Hi everyone, it’s Mick here and welcome to Tuesday’s Podcast in Vision week here at STC. Our vision for 2020 is ‘Join Us for the Better Life’ and every day this week our bible reflections will consider key foundations of the Better Life Jesus brings. Yesterday, the Better Life; today, how we use our time each day so we can live out this Better Life – very relevant in our busy time demanding, energy sapping modern world!

REFLECTION:

Time is precious – energy is finite; we only so much of each available each day – the key is how we use it.

Jesus was a very busy man: he came to save the world which sounds like the ultimate demanding job to me! However, Jesus had the same 24 hours each day that are available to you and me – when you study his life in the gospels you see how well he used his time. His life was in balance; his life was in three, heaven inspired dimensions.

STC family will know the UP, IN, OUT triangle – it’s who we are and is based on the life of Jesus as we see it in the gospels. Here’s a reminder if you need it; Jesus spent UP time with God his Father, IN time with his disciples, his community of friends and OUT time serving others healing the sick & teaching about his New Kingdom of forgiveness and love.

Jesus was THE original model of MF, MG, LLB!

Our Bible reading today is John 15:1-4 –  amazing words of Jesus about how we live our lives and how we use our time.

John 15:1-4 MSG

[1-3] … “I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn’t bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken. [4] “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. …

Jesus says here that our lives will contain times of fruitfulness and times of pruning – or times of being productive and times of being prepared to be productive – or, a time to work and a time to rest from our work.

The quantity of time available to us each day is fixed, but the quality of our time, how we use it, is down to us. With this in mind here are three truths to reflect upon on how we use our time

God Time: how is my Up, In, Out life balance at the moment? How does my triangle look! What do I need to do to bring it more into balance?

Family & FriendsTime. We all need to make sure we commit quality time to those we love, our family and friends. If you are married, make sure you spend quality time together; if you have children don’t let story-time be squeezed out at bedtime. Tasks come to an end, showing love to others is continuous! It’s a Godly thing.

Work & Rest Time: how is my work /rest rhythm?

Work – There will be tasks that need doing today – work, uni, school, children, family etc. Pray that Jesus would give you his strength and grace to do your work well, to honour him in all you do and be a blessing to others.

Rest – When do I have time away from my work (whatever that might be) to take ‘sabbath rest’? Sabbath used to be Sunday in our society – no more! Sundays are just another day for work, visiting family etc however, you still need rest – when/ how? Am I committing enough time to rest as well as work? How can I be less busy?  Do I need more sleep, exercise, healthier diet?

I still have to work at this in my life to make sure there is a Godly balance as over the years I could easily have had a tendency to work more than rest – no one clocks you in and out as a Vicar, the work seemingly never stops. Tricia and I have worked hard over the years in the ministry Jesus has called us too but, we we have also worked hard  (and not always succeeded) at establishing th...

Hi everyone, it’s Mick here; with my wife Tricia we have the privilege of leading STC Sheffield. This is Vision Week at STC. A week when we, as a church family look towards the Vision Jesus has given to us for 2020. This year, 2019 our vision was to ask others to ‘Join Us and Grow’ – and we have indeed seen our church family Grow in all kinds of ways this year. In 2020 our vision is to ask others to ‘Join Us for the Better Life’.

If you are part of the church family at STC please do take time to watch the Vision 2020 videos, and read the Vision 2020 booklet – as individuals, families and in your midweek communities. Next Sunday, 10th November is Vision Sunday when as a church family we ask Jesus to pour out his Holy Spirit upon us as Vision 2020 is released. Let’s fill the church at our three Gatherings next week, release the vision and meet with Jesus!

September we have been hearing again the story of the birth and growth of the early church as told in Acts – thank you to our staff team for your amazing reflections! This Vision Week we take a slight detour as our Monday to Friday Bible reflections will focus on ‘The Better Life’.

REFLECTION:

As I write this Podcast, the General Election has been announced – Thursday 12th December – a perfect run in to Christmas! We will hear politicians of all persuasion over these next weeks convincing us that their policies, their political ideology, their ‘way’ is the one which will give us ‘the better life’. Most people usually equate this ‘better life’ to greater prosperity – in other words ‘better’ means ‘more’ which usually equals money!  But what if this ‘better life’ was more than prosperity and money? What if the ‘better life’ was more about a fully lived life in body, mind and spirit? Everything that makes me, me in harmony, at peace.

It’s not wrong to want more out of life; to live a happy, healthy, joyful, good & abundant life. Jesus speaks constantly about this better life in the gospels and goes on to explain how we receive it into our lives. On this Monday of our Vision Week we go back to Jesus’ words in the Great Sermon he preached on a hillside 2000 years ago – the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 6:30-34 MSG

“… What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.  Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. …”

Jesus’ words are amazing, they are full of ‘invitation and challenge’ – here are my words of life, now put them into practice! Jesus’ words to us are so clear, but the standards he sets seem impossibly high! However, the Bible reminds us time and time again that nothing is too hard for Jesus; by all means plan ahead, but never worry ahead! Faith is always the antidote to worry. As the amazing missionary Corrie ten Boom said: ‘Worry does not empty tomorrow of sorrow; but it empties today of strength.’

We spend so much time worrying about things don’t we? Our families, our finances, our health, our futures. It’s hard not to worry, it’s part of our human condition. So can you live Jesus’ ‘better life’ and still experience worry? I have been a Christian many years and I still have times when I worry, when I experience anxiety – usually about family or health, but strangely, rarely about money! Over many years of following Jesus I have come to this conclusion; the answer to worry is consistently living a ...

It’s November – the start of a new month, and the end of my week of podcasts.  It has been great to reflect on the word of God with you over the past 5 days.  Next week we’ll be taking a break from the Book of Acts, as Mick focuses on unpacking key Bible passages that link to our vision for the year ahead.  Be sure not to miss them!

For now, our Bible reading is Acts Chapter 12 v6-19, and I’m going to be looking at Rhoda – the servant girl who answers the door to Peter, following his miraculous release from prison.

REFLECTION:

In both the Old and the New Testament we find promises in Scripture that God knows us personally and calls us by name.

Isaiah 43: 1 says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine.”

And in John 10: 3 we read, “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

Given the context and culture of the New Testament, it is particularly significant when women are named or identified, and in Acts we hear of Tabitha, Mary, Lydia, Priscilla and Damaris, as well as a group of Greek women of high standing, the daughters of Philip the Evangelist…..and then Rhoda.

The fact that Rhoda and others are named shows us how women were important, central figures to the growth of the church, and always seen as a key part to what God was doing.  In this way the Gospel continually speaks of, and illustrates how, God’s kingdom will turn the cultural and societal norms of earth on their head.

In today’s Bible passage Rhoda is the first person to realise that Peter has been rescued from prison.  She is the one who announces the miracle to the waiting, praying church inside the house.  It’s not difficult to see parallels with the way in which the risen Christ appeared to Mary in the garden, and she then told the news of the resurrection to the other disciples.

The second thing to note about Rhoda was that she was a servant girl, or maid.  She was of lowly position, possibly even a slave.  So again, we see how God chose to challenge pre-conceived ideas of status and position when it came to choosing who would be first to hear good news.  It reminds us of the fact that when Jesus was born, angels appeared first to lowly shepherds to tell them of the Saviour’s birth.

The arrival of Jesus heralded a complete change to the status quo, but despite his consistent, radical approach of turning the old order of things on its head; the fledgling church was sometimes a little slow on the uptake.

When Rhoda rushes in to tell them that Peter is at the door, they first tell her that she is mad, and then they suggest that she has made a mistake.  It is not a real person at the door, it is an angel.  Mad or mistaken, the followers of Jesus in the house that night did not believe that Rhoda, a female maidservant, could possibly be speaking the truth.  She did not have the authority or importance to have her message taken seriously.

Rhoda, however, perseveres and insists that Peter himself really is at the door; that there has been a miraculous answer to their prayers.  She shows courage and faith to not only continue sharing the message, but also to challenge those who are dismissive of her.

But what does the story of Rhoda have to teach us today?

Firstly, some of us may need to be reminded of our heavenly status, rather than our earthly position.  As Christians, we are sons and daughters of the king, heirs to his kingdom, members of his family.  And we need to remember that our Heavenly Father, the King of Kings, knows us by name, and has a purpose for our lives.  Whether we are a man or a woman, a road sweeper or the CEO of a multi-national, we all have a role to play in God’s kingdom, and we are all called to announce the good news of Jesus to those that we live and work with.

If you have ever felt insignificant, not important enough, or lacking in influence or position – remember the s...

Welcome to Thursday’s podcast. I hope that you are having a good week.  Our Bible passage today is Acts Chapter 12 v1-5, and our focus will be verse 5:

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.”

REFLECTION:

Two weeks ago I was lucky enough to be able to attend a conference themed entirely around the topics of Worship, Prayer and Prophecy.  The speakers included Pete Greig (who founded the 24/7 prayer movement), Dave Smith (the leader of Kingsgate Church in Peterborough), and Pastor Agu (senior pastor of the UK’s biggest and fastest growing Pentecostal church).

Having heard so much great teaching and testimony regarding prayer from these amazing leaders, it seems somewhat fraudulent to now be writing just a short 6 minute podcast on the topic.  I should also point out that most of what I am about to share is based on their input, not my own inspiration.

The church in Acts prays earnestly in order that Peter might be released from prison and his life spared.  Christians were facing violent attacks and persecution at the hands of King Herod, and this time of crisis leads them to pray earnestly.

Now, let’s be honest……for many of us, praying earnestly in times of crisis, is our default position.  However, the default position for those first Christians in Acts was to pray earnestly at all times and in all circumstances.

What would it look like for us to develop a prayer life like this?

I was challenged by this at the conference, and here are 3 key points I have been reflecting on since then.

Firstly, we need to commit to pray.

The church in Acts was a church that had an impact.  And yet on paper it had no chance, no hope, no resources, and faced difficulties the like of which we just cannot imagine.

However, one of the key things that made the early church so effective, so powerful and so impactful, was its commitment to prayer.

Pastor Agu stunned the conference to silence when he said that he and his wife pray together for 3 hours every day, but that he had to be honest and say that when times were really busy and stretched, it was sometimes only 2.  That man is committed to prayer, and his church is having a huge impact and seeing great breakthroughs in people coming to faith.

On Tuesday we looked at the kingdom impact that God intended Peter to have.  God intends for us to have a great impact for his kingdom too.

Does our commitment to prayer match God’s desire, or even our desire, for our faith to have an impact?

On Wednesday 6th November we have a Day of Prayer at STC.  It starts at 7am, and then from 9am-5pm there is constant prayer in the church, followed by a Night of Prayer 8-10pm.  How much of the day can you commit to be at?

Maybe your commitment is to wake up earlier and be there at 7am?  Maybe your commitment is to stay for the entire night of prayer?  Maybe your commitment is to re-arrange other plans, and come during the day?

However big or small, let’s all increase our commitment to prayer.

My second reflection has been that we need to learn how to pray.

Peter Greig pointed out that the disciples said to Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.”

They didn’t say teach us to preach or teach us to lead.  They knew they needed to learn how to pray, as Jesus had shown them this constant example of returning to prayer.

What might it mean for us to learn how to pray?

Perhaps we need to learn what the best environment is for us to pray in?  Jesus often goes to different places, alone, to pray.  Maybe we need to change our schedules or our routines in order to pray more often?  I recently heard the story of Susannah Wesley, who used to sit in a chair with her apron over her head, to indicate to her children that this was her time and space to pray without disruption or distraction.  I know someone in our own congregation who leaves the house earlier...

It’s great to have you join us for the STC Sheffield podcast today. Our Bible passage is Acts Chapter 11 v19-30, and I’d like us to focus on verses 23 and 26:

“He exorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose…..and in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”

REFLECTION:

The word ‘steadfast’ is used 219 times in the Bible, and 132 of these refer to God. Steadfastness is a Godly characteristic, and therefore it’s not surprising that Barnabas encourages the believers in Antioch to develop this quality in their own lives. But what does it mean to be steadfast?

At its root, steadfast means being ‘firmly fixed in place.’ Over time, describing something or someone as steadfast has also come to mean: ‘not subject to change,’ ‘immovable’ and ‘firm in belief, determination and adherence.’

Why might Barnabas have chosen to speak this particular word to the church in Antioch?

Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman Empire. It was bustling and cosmopolitan, a commercial and cultural cross roads, as Jews, Greeks, Romans and those from Persia, India and even China travelled to it and through it. It would be hard to describe anything in Antioch as being ‘firmly fixed in place’ or ‘immovable.’ In fact, as we read in verse 19, the first generation of believers in Antioch were immigrants to the city, having moved there to flee the persecution that was happening in Jerusalem.

Antioch also had a fashionable and wealthy reputation. Think of somewhere like Monte Carlo or Nice. It was famous for having a long, paved boulevard that stretched from north to south, flanked by colonnades, trees and fountains. If being steadfast means not being subject to change, then Antioch would recoil at the thought of being described in this way. Antioch wanted to be known, to be influential, to be at the forefront, to be the place that always changed.

And finally, alongside the glories, came the darker side of Antioch. It was a place of moral depravity and corruption. The temples of Artemis and Apollo on the outskirts of the city were centres of ritual prostitution and vice, attracting large crowds. In 2016, archaeologists discovered a Greek mosaic in Antioch showing a skeleton lying down with a bottle of wine and loaf of bread alongside the words: “Be cheerful, enjoy your life.” It is known as the “reckless skeleton.” Rather than being firm in belief and adherence, the words hedonistic and reckless are perhaps a better description of the residents of Antioch.

Knowing this background helps to explain why Barnabas chose to encourage the Christians in the city “to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.” They certainly had a lot going against them, and there was huge potential for the culture and context to alter their behaviour, change their attitudes, and shake their beliefs, to the extent that they would not have remained faithful to the Good News of the Gospel.

And yet despite everything that was happening in Antioch, the church was thriving and growing rapidly. There were lots of new converts, and the believers were so passionate about evangelism that they were always talking about Christ to others, and so they earned the nickname ‘the Christ people’ – the Christians.

But what is God saying to us today through this passage?

In many ways 1st century Antioch and 21st Century Sheffield are remarkably similar.

We live in the 5th largest city in the UK. It is bustling and cosmopolitan, as people from all over the world come here to work, live and study. As a nation we are obsessed with those who are fashionable, famous and wealthy. We listen to blogs, watch Youtube channels, and read magazines that track their every move, their every outfit. We live in a time when being a social media influencer is actually a job. And finally, there is the darker side of life in the UK today.

Welcome to Tuesday’s podcast.  Our Bible reading today is Acts Chapter 11 v1-18.

REFLECTION:

I wonder if you would describe yourself as a rule breaker, a risk taker, someone who likes to push the boundaries…….or are you a stickler for the rules, risk adverse and cautious about stepping over the line?

Wherever you fall on this continuum, there still comes a point where we have to be honest about the consequences or repercussions of our actions and, perhaps most challenging for all of us, we have to admit or own up to these to someone else.

A few years ago we had a pet guinea pig called Prickles.  One day I noticed that a large growth had appeared around his neck.  Having taken him to the vet to get some advice, we needed to make a decision about what to do next.

I felt that we should proceed with an operation, as the other options were that he would be starved to death or choked by the growth….and how would we explain our decision not to operate to the children!  Alan had a somewhat different approach, and asked whether, at a time when money was tight, was it really an appropriate use of our money to run up a large vet’s bill on a £20 guinea pig whose natural life span was coming to an end anyway!?

It is fair to say that I persuaded Alan to follow my point of view on the issue.  The vet had assured me that the risk was very low, and the cost would be approximately £80.  I told Alan it would all be fine.

Later that day I collected a very poorly guinea pig from the vet.  The operation had been a lot more complicated than expected, Prickles had to be hand fed from a syringe for several days, and the treatment cost more than my engagement ring!

Facing the consequences of my actions as I paid the bill was one thing, but I knew that once I got Prickles home, I would then have to tell Alan just how much the now gold-plated guinea pig had cost us!

In today’s Bible passage, we see Peter having to face up to the consequences of the risks he had taken, as he travels to Jerusalem to face a furious group of Jewish believers.

“Why did you do it?’ they asked. ‘Why did you go in to visit uncircumcised men and eat with them?”

Let’s just remind ourselves of the risks Peter has taken that have led to this situation……

Firstly, he went to Caesarea because of a dream or vision involving a sheet coming down from heaven containing reptiles, birds, four footed animals and wild beasts.  I think it’s fair to say that the imagery was a bit unusual.  In fact in Acts Chapter 10 v17 and 19, we see that Peter was still wondering and thinking about what this vision might actually mean when he set off with Cornelius’ servants.

Secondly, Peter was a Jew who had chosen to enter the house of a Gentile, accept his hospitality and eat with him.  For us it is hard to understand the extent to which this was radical, risk taking in the extreme.  This wasn’t pushing the boundaries; it was smashing them to pieces.  This was not just risky because it was rule breaking; it was risky because Peter was putting his life on the line.  Remember that in Acts Chapter 7, Stephen had been stoned to death because of speaking against the laws of Judaism, and seeking to change the customs handed down from Moses.

Peter’s final risk was in declaring that Cornelius, and other Gentiles, could be baptised with water – an outward sign that they were welcomed into the family of believers on equal terms with those who were converted Jews.  There were no guarantees that others would agree with his actions.

I could just end the podcast here, and encourage us all to take more risks.  However, that would be doing Peter a disservice, because his actions are not just about taking risks, they are about facing fears.

How often have we been in a situation where we don’t speak out or say anything because we are fearful of what others might say,

Welcome to the STC Sheffield daily podcast. My name is Helen, and I am looking forward to continuing our journey through the book of Acts with you this week.

Today is Monday 28th October, and we’re at the start of a week that is set to be profoundly significant for our nation, both now and into the future.  As I’m writing and recording this podcast a few days before it’s uploaded, I don’t know if any decisions have been made regarding our withdrawal from the European Union.  However, what I do know is that today’s Bible passage is an amazing reminder of the sovereignty of God.

REFLECTION:

Only a God who is all knowing and present everywhere, at all times, with authority over all situations, would have been at work in the structuring of the podcast readings, so that at the start of this week, we would all be reminded of these verses from Acts Chapter 10 vs34-35:

“Then Peter began to speak: “I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism, but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.”

The Message translation puts it like this: “It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from – if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open.”

At the start of this week, I can think of nothing more important to be reminded of.

It makes no difference to God whether our passport is blue or red, or whether we even have one at all.  It makes no difference to God what is written on our birth certificate, who our parents are, or where we were born.  What matters to God is what our attitude is towards him.  Do we desire after God’s own heart and are we ready to do as he says?

Because if we are, then there are no check points, no red tape, no deals to be struck, nothing else to prove, before we can enter a relationship with him.  The door is always open.  This is the amazing truth of the Gospel.

The significance of these words in Acts were as powerful to the culture and context then, as they are for us today.  Just as our nation is polarised, with seemingly insurmountable chasms between different groups……so it was at the time when Acts was written.  There was just no way on earth that the Jews and the Gentiles would ever come together of their own accord.  In fact, there were religious rules that explicitly prohibited this very thing.

But God’s plan was not made on earth, it was sent from Heaven.

What we see happening in Acts Chapter 10 has been described as the final stage of Pentecost – the time when God visibly demonstrated that the power of the Holy Spirit was for Gentiles, as well as Jews.

In Acts Chapter 2, when the Holy Spirit first came upon those gathered in the upper room, they began speaking in tongues.  Now the identical thing happens to the Gentiles listening to Peter.  There was no difference between the way in which the Holy Spirit operated amongst Jews or Gentiles.  As the Gentiles heard the word of God, and responded to it, so they experienced the power of God; just as the Jews had done.

God was showing that he does not have a favourite group of people that he wants to be in relationship with.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit, was going to bridge and move right across the cultural chasm between Jews and Gentiles, and then it was going to continue to spread across the whole earth to every people group, tribe and tongue without favouritism.

In this Brexit week, when so much talk has been of division, borders and barriers; how can we, as Christians, bridge and cross the chasms in our own society?  How can we live and act in such a way that reflects what God wants?

Here are 3 simple, practical ideas……

Firstly, we can pray.  In Isaiah 56 vs7 we read that as God’s people, we are called to become a house of prayer for all nations.  Why not start by praying for the nations that are represented in our church?

Welcome to Friday’s Podcast.  This is my final podcast for the week – next week my colleague Helen Ward will take the reins and lead us on through the book of Acts.

Today our reading is Acts 10: 17-33 – today we’ll focus on verse 25-28:

As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.

REFLECTION:

I’d like to continue our dog theme if at all possible. In 2011 we moved to Cambridge. About six months after we moved the Bishop of Ely came to visit us. He’s a wonderful man – a very tall man who instantly puts you at ease with warmth as big as his stature. As soon as he sat on our sofa our dog, Archie, was really drawn to him. I sometimes think dogs are great judges of character. So the dog got up from his bed and sat at the Bishop’s feet – actually on his feet! He clearly didn’t feel close enough to him so he sat up and rested his head on the Bishop’s lap. We were a little concerned but the Bishop assured us he was fine with the dog’s head on his lap. To show everyone in the room how at peace he was he decided to affirm the dog by stroking him and smiling at him. Unfortunately Archie took it as a signal for a cuddle and before we could leap out of our chair he leapt onto the Bishop’s lap. They were now face to face. It was beyond awkward. Removing the dog from the Bishop’s lap was a whole new level of awkward. It was a total faux pas.

In today’s passage we come across a faux pas.

The first one is Peter’s arrival at Cornelius’s house – immediately Cornelius falls at Peter’s feet. Such an outward display of devotion – of submission – from a man of his stature is incredible. It’s interesting that Peter’s response to make him is to make him stand up straight away. In some ways Peter removes himself from being Cornelius’s object of devotion. He just won’t have it. He’s not tempted to receive the adoration. Peter’s having none of Cornelius’s worship. Peter, after all is just a man – chosen by God.

After Cornelius’s faux pas – Peters opening line to those gathered is this: ‘You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile.’ He goes on to say ‘But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean…’

This short exchange: Cornelius’ falling at Peter’s feet – the misplaced worship – and Peter’s rather blunt opening line to his sermon tell us this: He refuses to be their god. He refuses to treat them as dogs.

Up until this point, for Gentiles to join the church they would have to become full Jews as well. Now Gentiles and Jews alike are called to repent, to turn their lives over to Jesus and embrace baptism as the sign of new life.

Peter stepping into Cornelius’s home is a sign of incredible breakthrough. It’s a reminder that God by his grace steps into my home and my life. My sin makes me unclean but God in his mercy cleans me up. I’m so thankful! And it’s a reminder that in our less than perfect lives, where our animals can embarrass us – that we’re called to enter places that perhaps we really don’t want to go: to people’s homes, where it’s an inconvenience; or our workplaces where we don’t always want to be, or like the people that we work with; or the communities where we’re confused why the Lord has sent us; all of those places that God is sending us, to embrace, to love and to show God’s mercy.

Let’s enter this day knowing that as Lord has reached out to us, accepted us, he is in the process of cleaning us up.  He is calling us on and outwards to bless, and include, and love other people.

Welcome to Thursday’s podcast. Our reading today is Acts 10:1-16

Our reading today is v13-16:

Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

REFLECTION:

It’s said that Bishop Salmon, the former Bishop of South Carolina, used to have a saying: ‘never trust anybody who doesn’t like dogs’.

I like dogs. We have a dog. But I was staggered to learn recently that dog owners in the UK spent a whopping £57bn in 2018 on their dogs. On average a dog owner spends £3000 a year on their dog – I repeat, £3000 a year – which includes (apparently) paying for people to walk them, train them, groom them and then for people to actually sit with them while the owners are at work. It’s incredible. And according to the Daily Mirror, half of all UK dog owners allow their dogs to sleep in their bed – what a thought! This got me thinking. I remember hearing once that at the time of Jesus – one of the things that grossed out Jewish people was that the Roman occupying forces during the winter months allowed their dogs to sleep in their beds for extra warmth.

This reason for their disgust revealed a deep divide in Palestine at the time of the New Testament between Jewish people and Gentiles (non Jews). It’s really hard to convey just how divided their society was. A dog sharing a bed with a Roman soldier was a symbol to the average Jew of everything that was wrong with their world. Occupying forces – doing gross (in their view, unholy) things in a land that was deeply sacred to them.

Therefore it’s really hard to put into words, as we journey through the book of Acts, just how significant chapter 10 really is – a turning point – from now, Gentiles are to be included in the family of God. We meet Cornelius. He’s a Roman soldier – a centurion. He probably led at least 100 men. He’s a man of great influence and what’s interesting is that he’s adopted certain Jewish customs. He prays to God – in fact his whole household does – he gives money to the poor, and although he’s respected – he’s not accepted. He’s still an outsider. He’s a non-Jew. A Gentile – he’s outside of the covenant. The Jews at the time had a name for people like him – a dog. Some really religious people wouldn’t share hospitality with Cornelius – wouldn’t have him in their home. Why? He’s unclean and by association he could make you unclean.

It happens today in different parts of the world. Whether it be blatant racism or apartheid in South Africa in the past. I was once on a mission in Northern Ireland 18 years ago. I witnessed a wonderful Anglican Vicar talking to a man on the streets. It was all cordial until he discovered the Vicar was, well, Anglican. He refused to shake the Vicar’s hand because he was Presbyterian. Made no sense to me at all.

That’s why Jesus’ approach to welcome and hospitality is so radically different and how earth shatteringly controversial he was and why he made such a stir by sitting and eating with people who were considered unclean outsiders.

As Cornelius prays, an angel appears to him and instructs him to connect with Peter. He sends his men to Simon the Tanner’s house to find Peter. Then in a remarkable encounter the Holy Spirit spoke to Peter and revealed all kinds of animals, reptiles and birds and then the voice said ‘Get up Peter. Kill and eat.’

This is so radical. This is a break with Jewish culture and custom. It’s a turning point in the life and mission of the early church. Peter was to eat meat that was previously considered not kosher. In verse 16 we’re told the vision happened 3 times which in Hebrew culture means it’s ratified.

Welcome to Wednesday’s Podcast. Our reading today is Acts 9: 32-42 but today we’ll focus on verse 40

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning towards the dead woman, he said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.

REFLECTION:

A friend of mine grew up on the Isle of Man. He told me this story and I’ve never forgotten it.

He knew a Christian lady who had a great ministry baking cakes. She had remarkable timing. If ever she heard of someone having a difficult time – an illness; a bereavement or if someone just needed an encouragement she would bake a cake. They were great cakes too! It was a simple act done in great love that communicated a great kindness. She was a self-effacing lady who felt that it was something she could really offer.

The lady’s daughter was tragically killed in a car accident on the mainland. The small close-knit community of which the lady was part was shocked. The cakes stopped. Understandably. Time went by and one day – someone going through a tough time – found a cake on the doorstep. And then another. This time the impact was huge.

The reason I remember that story isn’t just because it’s so powerful but because it made such an impact on my friend. He struggled with faith so much. He was a natural cynic. A questioner. But the fact that a grieving mother was moved to show such kindness to others communicated to him – like a signpost – something of the very heart of God.

Mother Theresa once said “We cannot all do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

If you’re like me – then you may be prone to comparison with other people. I find it so tempting to look at other people and think they’re making a bigger impact for God than I am. I look at missionaries or evangelists or even church planters and think they seem to make such a big impact. The truth is that we’re called to be a signpost – point to God in how we live our lives.

In today’s passage the apostle Peter is called to visit a disciple called Tabitha (Dorcas in the Greek) who has died. As Peter enters the room she is surrounded by a group of widows (v 39) who were standing around crying. Each of them holding garments Dorcas had made.

Why is this significant?

Dorcas made clothes – inner and outer garments – and gave them away to the poor. A signpost to God’s goodness. This is the way she served the church. The women who gathered to mourn her death – rather than be a drain on the early church in fact each played their part. They made clothing. Years and years before clothes were mass produced. It was a vital and powerful role they fulfilled. It’s easy to overlook them – they’re not like Saul or Peter – but they contribute to the growing church – they were signposts to God’s goodness.

Interestingly, both of the dramatic miracles Luke describes in these passages – Aeneas (Matthew 9:1-8) & Dorcas (Mark 5:38) are both very simliar miracles Peter has seen Jesus do. In fact Peter’s whole approach to the raising of Dorcas is almost the same as the raising of Jairus’ daughter. While healing is sometimes a mystery, Peter is doing what Jesus tells him to do: ‘heal the sick, raise the dead and preach the gospel.’ Healing, raising the dead and preaching – all signposts to God’s kingdom.

I don’t know why some people are healed and others are not. Accounts of people being raised from the dead in the Bible are rare – twice in the old testament; Jesus raised the dead 3 times; Paul once and Peter raised Dorcas from the dead. In pretty much each case it was a young person. Very occasionally God intervenes in this way.

The point is always not to become obsessive about the miraculous but to recognise that these always serve as a signpost – ...