Farthest From Grace

Have you ever known someone you never thought could accept the Gospel?

Before the turn of the 20^th century in 1898, a young boy was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland who would one day change the face of Christian discipleship – but not before an amazing departure from God. His father was a well-respected lawyer in Belfast. His mother was a well-read woman of faith. Her father was an Anglican priest, who had served as a chaplain in the Royal Navy. Yet, despite the fact that his grandfather was a cleric, at a fairly young age, this young boy (we’ll call him Jack) renounced his nominal Christian faith and professed atheism. Unfortunately, Jack's mother had died while he was at the vulnerable young age of ten, and he was thrust into the spiritual nurture of a stern but loving father, and a variety of tutors - most of whom espoused anything but Christian faith.

To his credit, Jack’s family esteemed learning, and their extensive library was a refuge for Jack and his older brother, Warren. A love of literature would be the cornerstone of this gifted educator's entire life. In time, Jack’s keen intellect brought him to Oxford University where he began his studies in 1917. Unfortunately, along with those of thousands of other young men across Europe, he found his studies interrupted by the Great War. Jack joined the Officer's Training Corps so that he might receive a commission. Since he was Irish, he was not required to serve in the war. However, he followed the example of his elder brother who was already serving in France.

Jack achieved the rank of Second Lieutenant and spent his nineteenth birthday in the trenches of the front lines with the Somerset Light Infantry. During his brief combat service, he was involved in the capture of sixty German soldiers. However, amidst the Second Battle of Arras, Lewis was seriously wounded by "friendly fire" (a British shell which had fallen short). His wounds to the hand and leg were less serious than his injury to his chest. Due to its proximity to his heart, that fragment remained lodged in his body. Injured, Jack returned to his studies and excelled. Eventually he was elected to a fellowship in Magdalen College at Oxford.

Jack had renounced Christianity in his youth, and been influenced by his teachers to perceive faith as logically indefensible. Yet, despite his denial of God, God did not leave him to languish in his spiritual emptiness and nor did his friends. While still searching for faith, Jack had begun attending church services at the behest of one of his Christian colleagues. Initially, for Jack, gathering in a congregation for worship was a mere act of "obedience," rather than a joy. But in time, Jack found a deeper truth at work in the very religion he had worked all of his life to disbelieve.

Once he offered his allegiance to Christ, Jack withheld none of his energies. He devoted the whole of his intellect and talent to serving the God who had redeemed him. Indeed, he is universally acknowledged as the most influential Christian writer of the twentieth century. He served Jesus, despite the cost - not least of which was the scorn of many of his disbelieving peers. Who is this famous convert? None other than Clive Staples (C.S.) “Jack” Lewis, the author of numerous Christian works, from treatises to fiction. And what about that friend who encouraged him to pursue God and go to church? He was none other than John Ronald Rueuel (J. R. R.) Tolkien, known also for his Christian allegories and the Lord of the Ring Trilogy.

It is an amazing thing, what God can do with a life that is dedicated to him. It’s altogether an even more powerful thing when Christians invest themselves in other individuals to bring about this miraculous change of heart. When we look in the opening chapter of the Gospel of John, we see a scene that touches the heart and challenges the nerve, as we see Jesus call Andrew, who then in turn calls Peter (Simon or Cepahs). Once again, we are reminded of the power that comes from one-on-one evangelism with those we have influence. As we near this Resurrection season, who is it that God has been laying on your heart – even on your doorstep – to mold and make ready for the life-changing news of Jesus? Imagine how poorer our awareness of Christian discipleship would be if Tolkien hadn’t invited C.S. Lewis to “come and see” just who the Lord really was. Imagine still, how much greater your life can be once you decide to invest the currency of faith in someone you know. Who will you invite to “come and see?”

Resounding Themes:
Palm Sunday – Hosanna!
Power of the Personal Gospel
God’s Love for All Individuals
Prayer for those seeking the Lord

Ready, Set, READ

John 1

Ready, Set, MEDITATE

- What does John (the apostle) reveal about Jesus in his Prologue? What is John the Baptist’s role concerning Jesus? Was he effective? Why or Why not?

- How does Jesus call his first disciples? What is their initial reaction? How does Jesus respond? What is peculiar about his response to them? Did it work? How do we respond when people show and interest in Jesus?

- What does Andrew do upon learning the truth of Jesus? What is ironic about his first stop? To what ends does Andrew go to get his message across? What can we learn from his actions?

- Who did Jesus call next? What was his first reaction? How did Nathaniel react, initially? Have you ever been offered an excuse when you talk to someone about your faith? How does he change his mind? What does this story reveal to us about how Jesus works in the lives of unbelievers?

Ready, Set, PRAY

From the beginning of time, O God, You knew our need for You was greater than any other thing we could possibly imagine. And even though our hearts and bodies would run as far away from You as the East is from the West, so too, did You match the chasm of sin we created with the bridge of the cross of your son Jesus. Because of Christ, we will never be the same again! We have turned the page on our old life and entered into a new chapter of living more abundantly. How could we help but share Your goodness, Lord? And so, as we have been changed, Oh Righteous Father, ignite a fire in our bones and a passion in our spirits to share the joy we have found to those we love. God, we pray now, in advance of our asking, that You would plow the spiritual soul of their hearts and make them receptive to our invitation to come and see just who You are! Father, will You also provide a blessing over our church, that it might serve as Your witness. Give us the courage, this day, to step into our spheres of influence and to share the love we’ve found in Jesus Christ, and may we sit back in amazement to see just who You’ll choose to bring glory to Your Name! Hosanna! Maranatha! With hearts bowed low in Your presence we pray, AMEN.

Ready, Set, WORSHIP!