Acts 10

Good morning everyone!

LAST WEEK’S RECAP

For those of you who might be new today, we have been preaching through the book of Acts. Last week we were in Acts 9. Two major themes were going on in Chapter Nine: the conversion of Saul, which gets the most attention in Christian circles, and the story of Peter healing Aeneas and raising Dorcas from the dead.

Saul, who became Paul, was a zealous Pharisee.

Acts 7:58 RSV: Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Acts 8:1-3 RSV: And Saul was consenting to his death. And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samar′ia, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

Acts 9:1 RSV: Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

Paul was a zealous Christian; so much so that there were two plots to kill him.

Acts 9:22-25 RSV: But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night, to kill him; but his disciples took him by night and let him down over the wall, lowering him in a basket.

And then the Hellenistic Jews tried to kill him in Jerusalem because he was “preaching boldly in the name of the Lord” (Acts 9:28-29 RSV). Finally Christians took him to Caesarea and sent him back to Tarsus (Acts 9:30 RSV). Peace in the church & it grew stronger (Acts 9:31 RSV).

In Acts 9:32-43 RSV, we are told about Peter healing Aeneas and raising Dorcas (who was also called Tabitha). “And Peter said to him, “Aene′as, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose”(Acts 9:34 RSV).  Acts 9:40-41 says:

But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, rise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive.

Why do I tell you all this again? Because two major things were happening: 1) God was still in the business of dramatically changing lives and 2) God was still in the business of working miracles. What’s interesting is that this all happened after Pentecost. This was after Jesus had risen from the dead and ascended into Heaven and now things were going beyond the Apostles

THIS WEEK’S OVERVIEW

This week we’re going to look into Acts 10 and I want to do a quick overview before we get down to brass tacks and bare knuckles. Acts 10:1-8. We’re introduced to the Roman army officer, Cornelius.  He was the Captain of the Italian Regiment. He was a God-fearing man as was his entire household. He was a man who understood authority / service. God has also given him a vision. An angel told him that the Apostle Peter was going to be coming for a visit

Acts 10:9-16 tells us about Peter, who was on a rooftop and then falls into a trance. He too has a vision. His was a vision of sheet and various animals. Peter, still true to his character that was revealed throughout his time with Jesus, was stubborn. God tells him to rise, kill and eat but Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean” (Acts 10:13 RSV). God told Peter three times, “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean” (Acts 10:14 RSV). Acts 10:17-23 conveys what Cornelius had charged his servants to explain to Peter when he asked them to come to his house: who they were, under whose authority they came, and the expectation that Peter return with them to their master.

To make a long story short, Cornelius had sent men to Peter to bring him back to his house per the directive of God. Unlike Peter, it only took Cornelius once to execute a command given to him by God through the vision. Peter returns with the men and then Peter and Cornelius meet. This is what happens next.

Please stand for the reading of God’s Word …

READING OF GOD’S WORD

They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!” So they talked together and went inside, where many others were assembled.

Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.”

Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. He told me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God! Now send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.’ So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.”

Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel – that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.  You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him to life on the third day. Then God allowed him to appear, not to the general public, but to us whom God had chosen in advance to be his witnesses. We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all – the living and the dead. He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.

Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God.

Then Peter asked, “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days (Acts 10:24-48 RSV).

PRAYER

Heavenly Father … we come to you today with our hearts and minds completely fixed on you. We ask that you give us ears to hear and eyes to see. Lord, we thank you for your Word and we believe in our hearts that your Word has been with you since the beginning. The Word was with you and the Word is you. God, you created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. Father, we thank you that through your Word, your light shines in the darkness … and the darkness can never extinguish it. Amen.

THE SERMON

Does anyone remember the old Louis Armstrong / Ella Fitzgerald song, “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off?” If you’re like me, you might have a better memory of Christopher Walken and Jimmy Fallon performing this song as a sketch on Saturday Night Live.

You say either and I say either,
You say neither and I say neither
Either, either neither, neither
Let's call the whole thing off.
You like potato and I like potahto
You like tomato and I like tomahto
Potato, potahto, tomato, tomahto.
Let's call the whole thing off[1]

Words - it’s all in how they’re said and the meaning behind each one. Scripture tells us quite often to choose our words wisely – the power of life and death are in the what? The tongue (Proverbs 18:21 NLT). Alistair Begg teaches, “Three things come not back: the spent arrow, the spoken word and the missed opportunity.” I bring this to your attention simply because I sometimes fall into the trap of preaching when I should be teaching and teaching when I should be preaching.

PREACHING vs. TEACHING

Merriam-Webster defines “preach” as “To make a speech about religion in a church or other public place : to deliver a sermon.”[2] That’s what we attempt to do here every Sunday to encourage you to live your faiths throughout the week. Merriam-Webster also says these about the definition of preach: “to write or speak in an annoying way about the right way to behave.” [3] That definition reminds me of that old Madonna song, “Papa Don’t Preach.”

Merriam-Webster defines “teach” as “To cause or help (someone) to learn about a subject by giving lessons.”[4] It’s clear what the Bible says about teaching in the church. “Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1 NLT).

I want to preach this morning. Why? “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news … who proclaims peace … who brings glad tidings of good things … who proclaims salvation … who says to Zion, “Your God reigns” (Isaiah 52:7 NKJV; spacing mine). Paul refers to this scripture in Romans 10:8-15 NKJV when he’s explaining righteousness through faith … rather than by the Law.

But what does [Scripture] say? “The word is near you in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”(Romans 10:8-15 NKJV; emphasis mine).

So I pray … I pray… that you hear me as a preacher today.

REMEMBER THE SETTING

Remember where we were at in the story: Peter had just been brought to Cornelius’ house by two servants and one soldier who served Cornelius – men under authority. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. As a matter of tracking things, at some point, Cornelius had become a believer. Remember, he was a Roman – a Gentile – who had claimed the name of Jesus. Now he and his household were gathered. Do you remember what the Bible says about the gathering of saints? “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20 NKJV). So God was already there … as He is here right now.

Let’s look at Acts 10:25-27. “As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. ²⁶ But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!” (Acts 10:25-26 RSV). Peter had to do an on the spot correction. Reading this makes me wonder if Cornelius was a Young believer. Maybe he was a little over zealous. Maybe he was a little bit ignorant to this new “Christianese.” Maybe he wasn’t. In our world right now, ISIS is killing Christians in Iraq. It may have been that the culture in which this “new faith” was growing was one of violent persecution and they were fearful that too much of a good thing might draw undue attention from the persecutors. Either way, Peter may not have been the brightest light in the lamp but one thing is for certain … he knew that he wasn’t God. He may have denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed … and maybe he was a bit aggressive (remember the ear incident in the Garden) … but he wasn’t going to say he was God.

“Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me” (Acts 10:28-29 RSV). Peter finally got it! We are all God’s children! It wasn’t about the law given through Moses and compounded by the religious hierarchy. It was about the grace given only through Jesus Christ. Think about this folks. Peter was living out what you and I and millions of others have been reading about for the last 2000 years. We have the advantage of hindsight. We have the advantage of generations of scholarly work to better understand the Bible. We have the luxury of being armchair quarterbacks – more so than any other time in history. But God doesn’t call us to be armchair quarterbacks, does he? God calls us to be starters; first string play makers. Peter lived this!

Paul gets all the accolades for taking the Gospel to the Gentiles but through Peter, God was about to blow his “children’s” minds and their whole belief system. This was absolutely radical. For centuries, the Israelites – the Hebrew children – had distanced themselves from “unclean” things and were now about to be blown out of the water! Verse 12 says, “Four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.” Peter had to be thinking, “Are you serious God?” Verse 14 says, “But Peter said, “No, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”” Now if Peter was saying, “No,” imagine what the truly zealous Jews would have said!

But as much as this is about Peter receiving this kind of revelation … we have to recognize that ultimately, he was obedient to God’s commands. Folks, when God speaks to you … are you obedient? When you pray and are seeking his will … are you receptive to hearing God’s answer? What about when He gives you an answer you don’t want to hear? Do you debate what’s being said? Do you make excuses … or do you execute? Jesus said, “If you love me … obey my commandments” (John 14:15 NLT).

THE GENTILES HEAR THE GOOD NEWS

 ^“Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.  In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right” (Acts 10:34-35 RSV). Peter was finally getting it! If you jump back to John 10, Jesus was trying his best … to get his disciples to understand this … when he shared the parable of the Good Shepherd and his Sheep. Let’s start at John 10:6:

Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep (John 10:6-15 NLT).

Here’s the key …

 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.

That’s the key …

 The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded (John 10:16-18 NLT).

We continue in Acts.

This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel That there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee After John began preaching his message of baptism.  And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him to life on the third day. Then God allowed him to appear, not to the general public, but to us whom God had chosen in advance to be his witnesses. We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all … the living and the dead. He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name (Acts 10:36-43NLT).

Peter is basically telling this gathering of people that this is what the Gospel is all about: Jesus is alive – He is the Risen Messiah.  He is – I AM. I AM yesterday, today, and forever. “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God and the Word was God” (John 1:1 NLT). “Heaven and earth will disappear but my words will never disappear” (Matthews 24:35 NLT). “I am the Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come – the Almighty One” (Revelation 1:8 NLT).

Remember … these people are gathered and they are hearing the Word of God and faith comes by what? Hearing. And hearing by what? The Word of God. And God was already present because believers were gathered … so what happened next?

THE GENTILES RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

 ^“Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message” (Acts 10:44 RSV). And faith comes by what? Hearing. “The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too” (Acts 10:45 RSV). The Holy Spirit is not a Jewish thing … He is a God thing!

For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Then Peter asked, “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 10:46-48 RSV).

So I ask you this dear Christian? What or who is the Holy Spirit? A second question might be: what are some of the attributes of the Holy Spirit? The Psalmist alludes to the Holy Spirit as that force that keeps him in God’s presence (Psalm 51:11). John lists him as the Advocate or Helper (John 14:26). Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20). Jesus was baptized by the Holy Spirit, led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit and walked in the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4). Every sin can be forgiven except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31).

These people – first the Jew and then the Gentile – were experiencing the fullness of God’s manifestation of his Holy Spirit. On this particular occasion, speaking in tongues was the evidence that they had received the Holy Spirit. They had the power of God in them. They had the Spirit of Truth. They had the Advocate and they were GENTILES. They weren’t Jews. Again … this was radical in that day and age. God had chosen to manifest his presence outside the society of Jewish believers. God wanted and continues to want the world to know that He is I AM – that He is the Living God – that his power is freely given to those who believe. “Peter said: “Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him” (Acts 10:34-35 RSV). Whether Jew or Gentile, man or woman, slave or free man … anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. The Gospel is not bound by our limited idea of who God is. God is infinitely more than we can ever imagine.

My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT).

We have the Bible – his Word – that He has freely given us so that we might know him and his love story throughout the passage of time

SO WHAT?

What do we do with this now? Again, we have the luxury of 2000 years of studying this Word by experts. We’ve been guided by theologians who know how exegete and extrapolate truth based on source documents, presuppositions, and years of rigorous research. But the simple answer is this: “You will seek the Lord your God and you will find him if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29 RSV). Because God is truth, try it this way too; you will seek the Truth and you will find it if you search after it with all your heart and with all your soul.

SEVEN TAKE AWAYS

God wants us together // the First Church

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:42-47 NKJV).

God wants us to know that He’s God and we’re not // The Rich Young Ruler

Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:16-17 NKJV).

God wants us to be obedient // Abraham & Jesus

Abraham

This is what the Lord says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies (Genesis 22:16-17 NLT).

Jesus

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross (Philippians 2:7-8 NLT).

God wants us to be under authority // The Roman Centurion

I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it (Matthew 8:9 NLT).

God wants everyone // Longsuffering

But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:8-9 NJKV).

God wants to answer your prayers // the Psalmist

You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas (Psalm 65:5 NLT).

God wants you to be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit // Jesus’ Last Command & Paul’s encouragement

Jesus’ Last Command

And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven (Luke 24:49 NLT).

Paul’s encouragement

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13 NLT).

RECAP

1)      God wants us together; He wants us in fellowship

2)      God wants us to know that He’s God and we’re not

3)      God wants us to be obedient

4)      God wants us to be under authority

5)      God wants everyone

6)      God wants to answer your prayers

7)      God wants you to be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit

PRAYER

God … you brought us here today to share in the hearing of your Word. I pray that your Word did not fall on deaf ears or hard hearts. I pray that the Holy Spirit has stirred hearts this morning as I pray he does every day in the hearts of those who serve you. As we walk out of this sanctuary, I pray that your Spirit empowers us to be the church outside these walls. Encourage us so that we can encourage one another. Bless us so that we may be a blessing. In all these things, we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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[1] http://www.lyrics007.com/Louis%20Armstrong%20Lyrics/Let%27s%20Call%20The%20Whole%20Thing%20Off%20Lyrics.html (Accessed on August 8, 2014).

[2] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preach (Accessed on August 6, 2014).

[3] Ibid., (Accessed on August 6, 2014).

[4] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teach (Accessed on August 6, 2014).

Identity Crisis

RECAP

Two weeks ago CH Harki preached on “Faith.” He spoke from Hebrews 11:1-16. It starts out: “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see” and it goes on to remind us of:

o   Abel’s offering

o   Enoch being taken to heaven without dying

o   Noah building the Ark

o   Abraham going to the far country – a foreigner in this world

o   Sarah’s faith for a son

What really impress me are verses 13 and 16:

All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. ~ Hebrews 1:13, 16 NLT

Now that’s faith! Would you still believe up until your last breath if you hadn’t yet seen it? Sobering thought …

Last week, we were fortunate to have Mr. Pete and Ollie from Team Xtreme join us to share about “God Almighty.” Did you enjoy that? If you did enjoy it, you need to make it a point to let our Garrison Chaplain, CH Simmons, know and please thank him for making it happen. When you let us know – let Garrison know – that you’re enjoying things that the Chapel is offering then we’ll be able to do more things – get more support. I’d also like to thank those of you who helped us clean up afterward. Thank you to CH Broderick and the Fellowship Team for that great meal afterwards. Again folks, if you enjoy the fellowship meals then voice your support and volunteer to make it happen once a month. It only works if we do the work

The title of my sermon is “Identity Crisis. What I’m about to share with you is a devotion from Our Daily Bread titled “Situation Excellent.”

At the First Battle of the Marne during World War I, French lieutenant general Ferdinand Foch sent out this communique: “My center is giving way, my right is retreating. Situation excellent. I am attacking.” His willingness to see hope in a tough situation eventually led to victory for his troops.

Sometimes in life’s battles we can feel as if we are losing on every front. Family discord, business setbacks, financial woes, or a decline in health can put a pessimistic spin on the way we look at life. But the believer in Christ can always find a way to conclude: “Situation excellent.”

Look at Paul. When he was thrown in prison for preaching the gospel, he had an unusually upbeat attitude. To the church at Philippi he wrote, “I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel” (Phil. 1:12).

Paul saw his prison situation as a new platform from which to evangelize the Roman palace guard. In addition, other Christians became emboldened by his situation to preach the gospel more fearlessly (vv.13-14).

God can use our trials to work good in spite of the pain they bring (Rom. 8:28). That’s just one more way He can be honored. ~ Dennis Fisher[1]

A few other things were going on here as well: General Foch … like Paul … and like our Hebrew 1 “Faith Heroes” walked in faith! They believed that God was going to accomplish his purpose and they executed their missions accordingly. Each of these people understood who they were and what their purpose was. More importantly – they were fully aware of whose they were. They knew their identity.

SCRIPTURE READING

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~ Philippians 2:1-11 NLT

SERMON

Most of you all don’t know this … but I was in a fraternity when I was in college. That’s right … I was in Sigma Alpha Epsilon. This is rugby jersey is from the college I went to … Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN. Besides wearing rugby jerseys in college … I wore the loafers (I called them boat shoes) … tan slacks … oxford shirt … patterned tie … blazer … pledge pin … and a pony tail. Come to think of it … I guess I was more like Chris Farley in Tommy Boy than your stereotypical fraternity boy.

I went to college after my first tour with the Navy so I was 22 when I enrolled and 25 when I graduated. And just so you know … this was about three or four years before I came to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior. But one of the best “takeaways” I got out of college and more specifically from the fraternity … was The True Gentleman.

Has anyone heard of The True Gentleman? The True Gentleman is the creed of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. It’s a sentence – a long sentence – that is the best definition of a gentleman that I’ve ever heard. It’s expected that when you pledge the fraternity, you memorize and recite The True Gentlemen in front of all the Actives. Allow me to give you a bit more history on the True Gentleman: “the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis used it in a manual. The author was denoted there as one John Walter Wayland. But before that …"The True Gentleman" had actually first appeared in The Baltimore Sun as part of a competition for the best definition of a true gentleman with Wayland's submission being crowned the winner.”[2]

The True Gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy; whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others rather than his own; and who appears well in any company, a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe. ~ John Walter Wayland. Virginia, 1899

I don’t expect any of you all to have an “A-ha” moment from me reading The True Gentleman but I do want you to know how much that sentence has impacted my life. Think about it – I was a guy who didn’t want to know God but something like this – truth like this – was put in front of my face … and I had the faith to believe it. Like I said, we had to read it – memorize it – and then recite in front of the whole fraternity ... and if we jacked it up … well, I can’t tell you what happens to those guys.

But the reality was this: I latched on to that creed. It was something that I bought into hook, line and sinker. I still try my best to live by that standard every day. I read it often and try to use to some extent in most of my sermons. I’ve used it quite a few times over the years when writing papers for graduate work. It’s the attitude with which I want to be identified.

I don’t get it right sometimes but that’s who I aspire to be. Sometimes my conduct does not proceed from goodwill at all. Sometimes I wear my feelings on my sleeve and sometimes I simply blow self-control out of the water in certain circumstances. And sometimes … I’m simply not very compassionate. But I still want to be that guy … that gentleman … and I have faith that God will complete his work in me so that I can be a True Gentleman more often and more consistently.

So how does the True Gentleman mesh with the Gospel? I’m pretty sure that John Walter Wayland was familiar with Scripture if not a believer. Let’s look at Philippians again as well as The True Gentleman and see how they complement one another.

Philippians: “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love?” The True Gentleman: that’s definitely thinking of the rights and feelings of others rather than your own, right? The Bible tells us that the greatest show of love is laying down your life for someone else; most times that’s as simple as being kind.

Philippians: “Any fellowship together in the Spirit?” The True Gentleman: “Who appears well in any company” … that’s Jesus.

Philippians: “Are your hearts tender and compassionate? The True Gentleman: “Who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity.” If that’s not definitive of Jesus then I don’t know what is!

Philippians: “Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” The True Gentleman: “Who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another.” How hard is that? How many of you will step back so that someone else will get the glory? That’s tough sometimes.

Philippians: “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.  Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” The True Gentleman: folks … Jesus did not flatter wealth, He did not cringe before power, and from what we just read together, He didn’t boast of his own possessions or achievements. In fact, He gave up all that He was … so that you and I could be elevated. Think about that …

This reminds me of the Downhere chorus of “How Many Kings.”

How many kings step down from their thrones? How many lords have abandoned their homes? How many greats have become the least for me? And how many gods have poured out their hearts, to romance a world that is torn all apart? How many fathers gave up their sons for me?[3]

So … I’m thinking about all these things … Philippians … Jesus … the True Gentleman … Downhere … all because I’m currently taking a class on Pastoral Counseling … and … I’m about to preach a sermon. As I’m praying … I’m reading … and God drops a nugget in my lap cause He knows I’m hungry. My first assignment in this class is to read David G. Benner’s book The Care of Souls: Revisioning Christian Nurture and Counsel. I get about 27 pages into it and that nugget I’m hoping for turns into a meal!

How many of you know that there are times when God speaks so plainly that it’s unnerving – exciting – but unnerving? This was one of those times. Dr. Benner had listed 27 identifying characteristics that supported his claim that Jesus was/is the model soul shepherd – one who cares for souls. Benner defines a “soul care as the support and restoration of the well-being of persons in their depth and totality, with particular concern for their inner life.”[4] He goes on to write, “Shepherds lead their sheep to places of nourishment and safety, protect them from danger, and are regularly called upon for great personal sacrifice. They are characterized by compassion, courage, and a mixture of tenderness and toughness.”[5]

Benner shares some identifying characteristics of Christ. The whole point of this sermon was for you … and me … to take back our identities. Quick one: how are we in the military identified from those outside the military? Uniforms, haircuts, etc. How about within? Unit patches, combat patches, special identifiers like Airborne, Air Assault, Ranger or SF tabs, and so on and so on. So we are identified by who we are and by whose we are – which unit we’re in.

So as a Christian … where should we get our identity? From Christ! Jesus Christ is who we – as believers – should be emulating. Think of it as looking into a mirror. When you physically look in a mirror … you see yourself. How about your spiritual mirror? Is Christ reflected? We should see Jesus as our reflection … and others should see him in us as well.

James tells us, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” ~ James 1:22-25 NLT

“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely” 1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT.

So all this build up because I want to share with you a challenge or two … actually 27 challenges. The overarching one is know your identity. If you’ve given it up at some point then take your identity back. If you’ve never had an identity then I plead with you to assume the identity of Christ today! Be a True Gentleman. Be a Virtuous Lady. Have the same mind as Christ. Be the Christian … the Christ follower … who the world says is not out there anymore.

All right … back to the 27 identifying characteristics of Jesus as the model soul shepherd. I wanted to give you all 27 but for the sake of time I’ll share 10 of them. Remember … these are characteristics of Jesus … as a soul shepherd … as a man of God caring for souls. I have taken them and said, “If this is how Jesus is … then this is how I need to be … this is how Christians should be.”

1.      Be a Christian who meets people where they are.

o   A lot of times we forget that especially when we’ve followed Christ for a very short time or a very long time. Remember … we all sin and we have fallen short of the glory of God. The key is to stay hungry and humble.

2.      Be a Christian who is compassionate.

o   Jesus brought hope for the helpless, rest for the weary and love for the broken hearts

3.      Be a Christian who acts out of an explicit moral context but never condemns.

o   What does that mean? Love the sinner; hate the sin! Remember when Jesus told the mob that brought him the “woman caught in adultery” … “Let any of you without sin cast the first stone.”

4.      Be a Christian who speaks with authority.

o   You have the Word of God … the foundation for truth in our existence … never back down or shy away from that reality … or that authority.

5.      Be a Christian who asks probing questions.

o   Don’t stay on the surface with your relationships or encounters. Every human being has an innate desire to be known. That’s one of the greatest things about small groups. Even for an outsider or new follower, small groups are a place where you can safely go deeper. I encourage you to get involved in a small group somewhere.

6.      Be a Christian who is scandalously inclusive.

o   Jump back to the woman caught in adultery … but this time, which one of you is going to cast the first stone at the homosexual … or the alcoholic … or the or the guy who you know is abusing his wife behind the scenes? Most of the people out there are not in here because they think we’re going to condemn them or not include them. The Church should be a hospital for broken souls.

7.      Be a Christian who never minimizes the cost of discipleship.

o   Be like Jesus did with the rich young ruler … lay it all out there. Don’t mince words that will pierce the heart of a person’s motivation.

8.      Be a Christian who prefers dialogue over monologue.

o   How many of you have ever really sat down and had a conversation with a wall? How about paint as it is drying? What about grass as it is growing? You get my point, right? We must interact.

9.      Be a Christian who never allows your own needs to get in the way of meeting the needs of others.

o   Smack me in the face! Who thinks of the rights and feelings of others rather than his own. No greater love than laying down one’s life for someone else.

1.  Be the Christian who challenges people to never settle for less than God’s best for them

o   This should be a no brainer … but a lot of folks are walking around with no brains. Let’s give them some brains … some hope … some direction![6]

So let me sum things up: walk in faith, our God is a mighty God, the situation is always excellent in that equation: faith + God, have the same attitude as Christ, be a True Gentleman, look in the mirror daily to check yourself, take back your identity if you think you’ve lost or given it up, establish your identity in him if you haven’t done so already, be the Christian who God has called you to be, and never forget … we have the greatest message of hope the world could ever hear – go out, be the Church, and give somebody else that hope.

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[1] Dennis Fisher, “Situation Excellent,” in Our Daily Bread, vol 58, Numbers 9, 10, & 11 (RBC Ministries: USA, Dec – Feb 2013-14), Jan 10.

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigma_Alpha_Epsilon (Accessed March 12, 2014).

[3] Downhere, “How Many Kings,” as performed by Downhere, © 2006 Centricity Music Publishing (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Germain and Martel Publishing (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

[4] David G. Benner, Care of Souls: Revisioning Christian Nurture and Counsel (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998), 23.

[5] Ibid., 25.

            [6] Ibid., 27-28.