Sermon Snippet – The Scarlet Lifeline – Part III
INTRODUCTION – For our last two Communion services, I have used the imagery of the scarlet thread (a concept used by theologians to describe our need for Christ’s sacrificial atonement, a concept that winds through and unites all Scripture) as a basis for what I call the scarlet lifeline. The shed blood of Jesus Christ is crucial in saving us from our sins, for “without the shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22b). We are lifted from our spiritual slavery in order to live forever in heaven – and to live differently now (Acts 2:42-47).
1. OUR FAITH IS TRADITIONAL
We do not recite the Apostles’ Creed in our church (although we do agree with its words). However, we do follow “the apostles’ doctrine” (verse 42). There is no such thing as untraditional or non-traditional Christianity. We may do some things differently in worship (such as the use of musical instruments and the employment of new technologies to broadcast services), but the basics of the Christian faith derive from these men who were specifically chosen by Jesus for the task of leading the first Christians. The warning of II Thessalonians 3:6 is clear: “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”
2. OUR FAITH IS TRUTHFUL
When we say that we are following “the apostles’ doctrine,” we really are following Jesus and His teaching. Since Jesus fulfilled the entire Old Testament (Matthew 5:17-18), we see that our faith is based upon the entirety of Scripture. Jesus said to the Father, “Thy Word is truth” (John 17:17b). He also stated absolutely, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6). These claims of total truthfulness are supported by the evidence, including the fulfillment of precise prophecy.
3. OUR FAITH IS TRANSFORMATIVE
The lives of these early Christians were given a new impetus, a new focus. The essentials of the Christian life – Biblical “doctrine,” real “fellowship,” Communion (“breaking of bread” – also in verse 46), “prayers,” genuine generosity (verses 44-45), worship (verse 46), evangelism (verse 47) – became essential to their daily living. We should note that their sharing of goods in “common” is not commanded in Scripture, nor did the Apostles continue this practice in other churches that they founded throughout the Roman Empire. It was needed at that time and place for survival; we can all imagine a scenario in which we might have to do the same. Our “fellowship” today should be far more than activity together (although it certainly includes that); it is a far richer and more comprehensive concept. It means that we are all moving in the same direction. We are doing so because of Whom we have in common – Jesus Christ as Savior.
CONCLUSION – He is our Scarlet Lifeline. We are all saved the same way – through faith in Jesus and in His finished work. We are all carried in the same direction – onward and upward. Together, we are to continue “stedfastly” in the things that truly matter. It is instructive that this same word is employed in Acts 1:10a of the believers as they watched Jesus ascend to heaven: “They looked stedfastly toward heaven as He went up.” May we similarly be steadfast in our willingness to focus on the basics of the Christian faith and in our watching for our Savior’s promised return.