Ending & Beginning
Easter Fervorinos • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 10 viewsThe conclusions of Acts and John each suggest that, for Christians, the end of something is the beginning of the next phase (of mission).
Notes
Transcript
Breaking up is hard to do
Breaking up is hard to do
Paul meets with the Jewish community in Rome.
They disagree among themselves
only some were convinced
they all left after Paul quoted Isaiah 6:9-10
9 And he said, “Go, and say to this people:
“ ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand;
keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’
10 Make the heart of this people dull,
and their ears heavy,
and blind their eyes;
lest they see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears,
and understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”
Paul could have decided his life and mission were ended;
Instead:
30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
In other words, he continued his mission quietly, however he could.
He has his mission; you have yours
He has his mission; you have yours
The Conclusion of John’s Gospel
The Conclusion of John’s Gospel
(Before today’s passage:)
18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”
2. Then Peter looks at John:
“Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
i.e., “You each have your mission, attend to yours and leave the rest to me.”
Good advice
Good advice
for all of us as we face a confounding future.
Remember:
25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.
That’s you and me, folks
