FEBRUARY 5, 2012

Sermon by Pastor MaAn

“Preach the Gospel at all times.

When necessary use words.” – Francis of Assisi

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The reading for our reflection this morning comes from one of the letters attributed to Paul. Most of you remember him, right? Maybe not. Here’s a quick refresher course.

We first encounter Saul, later named Paul, in the Acts of the Apostles, the second book written by the evangelist Luke, which is found in the New Testament. The context of our first encounter with him was the stoning of deacon Stephen, the Greek convert to Christianity.

Then they [the members of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish court] dragged him [Stephen] out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. (Acts 7, NRSV)

Who was Saul? Let us hear him speak himself:

‘I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated strictly according to our ancestral law, being zealous for God. I persecuted this Way [the Jesus movement] up to the point of death by binding both men and women and putting them in prison, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. From them I also received letters to the brothers in Damascus, and I went there in order to bind those who were there and to bring them back to Jerusalem for punishment....” (Acts 22, NRSV)

You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. (Galatians 1, NRSV)

But then something happened to Saul as he was hell-bent on carrying out his self- identified vendetta. He was on his way to Damascus when he encountered the risen Lord.

‘While I was on my way and approaching Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” I answered, “Who are you, Lord?” Then he said to me, “I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.” Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me. I asked, “What am I to do, Lord?” The Lord said to me, “Get up and go to Damascus; there you will be told everything that has been assigned to you to do.” Since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, those who were with me took my hand and led me to Damascus. (Acts 22, NRSV)

It is the start of Black History Month, Eunice reminded me. God restoring Saul’s sight through Ananias and his conversion reminded me of John Newton (July 24, 1725- December 21, 1807), the English sailor turned slave trader.

It also reminded of William Wilberforce, (24 August 1759 – 29 July 1833) a British politician.

The situation of these three men brought to mind the hymn John Newton composed after his conversion, “Amazing Grace.”

Right now, with Kevin’s help, I invite you to watch and listen to the hymn. As you do so, think about what God has done to and through Paul of Tarsus, to and through John Newton, and to and through William Wilberforce.

Saul of Tarsus, John Newton and William Wilberforce had encounters with Jesus, major conversion experiences that transformed them into the new creation that the Gospel speaks about. They were never the same again. All of them felt compelled to preach the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ, using their gifts, their talents, their skills and whatever resources God placed in their care.

Saul, now known as Paul, became a zealous missionary to the non- Jews ...

But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles ... (Galatians 1, NRSV)

He made three missionary trips throughout the Mediterranean Basin. He planted churches as he travelled, preaching the good news of Jesus Christ.

He wrote epistles or letters to the churches when he was not with them to encourage them in the faith and at times to rebuke them for straying from the faith.

The Letters/Epistles of Paul:

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Philippians

1 Thessalonians

Philemon

Ephesians

Colossians

2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy

2 Timothy

Titus

People who not only heard of his conversion but who saw how zealous he had become for Jesus remarked,

‘The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.’ (Galatians 1:23, NRSV)

Preaching the Gospel ... proclaiming the good news with everything that one has … was a sacred trust given to Paul. He could not resist it. John Newton and William Wilberforce received the same sacred trust in their time, and they were never the same again.

A sacred trust is also entrusted to all of us, to you and to me … who claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The question is ... What are we ...what are you... doing about it ... now, in our time?

Question for Reflection:

“Preach the Gospel at all times.

When necessary use words.”

How is God’s amazing grace empowering you

to witness and carry out this mandate

to spread the good news of salvation

in your daily life as a disciple of Jesus Christ?