please seat yourself -

December 2020: Dahlke Christmas Newsletter

Spirit-empowered living inspires generous giving -

Sermon Manuscript from June 2016 preached at Winthrop Evangelical Covenant Church

 

 It was a beautiful wedding! And a beautiful day for a wedding. You could almost taste the promise of a great future -- like the sweet, sugary frosting that surrounded the celebratory cake. The joining of these two lives was especially festive as they were Christians living in a world surrounded by Hindus. Even their families worshipped many gods, so in each other they found not only love, but also a future. They packed their bags and headed for America -- the place of promise for young Christians. Far from family, Prisha clung to her husband as a provider and supporter. And, with one gorgeous baby girl and another on the way, she began to wake to the reality that this was no ordinary marriage. While she had hoped he would provide a happily-ever-after future, he instead provided an angry environment with harsh words and frequent blows. After their second sweet baby girl entered the world, she knew it was time to secretly disappear in hopes of saving both herself and these two sweet little girls she so dearly loved.

Alone. In a world where everybody has somebody, Prisha had nobody. Isolated. In a culture with limitless possibilities, she had few choices. Empty. In a place that seemed to have such abundance, she had nothing. Alone. Isolated. and Empty...but not forsaken. She had the Holy Spirit and day after day she prayed. For food. For fellowship. For family. And, piece-by-piece the Holy Spirit provided for her in a way her husband never could have.

Years after this devastating season of life, this lovely woman began attending a neighborhood Bible Study that I am a part of. Time and time again Prisha's told me what an answer to prayer this little group has been. And as each day passes, we have grown to love one another more and more through the power of the Holy Spirit and the fellowship of like-minded ladies. From alone to in community, we've each sensed the moving of the Spirit uniting us in a powerful way.

This group is remarkably simple. A handful of moms who found themselves in  the same neighborhood at the same time. But, because of the Holy Spirit this group is simply remarkable. A gathering of believers who generously open their lives to one another.

As we peek into the pages of Acts, I'm convinced we will find a similar stirring of the Spirit and a simply remarkable movement of believers who generously open their lives to one another.

It's critical that we understand the timing of this narrative -- this story. Jesus had promised that the Holy Spirit would come and empower his disciples, that they wouldn't be alone in His command to build the church. Not long after Jesus' ascension, Luke records Pentecost - the coming of the Spirit. During this somewhat difficult to imagine event -- a story that includes tongues of fire, many different languages spoken, and accusations of drunkenness -- the Spirit comes with power on this ragged lot of followers transforming them into a powerful group of leaders -- the Apostles.

Among the Apostles, we find Peter -- the one whose tongue often moved before his mind did, the one who denied knowing Jesus at a time that really mattered, the one who Jesus proclaimed the church would be built upon changing his name from Simon to Peter -- or rock. Peter has been changed. Peter now stands up in the assembly and speaks with clarity and wisdom walking those gathered in Jerusalem through Old Testament prophecy and the life of Christ. At the close of his sermon, 3000 people repent and choose to follow Christ. 3000. Look around you. We can estimate that this sanctuary holds a few more than 100 persons. Now consider our little family of believers growing to include the communities of Fairfax, Gibbon and Winthrop in a matter of moments.

And, it is here we find ourselves. This small sect of 120 believers multiplied to more than 3000 people.

As we look at Acts chapter 2, Luke records an idyllic community. These followers suddenly found themselves in one of the most powerful, transforming follow-up programs ever known. They were devoted! The Greek word here means to be obstinately persisting in. They continued in faithful adherence to the community.  What do you obstinately persist in? What do you devote yourself to daily? Cooking meals? Doing laundry? Keeping your boss happy? Writing papers? Working in your garden? Or...Facebook?

And, what were they devoted to? They were obstinately persisting as learners sitting under the Apostle's teaching. The Apostles who were clearly being led by the Spirit -- who were performing signs and wonders (incidentally, this is the same language Luke uses to describe Jesus in days prior, thus, in the minds of the Jews, they are seeing a clear connection between this man Jesus and the Apostles which gave them credibility). The Apostles who were not learned men or men of societal rank but were simply men who had been with Jesus and were now empowered by the Spirit.

Not only were the new converts devoted to this teaching, but also they were persisting in fellowship. Perhaps you are familiar with the Greek word KOINWNIA. Today's church has grabbed hold of this word just as it appears the early church did. While this is the ONLY time Luke uses this word in all of the Gospel and Acts, Paul uses this word 19 times throughout his writing. These 20 uses suggest the word had come to have a special meaning among the early church. They understood the word to mean a unique sharing that happened between one another and God. One scholar defines the word as "A common sharing of not only food from a common platter and wine, but also of conversation." It wasn't enough to gather for a cup of coffee and small talk, but instead they were deeply engaged in each other's lives. The people were committed to each other.

So, they were devoted to teaching, and fellowship, the breaking of bread... It's not entirely known if Luke is referring to the Lord's Supper or sharing meals or the Love Feasts that were common in the Early Church and likely included both the sharing of a meal as well as a remembering of the Last Supper. In any case, the young believers were eating together. At the same table.

My grandmother Phillis was a hard-working woman. Her hands were tough from years of doing the dishes, pulling weeds, and caring for kiddos. While her hands were tough, her heart was supple. She loved everyone she met, and everyone she met loved her. Her table was a wooden veneer table that housed several leaves. These leaves were easily accessible and often utilized. Any time someone needed a meal, there was space at Grandma's table. No ordinary cook, she could make delectable stews out of chicken scraps and scrumptious pies out of a bit of lard and sprinkle of flour. There was forever enough food and always sufficient space.

Grandma's table reminds me a bit of the way the early church shared meals. Their feasts were open to everyone. Just as a family gathered together...those who were easy to love and those who were not. Those who were similar and those who were not. Those who were well-off and those who were not.  These gatherings were an end to classism.... God's Kingdom has always been about solidarity and mutuality, and it was finally being lived out that way. While men and women gathering at the same table was not completely unique during this time period, it was distinctive. Now the community gathered as a body -- no longer allowing divisions to divide, but instead embracing the lives they had come from as a benefit to the body.

So, the new converts were devoted to the Apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and what else? Prayer. The very activity that the disciples were consumed with prior to welcoming the Holy Spirit at Pentecost continued to be an activity of the early church. These days following Pentecost - this mountaintop experience for the young church was absolutely dripping with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowered, enlivened, embraced this community and as we will see dramatically transformed them enabling them to live as no one yet had been able to live. And, here we see that Spirit-led living inspired generous giving.

Let's leave Acts for a minute and step way back into Leviticus. Leviticus is the third book of the bible and contains many laws and instructions. In chapter 25, God lays out this crazy way of living called the Sabbath Year. When the Israelites entered into the Promised Land, they were to work the fields, prune the vineyards and bring in the harvest for 6 years. Then, on the 7th year, they were to let the land rest, trusting that God would provide for their needs throughout the 7th year -- not only did God command the people to Sabbath, but also he commanded them to let the land Sabbath. What's even crazier than this, is the Year of Jubilee. The Year of Jubilee is the 50th year. So, 7 years of 7 marks the 49th year a Sabbath Year. And, the Lord sort of one-ups the Sabbath Year inviting the people into the Year of Jubilee which will be a time that they let the land lie fallow for yet another year and trust God's provision. Leviticus 25:12 says,

"For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only what is taken directly from the fields."

 If you continue reading, you see that God invites the people to not only let the land Sabbath an additional year, but also all land would be returned to its original owner during this special time. So, if your neighbor defaulted on his farm loans, you could buy his land... but in the year of Jubilee, you are to return it to him. Levitius 25:23 states

              "The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants."

Chapter 25 includes a lot of other situations as well dealing with slaves, and the Levites' land, and other property, but the point was God owned everything. And, He had chosen to bless the Israelites with everything they had. Never again were the Israelites to be slaves. Never again were they to be beholden to anyone but God.

So, here, way back in Leviticus, we are seeing glimpses of the Kingdom God wants to establish among His people. It's a Kingdom of generosity and love. It's a Kingdom where all share equally in the good gifts of God. And, unfortunately, it's a Kingdom that never found footing in the Old Testament. Scripture and historians alike have noted that while the sabbatical years were reinstated following the exile, the Year of Jubilee was never mentioned again and remained an eschatalogical hope -- a dream of sorts to be realized at the time of Christ's return.

Yet, even at this time, God is inviting His people to more than just hope, but to live a different way. A way that honors each other. A way that places another's needs above their own. A way that embraces this rich generosity.

Ok, now, let's jump back to into the first century A.D. There was a great movement of thought among the Greek thinkers. If you look again at our text in Acts, Luke says in verse 44 "All the believers were together and had everything in common." This phrase "everything in common" is one that the first century people would be familiar with. The phrase was used by both Aristotle, Pythagoras, and Epicurus, too.

One commentator noted: "The problem with the Greek pattern of friendship according to which all things were shared between kindred spirits is that human will left to itself rarely accommodates such an ideal."

This ideal -- having all things in common -- was something to shoot for. It was a goal, or aim of these different communities. It was a great idea, but historians record that if it was lived out at all, it was short-lived and remained an ideal rather than a reality.

But now, Enter Holy Spirit. Enter empowerment, enlivening, engagement. Enter a power like no other who transforms hearts and minds and lives. Enter Jesus' promise of a helper and listen to what happens to this community. "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as had need." This was a new way of living. They gave. They gave to ANYONE. They gave to anyone who had need. The Greek word here translated "gave" can also be translated "distributed." It's verb tense indicates to us that this was a regular practice. An ongoing one, not an isolated event.

There were various associations that people of this time could be members of. These associations had mandatory dues that drew the lines of who was in and who wasn't. On top of these dues were various fees: entrance fees, monthly fees for wine, regular fees for festivals, fees (or fines) for inappropriate behavior. Not unlike belonging to a country club or to the Optimist Club or to the Lions. These dues and fees were to be paid. It was mandatory. If you didn't pay you weren't a part.

However, not so among this young transformed group of believers. The sharing of possessions is not a requirement. It's not communism. It's not socialism. It's a freely giving up of personal property for the betterment of another. When they became a part of the community, nobody came around to collect dues, fees or personal property. Unlike the Qumran communities where everyone's property was thrown together, believers continued to own and use their property. But, when they saw a need, they lovingly, happily, generously gave of their own to meet the needs of another. This practice reveals the profound regard for both the spiritual and physical well-being of this community of friends. Members of this new community -- this new way of living -- were so committed to the cause of Christ, that they willingly sacrificed their own needs to honor the needs of others. They gave of the life they knew, for their friends. And, who does this sound like? Their leader....OUR leader. Jesus Christ who willingly gave His life for His friends. This resurrection life -- this dieing to oneself-life -- this bizarre life, the one that God had had in mind for centuries, was now livable -- it was now a realistic possibility due to the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, this very Spirit was transforming this community more and more into the likeness of Christ. Yes, friends, Spirit-led living inspires generous giving.

And, people noticed. Luke tells us that this community was enjoying the favor of all people. But, let's think about it....how could they not? Have you ever been around a generous person? Someone who willingly sacrifices for you? These are people who are a great joy to be around! They are more concerned about you than themselves...and yet today, this is a rare trait.

I'll confess. Generosity is not one of my strong suits. I am a counter. You know the type.... I count every piece of candy or chocolate or cake. If you take more than your fair share, I know it. I calculate fairness with a measuring stick, and while I don't expect fairness, I like things to be pretty equal. In my marriage, while there's grace, if things become too off balance, my demeanor lets my husband know. After studying this passage at length, I am more and more certain that generosity must flavor the lives of believers...and if it isn't, we probably need to spend more time with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to Inspire Generous Giving in us.

Not so long ago, both a family member and, separately, a friend gave me (Nora, really) a bunch of clothes. I was touched by their generosity and even commented to my friend that I have a hard time being generous, but that their generosity is not only a blessing because of the clothes, but also because it is inspiring me to be more generous. Later as I was mowing (one of my favorite places to think), I was pondering how much easier it is for me to be generous when someone has been generous with me... my brain paused.... conviction tumbled down over me as I realized the incredible generosity I have received from our Lord - and yet so easily forget it.

The clothes we wear, our food, our car, our home, these are gifts from God. My time, my resources, my energy...my chocolate these are not mine to hoard, but mine to share.

If we define generosity as giving in a way that regards others' needs above our own, we take seriously God's desire for us to be a community that is about solidarity and mutality, and we begin to watch for opportunities to practice radical generosity, I wonder what how our neighborhoods could be impacted. Shoveling out our neighbor's driveway. Taking the elderly neighbor to the doctor. Generously giving to the Church -- even during the months we aren't sure how we will make all of our ends meet. Sacrificially giving up our Saturday for our friend who is moving and needs a hand. Lovingly offering the money we are saving for vacation to help our struggling neighbor pay for their unexpected surgery. And on and on.

People would notice. But, we can't do it alone. We are not strong enough to live selflessly simply by our own will. We too cannot live out this sort of life without the Holy Spirit. Just like the lives of those who followed Aristotle, Pythagoras and Epicurus...just like the Israelites dotting the pages of the Old Testament... just like those today who attempt to selflessly give without the aid of the Holy Spirit, failure awaits those who are not resting upon the strength and power of our Lord.

That's easy for me to say.... it's a much harder task to accomplish. We would be wise to take note of the way the early church lived.... living as a community -- spending time learning about the Lord, dwelling in the pages of Scripture, honestly and wholeheartedly fellowshipping with Christians, participating in both worship and prayer. Cultivating a life and relationships that make space for the Spirit to lead.

Looking back to Acts, let's look at what happened to these young believers. Luke tells us in verse 46. "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people."

...."AND, the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

Such fresh and powerful community caught the attention of those watching.... the people who were looking in on these transformed lives noticed. This young church won the admiration of the world around them.

...And the LORD added to their number those who were being saved.

Spirit-led living indeed inspires generous giving.

...and the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

This past week as I was trying to wrap my head around what generosity looks like several thousand years later, a series of emails flew through my inbox. The little neighborhood group I'm a part of had been praying for Prisha's family. It was her hope that her siblings would be granted VISAs to be able to visit this summer. Early Monday morning she received word that indeed, the Visas were granted and soon her family would finally be able to visit her here in the States. While this was wonderful news, it also meant Prisha needed a few things to accommodate their stay. First, a bed. Second, a vehicle large enough for her to drive the six of them around. She invited us to pray with her.

About an hour later the first email response came. This friend expressed her excitement and promised to get back to her soon on how she could help Prisha host her family. Shortly thereafter, the second email arrived letting Prisha know that there was both a full sized bed available and the flexibility of borrowing a minivan when need arose. The third email arrived offering a queen bed for the summer. And, the fourth email came offering to let Prisha borrow their SUV for most of August. And, I realized that my best example of generous living was right before my eyes found in a group of remarkably simple neighborhood ladies who happen to share a common geographical address as well as an uncommon God.

Truly, Spirit-empowered living inspires generous giving.