6th Sunday in Easter, 2010
Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier
Acts 16
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
The One who overcame the world sent the Apostles out into the world. In today’s reading from the book of Acts, we continue to hear about the Early Church learning what it means that Christ is risen indeed. In chapter fifteen, the council at Jerusalem concludes that the doctrine of justification through faith alone is for the Gentiles also. Both Jews and Gentiles are declared righteous for Christ’s sake. In chapter sixteen, like Peter before him, Paul too has a vision from God directing the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles. Paul sees a man from Macedonia asking for help. In answering this call, the gospel spreads throughout Europe. A lot of things happen in chapter sixteen. At this point in the book of Acts, the attention is taken off of St. Peter and placed on the missionary work of St. Paul who is the Apostle to the Gentiles. He is laying the foundation for the spread of the Gospel to all nations.
A lot of things happen in this chapter. We are introduced to a disciple named Timothy who later is placed in the office of Holy Ministry. We hear how disciples are being made by baptizing and teaching. The church is taking upon its role as mother birthing spiritual children.
Lydia comes to faith through the power of the gospel and her whole household is baptized. Likewise, in the same chapter, the Philippian jailer comes to faith through the power of the gospel and his whole household is baptized. Keep in mind that a household in those days would include close family and extended family, servants, men, women, boys, girls, and babies. Whereas, circumcision was for men, boys, and male infants only, there are no exclusions in baptism. All nations are to be baptized which includes women, girls, and female infants. Baptism is for both Jews and Gentiles, slave and free, male and female.
To make this point clear, the book of Acts continues to draw attention to the work of God among Gentiles and women. The LORD teaches us that women are a gift from God. In the beginning, Adam was blessed with Eve. She completed him. Without women it is not good.
In today’s text, Paul meets up with a group of women who are meeting at a house of prayer. These are Jews who gather to hear God’s word. In particular, one of the women is named Lydia who is from the city of Thyatira. She is a seller of purple goods. She hears God’s word from the lips of Paul and is converted to faith in Jesus Christ. She then brings Paul to her household and the whole group is baptized. Where would this household be without this woman?
In a similar way, where would Timothy be without his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois? Timothy’s father was a Gentile who was not known to be a believer. In Paul’s second letter to Timothy he writes saying, "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well." (2 Timothy 1:5, ESV) Paul goes on to say, "… from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 3:14-15, ESV) How wonderful it is to have the gift of a mother? How much more wonderful is it to have the gift of a mom who is a believer who encourages that faith in the hearts of her children?
We are thankful for the gift of mothers. However, on this day we also recognize how we have not shown our thankfulness as we should. We acknowledge that we have failed to rightly honor, love, serve and obey. At the same time, those of you who are moms also recognize who you do meet the perfect standards of God’s law. You have not been as loving as you should. Sometimes, rather than encourage the growth of faith in your children, you have not taken your vocation seriously.
Now when you look at a woman like Lydia you see the example of what a godly woman begins to look like. It’s not that she is well to do. Or that she has a high powered career that brings in the money. Society idolizes such power over the simple vocation as mother. In all her riches she cannot buy salvation. It is a free gift purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ. Conversion comes by grace alone. Yet, with all of her power, she doesn’t have the power to believe. Luke tells us, "The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul." (Acts 16:14, ESV) Through the word preached by Paul, the Holy Spirit worked faith in her heart. As a godly woman she continues to hear the word of God and grow in her belief in it.
In the same chapter of Acts, we have another person on the other side of the coin. This time it is a man who works at the jail. Here we see the Philippian jailer who feels that he has utterly failed at his vocation. He was supposed to guard the prisoners, but some how the doors were wide open. He felt worthless and was about to end his life. Yet, the Lord used the preaching of Paul to bestow faith in his hear just like Lydia. Luke tells us that the jailer asks Paul and Silas saying, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:30-31, ESV) It is the Lord who puts the value on all of our lives. Out of His great love for us while we were still sinners, He has died in our place. He makes our lives worth living.
The Bible reveals to us that it is not how great a person that you are, but rather how great a person that Jesus is that truly counts. We are not perfect and we must come to terms with that fact. Jesus alone is perfect. In His vocation as Savior, He has saved you. Believe in Him. As we learn to believe, we learn to love as God has loved us. As one who is loved by God, you are able to love others in your vocation. The vocations that the Lord has placed into are the place in which we are to serve others.
The world doesn’t see it this way. The world quantifies success and failure in our careers. In the end, it is all about the money. The more you make the more valuable you must be. This criteria is based upon outward appearances. The Holy Spirit is teaching us to unlearn this way of judging.
The other day I beautified my front yard. That lawn was full of dandy lions. They had reached that point in which the white fluffy seeds have blown off. They looked like a miniature forest of long ugly stems. This was an eye soar. So, I fixed the problem by mowing the weeds. Now based upon the outward appearance, the lawn looks fine. However, the weeds are still there. They will grow back with a vengeance. The only way to truly fix the problem is to kill the weeds. They must be removed.
Christ Jesus came to remove sin. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the wolrd. He has come to put to death our sinful nature and to raise us to newness of life. He has to bestow on us His righteousness. The LORD is our righteousness. Just as He was at work in Philipi making and strengthening disciples so too is He working among us in Los Alamos. In his letter to the Philippians Paul writes saying, "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6, ESV) And again,"for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13, ESV) He is working in us through the power of the gospel. We are covered with something more permanent than purple dye. We are covered with the blood of Christ. Amen.
