A CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Acts 2:36-47
Today we are taking a look at the
fourth foundation of discipleship for the Brethren found in Alexander Mack’s
(or whoever) seal. I will emphasize that
we are not talking about four different foundations but rather four expressions
of our foundation. Our foundation for
life is Jesus.
First there is non-conformity. We do not conform to the world, we seek to be
conformed to the image of Christ. We
don’t adopt the world’s standards, we stand firm on the standards set by
Jesus. The values we have are not those
of the world but of Christ. We are
transformed by our relationship with Jesus Christ. We dare to be different. I don’t mind being peculiar as long as it
means I am bearing the image of Christ in my life.
The second stage involves
fruit-bearing. If we are connected to
Jesus He will begin to shine in our lives.
The fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, will be evident in our lives. We will have a servant’s spirit even as Jesus
came to be a servant. We will have a
desire that others may also experience the same joy of salvation that is ours in
Jesus. We will take every opportunity to
share the good news of Jesus. Our lives
will demonstrate integrity and purity.
We won’t be caught up in worldly pursuits. Our lives will show for Jesus.
The third level is community. There are no solitary Christians. Not only do we belong to Jesus we also belong
to one another. We are part of the body
of Christ. Our relationship with Jesus
automatically connects us to the body of Christ. Together we grow. We teach, instruct, support, encourage, and
walk alongside each other. If you have
no desire to belong, then perhaps you don’t belong to Jesus, either. He established the church for the benefit of
all His children.
The fourth piece of the puzzle is the
ordinances. And I look at the ordinances
as a celebration of life. For the
Brethren there are four main ordinances – baptism, Love Feast and Communion,
Anointing for Healing, and Laying on of Hands.
Baptism is a symbol
of the greatest event in our lives. Baptism
is one of the greatest symbols of the faith.
I do not denigrate other practices and experiences, but consider our
understanding and practice of baptism. The
moment we accept Jesus Christ we are made new creatures in Him. We die to the old life and are buried in
baptism (symbolized by immersion) and we are then raised to new life in Jesus. The old is put off, the new is put on. It is a celebration of life, eternal life
through Jesus Christ. It is a symbol of
cleansing and forgiveness. And of course
it is in obedience to Jesus. It is at Jesus’
command that we are baptized (Matthew 28:20).
Love Feast and Communion is a
tremendous expression of remembrance and dedication. This should have a very high priority in our
lives. Pause to consider this
celebration. We are recalling a very
significant lesson taught by our Lord.
It was a lesson acted out and lived out.
We are remembering what Jesus has done on our behalf. It should be a great desire on our part to
participate in this service.
Feet washing is a time of confession
and dedication to service. Who among us
is without sin in our lives? Feet
washing reminds us that we have accumulated sin in our journey through life and
we need to confess and renounce and receive forgiveness.
Feet washing is a call to humility and
service. Jesus came to serve, not be
served.
The Love Feast or Agape Meal is an
expression of our life together in the Body of Christ. We are bound together by divine love – we are
one in Christ. We looked at this
extensively last week, today let us be reminded that this is one of the best
expressions of our relationship together in love. The meal is not an elaborate feast when we
leave talking only about the food we have indulged in, rather the emphasis is
on fellowship.
The Communion is in
remembrance of Jesus and His life giving sacrifice. Are you counted among the redeemed? Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of
life? Think about it for a moment. You have received eternal life because Jesus
took your sins upon Himself on the Cross of Calvary. Instead of eternity separated from God you
will be in His presence in heaven because of Jesus. Oh, don’t you just love Jesus! Has anything greater than this occurred in
you life? Don’t you want to remember and
celebrate this event?
Anointing for healing
celebrates God’s activity in our lives today.
God is still at work. He is
prepared to respond to our needs.
Anointing is a call for God’s touch to be upon us in our
weaknesses. The request for anointing is
an act of faith. It needs to come from
your heart of faith. That is why I don’t
normally ask people if they want to be anointed. It needs to have its basis in your faith.
Laying on Hands
celebrates God’s working in our lives as we are dedicated to His service. It is a symbol of receiving God’s Spirit and
blessing in our lives. Laying on of
hands is practiced at the time of baptism.
It is part of the anointing service.
And it is practiced at the time of ordination to ministry. We also lay on hands for those who may be
going into significant service such as mission work. It is not that we who lay on hands have any
significant power to pass on. But it was
practiced throughout Scripture and given to us as a symbol for preparation for
service.
God is working. Let us celebrate life.
©
2007,