December 29, 2010

Sunday’s Message
Acts 11:19-12:24

“Some of the followers from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch and started telling Gentiles the good news about the Lord Jesus.” Acts 11:20

New Year Resolution 2 – Tell Others the Good News About Jesus Christ

Pastor’s Reflections

Philip had shared his faith in Samaria and near Egypt. Peter had encountered a Roman who met Christ. But the church had still not “gone global”. Vs. 19 states that that most were sharing their faith “only with Jews”.

This verse indicates that now there were believers who were going “maverick”, sharing their faith with outsiders (gentiles, which meant non Jews). This marks a really big transition for the early church in the first 15 or so years of the church.

They had to use a new approach. No longer could they speak of the “hope of Israel” to non Israelis. Instead they called Jesus “Lord” (kurios in Greek). Many non Jews of the day, especially in the metropolitan city of Antioch were seeking all kinds of “mystery religions” which claimed a divine kurios who could offer salvation.
Perhaps Antioch was not all that different to our local world. Many are seeking some kind of “salvation” and there’s a huge menu to choose from. These Christians related to their world with the language of their world.

We also need to seek ways to connect the ultimate hopes and dreams of our friends and colleagues to the real hope that exists in Jesus, to help others exchange their “current lord”, which satisfies only temporarily, with the the Lord who satisfies eternally.