Home  Worship and Sermons Reading the Map and Learning the Way (Journey 2)
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Reading the Map and Learning the Way (Journey 2) |
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Sunday, August 17, 2008
 "Reading the Map and Learning the Way"
After his encounter with Jesus changed and clarified his spiritual journey, Paul joined with other Christians in the communities of Tarsus and Antioch to learn more about how to follow as a faithful disciple. Where do we turn to learn about Jesus? What do we learn there? What directions can we seek for our spiritual journey? This second message in our "Journey" series will explore the ongoing phase of being a "disciple," one who is willing to learn from and follow another.
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Here is a rough outline of some of the topics we discussed in worship:
We began with a note about the role a map plays in a journey, and connected that with Scripture...
Scripture: A Map for the Journey
- The Bible is a lot like a roadmap, in that it is not the
journey itself, nor does it represent your journey; but it shares the
path(s) trod by those who have gone before. Your experience along the
route is and will be different from those of others; the route on the
map is a representation, not the fullness of the journey; but the map is an important guide...
We then discussed with one another a question:
How would you describe what it means to "live in faith"?
Rev. Bartlow then drew one primary point to share from Paul's experience:
One key point from Paul's experiences in Damascus, Jerusalem, Tarsus, & Antioch:
"Living in faith means living in community."
Here are a few reflections on the nature of community in helping one grow and live in faith:
Clearly Paul is converted to Jesus and his personal life is transformed as a result... Luke, however, is careful to place him within a faith community that confirms his salvation and safeguards his prophetic vocation.
Acts complements Paul's rehearsal of his conversion by reminded us that Christian discipleship is far too demanding for the individual. Only within a caring community with the believer find those resources and relationships that forge an enduring faith.
Robert Wall, "The Acts of the Apostles"
New Interpreter's Bible v. X, p. 155
Without the test of tradition, our spiritual experiences can become radically subjective, severed from the community, and flights of mere fancy.
William Willimon, Interpretation: Acts, p. 82
Here is a faith so strange, so against the grain of our natural inclinations, that only by careful instruction and long-term nurture can it be apprehended in the lives of those who would believe.
Nurture is not the opposite of conversion but part of conversion, and nurture will characterize a church determined to equip its members to withstand the corrosive acids of a culture that does not know Christ.
William Willimon, Interpretation: Acts, p. 107-108
In stark contrast to his original intentions (vv. 1-2), Saul entered the fellowship of the disciples at Damascus and spent several days with them. Christians do not remain in isolation from the community of believers.
Gerhard Krodel, Acts (p. 178)
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(Read by Max McLean. Provided by The Listener's Audio Bible.)