Resurrection Christians

For February 13, 2011

All scriptures from The Message

An amazing transformation took place among the disciples after Jesus’ crucifixion. All through their travels with Jesus they had many occasions when they failed to understand who Jesus was and what he was about and at times seemed to have hopes of personal prestige and rewards by being with him. Worst of all they waivered and became fearful during the days leading up to Jesus’ execution and even after the resurrection some accounts have them going back to their previous lives and occupations. Fear and discouragement seemed to prevail, even after Jesus’ resurrection.

Today we will look at some scriptures which trace their personal spiritual resurrections and consider some of the amazing changes that took place in their willingness to speak out about their faith. Several Scriptures from Acts will trace the nature of that transformation.

The first scripture sets the stage and prepares them for the winds of change which will blow over them:

Acts 1:2-5 After his death, he presented himself alive to them in many different settings over a period of forty days. In face-to-face meetings, he talked to them about things concerning the kingdom of God. As they met and ate meals together, he told them that they were on no account to leave Jerusalem but "must wait for what the Father promised: the promise you heard from me. John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon."

· Put yourself in the apostle’s place, how would you have felt if were present that day after everything they had been through during Passover week? What would you have thought as you say Jesus’ presence and heard these words after seeing him hanging on the cross?

· What questions would you have had? What might being “baptized in the Holy Spirit” have meant to them?

· Reflect again on the disciples behavior and confusion before Pentecost, can you relate to feeling this way during your spiritual journey? Have there been times when you had questions about your faith, failed to take an opportunity to share your faith, felt badly about the priority you have given to strengthening and living your faith? If you don’t feel you have had experiences like this you fall into a very select group to say the least.

· What has given you hope as you struggle with the reality of living as a person of faith while living in a real world with competing priorities for our time and energy? What has enabled you to stay on the path of faith? What are some things that have encouraged you and sustained you on your faith journey?

Let us look a the few sentences which speak to one of the most momentous occasions in the Christian faith:

Acts 2:1-4 When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.

· What must it have been like in that place? How do you envision the wind and the spreading of the Holy Spirit “through their ranks?” Would you have liked to have been there?

· What is the first result of the presence of the Spirit? What must it have been like to move from the sound of a strong wind to these hearing the choirs of different languages being spoken?

· How would you feel as the commotion died down after this astonishing experience? Think of being present on this day, how would it impact your faith and willingness to tell others about it?

· Can you name one or two events that have made a significant positive impact on the quality of your faith life? Have you had any experiences that you felt transformed you spiritually in a small or major way? How did they affect how you felt and acted immediately afterwards?

The immediate reaction of the disciples was to speak in foreign languages but the real change, the real impacted included this transformation of the faith community:

Acts 2:43 43-45 Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met.
46-47 They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.

· What did people see that energized them and how did they respond? What characterized life in this congregation, how did they see that they were to live as a faith community? Would you like to have been present among them or do you have some reservations?

· It is probably not practical for this kind of communal living to occur today. How would you like to see the spirit of “holding everything in common” be lived out in your faith community? What keeps it from becoming a reality?

· Notice where they worshipped, they were both different and then in some ways connected to their previous religious practices. What would it have felt like to meet at the Temple after your faith convictions had been so strongly rejected by the Jewish community? What does it tell us about living out our faith today in a world in which many reject religion and religious practices?

· Have you ever been part of a faith community which displayed some of this kind of enthusiasm and growth? Remember – where did it start, what brought about this dynamic community, what provided the driving force?

· What does this tell us about what we need to ensure we are in touch with we go about living as a faith community? What can we do to encourage the growth of the Spirit in congregational life? Can you think of any examples you have experienced?

Our last scripture looks at the change in Peter, who denied Christ three times:

Acts 5: 25-26Just then someone showed up and said, "Did you know that the men you put in jail are back in the Temple teaching the people?" The chief and his police went and got them, but they handled them gently, fearful that the people would riot and turn on them.
27-28Bringing them back, they stood them before the High Council. The Chief Priest said, "Didn't we give you strict orders not to teach in Jesus' name? And here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are trying your best to blame us for the death of this man."
29-32Peter and the apostles answered, "It's necessary to obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, the One you killed by hanging him on a cross. God set him on high at his side, Prince and Savior, to give Israel the gift of a changed life and sins forgiven. And we are witnesses to these things. The Holy Spirit, whom God gives to those who obey him, corroborates every detail."

What is causing the conflict in this passage? Who are the adversaries and what does each insist upon? What change does it seem has occurred in the people who demanded Jesus’ execution? What must have been their perception of the new faith community?

· Why do the apostles insist upon their right to continue teaching? Do you think that the high priests thought they were also obeying God through their actions? What particularly grates against the High Priests, how do they feel that they have been unjustly accused by the disciples?

· What has occurred to cause the previously fearful and seemingly clueless disciples to act in this way?

· What would have to happen for you to be willing to risk everything you have – relationships with friends, job, financial goals and security – in order to live as overt a spiritual life as the members of this congregation and the disciples did? Do you know of anyone who has been willing to take risks and live out their faith in such a dedicated way? This is the choice they made, this is the impact of the Spirit actively being at work among them.

· What would you like take from this first congregation and incorporate into your faith community and your personal life? Where might we begin?

Closing Prayer

Embolden us to grow as witnesses, O God. Free our words and deeds to the Spirit’s leading. Make us bold to tell the good news of the risen Christ, inviting others to join with us as followers in Jesus’ way. Amen.

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18, Psalm 119:33-40, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23, Matthew 5:38-48