CERRO GORDO
CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
September 12,
2021
Can We Get an Amen?
ACTS 15:1-14, 19-20, 36-41
As we begin
looking at what is happening among the believers this morning, we see there are
some of the Jewish converts that believe the way to follow Christ has two basic
steps to it. The first step is you must accept the Law of Moses and all that
involves; then you will be ready to accept the teachings of Christ. There once
again is a dispute that has arisen that basically says to be a Christian you
must do things that way. All of the first to receive God’s message of salvation
through what Jesus Christ did on the cross were of the Jewish faith. It would
seem some were clinging to the belief you must become a Jew before you can
become a Christian. We first saw Peter have the vision from God about the
kingdom being made available to the Gentiles. It has been reinforced in every
chapter ever since. Actually, the first reference of God opening the kingdom to
everyone began with Saul’s conversion in chapter 9. We read in the first verse
this morning that some point blank stated that if you are not circumcised as
was the custom starting back in Moses time, you could not be saved. To this
point, in the previous chapters, not a lot was said about what the requirements
for the Gentiles should be. Paul and Barnabas as well as some of the other
believers left to go to Jerusalem to address this latest controversy. As they
made their way back to Jerusalem, they stopped at each church along the way to
remind the churches how God was working in the lives of the Gentiles. When Paul
and Barnabas first arrived back in Jerusalem, they reported on all the great
things God was doing building churches in every town. Then some of the Jewish
believers who had been part of the very rigid group called Pharisees stood up
and said all that is well and good but these Gentiles must be circumcised and
obey the Law of Moses.
After what
was certainly considerable debate, Peter stood up and reminded everyone of the
fact that God had confirmed the message with the Gentiles the same way as with
the Jewish converts. Peter turned the tables by asking the question, “Why do
you try to test God by putting on the necks of these disciples a yoke that
neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?” Peter made it not a debate
between men but a debate or a dispute with God. Peter reminded them we are
saved by grace through Jesus Christ. In other words, we have never been able to
earn our salvation and we never will. Then it seems Paul and Barnabas jumped
back in to describe all the incredible things God was doing among the Gentiles
in the church.
Then yet
another apostle, James, quoted the Old Testament in verses 16—18, which we did
not read, to show this day was foretold long ago through the prophets. After
James listened carefully to all the different points that were made, the Holy
Spirit led him to add his opinion. James said there are a few things we might
want to have the Gentile believers avoid, but otherwise we must trust the same
Holy Spirit that is guiding us to guide them as well.
We again
skipped verses 21-35 but they basically tell us the church in Jersusalem agreed
with what Paul, Barnabas, Peter and James said. Afterwards the church sent not
only Paul and Barnabas but also Silas and Judas (called Barsabas) back to Antioch.
After a while they felt led to check in with many of the churches they had helped
start. We see, though, that this dynamic duo had a major disagreement. All
through the years together they were seemingly always on the same page. But
apparently John Mark was there in Antioch, and Barnabas wanted him to go out
with them on that next missionary trip. If you recall, though, back in the 13th
chapter John Mark abruptly left Paul and Barnabas. We can see now Paul was not
happy with him abandoning the work that God was doing.
Barnabas was
ready to give John another chance, but clearly Paul did not believe it was
worth the risk. So, we read after Paul and Barnabas had what I am sure was a
very intense heart to heart, they came to the conclusion Barnabas would take
John Mark and they would go to the churches in Cyprus, and Paul would take Silas
and go the churches in Syria and Cilicia. We can see even the most committed
believers can, on occasions, have disagreements.
We started
off the 15th chapter with a debate of what should be called the
right way to be obedient and faithful to God, and we closed out the chapter
with a sharp disagreement between two of the most important apostles for
especially the Gentile believers. What is so encouraging in both cases was a
way was found to keep moving forward for God. When believers are truly willing
to seek God’s wisdom and guidance, there will always be a way. With the first
disagreement, God through the power of the Holy Spirit got everyone to agree
with the right way to share the word of God and receive salvation. The second
disagreement found Paul and Barnabas in some ways agreeing to disagree. We are
led to believe God did not allow this disagreement to stand in the way of the
message of salvation to continue to go forward.
The title
today is “Can we get an amen?” It should always be an exciting time when
disputes or disagreements occur and yet we do not let it destroy the
relationship God has established. God wants his church to emphasize the things
we can agree on without compromising on the true message of Christ for our
church, our community, our world, our lives.
God is
continuing to show us valuable lessons of how to work with one another to
achieve God’s purpose of reaching our world with the lifesaving message of
Christ that should always be the most important focus. May we here in this
church be examples of love, mercy and grace to our community. There will be
times we do not always agree on everything in our church, as well as our
families and elsewhere. If we follow the example shown us in the 15th
chapter of Acts, we will see God’s love and it will win the day. To
which will lead us to say in our own ways when it comes to serving God and
sharing the message of Christ’s love, mercy and righteousness: Can I get an
Amen?
Pastor Larry
Announcements:
Bible Study 9:30 Tuesday
October 2 All church wiener roast 4:00 at Shirley &
Oren’s. Sign up sheet for food in the back. Women’s Fellowship will provide
hotdogs, buns, tableware. Beverages will also be provided.
October 3 World Communion Sunday—bread and cup communion
during worship
October 9 Rummage sale at Brethren Church to benefit the
Lord’s Storehouse. Take items to Katie or Amy.
November 5, 6 District Conference--Delegates are still needed
Offering plates are in the back of the sanctuary. Thank
you!
Donation Box: Pastor’s Assistance Fund
First Sundays: food donations for food banks
Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362
To
keep up on Church of the Brethren news:
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District:
iwdcob.org (click on newsletter link) and on facebook
Our
pages: cerrogordocob.com (printed sermon, announcements, &
calendar) and on facebook
Keep
in Your Prayers
Betty Sue Laird and
family; family of Sherry Wright; Kres Lipscomb; Marlene Schultz; Randy West; Jen
Durst; Sarah Rudelick; Sydney (Nancy Gorrell’s niece); Tera Runyan; Carl and
Wilma Cable; Marge Starr; Mike Gentry; Larry Albro; Mike McCleery; Mike and Carol
Seidenstricker; Sonna Hall; Brittany Wright; Anna Gentry Thompson; Clyde and
Nancy Fansler; Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Dylan Junior; Doug Fansler; Liza Yore; Candy Dobson; Anna Rose
Larrick; Gary Jesse; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Zola
Copeland; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many
unspoken requests; Coronavirus crisis; healthcare workers and first responders;
the families of the 660,000+ people who have died from COVID-19; those who are
ill from the virus; the unemployed; school teachers, staff, and students;
victims of disasters; victims of shootings; nursing home residents; the
Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren
Military and Other Services
and their families
Brethren Volunteer
Service workers; Disaster project workers
Church
of the Brethren vision statement:
Together, as the Church of the Brethren, we will passionately
live and share the radical transformation and holistic peace of Jesus Christ
through relationship-based neighborhood engagement. To move us forward, we will
develop a culture of calling and equipping disciples who are innovative,
adaptable, and fearless.
Our
Mission Statement:
Love
God, grow with others, serve faithfully, reach the lost, find peace.
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