The Ways of Love

 

by Mahalaleel G. Acha 

Scripture Text: Acts 2: 41-47

 

       Praise God for the wonderful message through song by my batch mates. Love Grows Here, where all of us can share; this is one of the phrases which captures me where today, now in this time of worshipping the Lord Love grows, love binds, the Love of Jesus Christ nurtures. Thank you batch mates.

A blessed morning to all! It feels different when today, I am facing my front window, facing the screen of my netbook, facing the camera. This is now the reality. When my batch mates and I took major courses in our Junior Year and even when we were in our first year, to preach in front of the koinonia, in the Chapel of the Evangel is one of the things we are looking forward to. But, the same goes now, the difference is through our screens. Though we are distant, I still feel the Spirit of koinonia and connection between us. God’s Spirit which allows us to answer God’s call to worship God, to ponder upon God’s word, and to be Church Pastors in the future.

It has always been an exciting opportunity and at the same time there’s the ‘nervous feeling’ that I feel when I am tasked to deliver God’s message to people. This morning, we will ponder upon God's message which serves as a reminder for us, Jesus’ followers, during this pandemic. My chosen text is on Acts chapter 2: and verses 41 to 47, the life among the believers, the early followers of Jesus. There are many themes we could get in this passage or even in the previous verses. For today, I shall focus and highlight one of the teachings of Jesus’ attitude shown by the disciples in this text which is to share and to go beyond that. Allow me to share with you 3 ways and emphasis on how the early believers practice and encourage one another in sharing which God also wants us to do in this time; the ways on how we can or who we are as we m share and make known the love of God this pandemic. And hopefully, this will encourage and help us too to be confident that God loves and cares for us even in these uncertain times and experiences seem to deny it.

I.

First, we share as witnesses. The Pentecost event is stated in the first verses of Acts chapter 2. The presence and the coming of the Holy Spirit filled the people and they began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. God’s Spirit that is presented also with the ministry of Jesus and his disciples is the Spirit which was with the devout people including Jews being the witnesses of the event. This is not just a mere event but there were thousands of people who heard them speak about God’s deeds of power. They were even accused of being filled with new wine. Then Peter delivers the speech, and after hearing those wonders of God, Jesus’ resurrection, the believers were baptized and encouraged to do Christ’s deeds to other people.

       Are we like Peter too? A witness who is doubtful at first but then became a martyr when experiencing the death and resurrection of Jesus. Peter as one of the witnesses too of Jesus’ resurrection was empowered and inspired by the Spirit to share his experiences and knowledge to the crowd. 

This time, if we talk about ‘to share’, we are prohibited to share our things even clothes or cosmetics for men and women, prohibited to share microphones that are used in the church and many others for us to be safe from spreading the virus. How can we be able to share in this time? What are we to share? We share in different ways, we share in different things, may it be opinions, materials, knowledge. As we Christians adhere to the teachings of Jesus Christ through his apostles, we should also not forget that We share as witnesses of Jesus’ love and care especially in this pandemic. We are called to share our knowledge and care to others in sharing our voice to the voiceless who are victims of injustices in this pandemic, killings, terrorism, red taggings, exploitation of women and children, even men, phil health corruption.  Even Peter also exhorted before the crowd in his address, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” This is a wakeup call for us, especially sharing our knowledge to the churches about what is happening in the world, like what should the church’s response be with what is going on as Christ would respond too. The church is not only ministering inside its walls but are called to go out and do ministry outside to be socially involved.  People had a lot of experience, to feel, to suffer, to cry but are we living as witnesses who claim that Jesus cares for us? that Jesus listens to you? which will lead us to our second point.

II.

       Second, we share as listeners. Jesus' ministry with the apostles was not smooth. Some of the apostles doubted Jesus, some believed, some listened and some followed. But as they went through listening and being a witness to Jesus’ deeds and teachings, performed miracles they ended up affirming, learning and following Jesus with the Spirit to form a church, a community of faith after Jesus’ resurrection. Peter was once a listener too, and until in the text stated, as Peter and other apostles performed healing and has done many wonders and signs, we may assume that people were shocked or feared them as Peter and the apostles first reacted when they were with Jesus. (natingala ug nahadlok) But still they endured and continued the ministry, the believers became listeners and sharers of Jesus’ teachings and deeds. We also see in the text the commitment to a new way of living of the people from the response of the message of the apostles which is ‘to repent’ and ‘to be baptized’. It also requires the moral sensitivity of the person, it is going beyond words but to act and to live a Christ like life.

       As we listen to Jesus what he wants us to do through our prayers, through studying the Scriptures, following His paths, we should also let the Spirit control us, empower us instead of our own interests. There were many situations brought by the Pandemic, every aspect of people’s life is affected, physically, emotionally, spiritually. There are many broken relationships in the family, circle of friends, especially that we are on screens now. Are we able to share our ears as listeners to them? How often do we say ‘kumusta’? and instead of reacting directly to their cries, why don’t we listen and understand? To listen is also a ministry. It enables us to understand and find clearer paths. Even the disciples ask questions in order for them to comprehend what Peter addresses the crowd and be sharers when they go out to spread the Gospel.

       In my own experience, I can say and I praise God that for almost 6 years in the seminary I somehow found meaning and importance of listening, which I believe when I will be in the church I or we can also share with our members our own experiences. Few months from now, my batch mates and I will finish theological training here in Silliman, and allow me to share some lines from my teachers in the seminary, because I always find these phrases as treasures which I could bring into the field where I also want to share with others. These helped me improve too. 

(not on exact words)     

I remember when Dr. Dennis Solon said, ‘Be open to learn new things and accept new opportunities, God has plans. Be good and you will succeed’

       Dr. Jeaneth Faller, she said “May you continue to show yourself mirrored in Christ, and do your best in everything that you do because it is for God’s glory.”

       Dr. Lope, he said ‘Be strong in the Lord, the challenges you’ve encountered in the ministry and you will be encountering will make you intelligent and brave.’

       Dr. Victor Aguilan, he encouraged ‘You can be a good disciple, when you pass your papers on time.’ No excuses. ‘If you can do it now, then do it.’ (self-discipline)

       Ma’am Magnolia Nova Mendoza, ‘Manage your time’, ‘Use Music to inspire the church’, ‘Be specific in everything’

       Ma’am Jean Nalam, ‘Never give up, Padayon’

       Dr. Noriel Capulong ‘There are a lot of stories in the Old Testament which will reflect yourself and you will learn from it, Do not stop in studying the Hebrew Bible’

       Rev. Van Tibus ‘Because you are soon to be Pastors, please do not forget to bring your Bible’

       Dr. Josephat Rweyemamu, ‘It always starts within yourself, if you are socially involved or community engaged but your attitude towards other people is not good, then it is useless’ ‘Nurture yourself in Christ’

       Dr. Msafiri Mbilu  ‘Learn from your experiences, you are welcome in your journey, and acknowledge God always’ ‘vondavo’ (German word of ‘wonderful’)

       Bishop Erme Camba, ‘You are pastoring the church, the people, so be attentive and be creative’

       Bishop Ben Dominguez ‘Be good and critical at interpreting Biblical texts’

       Dr. Lily Apura ‘Always spread the Truth’

       Dr. Muriel Montenegro ‘Do not forget yourself, in your own reflection, you will learn from it, let yourself be educated, be an empowered woman of God’

       Dr. Lucio Mutia ‘Your listening attitude heals a person, endure and set boundary’

       Dr. Everette Mendoza, ‘Be ready, seek guidance from God, do theology’

       Dr. Sillero, ‘Never stop learning Greek and other languages, you will have a happy life’, ‘Make friends’

       Rev. Josuah de Rosas, Live out and nurture your faith, God is with you in the ministry; (he will give you blessing thru laying of hands or making sign of the cross)

       (Sir) Cobbie Palm, Be alive and kinkin’ in the ministry; learn and enjoy

       Rev. Arnel Faller, ‘Be organized in everything’, learn to love reading

       Ma’am Erelyn, “Choose to be healthy, good and prayerful, you will find happiness and contentment.”

       Ma’am/Ate LG, “Follow your Dream”

       Kuya Eric. “Be good, responsible enough and humble leader”

All of these treasured lines which I am grateful to hear carry so much love in the ministry. I hope that this will inspire you too. I know that you have yours to remember and to share too in the field and in the whole DS Koinonia which leads us to our last point.

III.

       Third, we share as one community. The practice of koinonia in the text is shown after they listen to Jesus' wonders, and deeds and God’s message addressed by Peter and after they were baptized they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. All who believed were together and had all things in common; what’s valuable is their attention too is to ‘as any had need’. They would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, to give anyone who had need. They spent much time together, ate together with glad and generous hearts, there is satisfaction and contentment which helps a person to be at peace. And the expression of breaking of the bread is referring to the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Others see it to refer to fellowship or shared meals and Love grows in sharing.

       This shows the value of unity and sharing despite differences. We are all in this together. Let the Spirit of koinonia be felt outside our community, and let us share God’s love which cares, guides, speaks for the people.

       In everything that we do, let us abide in Jesus as He abides in us. Let us not forget to seek guidance and be open to God’s Spirit that will enable us to build God’s kingdom here on earth which adheres Jesus’ teaching and as we share as witnesses, as listeners to our sisters and brothers and as we share as one community. Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing.

As we remember and celebrate the Holy Communion, may we be enlightened in sharing God’s revealing grace through Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection until He comes again. Amen.

(This sermon was delivered during Virtual Wednesday Chapel Service held February 3, 2021 via ZOOM and Facebook Live.)