as Luke seems to keep trying to say that Christianity is in no way a threat against Rome.

4. We will very carefully cover this when we get to Pentecost.

5. John 14:12. I get what he’s saying, but no matter what I do I’m never going be an atonement for the sins of mankind. Although I one upped his water-into-wine thing by turning water into “delicious Kool-Aid, so there is that.

Overwhelming Affection

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0luHiWwi08

For those of you into worship music, which I’m assuming are the majority of people stumbling across this, I urge you to check out “The Economy”, the new John Mark McMillan album that came out November 1^st. I’ve been listening to McMillan for many years now, one of the benefits of being friends with super trendy Christians. [1] When his song “How He Loves[2]” took off, I was really excited to hear the songs played during worship across the country. However, I was surprised when I found myself singing different words than the people around me, and that’s what we’re talking about here today.

The biggest misconception about “How He Loves” is that it is simply a happy tale about how God loves us. It is not. It is a song created out of pain, suffering, and a genuine search for God in a time of hardship. It’s about a revelation of God’s character during a place of brokenness, not simply written in the midst of a spiritual high. That’s why the imagery is so strong. God isn’t a calming breeze; he’s a hurricane overpowering the tree of our existence. We’re not splashing around in God’s grace; we’re sinking. The heart doesn’t go “pitter patter” like a 40’s love story; it beats violently. That’s why the chorus is so simple yet profound, it’s the only response for such an overwhelming encounter with the presence of God, just surrendering and trying to grasp how much our God loves us. If you didn’t already check out the song, do that now. Fast forward to 6:26 in the song and listen to the original third verse about McMillan’s friend Stephen, whose death inspired this song. Listening to the emotion in his voice, it’s clear how much weight is behind his proclamation that God loves us.

My favorite part in this whole song is the phrase “heaven meets earth like a sloppy, wet kiss”[3]. The thing about a sloppy wet kiss is that it’s not designed to be subtle. It’s an often uncomfortable, overwhelming display of affection. The images of God we often cling to is that of a stoic warrior, not that of a father who embarrasses his kids by being overly affectionate. But that is who God is, a father who loves his children so freakin’ much. Most of us don’t even know where to even begin contemplating a love like that from a God we’ve turned our back on time after time.

My challenge for you today is to see whether you can view God like that. Take a close look at your faith. Are we following rules to please some powerful and distant judge, or are we falling in love with our creator and just allowing him to sweep us off our feet? Live your life in a way that reflects Christianity is a love story, not a code of conduct.

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1. There is also a downside to being friends with super trendy Christians, such as finding out that buying Tom’s Shoes off of eBay doesn’t actually count and does not make me a better person.

2. How He Loves – John Mark McMillan

He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane
I am a tree
Bending beneath
The weight of his wind and mercy
When all of a sudden
I am unaware of these
Afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize how beautiful you are
And how great your affections for me

Oh how he loves us so
Oh how he loves us
How he loves us so

Yea He loves us
Oh how

We are his portion
And he is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in his eyes
If grace is an ocean we’re all sinking
So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss
And my heart burns violently inside of my chest
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about the way
He loves us

Oh how he loves us so
Oh how he loves us
How he loves us so

Yea He loves us
Oh how

I thought about you
The day Stephen died
And you met me between my breaking
I know that I still love you God
Despite the agony
See people they want to tell me you’re cruel
But if Stephen could sing
He’d say its not true
Cause you’re good

3. The part often changed by some people covering it to “unforeseen”. Unforeseen just doesn’t do it justice; it’s a pleasant, comforting metaphor sandwiched between sinking in grace and a heart beating violently. The encounter with God here isn’t a pleasant reminder that God is fond of us, it’s much more raw than that.