Irish Heritage Days

Irish Heritage Day's Service

What is a Heritage?

What is the legacy of the Irish? A cross section of a populace may identify the most believed ideals of the this numerous group to be drunkenness and brawling. Dare I say that there are many who would give a shout of affirmation. While it is humorous to consider what does the legacy of this important people in history actually reveal to us about our Irish heritage?

Irish immigrants have left their mark on the history of this country and more importantly in this commonwealth to be committed, hard working, and determined people capable of making a life where few were willing. Irish tenacity is a gift. John Dunlap from Tyrone County Ireland played an integral role with the Declaration of Independence. While Jefferson, Adam's, and Frankly, it was Dunlap who printed and distributed it. It was the Irish that entered the coal mines of our area and dug out a place for generations. Living in Hanover, I am surrounded by Civil-War history. In the battle of Gettysburg the 79th Irish regiment was critical in turning back Pickett's Charge. The Irish have a rich heritage in our country.

Growing up, we have likely heard the word “heritage” but what does it mean? It literally means “features belonging to the culture of a particular society, such as traditions, language, or buildings, that were created in the past and still have historical importance” (Cambridge Dictionary)

Paul and Timothy

We are recipients of those who chose to commit and work for not themselves but for all that will come after. The church speaks that language.

Paul and his relationship to Timothy is such a handing off to the next. (Acts 19:22) (1 Tim. 1:3) About 56 AD. Paul on his missionary journey to Macedonia and while there meets a young man that will become his prize pupil and disciple. Paul, invests in Timothy, likely in his early 20s (1 Tim. 4:12) and sends him to Ephesus.

EPHESUS (Ἔφεσος, Ephesos). On the west coast of Asia Minor. Made the capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor by Augustus (27 bc—ad 14). Ephesus is the setting for Acts 19. Paul taught daily there for two years (Acts 19:9). The elders from Ephesus came to see Paul on his last journey to Jerusalem (Acts 20:17–18), and in 1 Cor 15:32, Paul says that he fought the beasts there. The city was originally founded ca. 1000 bc by the Greeks. It came under Roman control in 133 bc.

Port city in Asia Minor during the time of Augustus Caesar

The city of Ephesus is mentioned in 1 Cor 15:32, where Paul states that he fought wild beasts in Ephesus. The phrase might refer to actual beasts. Alternatively, it may be a metaphor for Paul’s opponents (Malherbe, “The Beasts at Ephesus,” 71–80). Finally, the term might have a demonic shade of meaning and refer to evil spirits (Williams, “An Apocalyptic and Magical,” 48).

The Acts of the Apostles record that Paul visited Ephesus on his second and third missionary journeys (Acts 20:17–38). Acts relates several events in the city during Paul’s time there. It was in Ephesus that Priscilla and Aquila taught Apollos a more complete understanding of God (Acts 18:26). In Ephesus, Paul convinced twelve disciples of John the Baptist to receive Christian baptism (Acts 19:1–4), and he healed many diseases—even through his aprons and handkerchiefs (Acts 19:11–12). According to Acts 19:9, Paul had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus at Ephesus. Tyrannus might have been a regular lecturer at the hall or its owner.

The seven sons of Sceva attempted to use Jesus’ name to conduct their exorcisms in the city (Acts 19:13–17). Newly converted Christians burned their magical books in the town of Ephesus (Acts 19:18–20). The riot of the silversmiths occurs at a theater in Ephesus (Acts 19:23–40). The riot occurred because Christianity decreased the sales of the cult of Artemis.

David Seal, “Ephesus,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

Location

Ephesus was located at the mouth of the Cayster River on the Aegean coast—in the Southwestern corner of present day Turkey. Roads from the city spread out in every direction along the coast and through the interior of the province.

In chapter 2 Timothy 1:5 “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.”

Passing the baton is a critical move. A runner in the relay must hold the baton out to be grasped and wait for the next runner to grip it and for a few seconds run together before the first runner lets go. Paul is not writing to some stranger he met for only a few months. But, Paul spent a great deal of time with young Timothy and appointed him to lead the church in Ephesus.

We have received.

Paul encourages Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God which is in you by the laying on of my hands”

Timothy had a lot of conflict to deal with in the early church. His number one struggle was quarreling over inappropriate teaching in the church. The Greeks in Ephesus were a responsive group to the Gospel message but the people shied away from Jesus being arrested, beaten, and killed on the cross like a political criminal. Also, Paul writes this letter while he himself awaits trial with Caesar. The stigma, the scandalous circumstances involving Jesus of Nazareth and Paul the Apostle were not a banner any wanted to waive. Paul, reminds Timothy of the importance to “not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord Jesus Christ or of me his prisoner”

Paul uses the word “testimony” a courtroom term meaning “eye witness” The reason Paul was so successful as the other disciples is that they shared an experience of Jesus that interrupted their reality. Their passionate proclamation came from a real experience.

I’m not ashamed

I was apprehensive about accepting the invitation to speak and give the message. I have been gone for over 12 years and much has changed in my life and the town I grew up in. But, as quickly as progress moves forward so long are memories of those who live in a small town. What I love about a small town is that everyone knows everyone else’s business. The worst part of living in a small town is that everyone knows everyone else’s business. How does that dynamic effect me? it can be intimidating and it much easier to run. How do I proclaim the Gospel in a community that knows my childhood, teen years, and oh yes, those young adult years? But We are not given a spirit of fear when we have received the Gospel and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit but one of power and self-control.

Paul, boldly declares to Timothy his young protege to stand and lead in the midst of the conflict. To stand and preach truth in the midst of division. The Gospel is uncompromising and so are those entrusted with it. When have we as Christians become ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus?

We live in a world today more afraid to share the Gospel than any other time in American history. The church has some how harmed society with its message of love, mercy, forgiveness, and repentance. Jesus, does not sugar coat things. Message of Christ is sharper than a two edged sword that separates flesh and muscle, and marrow from bone.

While the message is powerful so are those entrusted to proclaim it.

How do we become intentional about handing down our faith. How does the church ready the next generation.

First we have to keep the generation and those after. 70% of young people walk away from their faith when the enter adulthood and college. They get talked out of it. Why? Because we didn’t equip them to weather the conflict, the questions, and the doubts, and even guilt.

Perhaps when we have been put to the test or asked some question we didn’t know how to answer?

Most Christians become ashamed of the Gospel when they are accused of the exclusivity of the Jesus Christ. That he is “The Way, the Truth, and the Life”, that he is “the Gate”, “He is the Light of the World”.

Maybe it is when someone makes the claim “you can’t be educated and believe the Bible”

Perhaps you have heard that the New Testament was written with bias and advances an agenda that can’t be trusted.

1 Peter 3:15–16 “but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence.

Three Declarations:

The Bible is reliable: 15,

Early sources

Eye witness details, verifiable accounts

Embarrassing stories

Excruciating deaths

Embedded Confirmation (undesigned coincidences)

Expected predictions (Old Testament prophecy Isa. 53)

Extra biblical writers— non Christian sources.

Explosive growth of the church out of Jerusalem (Romans and Jews could not stop the story)

The Bible is accurate

Luke: 32 countries, 54 cities, and 9 islands with no mistakes. He identifies Roman political leaders and cross references them with Israel religious leaders.

Acts: 84 historically proven eye witness details

John: 59 historical accounts in detail and likely eye witness

NT cites more than 30 historical figures that have been proven in the right place and right time.

The Bible is true!

What does it take for 12 ordinary men and a host of women to put their lives on the line and suffer and die for the sake of the message of Jesus?

What does it take for a Pharisee who was a lifelong righteous Jew to turn around against his support system that sponsored his own violence toward Jesus followers and embrace Christ?

What does it take for James the brother of Jesus to believe Jesus is God?

We must discharge our duty.

Because the Bible is true we can confidently and boldly declare our faith. We stand and believe with reason and evidence. We as the church have to stand on reasonable faith.

Christianity is the only faith in which God condescends in Jesus the divine human to teach, heal, and serve humanity so that with his death and resurrection we could know how much God is involved in our lives. John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

This message is too important to lose. Christ is counting on us. Paul stood toe to toe with his own people and the gentiles. He preached in the streets and the temple every day for two years. Not because he thought it was a good idea but because he realized the scriptures were true. Jesus was real and God had come close. He had a life changing encounter with Jesus. Now, at the end of his ministry, he is intentional in handing off to the next generation. Being a Christian is not something we have an association with, we live it everyday because the world needs Jesus.

We are charged. Matthew 28:19–20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””