Sermon 4th May 2025 – 3rd Sunday after Easter
Text: Acts 9:1-20
Each of us has our own ways of drawing strength that the Christian faith
is not a myth or a cleverly devised story – which is how St Peter describes how
some see the story of Jesus in his letter: He says: For we did not follow
cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He is here speaking
about the time that he, James and John saw the Transfiguration of Jesus. For
Thomas last week his standard of proof was - Unless I see the nail marks in his
hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I
will not believe. For me, our first reading today is the account that gives me
strength and assurance of the truth of Jesus. The conversion of St Paul.
There is no doubt that a Pharisee by the name of Saul existed - who
studied under Gamaliel lived in the first century. It’s a statement of fact –
just as it is a statement of fact that a person by the name of Jesus lived in
the first century born to Mary. Those details don’t require faith. It is the
resurrection that requires faith. And St Paul, in Philippians 3, explains what
his life was like before he had put his faith in Jesus Christ:
Circumcised on the eighth day, of the people 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 righteousness under the law, blameless.
But then something happened one day on his way to Damascus. Suddenly a
light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice
saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He asked,
"Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are
persecuting. This is after Jesus has died, risen and ascended to Heaven.
What does Paul have to gain by lying about this encounter? He lost
everything - all his prestige, privileges, reputation and respect once he
became a Christian. As he says - But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for
the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the
surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered
the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain
Christ.
The options are – either Paul is lying. Or Paul is delusional. Which is
actually what Governor Festus accused him of when he explained his journey to
Damascus: Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!”
he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
Or this event actually happened and Paul is telling the truth. Which was
his defence to Festus - I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied.
“What I am saying is true and reasonable. And if Paul is telling the truth –
which I truly believe – then everything about Jesus Christ is true. And it
wasn’t only Paul who saw the risen Jesus:
Paul says: For what I received I passed on to you as of first
importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that
he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
and that he appeared to Peter and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared
to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of
whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to
James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to
one abnormally born.
And after his conversion, Paul became one of the greatest advocates for
the Christian faith, boldly proclaiming the Gospel without fear of persecution
or death. Paul’s transformation also serves another important fact: That our
past does not define our future when it comes to God and his grace. No matter
our history, God can use us for His glorious purpose.
Paul reflects that he is not worthy of his new status as an Apostle
which is what he meant by referring to himself as abnormally born. He had
persecuted the church.
He had approved the murder of Stephen – the first martyr of the
Christian faith.
And yet God forgave him and used him to further the Gospel particularly
to the Gentiles. I know many people struggle to believe that God accepts them. I
know at times I feel that about myself and maybe you do too. But look at Paul –
a murderer and persecutor of Christians – the chief of sinners as he self
proclaims – and yet God loves and accepts him.
Or look at Peter. He ran away and deserted Jesus at his arrest along
with the other disciples. He denied knowing Jesus 3 times. He did not believe
the women’s testimony that they had seen Jesus risen. And yet Jesus loved him
and restored him back to his position as Apostle. Jesus knew Peter would fail
and so did Satan. Before his death Jesus comforted Peter about this; “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of
you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.
And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Jesus spends time
with Peter today to restore him out of love for Peter who is ashamed because of
his denial and cannot understand how Jesus could love him – and yet he does.
And look at Thomas who refused to believe. And Jesus comes to him and
lets him touch him because he loves him.
Jesus’ life was full of examples of reaching out to those who others
thought were unworthy – and even worse – those who thought themselves unworthy.
Like the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears. Like Zacchaeus who became
a new man when Jesus invited himself to his place for a meal when everyone else
rejected him. Like the Samaritan leper who was the only one of the 10 lepers to
return to give thanks to Jesus even though lepers AND Samaritans were
considered unworthy. Like the Samaritan woman at the well who tried to hide her
marital indiscretions from Jesus – but he knew them but didn’t judge. Just as
he did not judge the woman caught in adultery when everyone else wanted to
stone her to death.
At the beginning of John’s Gospel Jesus explains to Nicodemus that the
work that Jesus came to do was to restore us to God. For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not
perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to
condemn the world, but to save the world through him. So Jesus is always
looking to restore us when we sin – even when our sin is seemingly
unforgiveable – like Saul murdering Christians – like Peter denying that he
even knew Jesus let alone being one of his followers.
If you’ve ever struggled with sin. If you’ve ever struggled with your
worth before God.
If you’ve ever questioned your salvation. Then the conversion of Saul
and the reinstatement of Peter is your comfort knowing that God is always
restoring relationships to himself.
In fact Paul, from his own conversion learnt this when he wrote to the
Corinthians saying; God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not
counting people’s sins against them. As did King David when he was weighed down
with guilt for committing adultery and murder: Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me. But through repentance he
discovered the Gospel: Then I confessed my sin to you and did not cover up my
iniquity. I said, “I will confess my sins to the Lord.” And you forgave the
guilt of my sin.
So friends, whatever burden you are bearing – whatever guilt you are
dealing with, listen to our Lord who says: Come to me, all you who are weary
and burdened, and I will give you rest … for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
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