What is Conversion? Journey Lesson April 18, 2010

What is Conversion?

Have you ever gone through a monumental life-changing experience? How is it different than a change that occurs slowly over time, or is it different? Just how are we converted to new life?

Three "conversion" stories

Paul New Testament

Acts 9:1-6, (7-20)9:1 Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest9:2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.9:3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.9:4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"9:5 He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.9:6 But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."9:7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one.9:8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.9:9 For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.9:10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He answered, "Here I am, Lord."9:11 The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying,9:12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight."9:13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem;9:14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name."9:15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel;9:16 I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."9:17 So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."9:18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized,9:19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus,9:20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God."

Medieval St. Augustine

In Milan, Saint Augustine came under the influence of Saint Ambrose the bishop; he began to go to his sermons, not so much with an expectation of profiting by them as to gratify his curiosity and to enjoy the eloquence. He found that the discourses more learned than the heresies he adopted and began to read the New Testament especially Saint Paul's writings. In the same time, the mother of Adeodatus his son left back to Africa leaving the child behind.
Saint Augustine's spiritual, moral and intellectual struggle went on; he was convinced of the truth of Christianity, but his will was weaker than the worldly temptations, and delayed his return to Christ for many months. "Soon, in a little while, I shall make up my mind, but not right now" he kept telling himself. In his half desires of conversion he was accustomed to beg of God the grace of chastity, but was at the same time in some measure afraid of being heard too soon. He realized that his problem was a moral one. The Divine truth for which he was seeking would never be his unless he first overcame his weakness.
Soon after, Pontitian, an African, came to visit Saint Augustine and his friend Alipius; he told them about two men who had been suddenly turned to the service of God by reading about the life of Saint Anthony. His words had a powerful influence on the mind of Saint Augustine. He was ashamed his will has been so weak and said to Alipius:
"What are we doing to let the unlearned seize Heaven by force, whilst we with all our knowledge remain behind, cowardly and heartless, wallowing in our sins? Because they have outstripped us and gone before, are we ashamed to follow them? Is it not more shameful not even to follow them?"
He rushed to the garden, greatly upset; tears filling his eyes, he threw himself on the grass under a fig tree and reproached himself bitterly crying out:
"And Thou, O Lord, how long? How long? Is it to be tomorrow and tomorrow? Why not now? Why not this very hour put an end to shame?"
As he spoke these words he heard a child's voice singing "Tolle lege! Tolle lege!" (Take up and read! Take up and read!). He could not remember any childhood game he played with any such words. He remembered that Saint Anthony was converted from the world by hearing a single verse. He took up Saint Paul's epistles and read the first chapter that met his eyes: "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, fulfil the lusts thereof." (Romans 13:13-14)
When he told Alipius what he had experienced, Alipius took the book and read, he found the next words to be: "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye" and applied them to himself and joined his friend in his resolution.
This high point in the conversion of Saint Augustine took place in the September of 386, when he was 32 years old. He, his son Adeodatus and Alipius were baptized by Saint Ambrose at Easter the following year in the presence of saint Monica. She knew that her prayers were answered and died shortly after.

Modern Day Experience

The NDE story of Dr.Tony Cicoria is an orthopedic surgeon from Oneonta, New York, who experienced an unusual near death experience (NDE) after being hit by lightning on a summer day in 1994. He remembered seeing the lightning, which struck him on the mouth, but after that there was nothing. He felt himself falling backward, then he seemed to be going forward. His mother-in-law rushed past him without speaking to him and he suddenly came to the realization that he was dead. He was surrounded by a bluish-white light and he could see and hear the people around him, but they didn't seem to notice him. They were all looking at his lifeless body lying on the ground some distance from where he was standing. Tony was filled with an "unbelievable feeling of peace and love and warmth."

Return to Life
Cicoria could sense speed and direction while 'dead' and he saw highs and lows of his life pass by. His scientific mind was analyzing what was happening, and he was happy to go where where he seemed to be headed. Suddenly he was being jolted back to life by a woman who was administering CPR. He felt anger and pain, and cried out "Please don't make me come back." But he was back in his body and experiencing excrutiating pain. After some time thay were able to get him to sit up and they insisted that he go to the hospital. He refused. "When you are hit by lightning you are either dead or alive, and I was alive," he says. So he made his way back to the place where his family had gathered in a pavilion for a picnic. He was in great pain, his mind was in a fog, and he allowed them to take him home.

Classical Piano Music
Tony Cicoria was a child of the 60s and was raised on rock and roll, especially Led Zeppelin. He had no interest in classical music at all. However, after being checked out by a cardiologist and neurologist and being pronounced well after his experience, he began to have an insatiable desire to hear classical piano music. He purchased records and cassettes and spent most of his spare time listening to these artists. He says that he was possesssed.At this time his baby sitter needed a home for her piano for a year and Cicoria gladly offered to keep it. He began piano lessons and tried to play a composition he had first heard in his mind a few weeks after his near death experience. Every time he would sit at the piano this music would keep playing in his mind. On January 29, 2008, his 56th birthday, Tony Cicoria played this composition, along with two others he had composed, in a concert performance.

How would you tell the story of your own conversion?

Was it sudden? Has it been over time?

Is it a mission accomplished yet?

Easter Journey Lesson 2010

WDJD: What Did Jesus Do?

Last week when we looked at the Last Supper, we asked what did Jesus mean when he said “do this in rememberance of me?”

What is the "this" of the resurrection?

Can you think of a characteristic or quality that is brought to us through the resurrection? Is it amazement, awe, bewilderment or something else?

The Scripture Passages:
Luke 24:1-12

24:1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared.

24:2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,

24:3 but when they went in, they did not find the body.

24:4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them.

24:5 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.

24:6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,

24:7 that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again."

24:8 Then they remembered his words,

24:9 and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest.

24:10 Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles.

24:11 But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

24:12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

How do we incorporate the event of the resurrection into our lives for the benefit of others? Is it simply a point of belief upon which we are all to agree or is it something else? How do we do this in rememberance of him?

Journey Lesson for Sunday, March 28th, 2010

The Last Supper of the Last Week of Jesus' life...

What does the Lord's Supper mean to you? What does it mean to our church?
When Jesus says, "Do this in rememberance of me." what is it we are doing? What is the "this" in his command?

Luke 22:14-29

Luke 22:14-23:56
22:14 When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him.

22:15 He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;

22:16 for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."

22:17 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves;

22:18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."

22:19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."

22:20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

22:21 But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table.

22:22 For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!"

22:23 Then they began to ask one another, which one of them it could be who would do this.

22:24 A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

22:25 But he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors.

22:26 But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves.

22:27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

22:28 "You are those who have stood by me in my trials;

22:29 and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom,

The danger of lost meaning for the Communion? How do we live out the Last Supper amongst our neighbors. What meaning does the Last Supper have for our neighbor if we do not, as the Lord's table reads, do this in "rememberance" of Him? What meaning remains for us if we do not "remember?"

Journey Lectionary Sunday March 21, 2010: Anointing of Jesus

Have you ever failed to realize the full significance of an event until after it was over, until days, months are sometimes never grasping the whole import of what you have witnessed?

Who are the characters in this biblical scene and how did they appreciate the significance of this event?

John 12:1-8
12:1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

12:2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him.

12:3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

12:4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said,

12:5 "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?"

12:6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)

12:7 Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.

12:8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."

How do we discern the appropriate time to use the gifts we have been given?

What are some of the ways you need to utilize the gifts you have been given for the sake of another?

JOURNEY LECTIONARY LESSON FOR 4TH SUNDAY OF LENT 2010: Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32

The painting is The Prodigal by Rembrandt

A prodigal: a spendthrift, or person who spends money recklessly and wastefully.

What does it mean to “come to one’s senses.” Can you recall a time in your life when this realization came to you?

Last week we spoke that while we may feel we have done no real wrong, we still may possibly be guilty of a wasted life. Our lesson for this week is taken from one of the most recognized parables of the New Testament, the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. The prodigal is not only found in the Christian scriptures but is also a well known story in other cultures. In many ways it appears as a stage in our human development, a landmark, so to speak, on the way to adulthood and recognition of one’s responsibility.

However, this story as presented by Luke is part of a larger trilogy of stories regarding value lost, property lost and a relationship lost: The Lost Coin, The Lost Sheep, and The Lost Prodigal, which looked at together bring out the level of God’s mercy regarding his relationship with us.


Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

15:1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.

15:2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."

15:3 So he told them this parable:

15:11b "There was a man who had two sons.

15:12 The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them.

15:13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living.

15:14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need.

15:15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs.

15:16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything.

15:17 But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger!

15:18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you;

15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands."'

15:20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.

15:21 Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

15:22 But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe--the best one--and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

15:23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate;

15:24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate.

15:25 "Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.

15:26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on.

15:27 He replied, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.'

15:28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him.

15:29 But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends.

15:30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!'

15:31 Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

15:32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'"


Is it ever too late to repent, to turn away and change our ways in regard to God, in regard to others we may have hurt? How does a merciful response affect the outcome of the restoration?

Why does Jesus use the setting of a family to make his point? Why do people such as Pharisees and Scribes have this attitude toward "sinners?" What is Jesus saying to you??

Evil and Mortality: Lectionary, March 7, 2010

Questions of Evil and Mortality:
Luke 13:1-9

In economics it is sometimes stated that the definition of a recession is when your neighbor is out of a job, while the definition of a depression is when you are out of a job. Today we look at the question of evil, known in theological parlance as “Theodicy,” a term sometimes similar to recession in that we can sit back and talk about the unfortunate plight of others and the various theories as to why this has happened. But when it happens to ourselves, it’s pretty much just plain “ol’ evil.”

Lectionary Passage:
Luke 13:1-9

13:1 At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

13:2 He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans?

13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.

13:4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them--do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem?

13:5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did."

13:6 Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none.

13:7 So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?'

13:8 He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it.

13:9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

COMMENT:
Types and degrees of evil:
We often categorize evil into two forms: natural and moral. What do we usually mean by these? How does Jesus seem to be approaching this dichotomy in the passages above?

How do you respond to this statement? Evil can only be experienced, not explained.

Questions of morality, mortality and meaning:
Sin = Death? The awareness of our mortality as our defining moment.
Death as the parameter and determiner of life itself?
What is Jesus saying about this in the fig tree and fruit parable?

Lesson for Journey Class Feb. 28th: The Transfiguration of Jesus: Luke 9:28-36, (37-43)

The Transfiguration of Jesus by Raphael

Class Announcement for the Ministry Fair: The Ministry Fair is scheduled for 8AM to 1PM. If you wish to attend during our class hour, please feel free to do so, but if you wish to come to class, we will be continuing with our Sunday Lenten Lectionary studies.

For our lesson this week of Sunday the 28th we are continuing with the life of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke. Last week we looked at the Temptation of Jesus. We explored the different aspects of popularity, power, and prestige that Jesus was faced with in his role as the Messiah.

Last week Jesus was in the midst of being tempted by the devil, now he appears before Peter, James, and John in full and brilliant glory with Moses and Elijah on either side. What a contrast from our lesson before.

For contemplation and discussion for Sunday:
There is also contrast in our story today. First Jesus stands between the Law and the Prophet on the mountaintop. Then later he is in company of a demon possessed son.

What implications are in this story for us as we live the life patterned after Jesus? How do we balance the mountaintop with the valley experiences?

The Scripture:
9:28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" -- not knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. 37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 Just then a man from the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child.
39 Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. 40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." 41 Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." 42 While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And all were astounded at the greatness of God.

Look forward to seeing you this Sunday.