Ordination/induction Ian Middlemist
Text: Acts 26:16-22 Date: 07/07/07 Place: Hill Park Baptist HaverfordwestI count it a great privilege to be asked to preach here on this occasion. I want to speak directly to Ian (and in part to Hanna) although I want you all to listen in, as it were, as what I'm going to say has an application more or less direct to everyone of us especially if we are believers and I will try to point that out as we go along.
What I want to do is to focus on some words found in Acts 26:16-22. In Acts 26 the Apostle Paul is on trial before Herod Agrippa and Festus. You remember how Paul had been arrested in the Temple in Jerusalem due to the opposition of the Jews there and then taken to Caesarea where he stood before the Governor Felix. Felix kept him prison but often spoke with him over a two year period until his governorship came to an end and he was replaced by Porcius Festus. Festus also listened to Paul who at this time made his crucial appeal to Caesar.
In Acts 25:13 we read that A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Festus decided to give Herod Agrippa an opportunity to hear the prisoner Paul too. Paul's speech and reaction are then recorded in Acts 26. In it, among other things, Paul recounts his conversion story – something Luke has already recorded twice before in this book. He clearly thinks it is important. Each time the story is told we get slightly different details. It is only in this version that we are told the actual commission that Paul received from the risen Christ and it struck me that although Ian is not being set apart as an Apostle today, of course, he is being set apart as an evangelist and to the work of the Christian ministry and so it is an appropriate place for me to turn to charge him for the task ahead. Drawing on what we find here then in Acts 26:16-22 I want to talk to you about three things Ian – basically, your past and present, your present commission and what you can expect in the future.
What I want to do is to focus on some words found in Acts 26:16-22. In Acts 26 the Apostle Paul is on trial before Herod Agrippa and Festus. You remember how Paul had been arrested in the Temple in Jerusalem due to the opposition of the Jews there and then taken to Caesarea where he stood before the Governor Felix. Felix kept him prison but often spoke with him over a two year period until his governorship came to an end and he was replaced by Porcius Festus. Festus also listened to Paul who at this time made his crucial appeal to Caesar.
In Acts 25:13 we read that A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Festus decided to give Herod Agrippa an opportunity to hear the prisoner Paul too. Paul's speech and reaction are then recorded in Acts 26. In it, among other things, Paul recounts his conversion story – something Luke has already recorded twice before in this book. He clearly thinks it is important. Each time the story is told we get slightly different details. It is only in this version that we are told the actual commission that Paul received from the risen Christ and it struck me that although Ian is not being set apart as an Apostle today, of course, he is being set apart as an evangelist and to the work of the Christian ministry and so it is an appropriate place for me to turn to charge him for the task ahead. Drawing on what we find here then in Acts 26:16-22 I want to talk to you about three things Ian – basically, your past and present, your present commission and what you can expect in the future.
1. Consider the past - what you once were and what you now are1. You were once lost in unbelief
Paul describes here how he was once convinced that he ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. That's what he did in Jerusalem – putting Christians in prison and consenting to their deaths. He would go from one synagogue to another to have them punished and would try to force them to blaspheme. It was this obsession against Christians that led him to travel the Damascus road where his famous conversion took place. ILL You sometimes here people say 'He's a changed man' or 'He's not like he used to be'. He's different. There's no-one that could be more true of than Saul of Tarsus, the Apostle Paul.
Now Ian I don't think you ever went to any lengths to persecute Christians but there was a time when you (and Hanna) were not Christians. Like Paul, myself and every Christian here you were once dead in your transgressions and sins, without hope and without God in the world, an unbeliever. But, like Paul, you were converted. It wasn't as dramatic as in Paul's story but it was a real and a radical conversion that has changed everything and is part of the reason why you find yourself here today in these circumstances. Do not forget what you once were – a lost, blind wretch, a child of wrath by nature. It will help you when you seek to win others to Christ.
Now Ian I don't think you ever went to any lengths to persecute Christians but there was a time when you (and Hanna) were not Christians. Like Paul, myself and every Christian here you were once dead in your transgressions and sins, without hope and without God in the world, an unbeliever. But, like Paul, you were converted. It wasn't as dramatic as in Paul's story but it was a real and a radical conversion that has changed everything and is part of the reason why you find yourself here today in these circumstances. Do not forget what you once were – a lost, blind wretch, a child of wrath by nature. It will help you when you seek to win others to Christ.
2. You have been appointed as a servant and a witness
Paul explains his famous Damascus Road experience. Coming to Damascus one day about noon, as he came along the road he saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around him and his companions. They all fell to the ground, and Paul heard a voice saying to him in Aramaic, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads. Paul asks Who are you, Lord? He is told I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. He is then told to get to his feet, which he does and Jesus says I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.Now although there are obviously many differences we have reason to believe that something similar has happened to you Ian (like Hanna and many others of us here). You've met with Jesus and he's appointed you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. Now, it is not that you have seen Jesus in a vision like Paul but the risen Lord has made himself known to you and he wants you to be his servant and a witness of what you have seen of him and what he will show you in the future. This is true of you in general as a Christian and more specifically as a minister of the gospel, the work you are being set apart to today.
So two things 1. A servant. You know what a servant is – one who serves. I don't suppose many of you have one. We don't see many as such today but think of days gone by when, say, a rich man would have his manservant. The manservant was to do whatever the master bid. Every Christian here needs to realise that he is a servant of Christ. The purpose of your life must be to serve the Lord in whatever way you can. How we need that servant spirit among us today. What can I do? How can I help?
Further, 2. You are a witness. Now we are in a court of law and someone is in the witness box -telling the truth on oath. You know in St Ffagan's you can see Christmas Evans's old pulpit. He had it made like a witness box so that when he preached he was aware of his role as a witness. You must tell people about what Jesus has done for you – what you already know, as young as you may be in the faith, and what you are continuing to learn from the Scriptures.
We must all be servants and witnesses. Some, like Ian, are set apart to this work of service and witness in a special way. They are to give themselves fully to this work of serving and witnessing. That's why we call them ministers (servants) – not because they're the only ministers. Every man ministry is quite a biblical idea. However, there are minsters who are particularly set apart to the work of serving the Lord and bearing witness to him. It's a little bit like when they call up an expert witness to testify in court. You must specialise in this Ian.
So two things 1. A servant. You know what a servant is – one who serves. I don't suppose many of you have one. We don't see many as such today but think of days gone by when, say, a rich man would have his manservant. The manservant was to do whatever the master bid. Every Christian here needs to realise that he is a servant of Christ. The purpose of your life must be to serve the Lord in whatever way you can. How we need that servant spirit among us today. What can I do? How can I help?
Further, 2. You are a witness. Now we are in a court of law and someone is in the witness box -telling the truth on oath. You know in St Ffagan's you can see Christmas Evans's old pulpit. He had it made like a witness box so that when he preached he was aware of his role as a witness. You must tell people about what Jesus has done for you – what you already know, as young as you may be in the faith, and what you are continuing to learn from the Scriptures.
We must all be servants and witnesses. Some, like Ian, are set apart to this work of service and witness in a special way. They are to give themselves fully to this work of serving and witnessing. That's why we call them ministers (servants) – not because they're the only ministers. Every man ministry is quite a biblical idea. However, there are minsters who are particularly set apart to the work of serving the Lord and bearing witness to him. It's a little bit like when they call up an expert witness to testify in court. You must specialise in this Ian.
2. Consider the present - Your commission and what should you do about itIn 17-20 Paul goes on to spell out exactly what the risen Lord Jesus commissioned him to.
1. Understand the commission
In 17 there is a promise of rescue from his own people and from the Gentiles. More on that later. The point here is that Jesus says I am sending you to them. In a similar way we can say that Ian is being sent today with the same aim. See it in 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Now this assumes certain things, of course
1 That Jews and Gentiles alike are blind and in the darkness by nature. You see a man with a white stick and dark glasses or with a guide dog. You know he is blind. Well, that is the spiritual condition of everyone by nature.
2 That Jews and Gentiles alike are under Satan's power by nature. Bob Dylan sang that song years ago. "Whoever you are you're gonna have to serve somebody. It may be the Devil or it may be the Lord but you're gonna have to serve somebody." Those who don't serve the Lord serve Satan. They are under his power. Remember that.
Now the great thing is that by God's light and by God's power Paul is commissioned to the work of shining the light of the gospel out, opening blind eyes so that they can see and delivering people from the power of Satan. That is also your commission, Ian – to go out and preach in such way that men and women and boys and girls are healed from their blindness and delivered from the devil.
1. Understand the commission
In 17 there is a promise of rescue from his own people and from the Gentiles. More on that later. The point here is that Jesus says I am sending you to them. In a similar way we can say that Ian is being sent today with the same aim. See it in 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Now this assumes certain things, of course
1 That Jews and Gentiles alike are blind and in the darkness by nature. You see a man with a white stick and dark glasses or with a guide dog. You know he is blind. Well, that is the spiritual condition of everyone by nature.
2 That Jews and Gentiles alike are under Satan's power by nature. Bob Dylan sang that song years ago. "Whoever you are you're gonna have to serve somebody. It may be the Devil or it may be the Lord but you're gonna have to serve somebody." Those who don't serve the Lord serve Satan. They are under his power. Remember that.
Now the great thing is that by God's light and by God's power Paul is commissioned to the work of shining the light of the gospel out, opening blind eyes so that they can see and delivering people from the power of Satan. That is also your commission, Ian – to go out and preach in such way that men and women and boys and girls are healed from their blindness and delivered from the devil.
You have a lighting job. Like a super trouper you are to shine in the night.
You have a deliverance ministry – rescuing people from the power of Satan.
By doing this you notice great changes come - so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
Paul goes on to emphasis his message of repentance a little further on but notice how in 18 the emphasis is firmly on faith in Jesus Christ - so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. You notice towards the end the emphasis on Christ too – 22b, 23 I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen – that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles. It is because of Jesus Christ and what he's done in coming and dying and rising again that there is a message to preach. It is as we put faith in him who died and rose again that we find forgiveness and holiness, remission from sin's guilt and its power over us. Trust in Jesus Christ is central to it all.
By doing this you notice great changes come - so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
- So there is forgiveness of sins for all whose eyes are opened and who are delivered from Satan
- Such people also find a place among the saints, the holy ones, those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ. There is a setting apart to God.
Paul goes on to emphasis his message of repentance a little further on but notice how in 18 the emphasis is firmly on faith in Jesus Christ - so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. You notice towards the end the emphasis on Christ too – 22b, 23 I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen – that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles. It is because of Jesus Christ and what he's done in coming and dying and rising again that there is a message to preach. It is as we put faith in him who died and rose again that we find forgiveness and holiness, remission from sin's guilt and its power over us. Trust in Jesus Christ is central to it all.
There may be someone here who has never trusted in Jesus Christ. I want to urge you to it now. In him there is forgiveness, holiness and all you need.
2. Understand how to react
Paul goes on to tell King Agrippa how he reacted to this message. It is the way I trust you will react, Ian, and the way we should all react to such a commission. So then, King Agrippa, says Paul (19) I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. How could he disobey – this was the risen Lord speaking? He had to obey – and we do too.
Paul began where he was, with those in Damascus, then he went to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also. He says I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.To destroy the blindness Paul did not initiate healing crusades
To dispel the darkness he did not begin educational programmes
To overcome Satan's power he did not set himself up as some sort of an exorcist
No, it all focused on preaching – announcing, declaring certain things. In particular he preached that they should repent and turn to God. Paul made it clear that they had to turn from their sins and turn back to God. There had to be a revolution. They needed to be converted.
And Paul didn't do this in some naïve sort of way – getting people to raise their hands or come to the front or say a prayer with him. No, Paul knew human nature too well to fall for that. Before he accepted that someone had repented and turned to God he wanted to see evidence of it in their lives. He wanted them to prove their repentance by their deeds or to do deeds appropriate to repentance. Paul is conscious of the Jews opposition to considering Gentiles as part of the people of God but he makes quite clear that he urged practical repentance on them. One writer notes that “Paul, the greatest of theologians, was an interesting practical preacher.”
John the Baptist was the same. Cf Matt 3:7, 8 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptising, he said to them: You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Remember the very practical advice he gave to different people when they asked what they should do. Help the poor - if you've got two coats he said, give one away. Share your food too. He told the tax collectors not to take more than their due. He told soldiers not to be violent to people or accuse people falsely and to be content with their wages. People's lives may seem a little more complex these days but they still need good practical advice about what to do. I heard a pastor from New York the other day. He has actors and financiers in his congregation so he has to speak to them about method acting and short funds. You need to know what to say to people who work in farming or in the oil refineries or to students.
What examples we have then. I want to urge you to obedience like Paul's, Ian, and the rest of us. Preaching is central to it all. Let people know they need to repent – they need to be converted. Their lives need a complete turn around. Very practical things need to happen – they need to stop doing certain things – like being violent, cheating or lying, being lazy and living for themselves and they need to start doing certain things like being contented and remembering the poor, reading the Bible and praying and coming under the sound of the Word. Give yourself to this sort of work.
Paul goes on to tell King Agrippa how he reacted to this message. It is the way I trust you will react, Ian, and the way we should all react to such a commission. So then, King Agrippa, says Paul (19) I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. How could he disobey – this was the risen Lord speaking? He had to obey – and we do too.
Paul began where he was, with those in Damascus, then he went to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also. He says I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.To destroy the blindness Paul did not initiate healing crusades
To dispel the darkness he did not begin educational programmes
To overcome Satan's power he did not set himself up as some sort of an exorcist
No, it all focused on preaching – announcing, declaring certain things. In particular he preached that they should repent and turn to God. Paul made it clear that they had to turn from their sins and turn back to God. There had to be a revolution. They needed to be converted.
And Paul didn't do this in some naïve sort of way – getting people to raise their hands or come to the front or say a prayer with him. No, Paul knew human nature too well to fall for that. Before he accepted that someone had repented and turned to God he wanted to see evidence of it in their lives. He wanted them to prove their repentance by their deeds or to do deeds appropriate to repentance. Paul is conscious of the Jews opposition to considering Gentiles as part of the people of God but he makes quite clear that he urged practical repentance on them. One writer notes that “Paul, the greatest of theologians, was an interesting practical preacher.”
John the Baptist was the same. Cf Matt 3:7, 8 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptising, he said to them: You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Remember the very practical advice he gave to different people when they asked what they should do. Help the poor - if you've got two coats he said, give one away. Share your food too. He told the tax collectors not to take more than their due. He told soldiers not to be violent to people or accuse people falsely and to be content with their wages. People's lives may seem a little more complex these days but they still need good practical advice about what to do. I heard a pastor from New York the other day. He has actors and financiers in his congregation so he has to speak to them about method acting and short funds. You need to know what to say to people who work in farming or in the oil refineries or to students.
What examples we have then. I want to urge you to obedience like Paul's, Ian, and the rest of us. Preaching is central to it all. Let people know they need to repent – they need to be converted. Their lives need a complete turn around. Very practical things need to happen – they need to stop doing certain things – like being violent, cheating or lying, being lazy and living for themselves and they need to start doing certain things like being contented and remembering the poor, reading the Bible and praying and coming under the sound of the Word. Give yourself to this sort of work.
3. Consider the future - what to expect in the days aheadNow the day of an ordination is lovely – lots of people present, a stirring message (hopefully), everyone happy and wishing you well but what is it really like – there at the pew-face as we might say, out in the real world – talking to the farmers and oil workers and housewives and students. Well, a right assessment involves both positive and negative elements.
1. Negatively
1. Negatively
That hint in 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles is followed in 21 with Paul's That is why the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. Paul wants Agrippa to be in no doubt what the issue is. The reason the Jews ... tried to kill him was that he was preaching this message of faith in Jesus Christ and real repentance towards God.
Now your lives have never been threatened for preaching these things I guess, Ian and Hanna, but you know there can be opposition – the opposition of indifference mostly these days but sometimes something more hostile. Don't be surprised by this. Expect it. Don't let it wear you down. Be prepared for it.
2. Positively
2. Positively
What a wonderful verse we have in 26:22. This is a good place to end. But says Paul (and of course, he's bearing witness now just like he'd been told to all those years ago) I have had God's help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. Oh yes, says Paul, there's been plenty of opposition – that's why he was a prisoner at this very time. But be in no doubt about this, he says, literally – I have had God as my ally, my assistant to this very day. It was by the help of God that he was stood testifying at that very moment.
So here's a word of encouragement to close with then for you both. The help and assistance Paul knew, you too can know. The Lord won't let you down. He will be with you in it all – however dark it gets. Ebenezer - up until now the Lord has helped you and he will into the future too. Amen.
So here's a word of encouragement to close with then for you both. The help and assistance Paul knew, you too can know. The Lord won't let you down. He will be with you in it all – however dark it gets. Ebenezer - up until now the Lord has helped you and he will into the future too. Amen.
