Has it ever seemed strange to you that some men stand so much higher than other men in their particular fields? In the intellectual realm psychologists tell us that men like Einstein, Edison, Shakespeare, and other men of genius arise to their heights partly because of their brains, but also because of another reason. It seems that these men have a tremendous capacity for work, and this although no event this capacity for work is generated by some inner force or vision that causes them to rise higher and higher, pushing all obstacles aside. It seems as though this inner drive or vision must be the propelling force that causes them to do far more than natural effort alone is capable of.
But this doesn’t appear to be true in the intellectual realm alone. This same thing seems also to be true in other areas of life. An observation of the lives of the military and political leaders seems to bring one to the conclusion that they also were driven by some force or vision which convinced them of their destiny. It seems Alexander the Great set out on his bold conquest because he believed that he, Alexander, was destined to be the ruler of the world. Even men like Hitler seems to set out on their mad plunder because they were driven by some inner force or vision which convinced them this was their destiny. It even appears that our forefathers set out across the high seas because they were captured by a vision. A vision of establishing a free and democratic country where men could live and worship in peace.
To be compelled or driven by some inner force, to be committed to a cause, to be captured by a vision. This appears to be the gateway to success.
And this, I believe, is very true in the spiritual realm. St. Augustine. Martin Luther, and all the other men of the church seemed to have been captured by a vision. And the great vision that captured their lives must be lives of service, of complete commitment to God.
In the one verse that I am using form our text today, we find St. Paul making his defense before Aggripa, a Jewish King. After describing conversation experience St. Paul’s words are: “Wherefore, O King Aggripa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.” We do not know exactly what Paul saw in this vision, but we do know that at this encounter, Paul received his life long marching orders…. To be a servant of Christ, to bear witness of Christ. The words of the text read: “to open their eyes, that they may turn form darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins.
On this dusty hot Damascus Road, Paul had an encounter with Jesus Christ. You can call this conversation; You can call this the God-man encounter;
You can call this being washed in the blood of the Lamb
But they all mean the same. Paul on the Damascus Road met Jesus Christ and turned his life over to Christ. He accepted Christ as his personal Savior, his Lord and Master.
And in this encounter Paul received the commission that his entire life must be dedicated to a cause far transcending any human endeavor. And Paul was not disobedient. Paul as a man captured by the vision that his life’s aim, his one goal, his one destiny was to be a servant of Jesus Christ.
We know that soldiers in war go through much. We know that marine training, for instance is tough. But consider the life of St. Paul. Five times he was cruelly beaten with 39 lashes each time. Three times he was beaten with rods. Such beatings were cruel and heartless. They bared flesh and exposed veins. Once St. Paul was stoned and left for dead. He was adrift at seas for one day and night, and eh went through countless dangers and trials such as are recorded in these words: “In toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”
Wherefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. You can be certain that St. Paul didn’t life beatings or hunger, but because of his heavenly vision, because he met Jesus Christ and received his Marching papers, he knew he must be obedient to Jesus Christ.
Will James, considered by many thinkers to be one of the most profound minds this nation has produced, in his book, The Varieties of Religious Experience, writes this about conversation, “To say that a man is converted means that religious ideas previously peripheral in his consciousness, now take on a central place, and that religious aims for the habitual center of his energy.” Now this is a difficult explanation, but it simply means that to be converted is to put one’s religious beliefs first in all areas of life. Our religion becomes the center of our habits, our entire life. To put this in Christian terms, it means to put Jesus Christ first in all areas of life, and according to the Bible, this can only happen as we become Christians, as we accept Jesus Christ as Savior. And as we do this, we too, like Paul, are captured by a vision, and we too, like Paul, begin to be obedient to Jesus Christ and his work. As we receive Jesus Christ as Savior, our faith begins to be the words of Will James, the habitual center of our energy, and other things will then fall into their proper order.
This is my final sermon at St. Olaf Lutheran and I have many things on my heart. I could give many admonitions, but I do not. My primary plea is simply one, and that is what I have been describing, that every member of St. Olaf will like St. Paul long ago, be captured by a vision. A bit before Logger- one thing happens, I know that if you meet and submit to Jesus Christ as St. Paul did, you will be captured by a vision. We all have sin and temptation even after we meet Christ, but you who have met, and truly accepted Christ can truly testify that a change has come. He more and more becomes the habitual center of your energy. As is the case with the genius, or the conquerors, or other men who have had great success, we must have a compelling drive, an inner urge, a central idea, and commitment; we must be captured by a vision before we rise out of the normal course of our lives spiritually. I am not saying that in being a Christian we are Luther’s or Paul’s. What I am saying is that in becoming converted we change to a life of service to God. You Christians know this. In stating “You Christians” I have stated what may seem like an insult. For this implies that there may be members of St. Olaf who may not yet have accepted Christ. This I believe can be true, in any church, and I believe there can be many reasons for this. Remember as I say this, I do so out of concern, as I said. This is my last sermon. I gain nothing or any credit cards for what happens at St. Olaf. I am simply concerned about spiritual life of each of you who I have come to know and respect. And I must be obedient to the heavenly Vision like Paul of old. I must proclaim the Gospel of salvation. This morning I am not worried about you who have met Jesus Christ. You will be obedient to the heavenly vision. You will serve Christ. You, with the help of your able and concerned pastor will see that the work of Christ goes forward in St. Olaf Lutheran and in your lives.
What are the reasons a man may not know Christ? They can be many. The Bible lists some such as pride, indifference, and so on. But the Bible gives one which can be very subtle- “Being blinded by the God of this world that the light of the Gospel does not shine in one’s heart.” I think this happens sometimes by misconception that society often seems to have is that church or I haven’t thought much about going to church. My answer to this is – if it were just church attendance – I might not always go either. Frankly in my own nature at times I might stay in bed, or go fishing, or work on a hobby, no do many other things instead of going to church regularly on Sunday morning. But, at one time in my life – roughly 15 years ago – I had an encounter. Through the guidance of a Christian leader, I met this man Jesus Christ – and I accepted him as my personal Savior. From that time, I have not questioned whether of not I go to church regularly on Sunday mornings. I knew that my Lord wanted me in church. I have not questioned whether I was to work and witness for Christ. I knew it because my Lord has commanded it. And I have found joy in doing so. Church attendance is not being a Christian. Being a Christian is personal acceptance of Christ, and this in turn captures one by the vision that one life is to be a life of service.
And the heresy that can confuse our thinking is also prevalent in our society today. It was also an issue in the Galatian church. It is called salvation by works- or “I’m doing enough; I’m as good as the next guy; I try; I’m doing my best. All God asks is that we do our best.”
Let us suppose you have a dog in your family. Let us suppose the dog’s name is Fido. Now if you name is Thompson, is your dog’s name Fido Thompson – or Jones, or Doe, or whatever it happens to be? You try going over to your neighbor’s house and call his dog by your neighbor’s las name. You had better run fast because your neighbor or friend will be slightly perturbed. But you do call your sons or daughters by your last name and so do your neighbors. You do call your son or daughter Bill or Mary or John Hohnson or Olson, or whatever it might be.
Why? Because your children were born in your family and have your life and blood in them. Your dog can be a good dog, an intelligent dog, a very remarkable dog, but you won’t give him your last name. He is still a dog. He hasn’t been born in your family; he hasn’t your blood; he isn’t human.
And thus, it is with our relationship with God. We can be very fine, very good, very hardworking, very noble people in human terms. But God won’t call us Christians, his children, until we are born into His family. And we aren’t born into His family by being good, or doing good, any more than a dog can become Human by doing good. We become children of God, members of h=His family by accepting Jesus Christ as personal savior on faith. When we, like Paul long ago, bow down in repentance, in sorrow for our sin; we confess our wrong, and when we believe on and accept Christ as our personal Savior. For some this happens suddenly and dramatically. For others this happens over a long period of time. But before a man can be a member of the Christian church family, happen it must.
Wherefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly Vision. These are my words to St. Olaf church and ever member in it. May you be captured by a vision. The vision of service to your Lord and Master. And this vision comes as it came to St. Paul, to St. Peter, to Martin Luther, by a confrontation with Jesus Christ and an acceptance of Him as Savior and Lord. And as we meet this Christ, our lives take on meaning, purpose, interest, challenge, and love. As we meet this Christ, we begin to see the needs of a world crying out for Christ in every walk of life. And to the degree that the members of St. Olaf meet and yield to this Christ, St. Olaf will forge ahead as a beacon light for God in this community.
May it truly be said of the people of St. Olaf “They are a people who are captured by one aim, and one drive – to serve God. May you be captured by this vision.
May God Bless You – Amen
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
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