Is Now the Time?

There are many wonderful, arresting questions in The Acts of the Apostles. In this chapter one, the angels ask the question of the apostles, “Why are you standing around looking into heaven?” Later, Philip the deacon encounters the Ethiopian who had been to Jerusalem to worship. He was in his chariot reading the Bible. The encounter is framed by two questions, “Do you understand what you are reading?” That is the question the Jew asked the Ethiopian. Later, the Ethiopian asked the Jews, “What hinders me from being baptized?” Near the end of The Acts, Paul the apostle is brought before Agrippa the king. He is charged with certain crimes. During his lengthy defense, the apostle asks the king, “Do you believe the prophets?” To which the king responds, “Do you think you can persuade me so quickly to become a Christian?” Here and elsewhere in Holy Scripture, the questions capture our attention and focus our minds. Today, I want to direct your attention and focus your mind on the first question in this 28-chapter story that we call The Acts of the Apostles. I am prayerful and hopeful that our attention to this question and it possible answers will draw us close to God the almighty, will clarify some important things about Jesus and his life and death, and will shed light on things about our living today that perplex us, things that prevent us from being the people of god today, things that can prepare us for the anxious and uncertain times in which we live. Pray for me as I preach for you these unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. I “Is this the time you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” This is the question put to Jesus, and this is the question people are asking today. It is the question of what we now call religious nationalism. Is it time for our people, our religion, our movement to move into places of power and rule like our religion demands? Is it time for the righteous to rule the wicked? This is the temptation of religion around the world. In Israel, what was launched as a secular state in 1948 has been gradually overtaken by the religious zealots. Much of the horror in the Middle East today, this morning, is a result of this religious fanaticism. It is Jewish nationalism. Elsewhere in that same region, adherents of Islam overthrew secular governments 45 years ago to install religious fanatics as leaders. It was the triumph of Islamic nationalism. In Brazil, the power-hungry people are Pentecostal folk. In Russia, it is the Orthodox Christians. They are right there with Putin, seeking to extend his kingdom. The patriarch of Russia and his priests illustrate how Christian nationalism justifies force to establish power and keep power. They see themselves as the protectors of Christian Civilization, as the last holdout against the atheistic and secular world of the West. They call their vision Russki Mir. In our United States, the Religious Right has been on a campaign for 50 years. They want to seize power from the secularist, the liberals, and what they call the communists. The husband of my cousin posted this week: “Some of us are communists and most of us aren’t.”  I wrote back, “I don’t know any communists, do you?” I was a guest on a national podcast this week. It featured Amanda Tyler. She is the executive director of the important DC based agency, Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs. She defined Religious Nationalism as, “a political and cultural framework that seeks to merge American and Christian identities.” They want the United States to be a Christian Nation, with Christians given special privileges and special powers. They want Christians to rule in what they call the Seven Mountains of Cultural Influence: family and religion, business and government, media, education, and entertainment. This is known as Dominionism. It is one expression of Religious Nationalism. It is very similar to what motivated the disciples of Jesus to say to him, “Jesus, when you come into your kingdom, when you come into power, when you win the election, we want to sit with you in places of power, one of your right hand and one on your left hand.” This lust for power is a great temptation. Jesus rebuked those two disciples, and Jesus rebuked those who asked the question before us today, “Is now the time you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” II. What did Jesus say when his disciples asked for more power? Are you going to establish your kingdom and give us places of importance? Is now the time we have been preparing for? Are we going to win the election and take over Washington? What did Jesus say? In one of his most famous sayings, his most-oft quoted rebukes, Jesus said. “No, nothing like that. You are going to have power, yes, just not political power, not economic power, not electoral power. You will have witness power. You will have servant power. You will have traveling power: first in Jerusalem, then in the territories of Judea and Samaria, and finally all over the world. Power to do what? Not pass laws, not appoint judges, not enact legislation. Power to be a witness. Our black brothers and sisters have a wonderful gospel song, “Who’ll be a witness for my lord? Who’ll be a witness for my Lord? Who’ll be a witness for my lord?” and the antiphonal response is, “I’ll be a witness for my Lord.” How do we witness for our Lord? How do we witness for the kingdom of God? How do we witness for justice, mercy, and humility? How do we witness for the salvation of God, what the Hebrew prophets called the Shalom of God? There are many good descriptions. Start with the beatitudes of Jesus. Move to the story of the Good Samaritan. Watch what Jesus did at his last supper. Didn’t he get down on his knees, take a bowl of water, and wash the feet of those confused diners? This is what it means to be a witness for our Lord. III The Acts of the Apostles gives us its own answer to this question, how can we move away from the desire for power and move into a determination to witness? The answer is found in response to another question. Simon Peter preached his powerful Pentecostal sermon. The people were so moved, they asked the question, “What shall we do?” This is my text for next week but let me give a preview today. What shall we do? They asked, and the full answer is given in verses 38-47 of chapter two of The Acts: Repent and be baptized. Devote yourselves to the apostles teaching, to fellowship, to prayer, and to sharing a common meal. Sell what you have and give to those in need. Meet in the temple and in your homes. Praise God. I count ten things in that list: ten acts of witness, ten ways to testify to the kingdom of God and the resurrection of Jesus, ten practices that will transform the world, ten things that usher in the rule of God: repent, baptize, learn, eat, hang out, pray, share what you have, gather in private homes and in public spaces, and praise God. These things constitute the community of grace. These things create the congregation of faith, hope, and love. These things call into being the kingdom of God. These things are gospel work, holy work, Jesus work. Where these things are, you will find the community of saints and sinners. Where these things are, you will find Jesus the Risen Lord. I want people to find them here. At Providence. Yes, I am pleased when able and inspired people are elected or appointed to public office: to serve as principals, mayors, governors, senators, and judges. This is a good thing, and it is open to people of faith and to people of no faith. When this happens, we rejoice and pray for them and lend our hand toward making our community a better place. But before that and after that, we will embrace these things: repentance and baptism, teaching and fellowship, praying together and dining together, giving to those in need, gathering in groups large and small, and always praising God. What shall we do? These things, and more, as we seek to restore the kingdom of God. This week, I listened to two sermons on the subject of God and Government. One of them was preached by my nephew, who is executive pastor of the famous Southeast Christian Church in Louisville. In one of these sermons, the preacher told of his friend who lobbies and votes for people who protect the border of the country. But this same man owns and manages two houses rented to undocumented people. Is this hypocrisy, advocating one thing and doing another? I don’t think so. It is gospel work. It is justice and mercy meeting at the feet of Jesus. It is law and grace, hand in hand, leading to the rule of God. It is the fulness of the spirit at the kingdom of God. It is loving God and loving neighbor. It is the way we follow Jesus, worship God, and live in the fulness of the spirit. Are we at this time going to restore the kingdom? Yes, and here is how: obey the laws but show kindness and compassion to people. And all the people said, AMEN.