What Did Jesus Say To Patrick? Series

Sermon: What did Jesus say to St. Patrick (Maewyn Succat)

A Scotchman (Britian and Roman Catholic) enslaved by Irish – rescued by God and sent back to Ireland to win the country for Jesus – which by the way he did!

Most of what we know about St Patrick comes from 2 of his writings: The Confession and The Letter to Coroticus.

A lot of the other Irish legends and stories come from oral tradition and writings from other researchers and authors.

Scripture texts: The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16-20

16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Introduction summary: St. Patrick's Life and Journey:

Early Life and Slavery:

Briefly mention St. Patrick's birth in Scotland, his capture by Irish pirates, and his time as a slave in Ireland (6 years), emphasizing how this experience strengthened his faith. He learned to trust God and grow his faith by praying 100’s of times a day – this spiritual school of slavery drove him deeper into a relationship with the Lord.

He mentioned how his shepherding was in a snowy cold place, but God warmed him each day with the fire of the Holy Spirit!

His 6 years of slavery was the seminary for spiritual growth as is believed by persecuted Chinese in China!

Quote: “He understood his slavery to be a sort of apprenticeship in the humility that would mark the rest of his life and ministry. The apprenticeship over, he moved on.” Rogers, Jonathan. Saint Patrick (Christian Encounters) (p. 32). HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Kindle Edition.

He escaped receiving a call too fast and prayer!

Then he received a dream that his day of deliverance was coming and to prepare for it!

He then received a specific dream of where he had to go – he had to travel 200 miles across Ireland and catch a ship to escape Ireland.

Quote: “But how did he navigate strange bogs, forests, and rivers in the dark? And with no money, how could he feed himself on such a long journey? Not surprisingly, Patrick attributed his success and safety to the guiding hand of God. “[He] directed my route to advantage,” he wrote, adding that he was afraid of nothing in his travels —perhaps the greatest miracle of the whole journey.” Rogers, Jonathan. Saint Patrick (Christian Encounters) (p. 33). HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Kindle Edition.

One legendary story says it happened this way by Rogers: According to a story from Jocelin’s Life and Acts of St. Patrick, the angel who announced that Patrick would soon go home also showed him a hole in the ground in which he found “no small weight of gold”2 with which to buy back his freedom. Having paid off Milcho, his “hard and cruel master,”3 Patrick went his merry way. But Milcho changed his mind. Like the Pharaoh who pursued the Israelites after letting them go, he took off after the valuable slave he had released, which, presumably, explains why Patrick claims to have “fled” a master from whom he had not escaped. Milcho, by the way, received an additional insult, according to the story: when he gave up the chase and went home, the gold had disappeared! (Thus from this story births the myth of leprechauns and pots of gold)! Rogers, Jonathan. Saint Patrick (Christian Encounters) (p. 32). HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Kindle Edition.

The captain first said no to his request and then changed his mind – so across the channel they sailed and landed in France after a massive war which lead to devastation and what Patrick calls a wilderness – they were starving and the captain and crew started turning on Patrick – so he told them to repent of their sin and God would provide food – at that moment pigs – a herd of pigs showed up which they were able to harvest for food.

Shortly thereafter he found his way back home!

Conversion and Calling:

Highlight St. Patrick's spiritual growth during his time in Ireland, his eventual escape, and his calling to return to Ireland as a missionary.

Missionary Work:

Discuss St. Patrick's efforts to convert the Irish people to Christianity, his travels throughout the country, and the establishment of churches and monasteries.

Please note there are a lot of stories about Patick – some most likely very tall tales and embellishment!