Soli Deo Gloria
Bob Wickizer
Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10
Our reading from the Book of Acts gives us a picture of the earliest Christian communities within thirty years of the resurrection. They spent much time together daily in the temple. They broke bread together and at home with glad and generous hearts. Those who believed enjoyed the goodwill of all the people because of the good works they were doing for others in the community around them. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship and to the prayers. These things might describe Grace Church today. Some weeks we have people gathering in the parish hall or church three, four or even five nights a week.
The next part might be a bit more challenging for modern Christians. The early community held all of their possessions in common. After baptism, new believers would sell all of their possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone in the community for those who had needs. Of course today, our annual giving and our constant giving to specific causes and projects reflect a modern approach to giving to those in need.
What I would like to address in this reading isn't in the English version at all. This is where sloppy translation can take us in the wrong direction. What we heard this morning was that ''Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done BY the apostles.'' The Greek however; says that awe came upon them because of the many signs and wonders done THROUGH the apostles.
This is not a small thing. The apostles were not performing the miracles, signs and wonders themselves. Instead, it was God working THROUGH them that made these things happen and God works THROUGH you to this day.
On Mother's Day I cannot help but point out that when the baby finally emerges into this world and the nurse wraps up the infant and places him in his mother's arms, have you ever seen the look of awe in mom's face at that moment? Do you t ...
Bob Wickizer
Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10
Our reading from the Book of Acts gives us a picture of the earliest Christian communities within thirty years of the resurrection. They spent much time together daily in the temple. They broke bread together and at home with glad and generous hearts. Those who believed enjoyed the goodwill of all the people because of the good works they were doing for others in the community around them. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship and to the prayers. These things might describe Grace Church today. Some weeks we have people gathering in the parish hall or church three, four or even five nights a week.
The next part might be a bit more challenging for modern Christians. The early community held all of their possessions in common. After baptism, new believers would sell all of their possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone in the community for those who had needs. Of course today, our annual giving and our constant giving to specific causes and projects reflect a modern approach to giving to those in need.
What I would like to address in this reading isn't in the English version at all. This is where sloppy translation can take us in the wrong direction. What we heard this morning was that ''Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done BY the apostles.'' The Greek however; says that awe came upon them because of the many signs and wonders done THROUGH the apostles.
This is not a small thing. The apostles were not performing the miracles, signs and wonders themselves. Instead, it was God working THROUGH them that made these things happen and God works THROUGH you to this day.
On Mother's Day I cannot help but point out that when the baby finally emerges into this world and the nurse wraps up the infant and places him in his mother's arms, have you ever seen the look of awe in mom's face at that moment? Do you t ...
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