St Michael and All Angels Penkridge Healing Service 10th April 2016
Acts 9.1-20
Perhaps it is because I
have been in Anglican ministry for 30 years that when I was asked about a Bible reading for tonight I first
went and checked out the ‘set’ readings for today.
I was delighted to find
one of the key passages for today was this account of Saul’s Conversion – Acts
9.1-20.
This account highlights at
least two very important healings, both in their original setting and in
today’s context.
The major healing is of
course Saul being healed of his blindness – not just his physical blindness, but
also his spiritual blindness.
We know Saul to be zealous
after the ways of God and as a well-educated man.
Philippians 3.5
…circumcised
the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of
Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as
to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.
From Acts 22.3
"I
am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied
under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was
just as zealous for God as any of you are today.
Also Acts 26.5
They
have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I
conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee.
We also know that Saul was
witness to the death of the first Christian martyr Stephen.
When
they had driven him (Stephen) out of the city, they began stoning him; and the
witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Through the ministrations
of Ananias, Saul was healed of the physical blindness that had come upon him
following his encounter with the risen Jesus and also his spiritual blindness
However, that was not until Jesus had knocked him of his high horse.
Are there those today that
we know who are zealous for the way things are done, fervent about the right
order for worship and conduct becoming a Christian? Perhaps all tied down and
neatly ordered and boxed. Woe betides
anyone who even dares to suggest something new and innovative.
Perhaps we could pray that
they might be knocked off their high horse and learn humility. Learn that
although God is the same yesterday, today and forever, He nonetheless invites
His Gospel people to realize a contextualized Lord’s Prayer.
However, however, however
- a word of caution. Before we do this, let us check very carefully to make
sure that we are not riding our own hobbyhorse.
This particular healing,
this means of re-birth, this regeneration, is of course the supreme and most
important healing of all.
For in Christ alone is
there the promise of healing and new life and a resurrected body of which Jesus
is the first fruits.
1 Corinthians 15.22-24
For
as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his
own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His
coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and
Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.…
Let me ask you if you know
that kind of healing?
If you do not or if you
have allowed your sight to grow dim then please seek out prayer before you
leave here tonight.
The second kind of healing
I would like to draw our attention to is that of Ananias’ meeting with Saul.
Ananias is understandably
perturbed by the Lord’s call to go and encounter Saul whose reputation has gone
before him. Yet in faith, he goes and
searches out Saul.
Notice how Ananias greets Saul – Brother Saul.
Reconciliation is truly a
most wonderful healing.
We have witnessed that
many times in our recent history.
Think of Desmond Tutu and
the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as the scourge of apartheid was being
dismantled in South Africa.
Consider the various
individuals we know or have heard about who have been able to forgive and be reconciled
with those who have done them great harm and evil.
Jesus said, "Therefore if you are presenting your
offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother or sister has
something against you, leave your offering there before the
altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and
present your offering.”
This
is what lies behind the Sharing of the Peace.
Making
peace, seeking reconciliation is the first thing we do BEFORE we come to worship of Almighty
God.
Bill
Hybells in an excellent book ‘Simplify’ refers to his wife as someone who
ministers in the area of conflict resolution and reconciliation.
He
talks about people being bomb throwers of bridge builders.
Now
before we run off with a head of steam and think of people like I.S. and Paris
and Brussels, important as they are (and worth noting Saul was on his way to
Damascus) let us bring this right home and right here and right now.
Let us pause just for a
moment and consider any relationships that we have that are in need of healing
and some bridge repair work.
You may well feel a bit
like Ananias; but Lord they will only throw it back in my face, it will only
make things worse, I simply cannot do this.
So perhaps you may need to
move forward with caution and not go rushing off immediately and give someone a
huge bear hug and seek reconciliation.
(Although
I would not rule that out altogether in some cases)
Maybe it is a text
message, an email, a letter, or a card, perhaps a bunch of flowers.
You could do that later,
after the Service and in the spirit of prayer and maybe ask someone to pray
with you before you send the text or email.
I have not touched on
physical healing, although that is here in Saul recovery from blindness.
Physical healing remains a
profound mystery to me. I have seen healing of all sorts, legs lengthening,
backs straightening, cancers cured.
Yet I struggle to
understand why it would seem that physical healing comes to some and not to
others.
Recently we have had two
Church Army Officers who were both were diagnosed with cancer. One died as a
young man, leaving a wife and teenage children. The other has made a remarkable
recovery and has resumed ministry.
In the Acts of the
Apostles, we read of James being put to the sword, but Peter and others
miraculously freed from prison.
So, we ask for healing,
physical healing, in faith, hope and trust. We know that it is not a matter of
saying the right kind of words – that is magic, not Christian healing.
We come humbly before our
loving heavenly Father and ask in as straightforward a manner as we can to
bring his healing touch into a life or into a situation.
Saul received his sight
and went on to become a beacon of light and a champion of the risen Jesus.
However, this healing,
both of his physical blindness and his spiritual blindness did not mean he was
immune from trials and tribulations…
Later on, he writes to the
Corinthian Church…
Five
times, I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten
with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day
I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from
rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the
Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea,
dangers among false brethren;…
Then writing to the Church in Philippi…
…Not
that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever
circumstances I am. I
know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in
prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being
filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do
all things through Him who strengthens me.…
Can I invite you take that
final verse into your week ahead…
I can do all things
through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4.13
Philippians 4.13
Carry it with you; write
it down if that helps.
Then if you need to
challenge someone who is on their high horse, or if you need to climb down of
your own hobbyhorse, you know where to turn to for the strength and the
encouragement.
If seeking to be bridge
builder rather than a bomb thrower appears difficult, lean into this Scripture
and let it nourish your soul. Remember the words of Jesus, beaten, bloodied and
tortured, ‘Father forgive them for they know what they do.’
Let us say it together a
few times, let it minister, and go deep into our souls…
I
can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Now
to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and
in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
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