Saturday of the Second Week of Easter Years 1 and 2 2024
Easter • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 2 viewsWe see in the various churches what happens when there is not a good authority nor the humility to hand over authority to qualified others. In John 6 the disciples are obeying Jesus, each at their post, but it was rough going. Jesus shows up, calms their fear but does not get into the boat - suddenly they are at their destination. In Acts the Twelve are fulfilling their calling, but because of linguistic issues and a lack of time there is turmoil. They hand over authority by selecting spiritual men with the right linguistic skills and this new structure not only enables the church to grow, but also is the structure that guides the mission when the Greek speakers are scattered. These seven never losing their unity with the Twelve, are the leaders in planting new communities. So we need to do our job, trusting in Jesus, growing in our faith, and God will grant progress to the Church and eventually, perhaps, move us to where the other gifts he has given us can be used by him.
Notes
Transcript
Title
Title
Do All in Good Order under Proper Authority
Outline
Outline
On Easter Thursday I was listening to a podcast
On Easter Thursday I was listening to a podcast
It was by conservative Protestant struggling with dealing with pastoral sexual and authority abuse with a focus on the charismatic churches and individuals. No one is in authority. Each has their own line to God with their ministry authenticated by their gifts. No one is talking about virtue education or the Isa ch 11 gifts. It is difficult to get order or avoid shipwreck. I contrast that with the order and structure within the barque of Peter. Sure there have been problems, but while the Church moves slowly there is eventually a structure to deal with the issues and the barque sails on.
Now look at John ch 6
Now look at John ch 6
While it is a type of sign in John, it can also be read with a post-resurrection reading. The disciples go to the sea in the evening. The need to get back to headquarters, to Capernaum, where Jesus lived, and that is the journey we are making all the time. Jesus has not “shown up,” no experience of Jesus. The sea is choppy and it is windy. Sounds like what the Church must often go through. But the ship is in order. Some disciple is in the stern at the tiller, one with some skill. Others are managing the sail or perhaps furling the sail if the wind is against them. Still others are manning the oars. Each is needed and each has his job. But it is hard and it is tiring. In John’s version is then that Jesus comes walking on the water. Their first experience was of fear, as they would later experience at the resurrection appearances. He comes nearer and nearer. He does not correct them, for each was doing what he was supposed to be doing, but addresses their fear: “It is I. Do not be afraid.” Perhaps he had been close all along. Perhaps he was saying that what they feared was actually him. The message is, “Do not be afraid.” “Oh, lets haul him in. We want to keep him with us,” the disciples say. But “the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.” “Capernaum, ahead!”
This is our story and that of Acts ch 6.
This is our story and that of Acts ch 6.
The barque of Peter is moving forward and hits rough waters. No one purposely overlooked the Greek speaking widows, but the Twelve did not speak Greek well (Peter would need an interpreter in Rome). They recognize the problem, but also recognize that they were at their proper stations: “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.” This is not pride, but recognizing their assignment. So they ask the aggrieved community to select leaders, reputable men, men filled with the Spirit and wisdom, men filled with faith, i.e. men like the Twelve. And they handed over authority to these men, all of whom have Greek names, having first prayed and laid hands on them. Some of these would be evangelists and apostles, but they took care of the distribution of goods first. The result was not that the Church calmed down, but that the Church grew with even priests becoming obedient to the faith (which may have cost them their high status jobs).
Sisters, structures and status change over time, but the principle is the same.
Sisters, structures and status change over time, but the principle is the same.
The Church moves forward if each is in the place to which they have been appointed under the authority of Peter and the other bishops. And the inner qualities necessary to serve tables are the same as those needed by those who focus on prayer and the ministry of the word. The so-called deacons served well and also proclaimed the faith and discussed. So we often administer or serve and also have times of prayer and more outward focused ministry. And when persecution came along and the Greek speakers were driven out of Jerusalem, these leaders when with them and established new communities wherever they went.
If we each try to do out own thing and follow our direct line to God, pride will creep in and there will be chaos. If we keep to our place and develop our spirituality within our assignments, God may decide when and how we will be moved and the result will be productive sailing for the Church and protective sailing for us.
As I mentioned, I have seen what happens when believers ignore these principles. Including at times when I needed virtue education. And I have seen how God guides me and others to their destined harbor. May you experience this as well.