Old Greenbrier Baptist Church

Blog for Week of September 17, 2017

Joseph: Son of Encouragement

Acts 11:19-26

Jean Nidetch in the early 1960s was a 214-pound homemaker desperate to lose weight. She went to the New York City Department of Health where she was given a diet devised by Dr. Norman Jolliffe. Two months later, discouraged about the 50 plus pounds still to go, she invited six overweight friends home to share the diet and talk about how to stay on it. Eventually she founded a group known as Weight Watchers. You most likely have heard of it. I have been a member of it in the past. Jean's circle of weight watching friends has grown to millions of women and men around the world from Brazil to New Zealand. Why was Nidetch able to help people take control of their lives? To answer that, she tells a story. When she was a teenager, she used to cross a park where she saw mothers gossiping while their toddlers sat on swings with no one to push them. "I'd give them a push," says Nidetch. "And you know what happens when you push a kid on a swing? Pretty soon he's pumping, doing it himself. That's what my role in life is—I'm there to give others a push."

Joseph in Acts was a Jew, a Levite, originally from Cyprus. Like Nidetch he liked to give others a helpful push. People recognized this in him and gave him the nickname Barnabas, “Son of Encouragement.” He worked in the background but kept popping up at critical moments throughout the Acts story. The Holy Spirit (Gk., parakletos) is an encourager; Barnabas was an encourager; We should be too.

Five Characteristics of an Effective Encourager

Barnabas exhibited five characteristics of an effective encourager in the Book of Acts.

1. Generous Giver - In Acts 4:36-37, Barnabas gave a push of encouragement by selling some of his land and giving it to the church.

³⁶ Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), ³⁷ sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:36-37 NIV).

The effect of this encouraging push was that the physical needs of poorer brother and sisters in Christ were met and other wealthier Christians were encouraged to give generously. Whom can we encourage by giving to meet a need or whom can we challenge to join us in giving to others. Our giving can be more than financial as we give our time and talents to the glory of God as well.

2. Effective Advocate - In Acts 9:26-28 Barnabas stood up for Paul after his conversion to Christianity.

²⁶ When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. ²⁸ So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord (Acts 9:26-28 NIV).

Other believers did not trust Paul, who shortly before his conversion had persecuted Christians. The effect of Barnabas' push of advocacy was that Paul was accepted in the Christian community and continued to grow and minister.

3. Godly Match-maker In Acts 11:25-26 Barnabas gave Paul a holy push into ministry by being a godly matchmaker for Paul and the young church at Antioch.

²⁵ Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶ and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (Acts 11:25-26 NIV).

The effect of Barnabas' encouragement was that both Paul and the Antioch believers grew. As a bonus, an effective ministry team was formed between Paul and Barnabas, and a strong base for missions was established in the Antioch church.

4. Gospel Proclaimer - In Acts 13:1-3 Barnabas joined Paul on a missions journey.

¹ Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. ² While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:1-3 NIV).

The effect was that Paul and Barnabas obediently carried the gospel “to the ends of the earth” as Jesus prophesied in Acts 1:8.

5. Sensitive Reclaimer - In Acts 15:36-41 Barnabas encouraged John Mark, his cousin, who made mistake while on a mission trip with Paul and Barnabas. John Mark apparently deserted Paul and Barnabas about midway through their trip. He went back home to Jerusalem instead of continuing on the journey with Paul and Barnabas (cf., Acts 13:13).

³⁶ Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” ³⁷ Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, ³⁸ but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. ³⁹ They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, ⁴⁰ but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. ⁴¹ He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. (Acts 15:36-41 NIV).

The effect of Barnabas' encouragement resulted in two effective ministry teams being formed. Paul went out with Silas, and Barnabas went out with John-Mark. The gospel was proclaimed, and John Mark’s life and ministry were reclaimed for Christ. Later in his life, Paul would write encouraging and complimentary words about both Barnabas (cf., Ro 8:) and John Mark (cf., 2 Tim 4:11).

Be an Effective Encourager Today

Joyce Landorf Heatherly has been a Christian singer, speaker, writer since the 1960s. She suffered a traumatic head injury in 2001 which has limited here ministry in subsequent years. Her life has been marked by tragedy in the death of an infant son, a divorce, and chronic pain from both TMJ and her head injury. But in the midst of all these difficulties she continues to encourage others with her testimony and her books. Here is what she said about the importance of encouragement and affirmation in her book Balcony People.

As I write about our relationships with others, our expectations of our own gifts and abilities, and our perception of these subjects, I have about concluded that there are only two basic types of people in the world: the evaluators and the affirmers (i.e., encouragers).

I am sure, if there were a way to view a movie and see instant replays of all the strategic change points in our lives, that we'd instantly spot the people who either broke our spirits by critical or judgmental evaluations, or who healed us by loving, perceptive affirmations.

To be honest, I seem to be able to remember the negative comments of evaluators faster and more clearly than the positive remarks of the affirmers. I'm not alone in this ability to recall the negative, as immature as it is, for many of you have verified that you, too, think along those same lines. I suspect that not far from anyone's conscious level of thinking lies the memory of an evaluator who pulled on his or her spiked boots and stomped deliberately over our bare soul and personhood. . . .

We all have the choice to replay the harmful remarks from evaluators, or we can choose to let them pass on. We can even choose to make allowances for their discouraging, destructive words. But best of all is the choice to willingly focus our minds and hearts on today's person who is affirming us.

Let me ask you. Who is the affirmer in your life, who by one small sentence or more, has changed and lifted your opinion of yourself? Who was the person early in your life who recognized the first sparks of originality in the labyrinths of your mind and soul, and saw what no one else saw? And who is the special affirmer who catches quick glimpses of the flames from the fires of your potential and tells you so? Who, by his or her words, helps you to respect and believe in your own value as a person? And who is the affirmer who encourages you to stretch and dream beyond your self-imposed limits and capabilities?

Whoever these people may be, I know their name, for they are called Affirmers, with a capital A. I have known only a few genuine affirmers, but one affirmer is worth a thousand evaluators. . . .

. . . I must be affirmed, and I must be an affirmer to others. Otherwise I miss one of the main concepts of the New Testament - to love one another and to bear one another's burdens [Joyce Landorf  Heatherly, Balcony People (Balcony Publishing 1984)].

As Christians we are to give others “a push,” like Barnabas did, to be an affirmer like Joyce described, to love one another as God has commanded. Who has been an encourager to you? Who is an encourager to you right now? Thank God and them! To whom is God calling you to be an encourager—a generous giver, an effective advocate, a godly match-maker, a gospel proclaimer, a sensitive reclaimer? Do you need encouragement today—to believe, to join, to serve? Let me encourage you to respond as God's Spirit speaks to your heart right now.

Blog for Week of September 10, 2017

Peter: Continuing to Grow

Acts 10

In this blog we take a final look at Peter in the Book of Acts. We have seen Peter, the powerful preacher in Acts. We have seen Peter, the miracle-worker who healed a crippled beggar in Jesus' name in Acts 3. We have heard Peter's bold and powerful prayer in the face of opposition in Acts 4. In Acts 10, we will examine the fact that Peter continued to grow in his faith and ministry. We never know everything about God, life, and ministry. Just when we think we have it all figured out, God surprises us with a new insight or a new call. Like Peter, we must continue to hear God's word and respond by faithfully following God.

In Acts 10, we meet Cornelius, a Roman centurion and Gentile, who was a devout and God-fearing man. Cornelius lived in Caesarea Maritima on the seacoast of Palestine. Apparently he was a convert to Judaism and definitely one seeking God with his whole heart. God sent an angel to him and told him to send for Peter, who was then in Joppa 30 miles to the south. Cornelius sent a devout soldier and two of his servants to bring Peter to him. God prepared Peter for this visit by giving him a vision of what was to come.

⁹ About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. ¹⁰ He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. ¹¹ He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. ¹² It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. ¹³ Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

¹⁴ “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

¹⁵ The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

¹⁶ This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven (Acts 10:9-16 NIV).

Peter's Strange Vision (9-16)

What's the strangest food that you have ever eaten? A few years ago I travelled to Chengdu, China to teach an Old Testament course. During our stay, my wife and I ate some strange and different foods. I especially remember the evening that we shared hot pot with some of our students at a restaurant. We boiled a variety of vegetables and meats in a hot pot of spicy peanut oil. Some of the items were normal, like broccoli and shrimp. Other foods, such as fish heads and other strange but unidentified items, were quite different.

People who live in other places eat foods that we would never consider putting into our mouths. In Vietnam they eat fried bees, silkworm larvae, and fresh boiled rat. In Korea dog meat is a delicacy. In Ecuador lemon ants are a treat, and in Alaska whitefish ice cream is on the menu. We may be revolted by some or all of these food items.

The Jews had strict dietary laws. There were many things they were commanded by God not to eat. To understand Peter's vision and its meaning, we need background on the foods that were clean (i.e., kosher) and unclean for Jews. According to Lev 11:3, Jews were to eat only land creatures who had split hooves AND who chewed the cud. So, they were not to eat camel, coney, rabbit, or pig as their neighbors did. Lev 11:9 says that water creatures with fins AND scales are clean. So Jews were not allowed to eat lobster, shrimp, crabs, and eels. Lev 11:13 declared that all scavenger birds, such as eagles and vultures, were unclean. Lev 11:20 says that  all flying insects that walk on all fours are unclean except those with jointed legs for hopping (e.g., locust, katydid, cricket, grasshopper). According to Mk 1:6, John the Baptist ate locusts, which were allowed, and wild honey. Lev 11:29 declared the weasel, rat, lizard, gecko, skink, and chameleon were unclean. Lev 11:41 declared that all creatures that move about on the ground on their bellies on all fours or many feet were unclean. Lev 11:46-47 concludes, “These are the regulations concerning animals, birds, every living thing that moves in the water and every creature that moves about on the ground. You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between living creatures that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten.”

The vision that God sent to Peter was of the animals, fish, birds, and insects that Jews were forbidden to eat. God commanded Peter to kill and eat these forbidden foods. That was a very unsettling command, since as Peter pointed out that these were "impure" and "unclean" foods (14). But three times, a number of completion, God gave Peter this same vision and command.

The Meaning of the Vision (24-29a)

As Peter was pondering the meaning of this disturbing vision, the messengers sent by Cornelius arrived.

²⁴ The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. ²⁵ As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. ²⁶ But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

²⁷ While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. ²⁸ He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. ²⁹ So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection (Acts 10:24-29a NIV).

The meaning of Peter’s vision about clean/unclean foods became clear to him. The vision wasn’t about food but about people. Peter took a brave risk both in entering a Gentile home and in preaching the gospel to Gentiles. Cornelius and those gathered before him were considered unclean and unworthy by Jews and to this point Christians had not shared the gospel with the unclean Gentiles. Peter grew in his understanding of God’s grace based on his time with the Lord and the vision God gave to him.

The Result of Peter's Growth in the Lord (34-35, 44-47)

³⁴ Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³⁵ but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. . . . ⁴⁴ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. ⁴⁵ The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, ⁴⁷ “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” ⁴⁸ So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days (Acts 10:34-35, 44-48 NIV).

God had been at work before Peter came to Cornelius' home in Caesarea. God had prepared the hearts of Cornelius and his household to receive the Word. Peter preached a bold message that Jesus died for all people. As soon as Peter shared the Good News, God produced a big result as his Spirit filled the Gentiles. This was a radical move of the gospel/Spirit from exclusively Jews to also include Gentiles. This was cutting edge ministry which was not completely accepted at first, but it was of God. God revealed to Peter and the other believers that the Good News of Jesus is for everyone! Religious and ethnic background, economic status, political affiliation, social position; nothing separates any person from the love of God for them in Jesus Christ.

There are at least five lessons that we can learn from Peter’s vision and obedience to God.

• Spend time with God regularly and be ready when God speaks to listen carefully with an open mind.
• Trust God to lead the way even when you do not fully understand or see it.
• Be willing to take a brave risk in following Christ when others may not.
• Remember that God loves everyone, even those that you may not love or believe to be unworthy of his love.
• Be ready to join God in the work he is already doing. The results will be glorious.

Blog for Week of August 27, 2017

Ananias: Risking to Reach Out

Acts 9:1-19

In my last two blog posts we have examined the topic of evangelism, sharing the good news of Jesus. We learned from Stephen that we must be witnesses in both action and word and know how to share. From Philip we learned that we must overcome the fear of sharing the good news of Jesus. We were introduced to Saul at the stoning of Stephen as he “. . . was there giving approval to his death.” Saul made it his mission to seek out Christians and put them in prison. Philip was one of the believers who was scattered by Saul’s persecution. In this post, we continue the story of Saul and his interaction with another believer, Ananias. Ananias was a mentor to Paul in his transformation from persecutor of Christians to Apostle to the Gentiles.

¹Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest ² and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³ As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴ He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

⁵ “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶ “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

⁷ The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. ⁸ Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹ For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything (Acts 9:1-9 NIV).

Saul’s Conversion (1-9)

Saul’s conversion to Christianity is one of the most powerful and important events recorded in Acts. There are at least four important points to note about Saul’s conversion: 

Radical Change—Saul made a 180 degree turnaround from persecutor of Christians to proclaimer of Christianity. The change was so radical that he changed his name from Saul (Hebrew) to Paul (Roman), as he became the Apostle to the Gentiles.

Dramatic Change—We don’t know what happened (e.g., lightning, epilepsy, vision) to Paul that day, but it changed his life as he encountered Jesus on the Damascus Road.

Unexpected Change—Saul was not looking for God, but God was looking for him.

Powerful Change—Paul had to admit a need for others. He was led by the hand. The powerful one became powerless in the presence of Almighty God.

Like Paul, each of us must experience the power of conversion. God touches each of us in different ways—some quiet and gradual; some dramatic and sudden. We all need the touch of God in turning us into the pathway to him. Sometimes we need the help of a friend in this process. Paul didn’t have many friends among Christians, but he had the one that he needed. Ananias was Paul’s first Christian friend and also his mentor in the new life of faith.

Ananias Reached Out (10-19)

¹⁰ In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

¹¹ The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. ¹² In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

¹³ “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

¹⁵ But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. ¹⁶ I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

¹⁷ Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, ¹⁹ and after taking some food, he regained his strength (Acts 9:10-19 NIV).

We all need mentors, those who introduce us to our work and instruct us in it. Mentoring is defined as “a developmental relationship between a more experienced person to help a less experienced person develop in a specified capacity.” I have had many mentors in my life as I’m sure you have as well. Rich Barnett and Charles Halliman were my mentors at NASA as I learned about the Space Shuttle and its computer system. In ministry my Uncle Ross Morrison and Ron Lyles have been my mentors. I’m sure you can think of special people in your life who helped you learn something new or grow in your faith, work, or life in general.

Do you know the name Dr. Melvin H. Watson? He died in June 2006. Watson lived to be 98 and was senior pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA for fifty years. He was a religion professor at Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Religion, and the Interdenominational Theological Center. One of his students said that "He was one of the great teachers of his generation, and his teaching skills and mentoring capacity was as comprehensive outside the classroom as in the classroom." Many of his students continued to turn to him for guidance even after their graduation. Of course you know the name Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the great civil rights leader. Dr. Melvin H. Watson was Dr. King’s teacher, mentor, and friend in life and ministry. Dr. Watson shaped and guided the life and thinking of Dr. King behind the scenes.

Even the great Apostle Paul needed a mentor. As he began a new life of faith, Paul needed someone to open his eyes and help him see the way. Paul needed a spiritual mentor just as we all do.

Being a Spiritual Mentor – Risking to Reach Out

Will you be a spiritual mentor to someone who needs to come to faith or to grow in their faith? Here are three characteristics of a spiritual mentor that we can learn from Ananias and apply as we seek to help others walk in faith.

Be Prayerful – Ananias was in touch with the Lord and aware of God’s plans (10-12).

Be Faithful – Ananias shared his fears and weakness with the Lord but obediently relied on God to provide what he lacked (13-17).

Be Joyful – The text does not reveal this directly, but Ananias must have rejoiced to see the transformation in

Paul at his baptism, in his preaching, and through his subsequent ministry as Apostle to the Gentiles. Later Paul in turn would become a spiritual mentor to his spiritual son Timothy. God blinds each of us with the light of his love and through a mentor—a parent, grandparent, spouse, co-worker, friend, or sometimes even a stranger—we come to see him for who he is—our Savior and Lord. Thank Jesus for bringing us to our knees before him. Thank him for those who risked reaching out to mentor us with the good news. Thank him for the privilege of being spiritual mentors to others.