Pastor Steve Richards

Last week, I was part of a committee that interviewed persons seeking ordination. Each person had a story, a testimony – this is what God has done for me. After one such interview, I was standing next to the elevator. Another person from the committee suggested we get on the elevator and practice our elevator speech. Being the elevator only traveled one floor, it would be a very short speech.

Are you ready with your elevator speech? As I understand it, the elevator speech comes from the idea that inside the elevator one has a captive audience and anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes (depending on the distance the elevator is traveling) to make a sales pitch.

Paul never missed an opportunity. Every opportunity was an opportunity to tell his story of what God had done in his life. Whether standing trial before King Agrippa or while shipwrecked or countless other places, Paul was ready. As we approach the end of the book of Acts, we have read Paul’s story often enough that we know his story. What is your story? What has God done in and through you? Is today the day to write your story or tell your story?

Acts 26:29″Short time or long – I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

“I appeal to Caesar!” We have read several chapters where Paul is brought before one official after another. His fate is uncertain. The charges against him are unclear. Back to prison he goes. For two years, he waits. We are not told what Paul is doing while he waits, but surely he is praying.

Paul is living what he feels God called him to do and that will take him to Rome (I must visit Rome – Acts 19:21). In a special vision, Paul is promised by Jesus that he will get to Rome (“Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” Acts 23:11). We are learning something about God’s purposes and prayer.

Sometimes when we pray and wait for God to act, part of the answer is that God will act, but God will do so through our taking proper responsibility in the matter at hand. It can be hard to know what is the right answer. Is it that God will fight for me or is it “take courage” and it is time for me to act? Discovering which applies in which instance is the discernment that all Christians must do.

After two years in prison – waiting, praying, discerning – Paul takes action. “I appeal to Caesar!”

Numbers. As I read the opening chapters, I am reminded of trips that I have taken where before getting back on the bus we counted. We wanted to be sure everyone was present; no one left behind. The book of Numbers does not indicate why it was necessary to list the name of everyone who was counted (note that only the men/households were counted) but it must have been to create order.

The Bible is not organized in chronological order. With Numbers, we are taken back to the time just after the Israelites have escaped to the wilderness of Sinai. From slavery to new-found freedom, it was like the counting that I have experienced when traveling. Every household was organized within a tribe that could be traced back to one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Every household counted. Every household mattered.

In Acts 24, we learn that Paul was in prison – for more than two years. Periodically, he was brought before the governor who hoped Paul would offer a bribe. All Paul had to offer was the message of the gospel that God had given him. I wonder if Paul ever felt left behind. During the long periods that he would sit in prison, perhaps he remembered the care given in the scriptures to counting. Everyone matters – to God.

So, why not just be obedient – that is, faithful to God. If we have been sufficiently warned (as we clearly have been throughout Leviticus) and the consequences are sufficiently harsh enough (so harsh that we would “fear” God), why not be obedient? The consequences listed in Leviticus were horrible, but if the people were not disobedient, no worry! And if the people were disobedient (and if we are disobedient), surely God would not do all of the horrible things God said – right? However, all that was written in Leviticus 26 would happen. The people would be disobedient, and God would allow the destruction, the consequences to happen. Let’s learn the lesson of history and be obedient – that is, faithful to God.

That’s something I ponder in my own life. When I live with the consequence of some decision or action, I am left to wonder – was it worth it? It never is. Why not just be obedient?

In Acts 23, Paul was facing consequences of being obedient and faithful to God. The attacking crowd and the confrontation by the high priest and sadducees must have been terrifying. He escaped death at this point. He would live to see Rome, but at what price? Are the consequences of obedience any better than the consequences of disobedience? Does faith matter?

I underlined these words from Acts 23:11. The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage!” For Paul, this made all the difference.

For me, it has made all the difference. The Lord stood near… “Take courage!”

I’ll admit to being disobedient and experiencing the consequences, but I want the balance of my life (and this day) to be lived with the Lord standing near, whispering in my ear – “Take courage.”

As I reflect on today’s reading, I am mindful of how much I value trust (I want to be trusted) and how difficult it can be for me to trust. If God promised to provide more than enough in the sixth year to carry Israel through the sabbath year, can God not also care for us in the same way? Trust God to provide.

What’s mine is mine – or is it? In Leviticus, we learn that the land belonged to God, who in turn placed it on lease in the hands of families. Every fifty years – the year of Jubilee – the land was restored to the original leasee. God is the owner and the provider. I remember the words of the hymn: We give thee but thine own whate’re the gift may be. All that we have is thine alone, a trust O LORD from thee. Trust.

Paul gave his testimony of faith. What would happen next was beyond his ability to control. Even announcing that he was a Roman citizen would not ultimately save him. All he could do was trust God.

In you, LORD my God, I put my trust. (Psalm 25:1) I want to be trusted. Today, let me learn the lesson of trusting God.

In today’s readings, the words that are on my heart are not even found in today’s readings. Three words are found in Acts 20: compelled by the Spirit. Paul is in a hurry to get to Jerusalem in time for Pentecost. We know it will not end well for Paul. At stops along the way, he is warned. Others do not want him to go to Jerusalem. The word among Jewish authorities in Jerusalem is that Paul must be stopped. And yet, knowing that certain death awaits him in Jerusalem, he keeps moving, compelled by the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever been compelled? I don’t mean that voice inside late at night that calls you to the freezer for ice cream. I don’t mean that desire for success that keeps you working late into the night. I don’t mean the kind of concern for your health prompted by a doctor’s warning that gets you up early each morning to exercise. Yes, these may fit the dictionary definition of compelled – to be driven or to be forced. For Paul to be compelled by the Spirit, I don’t think Paul was being forced. I think Paul was being faithful. He was responding to a higher calling and he found the strength through the power of the Holy Spirit to be faithful to that call regardless of what others urged him to do and in spite of the risks to his life. For Paul, this was not about Paul but God.

To be so in love with God and to have a pinpoint focus on fulfilling his God-given purpose, Paul keeps moving toward Pentecost in Jerusalem. Nineteen chapters ago, we read the importance of Pentecost – the believers were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.

I underlined three words in Acts 21. Found in verse 13, Paul said I am ready. I, too, want to be ready, but will I be so faithful to God’s claim on my life that I will be compelled by the Spirit? Today I’ve been given another day, another opportunity. LORD, here I am.

Laws, laws, laws… I’ve read enough! And I am getting a sense of the true freedom Jesus offered. If the Son sets you free you will be free indeed (John 8:36). We all know that a certain amount of laws are necessary, especially if my life, security and liberty are threatened. We humans don’t get along. We have a propensity to hurt others and to put ourselves before others. Not me, mind you. But the other guys out there – you know, the bad guys. And if I do any harm, it certainly is not as harmful as what others have done! Or is it? And thus, the reason laws became necessary. I’m not sure about the death penalty for speaking harshly to your parents. I’m glad that one was not enforced during my childhood.

Jesus would announce that all of the laws could be summarized in two commands. That sounds a whole lot easier than keeping track of everything found in the book of Leviticus, until we hear the two commands. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39)

I long for a world like that. God longs for a world like that. God calls me (and you) to be the one(s) to start living that world (i.e. kingdom of God). And to do that, Paul’s words will become my words as well: I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace (Acts 20:24)

Be bold!

I’ll be honest. When I opened to Leviticus and saw the chapter heading “discharges causing uncleanness”, I thought, “do I really need to read this.” Haven’t I read enough already about clean and unclean and sacrifice with the splashing of blood. I really think I’ve read enough. Why not skip today’s reading. Is reading just for the sake of reading a worthwhile practice?

Practice is what it takes to develop a discipline. Every day may not bring an awesome spiritual insight, but if I give up because today’s or yesterday’s reading doesn’t do much for me, then I will miss tomorrow and tomorrow may be the break thru. My real reason for taking time each morning is to devote this time to my relationship with God. As I open myself to the scripture, I am also opening myself to God. So I began reading.

And then I saw it! Leviticus 17:11- For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. Atonement: at-one-ment; being connected to God. At the Last Supper, Jesus referenced these words when he took the cup and said, This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28). What the Jews were instructed to do once a year in the sacrifice of atonement and releasing the scapegoat that carried away their sins, Christ has done for us once and for all time. And whenever we gather to eat the bread and drink from the cup, I remember what Christ has done for me.

And then I remembered this prayer from my childhood that was said before we took communion (a prayer for atonement): We do not presume to come to this thy table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to partake of this Sacrament of thy Son Jesus Christ, that we may walk in newness of life, may grow into his likeness, and may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

I am so glad that I ignored my first inclination this morning and kept reading. God is good!

In 2005, I had the opportunity to stand at the edge of the Areopagus in Athens and take this photo. I read aloud the words of Paul that we find in Acts 17. From the Areopagus the view is impressive. Below would have been the marketplace and off to the right the Acropolis with its temples to various gods. But for Paul, this was not simply a spot with an impressive view. Paul was among people who loved to debate from the perspective of popular philosophies of that time. Could Paul somehow manage to present the Gospel in a way that they could understand and accept?

You know that altar “to an unknown god”? Of course, they did – as do many people today. There are many today who claim to be religious and claim allegiance to an unknown god. Paul says, let me make the unknown god the known God. The true God does not need a building or a temple. In him we live and move and have our being (verse 28) As Paul will write later in his letter to the Corinthians, Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you received from God? (1 Corinthians 6:19).

The proof, of course, is the resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus is God’s first step in setting the world right. Jesus is the one through whom everything else will be set right. The challenge that Paul issued to the Athenians is the challenge issued even to those today who call themselves religious. Repent – that is, turn away from whatever you idolize (whatever philosophy that puts you at the center of your universe). Turn away from these things, give them up, shake yourself free from them. And then, turn to the living God made known through Jesus.

Think hard about the unknown God and let new light from the true God flood through this open window and transform you. There is a living God and he is now calling everyone, everywhere. For in him we live and move and have our being.

And some of the people became followers…and believed.

I remember an ongoing debate among students when I was attending seminary. Many felt strongly that they should not be expected to live any differently than members of their churches. Others felt strongly that as pastors they were set apart to show others how to live the Christian life. But would that be realistic? Can anyone truly set oneself apart from others to be an example of holiness?

Today’s readings begin with the deaths of Nadab and Abihu. Their deaths are not unlike the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. The community of believers exists for God and not vice versa. Certainly, God had the people’s attention! Israel must be totally consecrated to God. Intentions, no matter how earnest and goodwilled they are, cannot be a substitue for a heart and a life focused on the will of God.

So, we begin a long list of what to eat and what not to eat. God has chosen Israel to be a holy people called for a holy purpose. There are clean and unclean foods. Why must it be this way? Because you are set apart. You live differently. Every aspect of life must express your devotion to God because of who God is and what God has done. The New Testament will enlarge our understanding of what is clean and unclean. Paul will write: Food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do (1 Corinthians 8:8). So I guess that settles it. We don’t have to live any differently than others!

But then Paul says, So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Aren’t we in a relationship with God? We honor that relationship – we are faithful to that relationship – when we live in such a way that the relationship is reflected in every aspect of life. We are not in a relationship one moment and out of the relationship another moment. Holiness – or the lack of holiness – is expressed in every aspect of my life. Look to Silas and Paul (Acts 16). Even after being severely beaten, their feet chained to a prison cell, they would pray and sing hymns to God and other prisoners were listening to them. How I live matters.

In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. (Psalm 33:21)