Thanks Mom

A Sermon Preached by

The Rev. Mike Elliott

May 9, 2010

Acts 16:9-15

Sometimes our lives do not go according to our plans.  Sometimes there are delays or closed doors that may force us to change direction.  Sometimes we find that we may have to totally rethink where we are headed.  And sometimes, what we find as we travel along life’s little detour is far better than we had planned on or could hope for.

When Paul wanted to go to Asia and preach, he was denied the opportunity by God.  When Paul wanted to go to Bithynia, he was stopped by Jesus.  But Paul was not discouraged.  He wasn't upset.  Or angry.  Or sad.  Or mad.  He was so close to God from the time he spent in prayer, that he just knew that God had even bigger plans in store for him than preaching in Asia or Bithynia.  Paul was content to give up his ideas of where he should go in his faith journey with God and let God be the guide.  Then one night, in a dream, Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia, that is Northern Greece, to come and preach the Good News to his people.

That was enough of a cue from God to get Paul packing and get on board the next boat setting sail for Macedonia.  When Paul set sail, he made record time on his journey.  Time that would rival that of the best ships of today.  When Paul got his road map from God and set sail, then there was no holding him back.  And the miracles.  The conversions.  The changed hearts.  The people brought into the Church on that trip was just overwhelming to Paul.  Paul was exactly where he needed to be, when he needed to be there, doing exactly what God wanted him to do, and the most amazing things happened.  And Paul was in the right place at the right time because he was open, through prayer, to God's will and purpose for his life.  All because of a vision of a Macedonian man.

What makes Paul’s work and ministry in Macedonia that much more dramatic and powerful and fruitful is his chance encounter with a certain Macedonian cloth merchant.  Karen preached a few weeks ago about a cameo appearance in Acts by the disciple Tabitha.  Today’s reading from Acts is another powerful cameo appearance by the soon to be new faithful disciple Lydia.

Lydia was a seller of purple cloth, which was a commodity reserved for only the most wealthy of people.  Chances are pretty good that Lydia was a wealthy person herself, as a result of her business.  It is Paul’s being on the receiving end of Lydia’s warm hospitality and gentle love of the Gospel that enables Paul and his companion’s work to prosper.

Hear again what Luke writes about Lydia in Acts…

“On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer.  We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.  One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God.  The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message.  When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home.  "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house."  And so she convinced us to stay with her.” 

What Luke tells us about Lydia is that first of all, she was a woman of faith, since she was gathered with the other women of the area to pray.  Secondly, that the Lord opened her heart so that she would truly hear and receive and, most of all, be transformed by the Good News of Jesus Christ.  More importantly though, after she heard and believed, she took action.  She had herself and her entire family baptized.  She offered the hospitality of her home and her means to Paul and his companions and so helped them in their ministry to share the Good News to the people of Macedonia.

Karen taught us a few weeks ago that Tabitha, who may well have been one of the first deacons of the Church, lived out her faith by sharing her skills and her possessions with those in need.  Lydia too has something to teach us about our faithwalk with Christ.  Lydia teaches us that we can just as faithfully serve Christ when we share our faith with those we know and love.  Our families and friends.  Our coworkers and acquaintances.  Lydia teaches us that sometimes faith starts with the simple act of hospitality extended to others.  Just as Lydia opened her house to Paul and his companions, sometimes it is our simple generosity, hospitality and extended hand of friendship that God can use to open other people’s hearts to the Good New of Jesus Christ.  

Tabitha served by caring for those in need.  Lydia served with her generous hospitality. 

It is amazing how those two women, with their simple acts of love and sharing and kindness and hospitality could affect the lives of so many of the children of God.  It is amazing how easy it can be at times; if you are open to God, to allow God to show God’s love through the work of your hands.  A kind word, maybe a plate of homemade cookies or a place to stay or a blanket or loving embrace can make all the difference in the world to someone who is hurting or in need.

Today is Mother’s Day.  The day we honor our mothers, grandmothers, mothers-in-law, and those women who have loved us and nurtured us like a mother.  And it is a good thing to give our Moms that honor. 

But I challenge you to spend some time today thinking about those women in your life that have been like Lydia.  You know who they are.  The women in your life that helped to plant and nurture and grow your faith in Christ.  Those women whose simple love and hospitality gave your faith life.  That gave your faith wings.  That gave your faith power and love.  Just think about them for a moment…..

When I was in First Grade, we used to have Sunday School in people’s homes during the week.  My Mom had a class of older kids that met in our living room, and I would walk a few blocks down the street to the house of Mrs. Jackson.  Funny how I still remember her, even if I never knew her first name!!  She baked the best cookies out of anyone I knew, so not being able to have the one’s my mom made for her class was okay.

Mrs. Jackson taught me that there were other people who loved me and cared about me besides my family.  She not only lived out Christ’s love for us first graders, but she made sure we always knew how much Jesus loved us because she loved us.

In high school, we would meet at the house of Mrs. Cohn for Sunday School.  Although she died many years ago from breast cancer, I will never forget her love for us, her concern for what we would do with the rest of our lives and how she helped us to find ways to make faith real for us and to show us how we could live out our faith in our lives.

In college, Dr. May Edward, my microbiology professor, helped me to believe that it is not only possible, but joyfully necessary to live both as a Christian and as a scientist.

My daughter Kathleen has shown me that sometimes there are things in our lives that are too important to compromise on.  That I need to stand firm in what I believe and live from those convictions.

My wife Sharon has most definitely had the most impact on my faith walk though.  When we first met in graduate school, it was her deep and compassionate faith that I most envied…

So who are the women in your life that have helped to give your faith wings?  Who are the women you know whose kindness, hospitality and love have brought you into a closer relationship with Christ?

It is amazing how just a simple act of kindness can bear some amazing fruit 20, 30 or more years down the road.  So when you are done thanking the Lydia’s in your life, I invite you to find a way to pass that hospitality on to someone else who needs it right now.  You just never know where and what it could lead to 30 years from now!!!

 Amen