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“NO WHERE TO HIDE” (The Barbarian Way- Part 1) TEXT: MATTHEW 5:13-16 JUNE 25, 2006
INTRODUCTION “Saddle up your horses- we’ve got a trail to blaze through the wild blue yonder of God’s amazing grace! Let’s follow our Leader into the glorious unknown This is life like no other- this is the Great Adventure!”
These words are from the chorus of a popular SCC song a few years back called “The Great Adventure!” I used to love the song for it’s sense of anticipation and reckless abandonment to God- the embracing of a life of challenge and mystery.
But sadly, such a spirit seems more an oddity in many if not most of our Christian circles. To quote Erwin McManus in his book “The Barbarian Way” (yes… that’s where I got the title of this short series!):
Jesus is being lost in a religion bearing his name. People are being lost because they cannot reconcile Jesus’ association with Christianity. Christianity has become docile, domesticated, civilized.
Now, in spite of what your initial response to such a statement may be, I believe that such a taming of our faith has been detrimental to its authenticity and power. Instead of “saddling the horses,” we’ve padded the seats… instead of “blazing a trail,” we’re content to follow the herd mentality and unquestioningly accept what the crowd is doing. The “glorious unknown” is something to be feared and challenged by someone else: once we know what all the variables are and are content with the likely outcome, then and only then- if at all!- will we walk forward.
What happened to the sense of adventure in following God? Where is the raw anticipation, excitement, even danger in being a disciple? In many fellowships, it is gone, replaced by routine ritual and empty formality. I wonder if this is why so many young people have become disillusioned with the church they see? I wonder if this is why so many men- longing for a mission and an adventure!- are detached and disenfranchised with the church?
I have been challenged both personally as a child of God and as a pastor to address the feeling of discomfort I have with such a religion- and I call it a religion because the word ‘faith’ doesn’t really seem to fit. In recent studies of scripture passages and the words of wisdom from fellow pilgrims like McManus, I have begun to wonder: Is this what life is supposed to be like in the Kingdom? Is the safe, polite, trouble-free religion we see surrounding us really the faith Jesus of Nazareth intended for His followers? Is this what he died for? Or have we been trying to hold on to orthodox doctrine while at the same time missing the heart of the call to a life of discipleship?
Over the next couple of weeks, we’re going to explore this question, examining issues McManus raises in his book, and using the Word of God to find the answers we need. We’re going to explore the nature of what McManus calls “the barbarian way”- the way that seems at odds with polite religion and offensive to those who would dilute the passion and radical nature of Jesus’ call: Rather than the bland, timid life that many believers have settled for but find empty, I want to argue that the life of a disciple is conspicuous, dangerous, and delirious. As we start this investigation this morning, we address the first of these qualities- the conspicuous life of the barbarian.
THE BARBARIAN WAY IS CONSPICUOUS When I say this, I mean that the life of a genuine disciple- someone sold out to God and His kingdom- cannot be hidden.
1- Biblical Examples When God moved in the New Testament, it was often dramatically, and people noticed.
a- Do you remember what happened when the Church was born? “On the day of Pentecost, seven weeks after Jesus’ resurrection, the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them, and it filled the house where they were meeting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Godly Jews from many nations were living in Jerusalem at that time. When they heard this sound, they came running to see what it was all about, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. They were beside themselves with wonder. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking the languages of the lands where we were born!” (Acts 2:1-8) When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, he came as a fire- not a memo or sign up sheet. The people spoke in tongues that were heard by others around them.
b- The birth of this band of believers was not the only instance of God’s evident power to a lost world. Listen to this description of the early church from Acts 5:12-16- Meanwhile, the apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared to join them, though everyone had high regard for them. And more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women. As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. Crowds came in from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed. These followers drew crowds, and even frightened people- you can’t do that by hiding in the closet!
c- If you go back to the ministry of the one who started this movement, one of the strangest people in the Bible is also described by Jesus as one of the most significant people who ever lived. In those days John the Baptist began preaching in the Judean wilderness. His message was, “Turn from your sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness: ‘Prepare a pathway for the Lord’s coming! Make a straight road for him!’ ” John’s clothes were woven from camel hair, and he wore a leather belt; his food was locusts and wild honey. People from Jerusalem and from every section of Judea and from all over the Jordan Valley went out to the wilderness to hear him preach. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming judgment? Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say, ‘We’re safe—we’re the descendants of Abraham.’ That proves nothing. God can change these stones here into children of Abraham. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever your roots. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 3:1-10) John the Baptist-the one who announced the arrival of the Messiah- wore camel hair… and no, even in Jesus’ day, camel hair was not in fashion! He ate bugs and honey (the honey must have helped wash the bugs down). He had no formal education, did not get along with the religious establishment… he was not regarded as normal! He was a nut!! There was no way to hide John away and hope that no one would notice him!!
2- Strangers & Aliens “Well, that may be fine for the early church, but surely we’re more sophisticated now, right? We don’t need to be so avant garde do we?” In truth, we- the church- are described in the Word as people who are strangers and aliens in a foreign land. But is this really evident anymore? Could anyone tell? If a little green man from space stopped in to check out New Brunswick, would he be able to tell that some people were different, and that the difference was their faith in Jesus Christ? If he watched how we spend our time or our money- if he saw how we treated others- if he observed what we watched and listened to- would we appear any different? I don’t mean the fish logo we may have stuck on the back of the car, or where we go on Sunday morning (usually!): I mean in our priorities and living, do we stand out from those around us? And if we don’t, why don’t we?
You know what? I’m getting tired of trying not to be offensive… of sitting back meekly and hoping that no one notices that my family and I try to have different values than our culture. I’m getting tired of trying to blend in and be acceptable, of trying not to make waves… because the truth is, the gospel does not blend in with our culture. The gospel is Good News because is it counter-cultural, and offers what the world cannot. Jesus did not blend in with his world… he was not ultimately accepted by the majority, and do you rmember what he said about those who would follow him? “When the world hates you, remember it hated me before it hated you. The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don’t. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A servant is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you! The people of the world will hate you because you belong to me, for they don’t know God who sent me. (John 15:18-21)
This doesn’t mean I want to be offensive or seek to be, nor does it mean that we ignore culture- we must be students of culture in order to engage it and share with those who live in it. It doesn’t mean we can boast in persecution that comes as a result of our being ignorant or rude. But if we try to hide our faith away or present some kind of ‘you can have the world and Jesus too!’ religion, then it isn’t the faith of Jesus. It isn’t the gospel. Jesus called his followers to be noticeably different.
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:13-16) What is this “light”? Is it the light of being good people? Of smiling nicely and never upsetting anyone? No!! It’s the light of Christ- of the truth of the gospel- of sharing the only faith that can change the world one person at a time!!
I want to make a statement this morning about myself as much as about anyone else here this morning, and if I offend you, please hear the heart of the message. If this does not include you, then ignore it: The lives of too many Christians are indistinguishable from the lives of those outside the kingdom of God. Many of us are simply not as “odd” as we should be!! We blend in too easily!! I know all of the arguments we use- I use all of them too! “I can’t be an influence if I’m too outspoken… I may offend someone if I appear too dogmatic…” Please hear me: there is a measure of validity to these points- but if we are honest, we usually use them as an excuse to blend in and protect ourselves… not in a sincere effort to be Christ in our setting.
WRAP UP… I want to leave us with two probing questions this morning:
1- Are our lives really any different from the lives of those around us? Let’s get serious here for a second. Are we pursuing the same things as those outside of God’s kingdom? Are our houses and our cars and our vacations and our money and our time and our jobs as critical and life-consuming to us as they are to everyone else? Can you imagine passing up a financial deal- or not recommending it to a client- because in the long term the company or its goals don’t match those of God’s kingdom? Can you imagine moving to a smaller home, and using the equity to support someone in another country who is involved in ministry? Are we saving for the same things everyone else is? Are we trusting our investments or God for our daily bread? If we lose something, are we devastated? Would we pass up a promotion or more pay because we see our present situation as a holy calling? No, we don’t need to wear cloths with Scripture verses on them… we don’t have to carry 20lb Bibles with us everywhere we go… we can’t cash in all of savings or retirement funds, give all of the money away, and expect God to provide for our families- that isn’t faith… that’s presumption! But in all honesty: Are our lives any different because Jesus is at the centre of them?
2- Do those around us know why our lives are different? Some of you are in positions of leadership and influence. How are you using that for the kingdom of God? By doing the best job you can, certainly- but do those around you know you are a follower of Jesus? I don’t mean you require everyone to go to a staff Bible study!!... but is your integrity and passion and commitment for the good of those you serve so unusual that people wonder what’s up with you?
If you’re among those who find it difficult to articulate your faith, welcome to the club. If you get nervous wondering how others may respond to you, you’re in good company. But it doesn’t change the fact that we are all- each and every one of us- commanded by God to be ready to share and live the convictions of our relationship with Jesus: Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t be afraid and don’t worry. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak evil against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! (1 Peter 3:13-17)
You might think I’m pushing things a bit too far, and that’s okay. I would rather err on the side of over-stating the issue, because if you are like me, we usually respond by under-achieving in the challenges God presents to us. Even if we do want to respond to the challenge, like Peter we too often hear the rooster crow and find ourselves weeping in the shadows. But I believe we need to be confronted with “the barbarian way”, because it is the way of Christ. For those around us, the stakes are so high!! Romans 10:14-15- “… how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
O, church family! Don’t settle… don’t be afraid… don’t play it safe!! We will never know the joy and life and passion Jesus has for us if we are not willing to stand out for Jesus Christ! We will never know the power that the early church experienced- a power that proclaimed the Good News to all who would hear, regardless of the costs! How we need that faith!! In our age of “new” and “flashy” and “cutting edge”, the most refreshing faith is a return to the ancient faith that chooses revolution over compromise, peril over safety, and passion over lukewarm and watered-down religion! |