SERMONSI NGLASS TheRobe r tDa vi e s Me mor i a lWi ndow i nt he Pr e s byt e r i a nChur c h, Me na iBr i dge
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TheRo be r tDa vi e s Me mor i a lWi ndowi nt heEngl i s hPr e s byt e r i a n Chur c h,Me na iBr i dgei same mor i a lt ot hephi l a nt hr opi s tRobe r t Da vi e swhowa st hepr i nc i pa lbe ne f a c t ori nt hebui l di ngoft he c hur c h. Thewi ndow wa sc ommi s s i one di n1906byRobe r t ' s ne phe ws a ndni e c e sa ndc ome sf r om t hewor ks hopsofJ a me sPowe l la nd Sons( Whi t e f r i a r sGl a s s ) Thef ourf r a me sorl i ght sde pi c tt woe ve nt si nt hel i f eofChr i s t a ndt wo i nt hel i f eofStPa ul .Toge t he rwi t ht he i r e i ght de s c r i pt i ons ,f ouri nWe l s ha l t e r na t i ngwi t hf ouri nEngl i s h,pl e a d t heuni ve r s a l i t yoft heChr i s t i a nme s s a ge a ndt hec ha r i t yt ha ti s i mpl i c i ti ni t .Theme s s a geoft hewi ndow i ss umme dupi nt he quot a t i onf r om Ma t t he w25: 40whi c hr unsa l ong t he bot t om of t hewi ndow," I na s muc ha syeha vedonei tunt ooneoft hel e a s tof t he s emybr e t hr e n,yeha vedonei tunt ome . " Hos t sofa nge l sc a r r yt hes c r ol l sonwhi c ht het e xt sa r ewr i t t e n, ot he ra nge l sa pp e a ri nt hes pa ndr e l sa ndt he r ea r ehe r a l di cs hi e l ds i nt h et r e f oi l s . A pl a quet ot heme mor yoft hi sout s t a ndi ngphi l a nt hr opi s ti s a dj a c e ntont hewa l loft hec ha nc e l .
TheRobe r tDa vi e sMe mor i a lWi ndow Li ght1.Thema i npi c t ur ei sofPa ul sc a l lMa c e doni a( Ac t sXVI : 9) e mpha s i s i ngt hec a l l" Comeove ra ndhe l p. "Abovet hep i c t ur ei s t heEngl i s ht e xt ,Het ha tha t hpi t yupont hepoorl e nde t hunt ot he Lor d( Pr ove r bsXI X; 17) .Att hebot t om i nWe l s hi sat e xtf r om Ps a l mXCVI : 10,Sa ya mongt hehe a t he nt heLor dr e i gne t h. Li ght2.Thes c e nehe r ei st hec e nt ur i onofLukeVI I : 3be s e e c hi ng hi mt ha thewoul dc omea ndhe a lhi ss e r va nt . Theuppe rt e xti si n We l s ha ndi snotadi r e c tq uot e ,but aphr a s ec ompos e df r om por t i onsgi vi ngt hema i ngi s tofDe ut e r onomyXV: 7&8-i n t r a ns l a t i on Ope nyourha ndwi det oyourbr ot he r .Thel owe r , Engl i s h,t e xti sMa t t he wX: 8,Fr e e l yyeha ver e c e i ve d,f r e e l ygi ve . Li ght3.Thi ss howst heboywi t hl oa ve sa ndf i s he sa tt hef e e di ng oft hef i ve t hous a nd( J ohnVI : 9)TheEngl i s ht e xti s ,I ti smor e bl e s s e dt ogi vet ha nt or e c e i ve .f r omAc t sXX: 35.TheWe l s ht e xt a tt hebot t om i sf r om Ec c l e s i a s t e sX: 1,Ca s tt hybr e a dupont he
wa t e r s :f ort hous ha l tf i ndi ta f t e rma nyda ys .
Li ght4.The f i na ls c e ne a nd t e xt sr e f e rt o Robe r tDa vi e s ge ne r os i t yi ns uppor t i ngove r s e a smi s s i ons .Thepi c t ur ei sPa ul pr e a c hi ngt ot hehe a t he nonMa r sHi l l .Ac t sXVI I : 22-Yeme nof At he ns ,Ipe r c e i vet ha ti na l lt hi ngsyea r et oos upe r s t i t i ou s . Att he t opi sLukeVI : 36i nWe l s h, Beyet he r e f or eme r c i f ul ,a syour Fa t he ra l s oi sme r c i f ul .Thebot t om t e xti s a da pt e df r om I Chr oni c l e sXVI : 23&24 Si ngunt ot heLor d,de c l a r ehi sgl or y a mongt hehe a t he n.
Robe r tDa vi e s ( 18161905) Robe r tDa vi e swa sbor ni nLl a nge f ni ,Angl e s e yon1s tAp r i l1816. He wa s wa st he s e c ond oft hr e es ons bor nt o Angl e s e y bus i ne s s ma nRi c ha r dDa vi e s( 17781849) ,ofLl a ngr i s t i ol usa nd AnneJ o ne swhoc a mef r omCoe dHywe lne a rLl a nge f ni . Robe r twa se duc a t e da tLl a nge f nina t i ona ls c hoola ndi nas c hool a tChe s t e r , .Atf i r s thema na ge da ni r onf oundr ya tCa e r na r f onf or hi sf a t he r ,buta f t e r wa r dsj oi ne dt he f a mi l yc onc e r na tMe na i Br i dge . Thef a t he r ' sbus i ne s sdi ds owe l lt ha t( a bout1830)hes e tup s u bs i di a r yc onc e r nsunde rt hema na ge me ntofhi ss ons :J ohn(who i ss a i dt oha veb e e nt hea c ut e s toft hebr ot he r s ,butdi e da ge d 40 i n1848)t r a de da tRe dWha r f ,Angl e s e y,Robe r t( a sa l r e a dy me nt i one d)a tCa e r na r f on,a ndRi c ha r da tt heol df e r r yt e r mi na lof Por t ha e t hwy,t he na c qui r i ngane wf a c ea nda ne w na mea s Me na iBr i dge . TheMe na iBr i dg ebus i ne s s pr os pe r e ds or a pi dl y t ha tt heot he r swe r egi ve nupa ndt hee ne r gi e soft hef a mi l ywe r e c onc e nt r a t e dt he r e . Thebr ot he r sa c c umul a t e dc ons i de r a bl ewe a l t hf r om t he i rhi ghl y s u c c e s s f uls hi ppi ngbus i ne s sa tMe na iBr i dge .I nt he1840sa nd 1850st hef a mi l ybui l tupagoodt r a dei ni mpor t i ngt i mbe r , e xpor t i n gs l a t ea ndc a r r yi nge mi gr a nt st ot heAme r i c a s .Butt he bul koft he i rwe a l t hwa sga i ne dbe t we e n1843a nd1904whe nt he y ha dal a r gef l e e tc a r r yi ngg ua nof r om we s t e r nSout hAme r i c a . Fr omt hi st r a det hef a mi l ywa ss ome t i me sknowni nMe na iBr i dge a st e ul uba wa da r( bi r dl i mef a mi l y) .The i rbus i ne s s e sp r ovi de d e mpl oyme ntf orl a r genumbe r s ,ma ki ngt he mi mpor t a n tt ot he e c onomyoft het own. I n1862Robe r twa sa ppoi nt e dHi ghShe r i f fofAngl e s e y.Thedut y f e l lt ohi mt ob ea tt heha ngi n gofRi c ha r dRowl a nds ,t hel a s tma n t obeha nge dont hei s l a nd.Rowl a ndswe ntc a l ml yt ot hes c a f f ol d, a l t houghs t i l lpr ot e s t i ngt h a thewa si nnoc e nt ;hepr oba bl ywa s . AsRowl a ndsf e l lt hr ought het r a pdoorRobe r tf e l li naf a i nt .He ne ve rt ookpa r ti npubl i ca f f a i r sa ga i na nda pa r tf r omhi sbus i ne s s ( a nd hi shobby o fc he mi s t r y)hi sma i ni nt e r e s twa st o be phi l a nt hr opy.Ast i me we ntby he be c a me mor ea nd mor e r e c l us i ve ,ha r dl ye ve rl e a vi ngt hehous ea ndgr oundsofhi sne wl ybui l thomea tBo nl onde b,hi shomedi r e c t l yoppos i t eMe na iBr i dge ,
whe r ehel i ve da na us t e r e l yf r uga lba c he l orl i f e I ta ppe a r st ha thea l l owe dh i smone yt opi l eupunt i la bo ut1885, whe nh ebe ga ngi vi ngi ta wa yi nl a r ges ums ,of t e na nonymous l y. Hi sc hi e fbe ne f i c i a r ywa shi sownde nomi na t i on( t heCa l vi ni s t i c Me t hodi s t s ) ,t owhi c hhewa sapr i nc e l ygi ve r ;i ne duc a t i onhe t ook ( unl i ke hi s br ot he r )butl i t t l ei nt e r e s t ,t hough he di d c ont r i bu t et ot heNor ma la ndt ot heUni ve r s i t yCol l e gea tBa ngor . Hi sgi v i ng wa swi de s pr e a d,r e a c hi nge ve r yc or ne roft hewor l d. Apa r tf r omt hel oc a lc ha pe l s( a mongt he m Be a uma r i s Engl i s h Pr e s byt e r i a nbui l ti n1870,a ndHol yhe a dEngl i s hPr e s byt e r i a ni n 1891.Hebor et hee nt i r ec os t ,i n1888,ofbui l di ngR. G.Thoma s ' s ma s t e r pi e c ei nMe na iBr i dge )hi sma j orbe ne f i c i a r i e si nc l ude dt he Ove r s e a sMi s s i ons( ÂŁ6 , 000a nnua l l y) ,t heBr i t i s ha ndFor e i gn Bi bl eSoc i e t y,t heSa l va t i onAr my,t heMe t hodi s tChi l dr e n' sHome a tBont ne wydda ndt heUni ve r s i t ya ndNor ma lCol l e ge si nBa ng or .Hi smi norc ha r i t i e sa r ee xe mpl i f i e dbyt hewe e kl ydol eof f l ourgi ve nt ot hos ewhoc a met oBodl onde bt of e t c hi t( a nd whi c ht heDi c t i ona r yofWe l s hBi ogr a phyc a l l sa mus i ng)a ndhi s Chr i s t ma sdi s t r i but i onofc oppe r st ot hos ewhopa s s e dhi sga t e s. Ec c e nt r i ca ndar e c l us e ,hene ve rma r r i e d a nddi e di nt e s t a t ea t Bodl onde b on29t h De c e mbe r 1905;hewa sbur i e dwi t hhi s pa r e nt sa tLl a nge f ni .
Se r monOne . Comeove ra ndhe l pus Ac t s16: 9, 10 Ma t t he w25:3146 At ut ora tNor t he r nCol l e gea s ke dmei fIc a l l e dmy s e l faChr i s t i a n Soc i a l i s t .Iwa sal i t t l et a ke na ba c k,a sIha d ne ve rr e a l l y c ons i de r e dt het e r m.Iwa snott oos ur ea boutt ha t ,butIc e r t a i nl y be l i e vei naSoc i a lGos pe l ;t ha t soneoft her e a s onst ha tIbe c a mea Sa l va t i oni s t . I ts e e mst omet ha tha vi ngas oc i a lc ons c i e nc e ,be i nga l t r ui s t i c ,i sa c e nt r a le t hosofChr i s t i a ni t y.Myf i r s ti nkl i ngoft hi swa swhe nI r e a l i s e dt ha tt hr oughoutt he gos pe l s we f i nd J e s us he l pi ng s o me body,goi n gt ohe l ps ome bodyorc omi ngf r om he l pi ng s o me body.I nde e d,Pe t e rs pe a ki ngt oCor ne l i usa ndhi sf r i e nda nd f a mi l y( Ac t s10: 38)poi nt soutt ha tJ e s uswa sama nwhowe nt a boutdoi nggood.J a me s( 1: 27)de f i ne spur er e l i gi ont husPur e r e l i gi ona ndunde f i l e dbe f or eGoda ndt heFa t he ri st hi s ,Tovi s i t t hef a t he r l e s sa ndwi dowsi nt he i ra f f l i c t i on,a ndt oke e phi ms e l f uns pot t e df r omt hewor l d. Sowec omet ot hec ha nc e lwi ndow,whi c hi sr e a l l ymys ubj e c t f ort hi sa ddr e s s .Al ongt hebot t om,a c r os sa l lf ourl i ght sweha ve t het e xtf r om t her e a di ngt ha tweha de a r l i e r ,Ma t t he w 25: 40 I na s muc ha sy eha vedonei tunt ooneoft hel e a s toft he s emy br e t hr e n,yeha vedonei tun t ome .Thi spa s s a gel a ysoutpl a i nl y t hee xpe c t a t i onst ha tJ e s u sha sf orhi sf ol l owe r s .Why i si t e mpha s i s e d on t hi s wi ndow, a me mor i a lt oar e c l us i ve bus i ne s s ma n?Wh ydoe si tpl e a ds ovi vi dl yt heuni ve r s a l i t yoft he Chr i s t i a nme s s a gea ndt hec ha r i t ya nds oc i a lc onc e r nt ha ti s i mpl i c i ti ni t ? Pe r ha pswes houl ds t a r ta tt hebe gi nni ng;t hepi c t ur ei nt hef i r s t l i ght .I ts howst hevi s i onofPa ula st ol di nAc t s16.Pa u lwa sa t Tr oa sonwha ti snowt hee x t r e meWe s t e r nt i pofAs i a t i cTur ke y a ndhepi c t ur e dt hi sMa c e doni a nc a l l i ngoutt ohi m,Comeove r a ndhe l pus .Thede s i gne roft hewi ndows a wt hi sc a l la si mpor t a nt a ndpu t st hewor dsi nac a r t oonl i kes pe e c hbubbl e .The ya r e
i mpor t a nt ,f ort h i si st het ur ni ngpoi nti nt hes pr e a doft he Chr i s t i a nme s s a ge-t heGos pe lha sc omet oEur ope ! Ido n' tknowhowma nyt i me sIha ver e a dorhe a r dt hi ss t or yi n t hel a s ts e ve nt yormor eye a r s ,buti twa s n' tt i l lIr e a dt hec a l lof t hema nofMa c e doni aont hi swi ndowt ha tt hef ul li mpor thi tme . Comeove ra ndhe l pus -Idon' tt hi nkI ' de ve rnot i c e dt ha twor d he l pbe f or e .I tgotmet ur ni ngt oe ve r yBi bl ehe l pa ndc omme nt a r y t ha tIc oul df i nd ,butnoonee l s es e e me dt oha vet a ke nuponi t . Whyhe l p? I ti mpl i e s ,doe s n' tma t c hi t ,t ha tt he r ei smor et o s p r e a di ngt hegos pe lt ha npr e a c hi n g. I ts ugge s t st omet ha tt he c a l lwa st obewi t ha nda mongt hepe opl e .Thi ngsdi dn' ta l wa ysgo s moot hl y;Pa ula ndSi l a sf i ni s he dupi nga ola tonepoi nt ,ye te ve n t ha tl e dt hemo ve me ntf or wa r d. Whyi st hi ss t or yont hi swi ndow?Myr e a di ngoft heva r i ous bi ogr a phi c a la c c ount sofRobe r tDa vi e sl e a dmet ot hi n kt ha the me thi sma nofMa c e doni a .Ave r yunl i ke l yma ni nave r yunl i ke l y pl a c e .I nTheDi c t i ona r yofWe l s hBi ogr a phy,hi sbr ot he ri s de s c r i be da sRi c ha r dDa vi e s ,M. P. a ndl i s t s ,a ts omel e n gt h,hi s pol i t i c a la ndpubl i cl i f e .Rob e r ti se nt e r e da sRobe r tDa vi e s , Phi l a nt hr opi s t .Hema dej us tonef or a yi nt opubl i cl i f ea ndt ha t wa s ,Ia ms ur e ,whe n heha dhi sMa c e doni a nmome nt .I n1862 Robe r twa sa p poi nt e dHi ghShe r i f fofAngl e s e y.Thedut yf e l lt o hi mt obea tt heha ngi ngofRi c ha r dRowl a nds ,t h el a s tma nt obe ha nge dont hei s l a nd.Rowl a ndswe ntc a l ml yt ot hes c a f f ol d, a l t houghs t i l lpr ot e s t i ngt h a thewa si nnoc e nt ;hepr oba bl ywa s . AsRowl a ndsf e l lt hr ought het r a pdoor ,Robe r tf e l li naf a i nt .He ne ve rt ookpa r ti npubl i ca f f a i r sa ga i na ndbe c a memor ea ndmor e r e c l us i ve ,ha r dl ye ve rl e a vi ngt hehous ea ndgr oundsofhi sne wl ybui l thomea tBo nl onde b. Wha tha ppe ne dne xt ?Looka tt hequot a t i on t ha ti sa bovet he pi c t ur e ," Het ha tha t h pi t y upon t hepoorl e nde t h unt ot he Lor d" ( Pr ove r bs19:17) .Myf i r s tr e a c t i ont ot hi si s ," Ido n' twa nt t ol e ndt ot heLor d.Iwa ntt obef ul l yc ommi t t e d;Iwa ntt ogi ve notl e nd. "I si tl i kewes ome t i me ss e eonmus e um e xhi bi t s ,on pe r ma n e ntl oa n?No,Idon' tt hi nkt ha t squi t er i ghte i t he r .Le tus ha veal e ngt hi e rquot e-t hi st i mef r om t heGoodNe wsBi bl e" Whe nyougi vet ot hepoor ,i ti sl i kel e ndi ngt ot heLor d ,a ndt he Lor dwi l lpa yyouba c k"Wa s n' ti ts ome t hi nga l ongt hos el i ne st ha t J e s uss a i dt ot h er i c hyoungr ul e r ?" Ye tl a c ke s tt houonet hi ng:s e l l
a l lt ha tt houha s t ,a nddi s t r i but eunt ot hepoor ,a ndt hous ha l tha ve t r e a s ur ei nhe a ve n:a ndc ome ,f ol l ow me . "Thes a met h oughti s f oundi nt hepa r a bl eoft hebi gge rba r nsa ndi nt heSe r monont he mountwhe r eJ e s uss a ys ," La ynotupf o ryour s e l ve st r e a s ur e s upone a r t h,. . .. . .Butl a yupf oryour s e l ve st r e a s ur e si nhe a ve n. " Wer e a dt ha tt her i c hyoungma nf oundt hi st obeadi f f i c ul ti de a .I don' tt hi nkt ha tRobe r tDa vi e sr us he dhomef r om Be a uma r i s s h out i ng," Ia m aphi l a nt hr opi s t "e i t he r .Thet wobr ot h e r swe r e ge t t i ngr i c he ra ndr i c he r ,i twa sa boutt hi st i met ha tt he ys ol dt he t i mbe rbus i ne s st oWi l l i a mRobe r t s , s ot ha tt he yc oul dc on c e nt r a t e ont he i rma nyot he re nt e r pr i s e s .AsRobe r tl i ve dhi sf r uga ll i f ea t Bonl onde b-heonl yha dt hr e ei ndoors t a f f ,It hi nkhema yha ve t ur ne dove rs uc hpa s s a ge sofs c r i pt ur ei nhi smi nd.I twa si nt he 1880st ha thi se nor mousphi l a nt hr opybe c a mema ni f e s t . Hi sgi v i ng wa swi de s pr e a d,r e a c hi nge ve r yc or ne roft hewor l d. Fr om t hewe e kl ydol eoff l our ,whi c ht heDi c t i ona r yofWe l s h Bi ogr a phy c a l l sa mus i ng, a ndhi sChr i s t ma sdi s t r i but i onof c oppe r st ot hos ewhopa s s e dhi sga t e st ot hebui l di ngofc hur c he s a ndt hef undi ngofmi s s i onsi nf a rof fpl a c e s .Iha veaf e e l i ngt ha t hewoul dha vel ove dma nyofmode r nda yc ha r i t i e ss uc ha st he Chr i s t ma sChi l ds hoe boxa ppe a l . Thema i npi c t u r e ,a sweha ves e e n,e mpha s i s e st hec a l loft hema n Ma c e doni aa ndt heuppe rt e xtgi ve susa ni ndi c a t i onofon ewa yi n whi c ht hec a l lc a nbea ns we r e d.Wh a toft heot he rt e xt ?Ps a l m 96: 10i si nWe l s hont hewi ndows oIwi l lgi veyout het r a ns l a t i on " Sa ya mong t he he a t he nt ha tt he Lor dr e i gne t h. " Mode r n t r a ns l a t i onss a y" t hena t i ons "r a t he rt ha n" t hehe a t he n. " Thi si sa ns we r i ngt heMa c e doni a nc a l l .Le tusgoba c kt ot ha t pa s s a gei nt heAc t soft heApos t l e s :" The r es t oodama nof Ma c e doni a ,a n dpr a ye dhi m,s a yi ng,Comeove ri nt oMa c e doni a , a ndhe l pus .Anda f t e rheha ds e e nt hevi s i on,i mme di a t e l ywe e nde a vour e dt ogoi nt oMa c e doni a ,a s s ur e dl yga t he r i n gt ha tt he Lor dha dc a l l e dusf ort opr e a c ht hegos pe lunt ot he m. " Thevi s i onwa sac onf i r ma t i onoft hewor dsofJ e s usi nAc t s1, " Yes h a l lbewi t ne s s e sunt omebot hi nJ e r us a l e m" a ndi na l l J u da e a ,a ndi nSa ma r i a ,a ndunt ot heut t e r mos tpa r toft hee a r t h.
Ri c ha r d,Iknow,ha df a mi l yr e s pons i bi l i t i e ss ope r ha psh eha d goodr e a s onswhyhec oul dn' tbej us taphi l a nt hr opi s t ,a l t h oughhe t oowa sge ne r ousi nhi sgi vi ng,a ndpe r ha ps wec a ns e et ha t publ i cs e r vi c ewa shi swa yofgi vi ngt ot hepubl i cgood. Li ket heDa vi e sbr ot he r s ,wee a c h ha veourown wa y of a ns we r i ng t hec a l lr a ngi ng f r om,f ore xa mpl e ,c ha t t i ng t oa ne i ghbourt og i vi nga wa ymi l l i onsofpounds .Thei mpor t a nt f a c t ori st ha tweobe yt hec a l l ,doourpa r t ;f orme n,wo me na nd c hi l dr e na r es t i l lc r yi ngout ,' Comeove ra ndhe l p
Se r monTwo AHe l pi ngHa nd LukeVI I : 110 I nt hes e c ondl i ghtoft hec ha nc e lwi ndowweha veapi c t ur eoft he c e nt ur i onpl e a di ngf ort hehe a l i ngofhi ss e r va nt .How doe si t r e l a t et ot heot he rt wot e xt s ?The ya ppe a rt oha venoc onne c t i onor l i nkwha t e ve r . Ope nYourHa nd Att het opweha ve ,i nWe l s h,Ope nyourha ndwi det oyour br ot he r .Atf i r s tIma deac oupl eofe r r or swhe nl ooki nga tt hi s . Thewi ndowc a ni ns omel i ght sbedi f f i c ul tt or e a da ndIr e a dt he r e f e r e nc ea sDe ut e r onomy16,butc oul dn' tqui t ema keoutt he ve r s e . Ic oul dn' tf i ndi ti nmyWe l s hc onc or da nc ee i t he ra nd e ve nt ua l l ya s s u0me dt ha ti twa sc ons t r uc t e df r om De ut e r onomy 15: 7&8.Iha ves i nc ef oundt ha tt hewi ndows a ys15: 11a ndt ha t t hephr a s ec ome sf r omve r s e s7, 8&11. 7.I ft he r ebea mongyouapoorma nofoneoft hybr e t hr e n wi t hi na nyoft hyga t e si nt hyl a ndwhi c ht heLor dt hyGod gi ve t ht he e ,t hous ha l tnotha r de nt hi nehe a r t ,nors hutt hi ne ha ndf r omt hypoorbr ot he r : 8.Butt hous ha l tope nt hi neha ndwi deunt ohi m,a nds ha l t s ur e l yl e ndhi ms uf f i c i e ntf orhi sne e d,i nt ha twhi c hhe wa nt e t h. 11.Fort hep oors ha l lne ve rc e a s eoutoft hel a nd:t he r e f or e Ic omma ndt he e ,s a yi ng,Thous ha l tope nt hi neha ndwi de unt ot hybr o t he r ,t ot hypoor ,a ndt ot hyne e dy,i nt hyl a nd. " Thepoora r ewi t hyoua l wa ys "i soneoft hos ee ve r yda yphr a s e s t ha tweus ewi t houtt hi nkmuc ha boutwhe r ei tc omef r om.J e s us us e st hewor dsi nt heGos pe l s ;buthei sr e c ol l e c t i ngt het houghti n t hi spa s s a ge . TheOl dTe s t a me nte di c tl a ysuponusagr e a t r e s pons i bi l i t y.Thep ur pos eo ft hi swi ndowi st or e mi ndusoft ha t r e s pons i bi l i t ya ndt hedut i e sr e l a t e dt oi t .Whe nIwor ke di nt he Ea s tEndofLo ndon,a c r os st her oa df r om t heSa l va t i onAr my c e nt r ei nwhi c hIwa sba s e dwa st hebui l di ngt ha thous e dt he J e wi s hBoa r dofDe put i e s .Al a r gepa r toft he i rr e mi twa sf ul f i l l i ng
t hi sSc r i pt ur a lc o mma nd.AtaSi khgur dwa r aort e mpl ea l lpe opl e a r et r e a t e da se qua la nda r ewe l c omet os ha r ei nt hel a nga ror c ommuna lme a l .Theme di ĂŚva lmona s t e r yha da soneofi t sma i n f unc t i on s ,pr ovi di ngf ort hepoora ndt het r a ve l l e r .Butt he s ea r e c ommuni t yr e s pons e s ,t her e a lr e s pons i bi l i t yi spe r s ona l ;a l t hough ourpe r s ona lc i r c ums t a nc e sma yme a nt ha tweha vet oc ha nne lour e f f or t st hr ou gho t he r swec a ntj us tl a ye ve r yt hi ngont hes houl de r s ofane bul oust he m. I nt hec a s eofRobe r tDa vi e soneoft hewa yst ha thet r i e dt ome e t t hene e dsofs omeoft hepoori nt hemi ds tofhi swo r l dwa s t hr ought hedol eoff l oura ndt hec oi nsha nde douta thi sga t e .I t wa s n' ta l lbi gdona t i ons -her e a l i s e dt ha tl i t t l et hi ngsc a nc ounti n t hel i ve sofpe op l e .
Fr e e l yGi ve Butt hewi ndowa ddsmor et ot hi si nj unc t i on;i tgi ve susar e a s on f orgi vi ng.The Engl i s hve r s ei sf r om Ma t t he w10: 6" Fr e e l yye ha ver e c e i ve d,f r e e l ygi ve . "Wes pe a kofa nd,mor eof t e n,s i ngof t hebl e s s i ngst ha twer e c e i vef r omGod.Ir e me mbe r ,whe nIwa sa l a dweus e dt os i ngagos pe ls ong" Ha veyouha daki ndne s s s h own,pa s si ton. "I tgoe sl i ket hi s : Ha vey ouha daki ndne s ss hown? Pa s si to n! ' Twa s n ' tme a ntf ort he ea l one , Pa s si to n! Le ti tt r a ve lt hr ought heye a r s , Le ti twi pea not he r ' st e a r s , ' Ti l li nhe a ve nt hede e da ppe a r s Pa s si to n! " Fr e e l yyeha ver e c e i ve d,f r e e l ygi ve . "The s e wor dsofJ e s usa r e e ve nmor et e l l i ngwhe nyour e a l i z et ha tt hea r es poke nt ot he Twe l vea st he ygooutont he i rmi s s i on;a tt hes a met i met ha tJ e s us s a yst ot he m " Pr ovi dene i t he rgol d,nors i l ve r ,norbr a s si nyour pur s e s ,Nors c r i pf oryourj our ne y,ne i t he rt woc oa t s ,ne i t he rs hoe s , norye ts t a ve s . " Thi s ,youwi l ln ot e ,wa sahomemi s s i ont ot hepe opl ea mongs t
whomt he ygr e wupa nda mongs twhomt he yl i ve d.J e s usHi ms e l f kne wt ha tt he s ea r et hemos tdi f f i c ul tpe opl et ot a l kt o.( Ma t t he w 13: 57, 58)Notonl ywe r et hedi s c i pl e sbe i nga s ke dt ogi ve ;t he y we r ebe i nga s k e dt ogi vewhe nt he yha dnot hi ng.Compa r ewi t h Ac t s3( Thel a mema na tt het e mpl e) 5.Andhega vehe e dunt ot he m,e xpe c t i ngt or e c e i ves ome t hi ng oft he m. 6.The nPe t e rs a i d,Si l ve ra ndgol dha veInone ;buts uc ha sI ha veg i veIt he e :I nt hena meofJ e s usChr i s tofNa z a r e t hr i s eup a ndwa l k. 7.An dhet ookhi m byt her i ghtha nd,a ndl i f t e dhi m up:a nd i mme di a t e l yhi sf e e ta nda nc l ebone sr e c e i ve ds t r e ngt h. So,t heme s s a geoft het wot e xt sont hewi ndowi spr e t t yc l e a r .But whe r edoe st hema i npi c t ur ef i ti n?Imus ta dmi tt ha ta tf i r s ti t puz z l e dme .I tj us tdo e s n' ts e e mt of i ti nt ot hi st he meofgi vi ng. TheCe nt ur i on Thepi c t ur ei soft hec e nt ur i onpl e a di ngt oJ e s usf ort hehe a l i ngof hi ss e r va nt .I nt hewi ndow i ti st hec e nt ur i onhi ms e l fwho a ppr oa c he sJ e s usa ndt ha ti sh owMa t t he wt e l l st hes t or y.Thet e xt gi ve n,howe ve r ,i sLukec ha pt e r7;i nt h i spa s s a get hea pp r oa c hi s ma det hr oughi nt e r me di a r i e s . Fi r s tofa l lade l e ga t i onofs yna goguel e a de r sa r r i ve s .Don' tf or ge t t ha tt he ykne wJ e s usi nCa pe r na um a ndt het owns pe op l e ha d mi xe df e e l i ngsa boutHi m.Thi sgi ve susqui t eas c e na r i o.The s e me nwe r enotj us tt hes pi r i t ua ll e a de r s ,butdef a c t ot het own c ounc i l;ye t ,i ts e e mst ha tt he yt hi nkhi ghl ye noughoft hi s c e nt ur i on,t hema ni nc ha r geoft heoc c upyi ngf or c ei nt he i r c ommuni t y,t or e pr e s e nthi sc a us ebe f or eJ e s us .Re me mbe r ,t he y kne wJ e s usi nCa pe r na um a ndha dmi xe df e e l i ngsa bo utHi m. Thi swa st het ownwhe r eJ e s usba s e dHi smi ni s t r ya tt ha tt i me . Ca pe r na um wa st hehomeofSi mon Pe t e ra nd pr oba bl y of Andr e w,J a me sa ndJ ohn.( Lukec h4) Theot he rs i deoft hec oi ni st ha tt hec e nt ur i one mbr a c e dt he J e wi s hf a i t he nough t o ha vec onf i de nc ei nt he ma n di nt he i t i ne r a ntr a bbia ndhe a l e r .So,i nl i ghtoft hee t hosoft hi swi ndow, wec a ns e eawi l l i ngne s sont hepa r toft hee l de r st ohe l pt he s t r a nge ri nt he i rmi ds t .
AsJ e s usa ndwha tbynow ha dpr oba bl ybe c omequi t eac r owd moveof ft ogot ot hec e nt ur i onshous e ,t hes ol di e r sf r i e ndsa r r i ve . Fr i e nds !I t sdi f f i c ul tt oa s s i gnamode r nr a nke qui va l e nt ,butI know t ha t Ga r r i s onComma nde r s ,bet he ys e r ge a nt ma j or sor c a pt a i ns ,dono tha vef r i e nds .Nor ma l l ys pe a ki ng,hi sr a nkwoul d ha vepr e v e nt e dhi m ha vi ngf r i e ndsi nhi sde t a c hme ntofme n;hi s pos i t i ona sa noc c upyi ngs ol di e ra nda sage nt i l ewoul dha ve s e pa r a t e dhi mf r om t hepopul a c e .Ye tt hi sc e nt ur i onha dma de f r i e ndswhowe r ei nt e r e s t e di nhi ma ndhi shous e hol d.So,t he s e f r i e ndswe r epr oba bl yt owns f ol kt oo. Ac c or di ngt os omec omme nt a t or s ,wec a nge tagl i mps eoft he ma ns c ha r a c t e ri nhi sc a r ea ndc o nc e r nf orhi ss e r va ntors l a ve . The yba s et hi sont hef a c tt ha tt hewor dt r a ns l a t e ds l a vemove s f r om doul os=s l a vei nve r s e2t opa i s=l a di nve r s e7.Bet ha ta s i tma yhewa sc e r t a i nl yc onc e r ne de nought os e e khe l pf ort hel a d. We i ghi nge ve r yt hi ngupJ e s uss e e si nt ot hehe a r t ,t hec onc e r na nd t hef a i t hoft hec e nt ur i on-j us ta shes e e si nt ot hei nne r mos tbe i ng ofa l lofus . Buta l lt hi sdo e s n' tha ppe na ns we rt heque s t i on,Whyi st hi ss t or y ont hi swi ndow? Thi si s ,ont hes ur f a c e ,t het hes t or yofs ome one r e c e i vi ngnoto fgi vi n ga st heot he rt wot e xt sa r e . It hi nkt ha tIha v ef oundt hek e yi nMa t t he wHe nr y' sComme nt a r y, He bui l tt he m a ne w s yna go gu ea t Ca p e r na um. .He r e by he t e s t i f i e d hi s ve n e r a t i onf ort heGodofI s r a e l ,a ndhi s de s i r et oha vea ni nt e r e s ti nt hepr a ye r s ofGodsI s r a e l .Thebui l di ngpl a c e sf or r e l i gi ouswor s hi pi save r ygoodwor k, a n dt hos e whodogoodwor ksoft ha tki nda r e wor t hyofdoubl ehonour . Her e c e i ve dbe c a us ehega ve-t he r ei smor ea boutt ha ti nt het hi r d l i ghtoft hewi ndow. Thec e nt ur i onwa snotar i c hma n.Hel i ve dwe l lbe c a us eofhi s
pos i t i on,pr oba bl yf a rbe t t e rt ha nma nyc e nt ur i onsi nba r r a c ksa nd f or t s ;f orhewa se f f e c t i ve l yh i sownbos sl i vi ngi nhi sownhous e wi t hs l a ve s .Butl i kea l lRoma ns ol di e r sheha dt opr e pa r ef ort he da ywhe nhewa snol onge rpa r tofaf i ght i ngf or c ea ndha dno s a l a r i um.Li kemos ts ol di e r s , ofa l lc e nt ur i e sa ndna t i ona l i t i e s , Roma ns ol di e r swe r ei nc l i ne dt os pe nd t he i rmone y on t he pr ove r bi a lwi ne ,wome na nds ong-we l l ,wi nea ndwome na nywa y. Thi ss e e mst oha vebe e nadi f f e r e ntki ndofma n.Hi smone y, pr oba bl yhi ss a vi ngsorpe ns i onf unda swewoul dc a l li tt oda y, we r eus e df ort hepe opl ea mongs twhomhedwe l t . Ve r yf e wRoma nc e nt ur i onsi nhi s t or ya r eknownorr e me mbe r e di t sa l wa yst hes a me .I ' mnotabi ts ur pr i s e dweknowt hen a me sof t heGe ne r a l sa tWa t e r l oo;butwhowe r et hes e r ge a nt ma j or sa nd s u ba l t e r ns ? The Ma r que s s of Angl e s e y on hi sc ol umn i s r e me mbe r e d;b utwhe r ei st hes t a t ueofhi sAdj ut a nti nt heCr i me a ? Wha toft hi sc e nt ur i on?I fwewe r et ovi s i tCa pe r na um wewoul d bes hownt her ui nsofaf i nef i r s tc e nt ur ySyna gogue .Thi sonewa s bui l tma nyye a r sa f t e rt het i meofChr i s t ,buta r c hĂŚol ogi s t sha ve f ound,be ne a t hi t sr ubbl e ,t her e ma i nsofonet ha tf i t st hes t or y;I s t hi shi sme mor i a l ?No.Nori si ti nourwi ndow.Thec e nt ur i ons me mor i a li si nt hec onc e r nt ha theha df orot he r s .Thi sma ns t a nds outi nt i mebe c a us ehega ve .Hega vewha theha dt ohe l pt hos e t ha thec oul d.Thi sc oupl e dwi t hhi sf a i t hga vehi mt hebl e s s i ng f r omt heLor d. Ia m bi ts ur pr i s e d,gi ve nt het he meoft hef ourl i ght soft hi s wi ndow,t ha ton es t or yi smi s s i ng,i tc oul df i ti nt ot h i sl i ghtort he ne xt .I t st hes t or yt ha tpe opl eus ua l l yc a l lTheWi dowsMi t e . Di dyouknowt ha tt he r ei sn os t or yofTheWi dowsMi t e?Le tus ha veal ooka tt h es t or ya ndyouwi l ls e ewha tIme a n. Ma r k12 41. And J e s uss a tove ra ga i ns tt he t r e a s ur y,a ndbe h e l dhowt hepe opl ec a s t mon e yi nt ot het r e a s ur y:a ndma nyt ha t we r er i c hc a s ti nmuc h. 42. And t he r ec a meac e r t a i n poor
wi d ow,a nd s het hr e wi nt wo mi t e s , whi c hma keaf a r t hi ng. 43.Andhec a l l e dunt ohi mhi sdi s c i pl e s , a n ds a i t hunt ot he m,Ve r i l yIs a yunt o you ,Tha tt hi spoorwi dow ha t hc a s t mor ei n,t ha na l lt he ywhi c hha vec a s t i nt ot het r e a s ur y: 44. Fora l lt he ydi dc a s ti noft he i r a b u nda nc e ;buts heofhe rwa ntdi dc a s t i na l lt ha ts heha d,e ve na l lhe rl i vi ng.
Sheha dt womi t e s .Thes t or yi sof t t i me sus e dt os a y,I tdoe s n' t ma t t e rhowl i t t l eIgi ve .J e s us ,howe ve r ,us e di tt os a y,You' vegot t ogi vea l lt ha tyouc a n .I fs heha dgi ve nonemi t e ,t hes ma l l e s t c oi ni nc i r c ul a t i on,s hewoul dha vegi ve naha l fofwha ts heha d; l a uda bl ei ni t s e l f .Buts hega vea l l ,whi c h,J e s uss a i d,c ount e df or f a rmor et ha nwha tt her i c he rvi s i t or sa ndwor s hi ppe r sga ve . Whe nwec oupl ea l lt he s es t o r i e swi t hwha tJ e s uss a i dt ot her i c h youngr ul e r ," Ye tl a c ke s tt houonet hi ng:s e l la l lt ha tt houh a s t ,a nd di s t r i but eunt ot hepoor ,a ndt hous ha l tha vet r e a s ur ei nhe a ve n: a ndc ome ,f ol l owme . "( Luke18)a ndHi sdi s c our s ei nLuke12on t hebi r dsoft hea i ra ndt hel i l i e soft hef i e l d,webe gi nt or e a l i s e t ha tgi vi ng i s n' tj us ta boutmone ya nd we a l t h,God i snot c onc e r ne dwi t hwha t si nourp ur s e ;i t swha ti si nourhe a r t .
Se r monThr e e J ohn6:114
Thet hi r dl i ghti nt hec ha nc e lwi ndow i l l us t r a t e soneoft hebe s t knowns t or i e si nt heNe wTe s t a me nt .It hi nkt ha tmos tofyouha ve be e nr e a di nga n dl i s t e ni ngt ot het e l l i nga ndr e t e l l i ngofma ny ve r s i onsoft hes t or yoft hef e e di ngoft hef i ve t hous a nd,us i nga l a d' spi c ni c ,f ora sl onga syouc a nr e me mbe r .Al lf ouroft he gos pe l sr e c or dt h es t or ya ndi nt hewi ndowweha veaquot a t i on f r omJ ohn' sve r s i ona ndt hewor dsofAndr e w" The r ei sal a dhe r e , whi c hha t hf i veba r l e yl oa ve s ,a ndt wos ma l lf i s he s :butwha ta r e t he ya mongs oma ny? " Wha tha dt hede s i gne r soft hewi ndow i n mi nd whe nt he y pr e s e nt e duswi t ht hi si l l us t r a t i on?Asi sus ua l l yt hec a s ewi t ht hi s wi ndow - wh i c h,a sy ouwi l lha vega t he r e dbynow,i smor e c ompl e xt ha ni tl ooksa tf i r s ts i gh t-weha vet ol ooka tt he s u ppor t i ngt e xt st oga i na ni ns i ght .The ya r et wove r ywe l lknown quot a t i ons ,t ha tha vebe c omepa r toft heEngl i s hl a ngua ge .Igue s s t ha tma nype opl eus et he m wi t houte ve nr e a l i s i ngt ha tt he ya r e Bi bl i c a l . TheEngl i s ht e xti s ," I ti smor ebl e s s e dt ogi vet ha nt or e c e i ve . " f r om Ac t s 20: 35.The We l s ht e xta tt he bot t om i sf r om Ec c l e s i a s t e s11 : 1 ," Ca s tt hybr e a dupont hewa t e r s :f ort hous ha l t f i ndi ta f t e rma nyda ys . " " I ti smor ebl e s s e dt ogi vet ha nt or e c e i ve . "I ts oundsabi tl i kemy ma m' s ," Thi si sgoi ngt ohur tmemor et ha ni t sgoi ngt ohu r tyou! " Ine ve rqui t ebe l i e ve dt ha t ;i tdi dn' tf i ti nwi t hmye xpe r i e nc e .But he r eweha vePa uls pe a ki nga ndweha vet obe l i e vehi se xp e r i e nc e . Le tusl ooka tt hes t a t e me nti ni t sc ont e xt . 32.Andnow,br e t hr e n,Ic o mme ndyout oGod,a ndt ot hewor d ofhi sgr a c e ,whi c hi sa bl et obui l dyouup,a ndt ogi veyoua n i nhe r i t a nc ea monga l lt he mwhi c ha r es a nc t i f i e d. 33.Iha vec ove t e dnoma n' ss i l ve r ,orgol d,ora ppa r e l . 34.Ye a ,yey o ur s e l ve sknow,t ha tt he s eha ndsha vemi ni s t e r e d unt omyne c e s s i t i e s ,a ndt ot h e mt ha twe r ewi t hme . 35.Iha ves he we dyoua l lt h i ngs ,howt ha ts ol a bour i ngyeought t os uppor tt hewe a k,a ndt or e me mbe rt hewor dsoft heLor dJ e s us , howhes a i d,I ti smor ebl e s s e dt ogi vet ha nt or e c e i ve .
Pa ul ' sl i f es i nc ehi sc onve r s i onha dbe e nal i f eofggi vi nga nd s a c r i f i c e .I twa snogl i bpl a t i t udeors a wwhe nhes a i d," Ofi smor e bl e s s e dt ogi vet ha nt or e c e i ve . "Tha t ' saf a i r l yc l e a rme s s a ge ,but wha ta boutt hen e xtt e xt ? Ec c l e s i a s t e s11: 1 .Ca s tt hybr e a dupont hewa t e r s :f ort h ous ha l t f i ndi ta f t e rma nyda ys . I tha sa l wa ysp uz z l e dme ,f orIknowt h a ti fyout hr owbr e a don wa t e r ,oneoft wot hi ngsha ppe n.I tgoe ss oggya nds i nksort he duc kse a ti t ;t he r ei snoc ha nc eofge t t i ngi tba c k. Se e ki nge nl i ght e nme nt ,If i ndt ha tva r i ousc omme nt a t or sa nd e xpos i t or sgi veusava r i e t yofe xpl a na t i ons ,a sdot het r a ns l a t or s .I don' twa ntt oma ket hi sa n" i nde pt h"Bi bl es t udy,butwewi l l ha veaqui c kgl a nc ea ts omei d e a s . ( a ) Atpopul a re xpl a na t i on,a tonet i me ,wa st ha tt hef i gur ei st a ke n f r om t h ec a s t i ngofs e e doni r r i ga t e dl a nds ,a s ,f ori ns t a nc e ,i n Egyptbe f or et hewa t e r soft heNi l eha ves ubs i de d;a ndt ha tt he dut yofbe ne f i c e nc ei she r ei nc ul c a t e d.Wea r et os owourbe ne f i t s br oa dc a s t ,a ndb ea s s ur e dwes ha l lha veaha r ve s tofr e wa r d.I ti s e a s i e rt or a i s eobj e c t i onst ot hi si nt e r pr e t a t i ont ha nt oi mpr oveon i t .( Tha tt hewo r dt r a ns l a t e d" br e a d" i ss ome t i me sus e di nt he s e ns eofs e e dc o r n,s e eI s a .xxvi i i .28,xxx.23;Ps .c i v.14I ti s obj e c t e dt ha tt hewor ds" c a s tont hewa t e r s "a r e ,l i t e r a l l y," s e nd ove rt hef a c eoft hewa t e r s , " t hewor d" s e nd"be i ngnowhe r ee l s e us e di nt hes e n s eofs owi ng. ) ( b)I tha sbe e n pr opos e dt ounde r s t a ndt he r et e xta sa dvi s i ng ma r i t i mee nt e r p r i s e ;Commi tyourgoodst ot hes e a ,a ndwa i t pa t i e nt l yf oryourr e t ur ns ,whe nt hes hi pc ome shome . Some t r a ns l a t i onsf ol l owt hi si de a Mof f a t tTr us tyourgoodsf a ra ndwi dea ts e a ,t i l lyouge tgood
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TheNe w Engl i s hBi bl ebl e ndst hes e e di de awi t ht hema r i t i me e nt e r pr i s e .Se ndyourgr a i na c r os st hes e a s ,a ndi nt i meyouwi l l
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TheGoodNe wsBi bl eha sas l i ght l ydi f f e r e ntt wi s t .I nve s tyour
mone yi nf or e i gnt r a de ,a ndoneoft he s eda ysyouwi l lma kea pr of i t
I ti st e mpt i ng whe nc ons i d e r i ng Robe r tDa vi e st ou s et hi s i nt e r pr e t a t i on,butt hewor d" br e a d" doe snotha r moni s ewi t ht hi s e xpl a na t i on.Th e r ei snot hi nge l s ei nt hebooka c c or di ngwi t hs uc h a dvi c e ;a ndt h ene xtve r s e ,a bout" t hee vi lt ha ts ha l lbeupont he e a r t h, " s h owst ha tt hewr i t e rwa snott hi nki ngoft heda nge r soft he s e a . ( c )Gi vef r e e l y,a nduns t i nt i ng l ywhe r e ve ryouf i ndne e d,a nd s o meda yyouwi l lber e wa r d e d.Thi si st heus ua lwa yt ol ooka ti t a nd,It hi nk,t hebe s twa y.Ast heLi vi ng Bi bl eput si t" Gi ve ge ne r ous l y,f oryourgi f t swi l lr e t ur nt oyoul a t e r . "Pe r ha psi t c oupl e supwi t hmyor i gi na lt hought :i fyout hr owbr e a donwa t e r , oneoft wot hi ngsha ppe n.I tgoe ss oggya nds i nksort heduc kse a t i t ;i fyo uge ti tba c ki t sami r a c l e !Wel ookf or wa r dt omi r a c l e s ! Whi c ht houghtl e a dsust ot hema i ns t or y. AsIha vea l r e a dys a i d,TheFe e di ngoft heFi veThous a ndi sa n e ve nti nt hel i f eofJ e s us t ha tmos tofush a veknownf r om our c hi l dhood. Eve r yc hi l dr e n' sBi bl ea nde ve r ys e r i e sofSunda ySc hooll e s s ons t e l l ss omeve r s i onoft hes t or yoft hel a dwhodona t e dhi sl unc h. Weha vehe a r dma nye xpos i t i onsoft hena r r a t i vef r omt h epul pi t . Li kemos toft her e t e l l i ng s ,t hewi ndow put st h eboya ndhi s l oa ve sa ndf i s he sa tt hec e nt r eoft hes t or y. Al t hought hewi ndowgi ve st hequot a t i onf r omJ ohnsgos pe l ,i ti s t heonl ymi r a c l et ha ti sr e c or de di na l lf ourna r r a t i ve s .I twa s obvi ous l ys e e na sa ni mpor t a nte ve nti nt hemi ni s t r yofJ e s us ;of f a rmor es i gni f i c a nc et ha nweus ua l l ya c c or di t . Weus ua l l ys e et hel a s tme a li nt heuppe rr ooma st hei ns t i t ut i onof t hes a c r a me ntoft heLor dsSuppe r ,i nde e di ti sPa ul ' sr e c ount i ng oft ha toc c a s i o nt ha ti snor ma l l yus e da st hef r a me wor koft he s e r vi c e.I fwel ooka tt hegos pe l s ,howe v e r ,wef i ndot he rt i me s whe nt heLor db r e a ksbr e a dwi t hHi sf ol l owe r s ,a ndhe r ewi t ha l a r gec ongr e g a t i on.I nt hi se ve ntc a ns et her e a le s s e nc eof c ommuni ona sac omi ngt oge t he ra ndas ha r i ng. Sha r ea nds ha r i ngha vebe c omes ome wha tove r us e dwor dsi n Chr i s t i a nga t he r i ngsi nr e c e ntye a r s ;wea r ea l wa ysbe i ngc a l l e d
uponbyme e t i ngl e a de r st os ha r es ome t hi ng-aamome ntof s i l e nc e ,apr a ye r ,ac hor us ,at hought-butt hes t or yoft hef e e di ng oft hef i vet hou s a ndbr i ngso utat r ueme a ni ngofs ha r i ng.Thel a d br oughthi sbr e a da ndf i s ha ndof f e r e dt os ha r e .Thi sof f e r ,t hi s s h a r i ngc ompl e t e l yc ha nge dt hes t or y. Thes e t t i ngi sa l mos tl i t ur gi c a l ,i ti sdonede c e nt l ya ndi nor de ra s Pa ulwoul dl a t e rs a y( ICor14: 10) .Thepe opl ea r es a tdowni n or de r ,a c c or di ngt oMa r ksa c c ount : " Andhec omma nde dt he mt oma kea l ls i tdownbyc ompa ni e s upont hegr e e ngr a s s . Andt he ys a tdo wni nr a nks ,byhundr e ds ,a ndbyf i f t i e s . Thedi s c i pl e spa s s e da mongt hec r owddi s t r i but i ngt hef ooda nd l a t e rc a r e f ul l yga t he r e dupt hel e f t ov e r s . " Phi l i ph a ds a i dt ha ti twoul dne e ds i xmont hswa ge st of e e dt he ga t he r e dc r owd .Wha tone a r t hwa st heus eofoneboysl unc hpa c k? Thes hor ta ns we ri st ha ti twa spl a c e di tJ e s usha nds .I twa s n' ta n i mpul s i ves ol oe f f or t .I twa sa l ldonewi t hi nt hec ont e xtofa me e t i ngwi t hJ e s usor ,i nt oda ysc ont e xt ,a spa r tofHi sc hur c h. J e s ust ookt hegi f ta ndbl e s s e di ta ndus e di t .The r ei sahymn," My l i f emus tbeChr i s t ' sbr oke nbr e a d"a ndt ha ti swha tt hi ss t or yi s a bout -gi vi ngChr i s ts ome t hi ngt ous e ;our s e l ve s . Iknow t ha tweha vehe a r de xpl a na t i onsofhow t hemi r a c l e ha ppe ne d,i ne xpl or i nge xpl a na t i onswec a ns ome t i me sl os et he s i gni f i c a nc eoft hee ve nt .Ther e a lmi r a c l ei ss t i l lwi t hust oda y,i n t ha tChr i s tc a nus et hes ma l l e s tgi f tt odogr e a tt hi ngs .
Se r monFour AnUnknownGod Ac t s17 Thef our t hpi c t ur ei sofPa ula ddr e s s i ngt heGr e e ksga t he r i ngon t heAr e opa gus . G. K. Che s t e r t ons a i d' l fpe opl es t opbe l i e vi ngi nr e l i gi ont h e ydon' t t he nbe l i e vei nn ot hi ng,t he ybe l i e vei na ny t hi ng. " Al t hought hi si sl a r ge l yt r uei ti s n' te xa c t l yt hes i t ua t i ont ha twe ha vet oda ynorwa si twha tPa ulme tupwi t hi nAt he ns .Toda ywe ha vepe opl e ,bot h wi t ha nd wi t houtr e l i gi on who be l i e vei n a nyt hi nga nde ve r yt hi nga ndPa ulwa ss pe a ki ngt op e opl ewho di dn' twa ntt omi s sout-t hea l t a rt oa nunknowngodl ooksa si fi t wa ss omeki ndo fi ns ur a nc epol i c y. Pa ul ' sa ddr e s sors e r monwa st oaga t he r i ngont heAr e opa gusi n t hes h a d owoft heAc r opol i s Theme nwhoga t he r e dt he r e . we r enot s o meki ndofs pe a k e r s ' c or ne rorde ba t i ngs oc i e t y;butme mbe r sof t heSupr e meCounc i lorSe na t eofAt he ns .I twa saga t he r i ng,a t l e a s ti nt he i rowne ye soft hec l e ve r e s t ,wi s e s t ,be s ts e l l i ng e duc a t e dme ni nt hec i t y. Whe ns omeoft heme mbe r sf i r s the a r dPa ulpr e a c hi ngi nt hec i t y t he ydi s mi s s e dhi ma swha tmos tEngl i s hve r s i onsoft heBi bl e t r a ns l a t ea sa' ba bbl e r ' .TheGr e e kwor d,Ir e a d,l i t e r a l l yme a ns ' s e e dpi c ke r 'a ndwa sAt he ni a ns l a ngf or' t hephi l os ophi cpi c ke r upofoddme nt sofi de a s ' ,t hevi s i t i ngt e a c he rorpr e a c he rwi t h i de a si nc ongr uo us l ymi xe da ndar a gt a gmi xt ur eoft houghta nd r e l i gi ont oe xp ou nd.I ns pi t eoft hi sl owopi ni ont he yc a met ot he c onc l us i ont ha tt hi sma nmus tbehe a r dbyt hewhol ea s s e mbl y, t ha tt he ymi ghtd e c i dei fhi sme s s a geha da nyva l ue . ( Wh a tweha vei nt heBi bl ei s ,ofc our s e ,onl yar ĂŠ s umĂŠoft he s p e e c h.J . B. Ph i l l i ps 't r a ns l a t i onofAc t s ,' TheYoungChur c hi n Ac t i on' ha sa ne xpa nde dve r s i ona sa na ppe ndi x. ) Thes e r moni si mpor t a nta si ti sPa ul ' sf i r s tma j ore xpos i t i onoft he gos pe lt oa na udi e nc ewi t houtaba c kgr oundofOl dTe s t a me nt t he ol ogyorJ e wi s ht hought .Thi sma ke si twor t hl ooki nga tt oda y a swee nde a vourt obr i ngt hegos pe lt ounc hur c he dpe opl e . Onet hi ngwel e a r nf r omt hi ss e r moni st ha tbe i ngr e l i gi ousi snot e nough. TheAt he ni a nswe r e ,a c c or di ngt oPa ul ,ve r yr e l i gi ous ;pe r ha pst oo r e l i gi ous .Tha t ,pe r ha ps ,gi ve susc a us ef ort hought .I nt oda y' s
Br i t a i n,a l t houghont h es ur f a c ei ta ppe a r st ha tweha ver e j e c t e d r e l i gi on,wi t hc hur c he sa ndc ha pe l sc l os i ngone ve r yha nda nd pe opl e' doi ngt he r eownt hi ng' ,t he r ei save r ydi f f e r e nta nd c onf us i ngpi c t ur eunde rt ha ts ur f a c e . I nar e c e nts ur ve ys ome80% s a i dt ha tt he yha dabe l i e fi ngod;a s wel ooka r oundwes e ema nyout l e t sf ora l t e r na t i vebe l i e f s ,bet he y c e nt r e sf orot he rr e l i gi ons ,a l t e r na t i vet he r a pi e sa ndl i f e s t yl e sor s h opss e l l i ngc r ys t a l s ,t a r otc a r dsa ndot he rpa r a phe r na l i a .I ts e e ms t ha tt he r ei sap l a c ef ort heunknowngodi nmos tpe opl e ' sl i ve s . Pa ulpoi nt soutt ha ta nunknowngodi snote nough Le tusha vea not he rl ooka twha thes a ysi nAc t s17 23." f ora sIwa sp a s s i ngt hr ougha ndc ons i de r i ngt he obj e c t sofyourwor s hi p,Ie ve nf ounda na l t a rwi t ht hi s i ns c r i pt i on:t ot heunknownGod.The r e f or e ,t heOne whom y ouwor s hi pwi t houtknowi ng,Hi m Ipr o c l a i mt o you: 24." God,whoma det hewor l da nde ve r yt hi ngi ni t ,s i nc e Hei sLor dofhe a ve na nde a r t h,doe snotdwe l li nt e mpl e s ma dewi t hha nds . 25." Nori sHewor s h i pe dwi t hme n' sha nds ,a st houghHe ne e de da nyt hi ng,s i nc eHegi ve st oa l ll i f e ,. br e a t h ,a nda l l t hi ngs . 28." f ori nHi mwel i vea ndmovea ndha veourb e i ng,a s a l s os omeofyourownpoe t sha ves a i d,' Forwea r ea l s o Hi sof f s pr i ng. ' Weha vet okno wGod,notj us tknowa boutGoda ndt ha tGodi s notava gueunkn owngod. I nt hepol yt he i s t i cwor l di nwhi c ht he yl i ve d,whe r eonegodwa s a sgooda sa nyot he r ,t heAt he ni a nswoul dha vef oundi tdi f f i c ul t t oa c c e ptt hepr e a c hi ngofonegod.Thi si snotagod,bu tGodwi t hac a pi t a lG-t heCr e a t or ,Pr e s e r ve ra ndGove r norofa l lt hi ngs . Pa uls uppor t st h i spoi ntbyquot i n gaphr a s et ha toc c ur si nt he wr i t i ngsofac oupl eofGr e e kpoe t s ,Ar a t usa ndCl e a nt he s . Toda ymos tpe opl ebe l i e vei nones upr e meGod-e ve na t he i s t s onl y di s be l i e v ei n one go d!butma ny ha ve onl y a va gue c onc e pt i onofwhoGodr e a l l yi sorwha tHei sr e a l l yl i ke .Li ket he At he ni a nsonMa r sHi l l ,al otofpe opl es t r uggl ewi t ht hef i na l s e c t i onofPa ul ' ss e r mon. I ti st hec ommonf a ul toft hos ewhos e e kt oc omme ndt hegos pe l t oa na l i e norho s t i l ea udi e nc ebya na da pt a t i onofa ppr oa c hora r e c a s t i ngofl a ngua ge ,t ol os et hepoi ntoft he i ra ppe a l ,a ndl e a ve
t he i rhe a r e r swi t hnovi t a lc h a l l e nge .Pa ula voi de dt hi se r r or .He br oughtt ot he mt hec ha l l e ngeofal i vi ngr e s ur r e c t e dJ e s us. 30." Tr ul y,t he s et i me sofi gnor a nc eGodove r l oo ke d,but nowc o mma ndsa l lme ne ve r ywhe r et or e pe nt , 31.be c a us eHeha sa ppoi nt e dada yonwhi c hHewi l l j udget hewor l di nr i ght e ous ne s sbyt heMa nwhom He ha sor da i ne d.Heha sgi ve na s s ur a nc eoft hi st oa l lby r a i s i ngHi mf r omt hede a d. " 32.Andwhe nt he yh e a r doft her e s ur r e c t i onoft hede a d, s omemoc ke d,whi l eot he r ss a i d," Wewi l lhe a ryoua ga i n ont hi sma t t e r . " Thi si st her e a lc ha l l e ngeoft heChr i s t i a nGos pe l .I ti st hec or eof a l lt ha tPa ulpr e a c he d,wr ot ea nd e xpe r i e nc e d.Heus e dt he pa t t e r nsofl ogi ct ha tt he phi l os ophe r soft het i meus e d,buthi se xpe r i e nc ea ndc e r t a i nt y a dde d apot e nc yt o hi sme s s a ge .Hi ss t r onge s ta r gume nti s , pe r h a pst ha tf ound i n ICor i nt hi a ns15:Le tusl ooka ti ta nds e e wha tourChr i s t i a nf a i t hi sa l la bout : 1Cor i nt hi a ns15 12.Nowi fChr i s ti spr e a c he dt ha tHeha sbe e nr a i s e df r om t hede a d ,how dos omea mongyous a yt ha tt he r ei sno r e s ur r e c t i onoft hede a d? 13.Bu ti ft he r ei snor e s ur r e c t i onoft hede a d,t he nChr i s t i snotr i s e n. 14.An di fChr i s ti snotr i s e n,t he nourpr e a c hi ngi sva i n a ndyo urf a i t hi sa l s ova i n. 15.Ye s ,a ndwea r ef oundf a l s ewi t ne s s e sofGod,be c a us e weha vet e s t i f i e dofGodt ha tHer a i s e dupChr i s t ,whom Hedi dn otr a i s eupi fi nf a c tt hede a ddonotr i s e . 16.Fori ft hede a ddonotr i s e ,t he nChr i s ti snotr i s e n. 17.Andi fChr i s ti snotr i s e n,yourf a i t hi sf ut i l e ;youa r e s t i l li nyours i ns ! 18.The na l s ot hos ewhoha vef a l l e na s l e e pi nChr i s tha ve pe r i s he d . 19.I fi nt hi sl i f eonl yweha vehopei nChr i s t ,wea r eofa l l me nt hemos tpi t i a bl e . 20.ButnowCh r i s ti sr i s e nf r omt hede a d,a ndha sbe c ome t hef i r s t f r ui t soft hos ewhoha vef a l l e na s l e e p. 21.Fo rs i nc ebyma nc a mede a t h,byMa na l s oc a met he r e s ur r e c t i onoft hede a d. 22.Fo ra si nAda ma l ldi e ,e v e ns oi nChr i s ta l ls ha l lbe ma dea l i ve .
23.Bute a c honei nhi sownor de r :Chr i s tt hef i r s t f r ui t s , a f t e r wa r dt hos ewhoa r eChr i s t ' sa tHi sc omi ng. 24.The nc ome st hee nd,whe nHede l i ve r st heki ngdomt o Godt h eFa t he r ,whe nHeput sa ne ndt oa l lr ul ea nda l l a ut hor i t ya ndpowe r . 25.ForHemus tr e i g nt i l lHeha sputa l le ne mi e sunde r Hi sf e e t . 26.Thel a s te ne myt h a twi l lbede s t r oye di sde a t h. Be i ngaChr i s t i a ni snott hes a mea sbe l i e vi ngi nagodorGodora c odeofe t hi c so rt heTe nComma ndme nt s .Weha vet ogof or t h a ndt e l lt hewo r l da boutal i vi ngSa vi our .