THE BRAND Acts 11:19-30
Posted on July 24, 2010
Filed Under Pastor's Blog, Sermons
“They were first called Christians at Antioch.” – St. Luke
The early followers of Jesus were “branded” Christians. What started out as a derogatory remark has become the nameplate of Christ’s church. “Brand” had gone through its own cycle of use and scrutiny, just like Christianity. In the Old West it was considered an honor to be referred to as someone who “rode for the brand.” Generally reserved for cowboys who were committed to the particular outfit they rode for. Branding has come a long way since then. Today it is generally used as a marketing term. Marketers attempt to identify a product with a symbol. The goal of branding is to connect people with a product and get you to commit to it. Needless to say in our cynical society branding is often looked upon with disdain.
The early followers of Christ were looked upon with disdain. Their cross-carrying Savior who took away sins was an object of ridicule. In this text we encounter followers of Christ who ride for the brand. They actively promote him. The text says, they were “preaching the Lord Jesus.” In today’s culture preaching is looked upon with cynicism (don’t preach at me) or it is considered in a corporate worship context (the sermon in a service). But in this text it is simply announcing the good news of Christ and his cross. They were selling the brand. Granted, many of us will be disturbed by the idea of selling/marketing Jesus. But the fact of the matter is that we have no problem marketing other things/people that we find valuable/helpful to us and to others. If you have a good Dr., you tell others about him. If you got a great deal at a store, you tell where others can get the same deal. If you found a mechanic you can trust. You are his best advertisement. We are always promoting the things that we see important. Are we promoting Christ? That’s what those who ride for the brand do.
The text goes on to express that those who ride for the brand are faithful to the brand, transformed by the brand and take care of their own (others who associate with the brand). Do you ride for the brand? Those who do have been transformed internally by the power of Christ’s cross through the activity of the Holy Spirit. The internal transformation (as expressed in Barnabas) is demonstrated through external expression (aka Saul the converted Pharisee who persecuted Christians). Christ works in us and then works his way out of us.
What is working in you? The text begins with “those were scattered because of the persecution” (v. 19). “Persecution” means “crushed”. When crushed Christ spilled out of the early followers of Christ. When you are crushed, what/who comes out of you? What’s your brand? -WHB
Comments
Leave a Reply