Rediscovering the Gifts of Barnabas; Acts 13:1-13

 

Rev. George Miller

April 30, 2023

Acts 13:1-3

 

Today’s story is a glimpse into the people of the early church.

 

We’re in Antioch, the first place where the followers of Jesus are called “Christians”. 

 

We have the “Divine 5” of the Antioch church- Lucious, Niger, Manaen, Saul, and Barnabas.

 

Today’s scripture is simple.  Short.  What’s left to be said?

 

A lot, because each of these men have a story, and each have a name that makes us go “Hmm.”

 

Let’s start with the place- Antioch.

 

Antioch is a major capital city by the Sea.  A place of traveling, trading, and shared knowledge.

 

A perfect place to have a church where you can reach as many people as possible.

 

Antioch means “stands against”, “holding out”. 

 

What a great name for the place in which the word “Christian” comes from.

 

This means that as Christians, our roots come from a city that was known as “Resistant.”

 

It means that as Christians, we can literally trace our roots back to a place that was brave.

 

Now, the people.

 

There’s Lucius, which means “Bright Light” and Niger, which means “Black.”

 

These two names give us an immediate insight into just how inclusive the church is.

 

Then Manaen, a member of the king’s court.  Back then, certain kids who were raised in the king’s court were given this title. 

 

Which means Manaen most likely came from a family of prestige, and he was raised personally knowing the king’s son.

 

Can you hear this juxtaposition of who makes up the Christian church in Antioch?  A man from Libya, a black man most likely from North Africa, and the best friend of a prince.

 

Then we have Saul, a zealous Jew who experienced the Resurrected Christ and changed his ways.

 

Finally, Barnabas, who is an interesting man.  Originally, his name was Jospeh.

 

He came from the family of Levi, lived on the island of Cyprus, owned land, hand selected Saul, and was once confused for Zeus.

 

Barnabas was born with the name Joseph.  He came from a distinguished family called the Levites who traced their lineage back to Jacob and Leah.

 

His ancestors were known for having great political and educational responsibility, administrators who managed with harmony and unity, often overseeing cities for refugees.

 

Barnabas was a landowner from Cyprus, an island known for luxury items, richly decorated mansions, copper mines, mountains, and lush fields of wheat and barley.

 

When the Christian church in Antioch began, he sold his land, laid the money at the disciples’ feet so they could share the proceeds and do their ministry.

 

He was known for being such a great encourager, as someone who supported and cheered on others, that they gave him a new name – Barnabas, which means Comforter.

 

Barnabas took this new name and ran with it.  He was the one who sought out Saul, saw his potential, and invited him to be part of the team.

 

He had such a gift of making people feel happy, feel included.

 

When someone, like John Mark, messed up, Barnabas was willing to give them another chance.

 

When other Christians tried to judge the people Barnabas was ministering to, he stood up for them.  He risked his life.    

 

When someone tried to abuse the ministry to make a buck, Barnabas and Saul held them accountable.

 

He was beloved and had such a strong physical presence, full of wisdom and fairness, that there were Greeks who actually thought he was Zeus.

 

But none of this is to put Barnabas on a pedestal or to make him seem otherworldly.

 

Because Barnabas was not- he was only human, just like Lucious, Niger, Manaen.

 

So why talk about Barnabas today? 

 

Because there is an aspect about Barnabas that we may have all overlooked for the last 2,000 years.

 

Barnabas had land…and Barnabas sold it…and he gave all the proceeds to the church…

 

…and those who have land know, that giving up your land is not easy.

 

Those who love the land, feel connected to the land, know that parting with it is not so simple, especially those who have had the land in their family for generations.

 

The author of Acts makes a quick reference to Barnabas selling his land, but is the author really aware of what that meant and what that emotionally felt like?

 

For Barnabas to be descended from a historical family line, to live on an island with land so rich it has copper mines, wheat, and barley?

 

To realize that for Barnabas to sell his land it meant he was literally selling his family’s inheritance, history and future legacy all to be part of something so new?

 

Selling family land is not easy.  That’s something someone living in a city may not realize.

 

But here, surrounded by citrus groves, cows and 4-H clubs, we know better.

 

We live in a county defined by its land, be it golf courses or blueberry fields.

 

Our attachment to the land is clear at the County Commissioner meetings, as we discuss greening and building new developments.

 

More and more the discussions are about families selling generational land because it now costs more to maintain than they make.

 

It is so heartbreaking to watch an elderly man with a cane, supported by his wife, step before our elected officials, asking if their land can be rezoned so they can sell it…

 

…while making it clear that if things were any other way, they would never ever sell.

 

Selling your own bit of heaven on earth is not easy.

 

So think about Barnabas, this man from Cyprus, who sold his land so he could give the proceeds to the early church in Antioch.

 

He probably didn’t sell a quarter acre parcel; he most likely sold all he had, acres and acres that had been passed down through his family.

 

Why?

 

So that the Christian church in Antioch could preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so the church could reach out to those in need.

 

So that the church could be Heaven here on Earth.

 

Think of that.  Think of the fact that if Barnabas did not do what he did, we may not be here today.

 

Could it be that Barnabas’ generosity is why we even know about Jesus Christ?

 

Barnabas is the lineage we come from.  He is the spiritual family we can claim; an ancestor who shows us what it means when we live a life of encouragement.

 

Barnabas, from the City of Resistance, is a brother in Christ we celebrate because he shows us-

 

-through John Mark, that second chances can be essential.

 

-Comforting and cheering on others brings forth new life.

 

-Generosity can change the world.

 

The things we have here on earth can be the very things that make Heaven and eternal life real to those around us.

 

How is God calling us to travel through this thing called life together? 

 

How can we share what we have so others can experience the gifts of Christ?

 

Amen and amen.

No One Unclean, No One Profane; Acts 10:1-23

 

Rev. George Miller

April 23, 2023

Acts 10:1-23

 

In Grand Rapids, MI there is a house of worship called Lighthouse Full Life Center.

 

They purchased a UCC church that had closed their doors and became so instrumental to the community that they eventually expanded to a bigger building.

 

There are 2 things Lighthouse does to create an inclusive environment.

 

1^st is how they treat first-time visitors.  No matter who you are, how you’re dressed, the color of your skin, if you are carrying a Bible or not, you are personally escorted to the front row, and for the entire service you are made to feel as if YOU are the VIP.

 

It’s an extraordinary occurrence, as they are located at a cross section of community economics.

 

You may have someone in sneakers next to someone in a suit next to someone who is homeless, hungry, or high.

 

This creates a sense of equality and inclusion.  Not one visitor is treated as better or worse than another.

 

2nd, during the offering EVERY PERSON in the sanctuary is invited to participate, regardless if they can put anything in the tray.

 

The ushers stand in front of the altar.  The preacher tells the congregation that even if they have nothing to give, they can still touch the tray because their very presence is an offering unto God.

 

One by one each person walks up, touches the offering plate, no matter if they have cash or not… 

 

…Do you know what it’s like to be broke, unsure where you’re going to live, and yet you’re still invited to give, even if all you can offer is just your touch, to God?

 

No wonder Lighthouse had to expand to a bigger building.

 

We share this story for 2 reasons.  The 1^st is that starting today you’ll see me do something new. 

 

Over the last 13 years you’ve watched me come up every Sunday to joyfully give my offering.

 

But starting today you’ll see me touch the offering tray without putting anything inside it.

 

The reason is simple-

 

I finally stepped into 21^st century and signed up to give online.

 

I want Emmanuel UCC to know, for sure, that each month you will receive a specific offering from me, for both the church and the Pantry.

 

I also want free hotel rooms! 

 

See, my credit card company has a program that each time I charge a certain amount of money, I get a free hotel room, and I love my 1-night getaways.

 

So by setting up my own on-line giving account via Vanco, it’s become a win-win-win-

 

The church is promised my donation, I get to get away, and ya’ll benefit from a well-rested pastor.

 

The 2nd reason I share about Lighthouse Center is because they are reminiscent of today’s reading.

 

We have a tale about a very hungry Peter having an other-worldly vision.  We also have Cornelius, a very spiritual foreign soldier living in a retirement town. 

 

We witness how the Good News crosses economic, political, and professional valleys to bring these 2 very different people together as equals, as ONE.

 

And yes!- it’s rather surreal, rather science-fictionee, and kind of hard to believe.

 

This vision of Peter involving a picnic blanket descending and rising featuring birds and gators and four-footed creatures and a voice saying “get up” and Peter being like “Oh no, Lord.”

 

Of all the stories in the Bible I feel this is the most made up and hardest to believe.

 

Of all the stories in the Bible I want to give this one zero credibility and just say-  

 

“Peter, if you want a bacon cheeseburger with shrimp cocktail that bad, simply just say ‘I want a bacon cheeseburger with shrimp cocktail!’ 

 

You don’t have to go through this grand retelling of this overly-dramatic, oddly specific story!”

 

Regardless of how I feel- here is what this story is saying-

 

This, this is the moment where everything changes.  This is the moment in the life of the church in which EVERYONE is welcome.

 

This, this is the moment in which the early church realizes that everyone is welcome to be part of the faith.

 

This, this is the moment in which God makes it very clear- there is no one who is unclean, impure, or an abomination.

 

This is the moment in which Peter is able to welcome into his home someone of a different faith, skin tone and background…

 

…and Peter is able to enter into the home of someone who looks different than he does, lives different and speaks different.

 

This is the moment the church had been waiting for in which the gates of heaven are open for anyone who wishes to be a part of God’s Kingdom and fellowship within.

 

This is the moment in which Peter and the church realizes that no matter if you speak Espanol, Creole, American Sign Language, Dutch, Canadian French, Filipino, English or New York-

 

you are a Citizen of Heaven and welcome into the Church of Jesus Christ.

 

In other words, this is the moment in which the church discovers that everyone, regardless if they are wearing sneakers or a suit, hungry or homeless all have a guaranteed front row seat in the House of God.

 

It is not a human’s place to decide or say if someone is unclean or profane…

 

NOW, There is another element of today’s story that is relatable to our current situation.

 

Do you know that in true Acts fashion, the ministry and worship of Emmanuel UCC has truly expanded beyond our walls?

 

Thanks to the generous gifts of $4,500 that went to a new sanctuary computer, mics, cables, and internet booster, we have an impeccable online presence.

 

Thanks to the diligent work of Ruthie, we’ve come to realize that our on-line presence now exceeds the people here today.

 

In other words- in March we averaged 67 people in worship on a Sunday.

 

But, we averaged 86 households throughout the week that worshipped with us online, either on Facebook Live, YouTube or both.

 

In other words, it is like a new kind of blanket has descended from the heavens and we are now a house of worship that includes:

 

67 people from within and at least 86 people who are beyond the limits of space, time, or language.

 

So, what does this mean?

 

It means that like Cornelious and Peter, we have new things to do.

 

For our Council, we get to create a way to intentionally reach out to our online worshippers and find ways to include them in our membership and ability to give.

 

For our on-line worshippers, YOU are invited to find a way to show your support to ensure that we can ALL continue to worship Christ together.

 

As stated before, we have Vanco, we have the old-fashioned way of sending in a donation via check.

 

Soon we hope to have other ways to make the giving experience easier so that together, WE can all symbolically reach out, and touch the plate,

 

regardless if we are here or far, in a suit or in sneakers, a native to America or a native to Colombia.

 

If God could speak to Peter and the church via a floating, flying picnic blanket, God can certainly talk to us through technology and opportunity.

 

In conclusion, we are so blessed to be part of the Family of God, or

 

as Ari may say- “Familia de Dios.”

 

None of us are unclean, none of us are profane.

 

All of us worship in our own way, and all of us can be a blessing in our own style.

 

May God continue to show us new ways to be the Body, the Hands, and the Heart of Jesus Christ.

 

Amen and amen.

Many Mountains Where We Meet Jesus; Matthew 28:10-20

 

Rev. George Miller

April 16, 2023

Matthew 28:10-20

 

This morning we come to our final reading from Matthew and it is a brilliant piece of writing.

 

This telling of the Resurrection is rooted in the pain and trauma of the crucifixion. 

 

This is not an Easter story filled with the pleasant comfort of pastels or anchored by amnesia.

 

It is a story of deceit, fear, doubt.

 

Yes- the women met Christ and worshipped at his feet, but they needed the reminder to not fear.

 

Yes- the guards saw the stone roll back and the earth beneath them quake, but they still act as puppets for the powers that be.

 

Yes- the disciples meet Christ on a mountain in Galilee, but now there are 11 when there once was 12, and some are filled with doubt.

 

Matthew takes an extraordinary tale and roots it in human emotion.

 

First, why did some doubt?  Well- why wouldn’t they doubt?

 

About 7 days ago they ate their last meal with Jesus, then watched as folks came for him with swords and clubs. 

 

Judas commits suicide.

 

6 days ago their leader was naked, his head shredded with thorns, publicly assassinated, and buried.

 

3 days ago the women tell them the tomb is empty.

 

Imagine you’re one of the 11- the trauma you just witnessed.

 

Not only have you experienced someone you love needlessly dying, now you wonder “Am I next?  Will they come for me if I dare continue his ministry?”

 

Of course some are in doubt.  Don’t think for a second that the Resurrection totally took away the trauma of Good Friday. 

 

Regardless of the empty tomb, what happened on Friday still happened and no amount of good news can wipe away that pain.

 

Of course some are in doubt; they are in self-preservation mode.

 

Today’s story is rooted in the reality of death and what happens when we lose someone we love.

 

There is another brilliant thing that Matthew does.  When he could’ve said “The disciples went to Galilee” he says “The 11 disciples.”

 

One reason is to remind us of the trauma they endured, and that Judas took his life. 

 

But another reason could be this- now there are 11 disciples, and they need one more.  And the 12^th disciple could be YOU.

 

After hearing all about Jesus, how he taught, fed, healed, cared about compassion, used his hands- are you willing to be the 12^th disciple?  Are YOU ready to follow Christ Resurrected?

 

If so, if you are ready, even if you are scared, even if you have doubts, even if you’re dealing with your own trauma, your own loss, then go to the mountain in Galilee and there you will meet him.

 

And in what is perhaps the real brilliance of Matthew 28- what mountain are we to meet Jesus?

 

In the Gospel of Matthew there are at least 5 mountains.

 

The mountain of Transfiguration.

The mountain of feeding.

The mountain of prayer.

The mountain of learning.

The mountain of temptation.

 

Which mountain are we to go to meet the Resurrected Christ?

 

Matthew never says, which means no matter what mountain we choose and no what mountain we face, Christ will be there.

 

Matthew 4- The Mountain of Temptation.  This is where Jesus is all alone and evil tries to tempt him.  “All of this I will give you if you only worship me.” 

 

Do you know what it’s like to be tempted, have evil whisper in your ear, desire quick fame or a fix?

 

The Resurrected Christ will meet you there.

 

Matthew 5- Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus calls us to love our neighbor, pray for our daily bread, nor worry too much about tomorrow.

 

This is the mountain in which Jesus says “Blessed are you who mourn, for you will be comforted.”

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

 

Are you currently in mourning the death of someone you love? 

 

Do you try your best to do good?  Do you struggle with forgiving those who have hurt you?

 

Worry a lot about tomorrow?

 

Then this is the mountain that the Resurrected Christ will meet you.

 

Matthew 14, while Jesus is grieving the death of John the Baptist, he is tired from feeding the 5,000, he goes up a mountain all alone so that he can pray. 

 

It is just him and God, one on one, replenishing his soul, recharging his battery.

 

Have you ever felt burned out?  Do you know what it is like to be sooo exhausted because you do do do for everyone else? 

 

Do you know what it’s like to have your heart broken and you just need to be alone?

 

Then this is the mountain that the Resurrected Christ will meet you.

 

Matthew 15- the Feeding of the 4,000.  Jesus climbs up a mountain and folk follow him, placing the lame, the blind at his feet. 

 

He bring wellness to them.  In his compassion he notes they are hungry and there is little food.

 

With just two fish and seven loaves of bread, Jesus has the people sit and makes sure every single one of them is fed and filled.

 

Have you ever been hungry?  Craved something more? 

 

Have you ever been made to feel lame, blind, or treated as if you are mute and your words don’t matter?

 

Then this is the mountain that the Resurrected Christ will meet you, make you whole and fill your belly.

 

Matthew 17, the mountain where Jesus is Transfigured.  This is the place of sheer holiness, wonder and splendor, where the sacred is so tangible you want to stay there forever.

 

That time in worship you got shivers when you heard Carnide sing.  That time you couldn’t help but smile seeing Ari’s face glow. 

 

That moment the liturgist spoke so deeply from their heart.

 

Or those moments you’ve had with family, at a meal, on the beach, with your spouse in which you felt the presence of God so thick, so heavy, you never wanted to leave.

 

This is a mountain you can meet Jesus.

 

Then there is one more mountain- the mountain we are on right now- the Mountain of Resurrection.

 

This is the place we go when death, trauma, and loss have entered our lives.  This is the place we go when injustice and cruelty seem so real. 

 

This is the place we go when there has been trauma and heartbreak.

 

This is the mountain we bring our pain, our confusion, our loss,

 

our doubt, our tired, weary bodies,

 

and we say to the Resurrected Christ “Speak to me.  For I am empty and full of uncertainty.”

 

And Christ says “I AM.  I AM with you, always.  I AM with you always, until the end of time.”

 

And we discover that this is so.

 

 

We discover that there are so many, many mountains, that there are so, so many places in which Christ can actually meet us.

 

It's beautiful.  It’s heartwarming.  And it’s encouraging.

 

For no matter if the mountain we are on is one of temptation, teaching, recharging,

healing, hunger,

high holiness, or post-trauma,

we know that Christ is with us,

and because of the Resurrection,

we are NOT alone.

 

Amen and amen.