by Barry Pollard
(Based on John 14:23-29; Acts 16:9-15; Ps 67)
“Are you a believer?” or “Are you a follower?”
The difference, without having to get into a theological debate, can be explained in a sporting analogy: a believer is like a spectator, while a follower is like a player. One is passive, the other active. In this season of Eastertide we are being encouraged to live out our beliefs, turning our thoughts into deeds. That had a big impact on me during last week’s service.
Last week we heard that our love for one another shows the world that we are followers of Christ (John 13:35). By caring for each other we are demonstrating our commitment to following his way. This week, following on in the same vein, I hope you will hear that our open hearts are vital to our giving and, for some us, our receiving!
Consulting a variety of sources (attempting to bring our readings together this week), I came across one that identified a simple theme running through our lectionary sampling: that of ‘open hearts leading to open homes (or hospitality)’. Two themes that seem appropriate for us here at St Francis Church.
I love the introduction to Psalm 67, “May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favour on us.” You may remember that wonderful rendition of The Blessing Aotearoa that was released in Covid times, that begins in similar fashion.
In brief, the Psalm acknowledges God’s place in all our lives and reminds us that we have a response to make to that place. His love for us, shown by his mercy, blessings and favour, is received and lived out in our worship, praise and openness to bringing others to the same understanding.
“Then the earth will yield its harvests, and God, our God, will richly bless us. Yes, God will bless us, and people all over the world will fear him.”
He first loves us, and we respond by loving him and others.
Please understand that the psalmist is not describing a ‘transactional’ relationship. Nor is he describing a self-focussed relationship. We don’t do things to earn God’s favour. Nothing we do is just for ourselves. We access God’s favour to bless others. It has to involve others. It has to be shared. The psalmist’s language refers to the whole world – it is global. He isn’t talking about private faith – rather it is missional faith. It is about opening hearts. All hearts. When God blesses us with peace, with provision, with salvation, it’s never just for us. It’s to bring light to the world. It isn’t just for believing. It is for following!
The Acts reading is an account of how the Gospel message was being taken to “the ends of the earth”. In it, the man in Paul’s vision was Macedonian, from northern Greece. The man’s plea was simple. “Come and help us.” Paul, accompanied by Silas, left at once, believing that God was sending them to preach the Gospel there.
When they arrived, instead of a man they met a woman, Lydia. Lydia was a businesswoman, a merchant in expensive textiles, and she worshipped God. As they preached to the gathering, her heart was opened and she received the good news! She and her household were baptised and she invited Paul and Silas to be her guests, opening her home to them.
This is the Holy Spirit at work. Unexpected people. Unlikely places. Unscripted encounters. Lydia’s response to the Gospel was she opened her home. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord, come and stay at my home.” One account I read described her home as the first ‘home group’ in Philippi, a seed of the Philippian church we read about later in Scripture. When God opens hearts, hospitality becomes mission. Lydia didn’t preach a sermon, she set a table.
The Gospel reading takes this another few steps forward. “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.”
Jesus offers not just a table, but the ultimate act of hospitality. He makes his home in us.
When we love Jesus and live his word we are not just believers, we are followers. And his gift is the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence. He lives with us! The Spirit dwells within us, teaches us, reminds us of Christ, and gives us peace. Not temporary peace. Not circumstantial peace, but Christ’s own peace. This is the peace that Psalm 67 hopes for among the nations. This is the peace Lydia surely felt when she opened her home. This is the peace that “surpasses understanding” (Phil 4:7), and stays with us even in our troubles.
So, how do we deal with all this? How do we make it our own? How do we move beyond belief to be real followers of Christ?
I reckon it goes something like this:
Listen for the Spirit’s leading. Like Paul, we must be open to hearing from God, willing to go where God calls, even if the vision doesn’t match the expected.
Be open to God’s word and be open to others. Like Lydia, we must be open to using what we have: our homes, our gifts, our tables … all for God’s Kingdom.
Let God make his home in us. Jesus invites us to love him, to keep his word, and receive the indwelling peace that only he gives.
Then we too will become part of the great deployment of God’s grace in the world. So, let’s ask God to open hearts today, starting with our own.
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