October 14, 2007

Be Transformed

by Rev. Dr. Jim Carlson

Luke 24:13-35

Opening Illustration: A Singaporean judge sentenced a man to four months in jail for stealing a Bible, admonishing him with Scripture before hauling him off to prison, The Straits Times newspaper reported Wednesday.

District judge Bala Reddy also gave a new Bible to the 26-year-old thief, who said he had tried to steal the book from a bookshop last month because he wanted to replace his old, tattered copy.

At the Tuesday sentencing, the judge told the defendant -- who has previous convictions for theft -- to open his gift. "You will see at page 65 that it says "Thou shalt not steal. While you are in prison, sit in prison and read the Bible, and ensure that you don't come before the courts again," Reddy said.

Judge thinks this young man will be transformed after receiving the bread of life – God’s Word.

This month is WMO promotion. Last week – Surprise. This week: receive – be transformed.

We receive quite a bit. Mail, gifts, calls, information.

In order to give to missions, we have to experience true discipleship. In order to experience Jesus we have to receive.

In Luke, knowing Jesus is associated with receiving bread.

Feeding of the 5000; Last Supper.

Road to Emmaus. The disciples didn’t know who Jesus was until he broke the bread and gave it to them.

Receiving of bread was continuous in the early church. Church was transformed.

People who are in mission are transformed by what they receive from God. Transformation never happens in a vacuum.

What do we need to receive in order to be transformed?

One: We need to receive the scriptures. Jesus showed how the disciples foreshadowed his coming.

Most of the times when I felt transformed by God happened because of a new insight from the Bible.

Bible helps us understand God’s attitude toward the needy. Bible helps us understand God’s attitude toward the way we manage money.

Consider for a minute how often you read the Bible. Is it more like a doorstop than a well-read book?

I want to challenge you to try reading for just five minutes this week and see what you receive.

• Two: We need to receive Jesus in fellowship with others. Early church experienced Jesus when they broke bread, just as the disciples did.

When was the last time you broke bread with other people from church? Some seniors did it last Tuesday.

Have lunch with someone from church. You won’t just receive food, you’ll receive Jesus in that other person.

Final Illustration: Judy Sutterlin – People of China received Jesus and are being transformed. 54 million Bible printed and distributed since 1987.

Judy hears stories about how the Bible changes lives.

Van that delivers Bibles also is used to transport doctors and medical equipment to poor rural areas.

I’m not asking you to give this morning. Don’t worry, I’ll be doing that next week. I’m asking you to receive. Receive God’s word by studying your Bible regularly this week. I’m always surprised what it tells me.

Receive Jesus by breaking bread with someone else in this congregation. Have dinner, have lunch, share coffee. But most of all share Jesus. Receive Jesus when you break bread with others, and you’ll be surprised at the transformation.