Sermon On A First-Hand Experience

Agatha Christie, a renowned British writer of detective novels once remarked: “The first time you do a thing is always exciting.” Matthew 28:18-20 reminds us: “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age’”

First-hand experience is defined as information or experience gained or learned directly, rather than from other people or books. It may encompass a sense of apprehension or possibly excitement. It possibly could even include an element of fear. However, a first-hand experience can apply to virtually any aspect of life. When the Disciples of Christ were charged by Jesus with the task of spreading the “Good News,” it must have instigated an enormous challenge in their lives. Some might have feared the response that their words and actions derived. Would the reception be welcoming or hostile? They may have lacked an element of courage within themselves as this was a first-hand experience for each of them, but by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit was with them to calm and reassure. Mark 16:20 confirms: “And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.”

Most people encounter new or previously untried situations regularly in life. It may be the first day at a new school, or perhaps the start of a new career. It can include holidays to places never travelled to before. It can even include an introduction to God by attending a church service for the very first time, perhaps experiencing the true value and reward of prayer, or reading a few verses of the Bible. These, in themselves, maybe the most stimulating experience of all. They create new avenues of awareness or adventure and boundless possibilities to pursue a new and exciting life.

David Herbert Lawrence, an English writer, novelist, poet and essayist once remarked: “The world is supposed to be full of possibilities, but they narrow down to pretty few in most personal experience. There’s lots of good fish in the sea ... maybe ... but the vast masses seem to be mackerel or herring, and if you’re not mackerel or herring yourself, you are likely to find very few good fish in the sea.” This quote indicates that people can be restricted by their own lifestyle and niche in life. Whatever their surroundings confer on them, is deemed as the norm of life. There is no escape from the sealed inhabitance in which they live. They look no further than their immediate environment, this may indicate a sense of tunnelled vision or a lack of adventure. This should never determine or dictate a person’s life. Life is for living to its fullest extent.

There are many different varieties of inhabitants of the global seas, each with their individually defined purpose or function. Life is not restricted to just two main species of fish as the norm, it has endless possibilities and many roads from which to choose. Some fear the unknown, some fear the present, others fear the future. However, we should never feel that we are detracted from exploring any of the roads open to us, especially if it is the will of God. Joel 2:28 reminds us: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.”

Yehuda Berg, a Jerusalem-born international speaker and author once remarked: "Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble." Ephesians 4:29 confirms: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

There are many idioms and sayings that have emerged through the years. By themselves, and without significant explanation, they may not appear to have much meaning or make sense. They are sometimes difficult to comprehend. Some may wonder as to their relevance in life. However, many have an underlying pertinence that relate to situations that we may have never considered. They are often intended to be helpful or to make one stop and think. They are a collection of words that relate to inexperience.

One of the popular idioms used reminds us: “Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.” Many people in life tend to take life for granted in certain respects. They may assume that because they have been short-listed for a particular job or promotion that they desperately seek, because they have been informed of this fact, they sincerely believe that success is in the bag.