Courageous Christianity (Wade Abbott)

Acts 16: 16-34

The story that we just read about Paul and Silas is one of my favorites – a story of courage.

In the midst of being arrested, beaten, and jailed, they faced an earthquake that must have been terrifying. Yet, instead of making their escape, they stayed put – sharing their faith with their jailer.

I often doubt that I would have demonstrated the same courage. You see, I don’t often think of myself as particularly courageous.

I know, I know… those of you who know my love of roller coasters might be surprised about that statement… but believe it or not, I’m afraid of heights. Take, for instance, the idea of bungee jumping. Seriously, who jumps from a crane or a bridge with a giant rubber band attached to their foot?

I’m also sure most everybody here has seen that classic movie, The Wizard of Oz. Perhaps my favorite character in the movie is the Cowardly Lion. He is making the trip to Oz because he hopes the Wizard will grant him a gift of courage. Do you remember his famous speech about courage? (He pronounces it keh-her-age.)

Courage. What makes a King out of a slave? Courage.
What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage.
What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist or the dusky dusk?
What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage.
What makes the Sphinx the 7th Wonder? Courage.
What makes the dawn come up like THUNDER?! Courage.

The lion continues his speech, in regal fashion. But then, he says…

Whatta they got that I ain’t got?
Dorothy & Friends: Courage!
Lion: You can say that again.

Poor Lion. I can identify with him. For many, if not most of us, it can be a challenge to let others know we are Christians. Perhaps, we have fears that people will make fun of us, laugh at us, or get angry with us. Maybe we worry that we will lose friends if they notice us sticking to the principles of Christ and sharing out faith.

However, I think we can take courage from the story of Paul and Silas. Their courage can be infectious.

They took a risky endeavor in helping a young slave girl. They paid the price for their actions as they were flogged, shackled, and thrown into a jail.

Yet, they did not complain. Instead, they sang hymns and praised God.

When an earthquake shook the prison, they opted not for freedom, but stayed in the prison, ultimately ministering to the person tasked with keeping them locked up.

Ahhh… but you might say, “Not fair. Those two men were strong men of faith. They were used to taking actions like that.”

Perhaps, so. Perhaps it was easier for them. However, the Bible is full of stories of ordinary people who were called by God into important roles. Each demonstrated great courage.

Joseph was sold into slavery and became an advisor to the Egyptians. Moses was afraid to speak; yet he led the Israelites to freedom. David began as a young shepherd, defeated a giant, and eventually ruled Israel. Mary rode a donkey to give birth to Jesus in a stable. Her husband was just a carpenter. Many of the first disciples were ordinary fisherman, but later became martyrs.

We can also take courage from the example set by other Christians in today’s world. In the Middle East Christians are facing difficult choices. Do they give in to certain terrorists who demand that they renounce their faith? Or do they face death? Many have stayed true to their faith and sacrificed their lives as a result. Others have risked their lives to ensure the safety of other Christians in the region, standing up to evil.

In China, many churches have had the crosses on their buildings removed by the government. Church leaders have been arrested for protesting these actions. Home churches have been raided, and attendees have been arrested.

But we happen to live in a country where we have the rights to free speech, freedom of religion. In some ways, it is a very sheltered world. For the most part, we don’t have to worry about job losses, arrests, torture, or death as a direct result of our faith.

Yet, I’ve noticed some disturbing trends in recent years.

I’m not sure that the freedom of religion will continue in our country as it has for two centuries.

When controversial topics come up, churches may take a principled stand, but also an unpopular one.

Case in point, just a couple years ago, a number of churches in Houston, Texas were subpoenaed by the City Mayor to turn over copies of sermons and other communications on a certain controversial issue.

For the purposes of this sermon, the particular issue is not important in this case. But the actions taken by the government are concerning. It seems to me that the local government was trying to silence these churches.

Fortunately, the subpoenas were withdrawn. Yet, in my view, the action could have a chilling effect on religious freedom in our country.

Could our religious freedoms be eroding? Could we face a future where speech is much more limited, where our government inserts itself into how churches are operated?

That may or may not turn out to be the case, but I think we should be prepared for such a situation. It has happened, and continues to happen, in other countries.

It seems to me that the need for our courage is increasing.

But don’t be discouraged. I am confident that the world needs and wants to hear our testimony. Desperately.

As we examine Paul and Silas, remember that their jailer was distraught after he thought the prisoners had escaped. He was suicidal. When Paul and Silas called out to him, he must have recognized that their courage was a lifeline.

He saw the bravery of Paul and Silas. He saw that there was something there that he needed. Not only did he become a believer, but so did his whole family

From our courage comes hope. From our courage comes God’s love.

And our courage comes from God.

I’m convinced that the Rotterdam United Methodist Church family has an important role to play in God’s kingdom. It is great to see new faces in church at Sunday. I know we are involved in many important community activities and outreach. I absolutely love the music in our church… from classic hymns to contemporary music. It is an exciting time to be a member of this church.

But what is our future as a church? What does God want us to do?

Do we have the courage to grow? Do we have the courage to really open our doors? Can we share the story of Christ’s gift of salvation in Rotterdam? In Guilderland? In Schenectady? And beyond?
As I prepared today’s sermon, I stumbled across this verse from Acts 23:11 where God spoke to Paul: The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

And even though Paul had been through many challenges by that time, I still guess that God’s admonition probably caused his heart to beat a bit faster. He may have wondered what was in store for him. But I bet he also went forth with courage, with the knowledge that God was with him.

Unlike the Cowardly Lion we do not need a medal to tell us that we are courageous. Instead, we can go with the confidence that God knows what He is doing and what we need to be doing.

Take courage!