Leading Edge Christians
Acts 5:27-32; John 20:19-31
NO 04/15/07 MW

The Scene

Well, the crucifixion and resurrection are now history to the original disciples – they are events that have taken place rather than going to take place.  And where do we find the friends of Jesus?  They are behind locked doors afraid that the same thing that happened to Jesus may be waiting them.  This crucifixion and resurrection are confusing events rather than clarifying.  They have witnessed Jesus doing the exact opposite of what they expected and desired.  What was to become of them?

We look back over the centuries and see a transformation taking place that even those closest to Jesus were unable to see.  This was the first time for them.  They were absolutely on the “leading edge” of this new cult that was outlawed, dangerous, but that would transform the entire religious world.  We get to know what happens as the world experiences the taste of a new kind of blood – rather than power through violence and might, the world would see power in love and sacrifice.

Can you let your imagination take you back so that you are one of those living on the edge of a revolution?  Can you allow yourself to sense the uncertainty, confusion, shock, fear and excitement all mixed together?  Being on the leading edge is never easy.

Listen to these Quotes of Leading Edgers

"Well-informed people know it is impossible to transmit the voice over wires and that were it possible to do so, the thing would be of no practical values."
- Editorial in the Boston Post, 1865
"I think there is a world market for about five computers."
-Thomas J. Watson, chair of IBM, 1943

"People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night." [commenting on television]
- Daryl F. Zanuck, Head of 20th Century Fox, 1946

"Television won't last. It's a flash in the pan."
· Mary Sommerville, Radio Technologist and Pioneer, 1948

            Leading Edge is Tough

Being on the leading edge is exciting but it is also tough going because you don’t have any experience to pull from when it comes to making decisions.  Those people I’ve just quoted were recognized for their understanding of the field that was plowing into the newness of life.  They were on the leading edge and they missed the call.

                        Leading Edge Disciples

One could say that the leading edge disciples were much like those I’ve quoted.  In the midst of their misery of a new world they had not wanted or expected, they are deciding that the past three years had very little meaning and was going nowhere.  Remember, their door was locked.  Keep in mind they were afraid of the religious community that had crucified their Master.  

It is easy to look back and pooh-pooh those folks who made the wrong predictions of the telephone, computers and televisions or even the disciples that would go and hide in fear.  But before we go too far with our wondering how they could have been so mistaken, let’s look at how we are on the leading edge of Christianity in the time known as contemporary.

A Visit from Jesus

While in hiding, Jesus comes to the disciples, shows them his hands and side, breathes on them the Holy Spirit and tells them that he is sending them out just as God had sent him out.  A few days later he repeats this visit in order to include Thomas.  Jesus also gives authority to this group, which we believe has been passed down through the centuries in the church, the authority to forgive or not forgive sins.  And he recognizes the power of those who have believed because they have seen and even touched him and those who have not seen him but still believe.

So with tremendous authority Jesus sends those early disciples out into the world as God has sent him.  The only thing, he didn’t make a list for them to follow, apparently he did not put together an organizational chart so everyone could recognize who is most important.  He just sends them out as he was sent out. 

            The Great Mistake

The disciples get to work and begin to build this new cult within the boundaries of Judaism.  They keep their Jewish identity and they confine themselves to Jerusalem.  It smacks of thinking, “There is really no way this thing can work except we stay with what we know.

                        Martin Luther

Martin Luther never meant to start a protesting church.  He saw things within the Roman Catholic Church that he believed were wrong and needed to be discussed and changed.  The result was he was thrown out and we had a beginning for those who were just waiting for someone to step forward.  This is an example of a resurrection.

                        John Wesley

The story is much the same with John Wesley.  He had not intention of starting the Methodist tradition outside the Church of England.  He just saw the doors of his beloved church were closed to many men, women, and children.  He confronted the church and soon found the pulpits of the Church of England closed to him.  He was forced to move to the out-of-doors and there too was a resurrection.

                        God at Work for Resurrection

God doesn’t like fooling with the dead.  God looks for those who are alive.  “Let the dead bury the dead.”  “Once you grab the plow handle, don’t look back.”  “Be hot or cold but not lukewarm.”  “I saw the Lord and he is Risen!” 

                                    Paul a Resurrection

Paul was not welcomed by those first disciples.  The Bible even records some of the struggle between Paul and those in Jerusalem and then how Peter finally is moved by God to join with Paul.  Paul was the resurrection of Jesus and the disciples “Going to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.”  Here we see the resurrection of what the disciples had missed in their prediction of the new movement that would become Christianity.

God is always looking for and supporting new life and life eternal.  God is not the Lord of the Dead but the Alpha and Omega of the Living!

If You Look for the Leading Edge Today it is Us!  It is New Oregon United Methodist Church!

I recently e-mailed the Bishop to tell him how much I appreciate his leadership in the North Alabama Conference and I was theologically challenged by his latest book, Thank God It’s Friday.”  He wrote back:  “If you want to know something about the resurrection story today just take a look at New Oregon United Methodist Church.  God raised those folks from the grave and now they are leading the way.”

We are a resurrection story that provides new life for that resurrection story experienced by the original disciples.  We are the leading edge of Christianity today.

            What Will “They” Say About Us Down the Road

They could say that we became satisfied and comfortable and kept the Spirit within the boundaries of familiarity.  That will be the easy thing for us to do.  We can slip back into the comfortableness of what we know and what we’re sure won’t work.

They could say the same thing the Bishop wrote: We are an example of the resurrection!
 
Conclusion

Oh, we will make some mistakes along the way.  We will make questionable decisions.  But God has touched the heart of contemporary Christianity with us and if we keep that in mind the Spirit will have an open door into our souls.  Then we will step beyond what we know for sure.  We will reach beyond the comfortable.  We will go where we have to be dependent upon God.  We will find the apostles within our church family and they will lead the way as they follow the Spirit of the Lord.