Readings:
Acts16:9-15
John 14:23-29
(To read the Bible passages – please see text see links below)
We have two wonderful readings this morning and while traditionally we hear our New Testament Reading followed by the Gospel, the events they are describing take place in reverse.
In the Gospel of St. John, Jesus is setting the scene for the disciples, preparing them for events about to unfold, his death, resurrection and ascension. He also begins to speak about the special gift his disciples will receive in the form of the Holy Spirit (verse 26).
And then in our reading from the Book of Acts we have a wonderful demonstration of what begins to happen when the Holy Spirit is at work in the world – people are inspired, guided and prompted.
So, I thought I would concentrate on the reading from Acts this morning. But, before I do…can I tell you what happened last Sunday afternoon? Some of you already know that I signed up to take the Zip Wire Challenge across the River…and I have to tell you I didn’t know what to expect.
To get ready for take off I had to climb a ladder on to a high platform and then step down to the railing on the bridge… the colour must have drained from my face as I looked at the rushing water below.
But the man on the platform kindly talked me through, step be step, to the point where I could let go and wow – it was wonderful!
During the week, it dawned on me that, there were similarities here with the journey of faith.
Everyone’s journey is different. For some faith,grows, gradually, and for others it can be quite unexpected, sudden and may seem a little daunting.
I began to remember conversations I’ve had with people over the years who have explained the excitement, the fear and the trembling they experienced when they first became a Christian.
Sometimes faith arrives when least expected!
A few months ago I was at a training weekend and we shared stories about ‘how’ we became or ‘why’ we are Christians and it was a great snapshot of some of the many paths that lead us home to God.
We were reminded that people connect with stories, they find similarities between the story of others and their own life, and that in turns helps people to discover where they may be on the journey of faith.
Our homework on the course was was to write down something of our own journey, what would we share with others in 3 minutes or less?
You see, before we can tell our story, we need to know what our story is. It may require reflection on a lifetime of events in order to share what feels like a few bullet points – however, that information could be really helpful to someone else!
I’ll save mine for another time but I can say that I remember the moment I became a Christian like it happened yesterday, and not some 20 years ago.
I remember the pastor’s voice. It was gentle and calm, a little bit like the zip wire man on the bridge.
To hear that Jesus loved me, and that my sins were forgiven, was a huge moment for me, a new beginning. So, I can catch a glimpse of what Lydia may have experienced in the story of her coming to faith this morning.
We already know that she was a believer in God, but, not quite there yet. She was certainly an experienced business woman, dealing in purple cloth.
I wonder if being a trader 2,000 years ago had similarities with buying and selling today?
We don’t know how Lydia conducted her business or how her suppliers treated her. We don’t know what trials and tribulations she may have faced up to this point.
In fact we know very little about Lydia.
It’s as if this is the important bit, her conversion, her full immersion in fact – as she is baptized.
Its as if this is the bit of her life we really need to know about.
We read that Lydia listened – eagerly.
That God had opened her heart to what Paul was saying.
But, she didn’t just listen.She heard.
Lydia heard the Good News of Jesus Christ
And she started as she meant to go on.
Not only was Lydia Baptised but her entire household too which was then followed with an invitation for Paul and fellow travelers to stay with them for a few days.
But, did you notice something in Lydia’s story?
God opened her heart, but she needed to hear the Good News from someone else. And Paul was only there in the first place, because he was obedient to the Holy Spirit
Look how he changed direction in response to a sense of call to Macedonia. When he arrives, he finds Lydia, waiting.
And one of the things I love about our reading is this:
When he arrives – Paul goes down to the River to meet people, to talk with them.
Paul was out and about – and willing to share his faith, to share the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ.
And, Lydia listened. Lydia listened and acted upon what she heard.
And it didn’t stop at her Baptism…
That was only the start.
So, you shouldn’t understimate the part you may play in someone else’s journey.
I would never have made it off the bridge last weekend without someone holding my hand. I may never have become a Christian without someone inviting me to a service.
Week by week we are nourished by word, prayer and sacrament – so what do we do with all of that wonderful stuff?
We, like Paul, have heard the Good News. The word of God dwells richly within us.
So, when we are out and about, bumping in to people, we don’t know whose heart God may have already opened…
We don’t know who, like Lydia, is waiting.
So, I will leave you with the homework question I mentioned earlier…
If someone was to ask you, how you became a Christian or why you are a Christian, what would you say – in three minutes or less?
Links to readings:
Acts 16:9-15
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2016:9-15&version=NRSVA
John 14:23-29
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014:23-29&version=NRSVA
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