Who Are You?

Acts 19:11-20
According to the book of Acts, God was at work though Paul in powerful ways. Many were healed in the name of Jesus Christ and many more came to hear of these miracles. So profound was the effect upon the city of Ephesus that even some non-believers set out to heal in the name of Jesus. In one notable case seven brothers confronted a man possessed by a demon. But as Acts tells us, “the evil spirit said to them in reply, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?’” (Acts 19:15). Then the one in whom the spirit resided overcame all of the brothers who fled the house “naked and wounded” (v.16). Clearly, it wasn’t enough to toss around the name of Jesus like a magic charm. It wasn’t enough to follow certain protocols, certain rituals, certain formulas. Even an evil spirit could tell the difference between those who were committed to Jesus Christ and those who were not. The seven brothers were left naked, Acts tells us, which I think symbolizes the fact that their deceit had been uncovered. They were frauds, and now the whole community could see it.

This story deserves our attention. If we are to truly change the world, if we are to confront evil and overpower injustice, if we are to speak truth to the powers, we must do so, not simply in the name of Jesus Christ, but as those who believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, Lord and Savior, God with us. We must work for God and not expect God to somehow work for us. We must set aside empty ritual and accept the fact that faith is hard work. If we do these things we will be amazed by what God is doing. Otherwise, we may find ourselves revealed for who we are: nothing more than divine name-droppers.

Prayer: Lord, give us faith by which to serve you, that in all things your will may be done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Who's In Charge Here?

Acts 20:17-38
Among Paul’s final words to the leaders of the church in Ephesus were these: “Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son” (Acts 20:28). Clearly, there is a tremendous amount of responsibility being passed along to these individuals, and high expectations for their work within the community of faith. Who would willingly accept such a difficult task? And why?

Leadership within the church, says Paul, is decided by the Holy Spirit who provides for “overseers, to shepherd” the faithful. So with the responsibility and the expectations, the elders of Ephesus are also granted the guidance of God’s Spirit, which is the source of their authority as well as the insight by which to exercise it. The terms that Paul uses, words like “flock” and “shepherd,” are very appropriate. Ideally the relationship between a flock and a shepherd is one of mutual regard. A shepherd cares for his or her sheep with deep concern, while the sheep learn to trust the shepherd for their own wellbeing. Shepherds who made arbitrary decisions or who do not take the needs of the sheep into account will not gain the trust necessary to care for a flock. Sheep who do not trust the shepherd will find themselves lost, hungry, or the prey of wild animals.

As someone who has pastored congregations for over 20 years I am well aware of the responsibility I have accepted. It is not up to me to “govern” the church. But it is up to me to provide for and respect a community of faith as together we seek God’s will. The authority I have is not based on my rank, for no baptized Christian is above another. My authority comes from my willingness to perform certain tasks and to be attentive to the needs of those around me. Ultimately every member of the church has a share in the responsibility and the expectations, some in one way, some in another. But those called to act as overseers or shepherds must remain vigilant for what God intends and what the people need. As Paul would affirm, it’s tough work. But according to the Holy Spirit someone needs to do it.

Prayer: Lord, bless those who accept leadership in your church with the insight they need to do your will, and bless the entire community of faith with trust and mutual forbearance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What Everybody Knows

Acts 19:21-41

“…Who is there that does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple keeper of the great Artemis and of the statue that fell from heaven” (Acts 19:35)? This is what the town clerk of Ephesus said in order to avoid a riot among silversmiths and others. The crowd had gathered to oppose Christians who were drawing adherents away from the worship of the goddess Artemis and cutting into the sales of handmade idols. What a profound question, though, to ask of the contemporary world. Who is there that does not know…Justin Timberlake, or Yao Ming, or Nike footwear, or Coka-cola, or Renaldo, or Barak Obama, or Silvio Berlusconi, or Michael Jackson, or (fill in the blank)? Who is there who can avoid the latest media frenzy, or the latest fashion craze, or the latest political scandal? Who is there that is not under pressure to conform with their own culture?

And who is there that does not know Jesus Christ, or the work that God is doing in our world through people of faith, in good times and bad, in seasons of want and of plenty, in the roughest neighborhoods of the poorest countries and the most affluent compounds of the world? The truth is that many may know about God, about Jesus, about the Way, but in our world the faith is one of many factors that strive for attention, and I would suggest it has always been that way. There are always other voices calling to us, other personalities appealing to us. Contestants for our attention seem to drop from the skies on a daily basis. How challenging it is to stay focused on the heart of the matter. How difficult it is to remain steadfast in the faith.

Personally, I can’t wait for the American football season to begin. I’m a huge fan. But I know that on any given day I have to make a choice between football and my faith in God. It isn’t always easy, I’ll admit, but it is something that I need to do because it is what is right and, just as importantly, it is what is best for me. In a world full of attention-grabbing headlines and outrageous antics the gospel of Jesus Christ may seem pale by comparison. Yet the call to remain steadfast in faith is one that we simply must accept with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, because there is no real meaning to life in a consumer-driven culture of fame and notoriety, but there is eternal hope in the God who calls to us.

Prayer: Lord, may your voice be the only one we hear, and may you be the only light on which we focus, that our lives may have the meaning that you alone can give. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Burning For the Lord

Acts 19:11-20

Book burning is almost always a bad sign. It is generally associated with close-minded, intolerant folks. Historically this sort of thing has run the gamut from German Nazis burning “offensive” material to an awkward moment in 1979 when a Major League Baseball game in Chicago was forfeited during Disco Demolition Night. But our reading from Acts today speaks of book burning in positive terms, as an indication of the profound effect the gospel was having, especially in Ephesus. There Paul was evangelizing with such power that even some who had previously believed in magic were converting to Christianity. “Also many of those who became believers confessed and disclosed their practices. A number of those who practiced magic collected their books and burned them publicly; when the value of these books was calculated, it was found to come to fifty thousand silver coins” (Acts 19:18-19). The big difference between what happened in Ephesus and other such demonstrations is that it was the owners of the books themselves who were burning them. They had become so committed to the new faith that they were willing to sever all ties with their previous beliefs, a sort of reverse idolatry.

By no means do I recommend or support the burning of books or other material. But I do wonder which of our possessions––or our perspectives––might make the biggest blaze were we to dispose of them in such a way. What is standing most firmly between us and God? What is most severely hampering our ability to respond to God’s will? Are we willing to build a “spiritual fire” in which to leave these factors behind? I think it is well worth the thought, because no matter what value the culture may place on our idols, if they keep us from a full relationship with God they are truly worthless.

Prayer: Lord, help us to let go of anything that stands between us and you, and help us to live according to your will at all times. In Jesus’ name. Amen.