Running To Win & Running with Endurance (1 Cor. 9; Hebrews 12)

In our previous study we used the Olympic Motto “Citius (Faster), Altius (Higher), Fortius (Stronger),” + and added term [Standius] as an outline for considering the message of Philippians 3:12 - 4:1. This week we continued our Olympic-themed mini-series picking up on some of the strong athletic metaphors in the New Testament.

1) Running to Win (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

   Do you not know that in a race

                               all the runners run,

                                 but only one receives the prize?

                                                So run that you may obtain it. 

   Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.

                                       They do it to receive a perishable wreath,

                                                     but we an imperishable.

    So I do not run aimlessly;

         I do not box as one beating the air. 

  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, 

                     lest after preaching to others 

         I myself should be disqualified.

St. Paul, writing this letter to the believers living in Corinth, was using the imagery of the Isthmian Games which were held every two years in Corinth and were second only to the Olympics in prestige. He draws on the metaphor of the race from one post in a straight line to another post at the other end of the arena. Literally it was a “Stadia” and was 606 ¾ feet or 202 yards from post to post. In longer distances turning at the post was one of the hardest parts of the race. The winner of the race would receive the victor’s crown. The Christian, via the metaphor of the “runner” is urged to Run in "such a way" (v.24) that you may obtain it. This way implies that one must exert oneself, strive hard, and spend one's strength in performing or attaining something—in this case the victor’s crown. It is humbling to consider how hard some of our athletes have trained to have a chance at winning their events. Being a bit introspective, it makes me ask us as the church, “What do we run to attain? What should we spend ourselves on?”

Embracing Paul’s metaphor in this Olympic season, I will share four characteristics of successful runners from this passage before considering the passage from Hebrews 12.

A) Successful Runners are Self-Controlled /Temperate (v.25)

Contrary to our self-indulgent and even addictive lifestyles, ancient athletes had to discipline their bodies. Paul was referring to the 10 months of training they each had to undergo before they could compete. In our modern games all events are carefully scrutinized by judges. However, in ancient times they had to train under the eye of the judges as well and during that time had to renounce much of what might have been normal life (e.g., drinking wine).

They sacrificed and struggled and strained through ten months preparation, and agonized in participation, to win a wreath that would not last forever. It is called a “perishable wreath for good reason. In the Olympic games, athletes ran for a laurel wreath, but in the Isthmian games the wreath they sought was originally made from pine branches, but later was constructed from celery or parsley. It is almost worth breaking into a VeggieTales song! However, Paul argues that we are running for an “imperishable wreath.” To what is he referring? Is it the eschatological benefits of salvation, or the privilege of participating in the mission of God? It would seem that the second option is the best fit with the context of 1 Corinthians 9. Paul was concerned with participating in the spread of the gospel message in this world. The way we “prepare” and “run” has great influence over our effectiveness as witnesses for Christ.  The crowd of witnesses is constantly judging by our actions and attitudes if this Jesus we claim to serve is real and really worth following.

B) Successful Runners Do Not Run With Uncertainty (v.26)

If we are to be successful in our race we need to be certain of at least two things. First of all we need to be certain that we are running in the right race (not like some freshmen showing up for the wrong class). Second, we need to be certain of the course, the way we must go to reach the finish line. And finally, we need to be certain about where the finish line is.

One of Jesus’ disciples, asked Jesus about the course,

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:5-6)

I was watching the Olympic triathlon this week and while the finish area of the course was painted blue it seemed unclear to me were the actual line was. The British runner in 1^st place came to the blue area and started walking and celebrating while the 2^nd place runner was catching up to him. He finally crossed the line just in time. Jesus was not confused, but knew where his finish line was. He didn’t come to exalt himself, or to be made king by the people. For him the Triumphal entry with the celebrating crowd was not the finish, but merely marked the beginning of the bell-lap of his passion. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” (John 12:27-28)

Paul also knew where the finish line was. “But one thing I do… forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13-14)

The one who wins the prize does not a) Run the wrong direction, nor b) Pull up short after the first 100 yards. We need to know where we are going and how to get there. We also need to finish well.

C) Successful Boxers Do Not Merely Beat The Air, Their Efforts Are Purposeful (v.26)

In verse 26, Paul adds another metaphor, that of a boxer. “I do not box as one beating the air” describes the type of boxing practice you do without an opponent, what we would call shadow boxing. The term could also be used to describe the missing the opponent — the boxing equivalent of basketball’s "air ball". He encourages us to remember that we are in a fight, and that we need to go about it with purpose and skill. —We are called to overcome until the Lord returns, or we go to him.

D) Successful Athletes Discipline Their Body (v.27)

What does Paul mean when he says, “I discipline my body:? The term means “to buffet,” or, "to give a black eye to." Ancient boxers used leather straps on their hands and they would have some rather distinctive marks on the target. It is here that we should deal with two unbalanced positions and two unpopular words when it comes to the topic of disciplining our bodies.

      Two unbalanced positions

There were at least two unbalanced positions in the ancient church regarding our physical bodies, and both still have some influence today.

1. Aceticism: was the position of some within the church that followed the extreme practice of denying bodily desires to draw closer to God. Wile we do need to disciple our body, there is no call to avoid all types of rest and refreshing.
2. Gnosticism: a dualist belief system that challenged the church. While sometimes ironically issuing forth in both asceticism (denial) and Antinomianism (indulgence), it believed that all matter was evil, while spirit was good.

The Bible makes it clear that the body itself (as one of God’s good creations) is not evil, but it is a tool that must be brought under control. It is also a tent—but what is done in the tent? We are to glorify God in our bodies (Romans 12:1; 1 Cor. 6:19-20)!

Two unpopular words (v.27)

Let me mention the two culturally unpopular words regarding self-control or disciplining our bodies.

1. Subjection: meaning “to lead away captive, to make a slave.” It is like an ancient army returning with a parade of POWs. Paul was contending with the Greek cult of the body motif here. They tended to idealize the body too much. We can see how much of their art focuses on the ideal body…like our current gym-selfie craze. Paul teaches that we need to make our body our slave rather than becoming a slave to our bodies and its appetites. As the re-make of the movie Ben Hur hits the theaters it might be good to mention that this is the language of a chariot race where for how the horses had to “be kept well in hand by whip and rein if the prize is to be secured."
2. Disqualified: meaning to fail to pass the test; originally of metals and coins not being
   
   as they ought. We uses phrases like “bad penny,” and “wooden nickel,” for such disqualified coins. In fact, this is where the practice of Olympic champions biting their gold medals comes from. People used to bite gold coins to see if they were pure. It should be noted that those who were disqualified from the games did not lose their citizenship, but merely any chance of reward At the Greek games, One other aspect of the word is that there was a herald who announced the rules of the contest, the names of the contestants, and the names and cities of the winners. He would also announce the names of any contestants who were disqualified. Paul saw himself as both a "herald" and a "runner."

The whole emphasis is on rewards, and Paul did not want to lose his reward. At this Olympic games we have seen a number of disqualifications and scandals. The entire Russian track and field team was disqualified for doping before the games began. Some American swimmers are disgraced for their actions out of the pool when they exaggerated a story to cover their undisciplined moment. Earlier Paul had written, “the body is for the Lord and the Lord for the body” (1 Cor. 6:13). So we ought to remember that we are not our own. Our body, soul, and spirit belong to God, therefore we should take better care of the Lord’s property.

2) Running with Endurance (Hebrews 12:1-4)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

                 let us also lay aside every weight,

                                              and sin which clings so closely,

         and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, 

                              who for the joy that was set before him

                                endured  the cross,

                               despising the shame,

                     and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

  Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself,

                        so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 

               In your struggle against sin

                                   you have not yet resisted

                                                                   to the point of shedding your blood.

Much has been said and argued about who is meant by the great “cloud of witnesses” but I am not sure it really matters. The point is that just as the games had witnesses, our lives have witnesses. Whether angels, saints of the past, or as close to home as our spouse, children, parents, extended family, or our neighbors, co-workers, classmates, our larger society, and even other “peoples” people are watching how we live. So, because there are witnesses to our lives we need to…

• Lay aside every weight (v.1)
• Lay aside entangling sin
• Run with endurance the race God has appointed us to run.
• Keep looking to Jesus (v.2)
• Remember Jesus’ example of  suffering (v.3).
• Don’t grow weary or fainthearted (v.3).
• Remember that you are not dead yet! You haven't yet finished your race (v.4).

Commissioner Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck), in an episode of the TV Series Blue Bloods, cautioned his family over dinner that, “You will be judged by your last terrible action.” His point, and that of the Apostle Paul, is that we need to finish well!

Citius, Altius, Fortius! (Philippians 3:12 - 4:1)

We are preempting our regularly scheduled series on Acts for this timely Olympic-themed message. With the Christian testimonies of many of the athletes and the graphic of the open-armed statue of Christ calling out to the city of Rio being viewed around the world, how could we not?

“Citius, Altius, Fortius” is the motto of the Olympic Games and how it applies to this passage in Philippians 3 will become obvious shortly. But first, let's ask how this passage fits within the message of the entire letter. Paul was writing to a church that was birthed in persecution and intended to give them a heavenly perspective even in the midst of their earthly suffering. In this passage we see the theme of the letter coming through loud and clear: “Living like a citizen of heaven while on earth… because Christ Jesus has made me his own!” Paul models a mature, focused effort to be everything that God has called him to be. He shows an intentional example of spiritual formation and exhortations as one chosen ... that we might do likewise.

Today’s passage contains several sports metaphors, which is not unusual for Paul often used sports imagery. He would have been aware of the Olympics (Athens) and may have viewed various Greek games with some regularity. At the very least, he knew how well his Greek audience understood his athletic references. Off the top of your head, can you think of any sports metaphors Paul might have used?

Here are just a few:

• Acts 20:24 “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (NIV)
• 1 Cor. 9:24, 26 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it… So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air." (ESV)
• Galatians 2:2 "I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain." (NIV)
• Galatians 5:7 "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?"
• Ephesians 6:12 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood…"
• 1 Timothy 4:7 "Rather train yourself for godliness..." (ESV); "exercise thyself unto godliness" (KJV).
• 2 Timothy 2:5 "An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules." (ESV); "And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strives lawfully." (KJV)
• 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (ESV)
• Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…" (ESV)

Now, as we jump into our text starting at verse 12, I recommend that you at least read the first eleven verses of this chapter to place this passage in context. Just as a runner can’t start halfway through a race and expect to win, so also reading and teaching the Bible requires an understanding of context (literary and when possible, historical-cultural).

Paul was humble but motivated (v. 12-13a)

         Not that I have already obtained this

                       or am already perfect,

                                         but I press on to make it  my own,

                       because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

      Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own.

While he was a spiritual father to the Philippians, Paul showed his humility, and yet his determination to live like a citizen of heaven and encourages the Philippians to do so also. This is a gripping revelation of the heart of Paul, a "citizen of no mean city" (Rome) choosing to live as a citizen of heaven even while in prison. How can he do it? He knew Jesus had chosen him.

When I was in Middle School, I was not very athletic, handsome, or popular. In a boys’ gym class with 50-60 kids and captains were appointed to pick teams for some game there were times that I might have been picked in the last three. No one wants to be picked last. However, there was one person who to the surprise of the class picked me in the second round. Boy was I motivated to not let him down for showing me the honor of picking me early. I became a dominant dodgeball player. Likewise, in Paul’s case, he was not trying to earn a place on Jesus’ team but had already been picked by Christ. As a result, he was determined to live into this honor by seeking to know Christ with all that was in him. In his humility, Paul was essentially saying, “I'm on the team, but I haven't crossed the finish line yet!”

For the rest of this study, I will use the motto of the Olympic Games, “Citius, Altius, Fortius” as the outline.

1) Citius [Swifter/Faster] (v. 13b)

But one thing I do: forgetting                what lies behind and

                               straining forward to what lies ahead,

Paul’s imagery is that of a runner who continues to run hard for the finish line…the way he/she has trained in agonizingly difficult challenges. I think of watching Olympic athletes come out before the crowd at the venue and approach their lane for the start of the race. Then they take off their sweats and headphones, anything that might slow them down or hold them back. Even their uniforms are designed for the least amount of friction or drag.

At least one commentator has suggested that this section refers to a charioteer rather than a runner. It is possible that they may be right, but in either case, the image is that of a race that requires maximum effort directed forward.

What does it mean to “forget”? How can we do that? Expositor’s Bible Commentary addresses this question, “'Forgetting’ did not mean obliterating the memory of the past (Paul has just recalled some of these things in v. 5-7), but a conscious refusal to let them absorb his attention and impede his progress.” Paul was cutting the ties to anything that would slow him down in pursuing the knowledge of Christ.  But what was it that was "behind" for Paul?

If we review v. 1-11 we will see that to which he was referring. In church last Sunday, I had a bag with seven boards in it to illustrate the message. On each board, I wrote one of Paul’s resume items that would have given him confidence in his flesh and handed them to a teenage volunteer.

1. Circumcised on the eighth day,
2. Of the people of Israel,     
3. Of the tribe of Benjamin,    
4. A Hebrew of Hebrews;
5. As to the law, a Pharisee;       
6. As to zeal, a persecutor of the church;  
7. As to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Carrying these seven “plaques” of privilege would certainly not help my young volunteer if I challenged him to a race around the church! Which I did.

Why does Paul count these as a loss? Because he didn’t want to come before God in his own righteousness, but in the righteousness that comes by faith in Christ (v.9). Our own righteousness, like Paul's, is at best a Jenga-esque wobbly pile of scrap boards with some scribbling on them. Likewise, our patting ourselves on the back will only slow us down in the race we have been chosen to run.

Swifter...

As we follow Jesus and grow spiritually what should we come to do more quickly?

May I suggest a few things that might not be what we expect? As the Spirit of the Lord does his work in us...

• We will become swift to confess—for we are being healed of our blind spots and having the scales of self-deception removed from our eyes. 
• We should be quick to pray for we learn that we are not designed to be independent of God’s help. 
• We will become swift to trust God’s Word in the midst of crisis and turmoil, having learned that far from being given a heavenly hall pass to avoid problems, Jesus will see us through them for, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:18-19)
• Finally, we should become quick to love others, not because they deserve it, but simply because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:8). 

These things are the heart of obedience!

2) Altius [Higher] (v. 14-15)

"I press on toward the goal

                  for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

    Let those of us who are mature think this way,

                   and if in anything you think otherwise,

                                                                    God will reveal that also to you.”

God's call is upward. We do not climb the ladder of spiritual maturity in a demonstration of our worthiness in an effort to get up to God. We simply respond to his gracious call inviting us to himself. However, some things must be left behind if we are to dwell in the presence of God! Our pride must be left behind. Our efforts to raise ourselves are weights that hold us down! Did you ever have “flying dreams” when you were young? Times when you had that triumphant flying dream, but something or someone kept pulling you back down? As we grow in grace we come to the realization that we are that person. All our posturing and platforming of our own efforts are of no use in trying to know Christ and his resurrection. For the knowledge of the resurrection, there must be a crucifixion. We will run, jump, and fight no longer using the world’s standards and methods.

Are we headed in the right direction? Mature thinking is upward rather than backward. The ESV Study Bible makes an insightful observation, “Thus, Paul is saying, in effect, ‘If you are really perfect/mature, you will realize you are not yet perfect/mature!’”

• We must stay humble—counter-intuitively, we go down to go up.
• We must remain teachable—coachable, never thinking we have already arrived.

Will I be higher [relationally closer to Jesus] next year than I am now? What will it take?

As we practice trusting and obeying him we will be overwhelmed with his presence and care for us and those we come in contact with.

3) Fortius [Stronger] (v. 16-19)

           Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

    Brothers, join in imitating me,

                        and keep your eyes on those who

                                                               walk according to the example you have in us.

 For many,

            of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears,

                           walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.

                                                Their end is destruction,

                                                 their god is their belly, and

                                                 they glory in their shame,

                                                            with minds set on earthly things.

When v. 16 says, "Only let us hold true to what we have attained." it is Paul making a powerful suggestion (Infinitive as an imperative) to "hold true" literally, to “keep in step.” There are many Olympic sports that require contestants to keep in step—so far we have seen synchronized diving, rowing, kayaking, and pursuit cycling. In the winter games, there are events like ice dancing, pairs figure skating, and even bobsledding. Any of these is disastrous for the contestants if they cannot work together precisely. We are not designed to be "Lone Rangers" for Jesus, but to work together as part of what the Bible calls the “body of Christ.” 

Where do we get the strength to keep up? Who do we watch? Who do they watch? Who is in it with me? How consistent am I in this life? Watch those who faithfully follow Jesus!

Don't be like those who have become enemies of the cross! In this passage, it is unclear if Paul was referring to the Judaizers (those who insisted that Gentile believers must become Jews) or Antinomians (who insisted that grace allowed believers to live like pagans). It could be both. What is clear is that there are some who don't press on, strain ahead, live up to their citizenship, nor do they look up with expectation. Remember the faith that pleases God—believes that he exists and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him (Heb. 11:6).

Note Paul's swift attitude towards those who were living as enemies, “I weep over them!” How do we respond? Do we cry out in anger and rage—ranting against their failures or do we weep with broken hearts for them?

Notice the phrase in v.19c "with minds set on earthly things," which shows that our focus can strengthen or weaken us. Upon what or to whom have we set our minds? It makes a difference! Have we become...

• Disinterested?
• Disheartened?
• Disqualified?

I pray that we are walking in daily dependence on the grace of God, thus walking/living up to the maturity we have attained. I picture the old post-style truck jacks where the hook moves up the post one click at a time without sliding back down. Whatever maturity we have in Christ, lock it in, and then let him show you one more click.

4) Standius [Longer] (3:20-4:1)

     But our citizenship is in heaven,

                                    and from it we await a Savior,

                                                                     the Lord Jesus Christ,

    who will transform our lowly     body

                  to be like his glorious body,

                     by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

    Therefore,

            my brothers, whom I love and long for,

            my joy and crown,

                              stand firm thus in the Lord,

            my beloved.             

OK, I confess that this is not really a Latin word. I just made it up to go with the other three! It sounds good though, doesn’t it? The verb used here is stekete, the present active indicative form of steko. It means to be stationary, to persevere.

We live in a world filled with change, some good and some bad. This command to stand firm is in regard to our citizenship in heaven. We are not to give up our faith in Christ, nor allow our love to grow cold, no matter what waves of persecution might come.

How should we stand firm? How can we stand?

• Like citizens (v. 20). We must not forget our citizenship. In the Olympics, the opening ceremony climaxes with the parade of nations. I am thankful for the country in which I live and for the rights and privileges it provides. However, that is superseded by my citizenship in the Kingdom of God. So when we parade through life, for whom do we compete? Whose uniform do we wear?
• Like loved teammates (v.1). We are not alone but have been chosen for a team that is to be known for its love and care for each other. Paul encouraged the Philippians to partner with him by thinking this way (v. 15), holding true (v. 16), "Let us..." (v.17), keeping their eyes on good examples (v. 17), awaiting the Savior (v. 20), and standing firm. (4:1). Two other texts on standing firm should be noted here:
• Eph. 6:13-14 Having done all to stand, stand therefore.
• 1 Cor. 16:13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
• Like a winner, like He has saved us, like He will transform us, finally! Why? Because Jesus has already won the war! He has captured us but treats us not as spoil, but as precious sons and daughters!
• Like He made me his own (v.12). Why? Because Christ Jesus has made us His own! He chose us! He qualified us! This fact alone should transform our hearts and motivate us like the best athletes

Think how the coming year might be different if we lived as though we believed this truth!

Pause (Acts 9:28-43)

Peace, Healing, & Resurrection in Christ

After the increasing persecution against the apostles and then the violent outbreak of severe persecution at the death of Stephen, the church was scattered taking the gospel message with them as the Lord had said that they would. Then in Acts 9, we have the account of the conversion of their chief persecutor—Saul of Tarsus (AKA Paul). After time alone in the desert, Saul returned to Damascus and preached boldly about Jesus. Some years later, when he journeyed to Jerusalem and everyone was afraid to trust him, Barnabas broke the ice and introduced Saul/Paul to the apostles and brothers at Jerusalem as one who had seen the Lord and had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. (v.27). Pastor Mark spoke on these events and more in a message last week about “Interruptions.”

This week we are reviewing a few of those verses and finishing Acts 9 with the theme, “Pause.” This passage comes as the transition between two major sections of Acts. Verses 9:28-31 summarize the preceding section and then v. 32-43 change focus from Paul to Peter and set the stage for the major events in Acts 10. It is in this “seam” that we can learn a few things from the “pause.”

1) God’s Plan & Timing are Best (v.28-30)

      So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem,

                preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 

    And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. 

But they were seeking to kill him. 

    And when the brothers learned this,

                         they brought him down to Caesarea

                               and sent him off      to Tarsus.

Here are a few thoughts from this passage:

• Sometimes we can win the battle and lose the war.
• Sometimes we can take upon ourselves a role that the Lord has not assigned. It seems that Paul naturally took up the ministry of Stephen, for whose death he was to some extent responsible. While this seems the honorable thing to do, God had a different plan for Paul…on no less filled with danger and suffering.
• The church didn’t need Saul to end up like Stephen at that time. Great violence had been released, now things were settling down.

This action on the part of the brother was neither compromise, nor cowardice, but caring intervention on behalf of their former enemy.

2) Peace—State of the Church Summary

    So the church

                  throughout all Judea and

                                         Galilee and

                                         Samaria

                        had peace and was being built up.

         And walking in the fear of the Lord

                      and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, 

                     it multiplied.

They had come through intense persecution into a period of relative peace. This would happen many times over the first 300 years of church history. They had benefited from the ministry of the Apostles and others such as Stephen and Philip the evangelist. God was doing his work whether in times of persecution, or times of peace, such as that which they now enjoyed.

A Peaceful Setting

The Lord’s “Pause” Brought…

• Purposeful Peace—instead of being torn down or worn down, this was a time not only of no persecution but of their being built up.
• Spiritual Peace—for they were walking in “the fear of the Lord,” which should be considered a combination of loving obedience and worship. It is an indicator of a greater level of relationship with the Lord.
• Internal Peace—for they were comforted by the Holy Spirit. At this moment they were experiencing greater encouragement from the Lord.
• Missional Peace—the church multiplied. It not only grew spiritually but also grew numerically as people heard the gospel and responded in faith.

What is the state of our church today?

• Are we persecuted or at peace?
• Do we fear the Lord or are we more concerned about something else?
• Do we sense the very real comfort of the Holy Spirit?
• Are we multiplying? Are we growing? I remember a quote from my late pastor (Ron Mehl) back in the late 1970s. When interviewed by the local newspaper and asked about the sudden growth of his church, he said, “I am more concerned about growing big people, not a big church.”

3) Downs & Ups: The Healing of Aeneas

   Now as Peter went here and there among them all,

                he came down also to the saints

                                                          who lived at Lydda.  [Plain of Sharon]

     There he found a man named Aeneas,

                                          bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 

         And Peter said to him,        “Aeneas, 

                   Jesus Christ heals you;

                                                  rise and make your bed.”

                 And immediately he rose. 

                                   And all       the residents of Lydda

                                                                              and Sharon saw him,

                                       and they turned to the Lord.

One of my favorite things about this incident is Peter’s instruction to the man that was healed, “Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” This verse should be well used by parents don’t you think? The man has been bedridden for eight years and Peter tells him to make his bed. I find that hilarious…but also poignant. That season is past, a new season of purpose has come.

When people saw this miracle, they turned to the Lord. How was this different from today? If we saw someone who was paralyzed for 8 years get healed in the name of Jesus, would we “turn to the Lord”? I am not so sure. We have a saying in America that “seeing is believing”, but now that may not be entirely true. Recently on vacation, while standing in a parking lot, my nephew pointed his cellphone camera at me and told me not to move. I thought that he was going to take a picture, but instead he told me that I had a bug on my shoulder.  He was playing “Pokemon Go” and apparently there was a virtual insect on my shoulder that he was trying to capture. It seems that we have become jaded by special effects to the point that when posting photos on Instagram a popular hashtag is #nofilter. If a B-movie like Sharknado can have four or five sequels then we know we don’t really believe what we see.

4) The Resurrection of Dorcas

   Now there was in Joppa     a disciple named Tabitha,

                                                                         which, translated,

                                                               means Dorcas. 

                         She was full of good works and

                                                  acts of charity. 

   In those days she became ill and died,

                                       and when they had washed her,

                                                       they laid her in an upper room. 

                                                                   Since Lydda

                was near Joppa, the disciples,

                                                 hearing that Peter was there,

                                                 sent two men to him,

                                                                 urging him, 

          “Please come to us without delay.” 

   So  Peter rose and went with them.

               And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room.

All the widows stood beside him weeping

                                             and showing tunics and other garments

                                                                    that Dorcas made

                while she    was with them. 

   But Peter put them all outside,

                   and knelt down and prayed;

                   and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.”

                  And she opened her eyes,

         and when she saw Peter she sat up,

    And he gave her his hand and raised her up.

                      Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 

    And it became known throughout all Joppa,

                              and many believed in the Lord. 

    And he stayed in Joppa for many days

                                          with one Simon, a tanner.

Joppa was a mostly Gentile town at the time, but here was a woman who worked hard for the poor. In Acts it is instructive to notice what people are “full of” for Luke uses the descriptive phrase at least nine times. Dorcas/Tabitha is described as being, “full of good works and acts of charity.” The crowd of widows were basically saying, “What will we do without her?” And their case for Peter’s intervention may be an appeal to Proverbs 31.

At this time I would like to list other examples of the dead being raised.

      Resurrections In the OT

• 1 Kings 17:17-22 The widow’s son raised by Elijah
• 2 Kings 4:32-35  The Shunammite’s son by Elisha
• 2 Kings 13:20-21 A dead man’s body accidentally touches Elisha’s bones and comes back to life (perhaps fulfilling the “double portion” request of Elisha).
• Jonah 2 There is some question whether Jonah’s language from the belly of the “great fish” is merely a figurative poetic description or an actual resurrection? Either way it is miraculous.

Resurrections In the NT

• Matthew 9:23-25 Jairus’ daughter by Jesus
• Luke 7:11-15 The widow’s only son
• Matthew 11:4-6 Jesus’ answer to John’s disciples (Luke 7:22;
• John 11:43-44 Lazarus raised on 4th day by Jesus
• Matthew 27:52-53 Many saints were raised when Jesus died
• Acts 9 6-40 This passage where Dorcus is raised by Jesus through Peter
• Acts 14:19-20 Paul was stoned at Lystra thought to be dead. This was either a mistake by the executioners or a miracle by God (or both).
• Acts 20:7-12 Eutychus raised by Paul after he fell asleep during a long sermon and fell out of a window (don’t try this!).
• Rev. 11:8, 11 the two witnesses (in Apocalyptic symbolism) are raised up to the dismay of the world.

And finally,

• Acts 3:15; 4:10; 13:30,34; Romans 6:9; 8:11, etc. testify that Jesus was raised from

  

  Empty Tomb

  the dead on the third day! 1 Corinthians 15 is the chapter on the theological ramifications of resurrection. If Jesus wasn’t raised we believe in vain. But because He was raised, we have hope.

5) Our Hope (Romans 8:10-11)

But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin,

                                                  the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 

   If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,

                           he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead

                                                    will also give life to your mortal bodies 

                                       through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Eternal life is not so much a place, or a thing, but knowing/relating to a person, as Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

In like of this, we will now draw near to the Lord in Holy Communion. I like what John D. Zizioulas wrote about communion,

“In the Eucharist we can find all the dimensions of communion: God communicates himself to us, we enter into communion with him, the participants of the sacrament enter into communion with one another, and creation as a whole enters through man into communion with God. All this takes place in Christ and the Spirit, who brings the last days into history and offers to the world a foretaste of the Kingdom.” ― John D. Zizioulas, Communion and Otherness: Further Studies in Personhood and the Church

Let’s read together,

And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 

In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood.

Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

       For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,

                                you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Cor. 11:24-27)

It is as we pause, and proclaim his death on our behalf, that we in joy remember his resurrection that brings the hope we need until his return!