March 17, 2019
NOTES NOT EDITED
A Slave Boy’s Legacy—From Myth to Mission
1Cor. 11:1, et. al.
SIS: We imitate Christ best when our love for lost people compels us to
share the gospel with them.
Since I was a young boy in Sanford Grade School in Moundsville, W.Va., I remember celebrating St. Patrick's Day. I remember getting pinched throughout the day when I had forgotten to "wear the green." I remember parties with green cookies and green cupcakes. I remember pictures of leprechauns and shamrocks, and pots of gold at the end of a rainbow.
Since I was a young boy in Sanford Grade School in Moundsville, W.Va., I remember celebrating St. Patrick's Day. I remember getting pinched throughout the day when I had forgotten to "wear the green." I remember parties with green cookies and green cupcakes. I remember pictures of leprechauns and shamrocks, and pots of gold at the end of a rainbow.
It never dawned on me how different my celebration of St.
Patrick's Day was from the life that St. Patrick lived. I'm not Catholic, so
maybe I was a little light on my understanding of feast days for the saints.
St. Patrick was actually not an official saint at all. The Catholic Church did
not recognize him in any significant way for at least 1200 years after he died.
So, the patron saint of Ireland was neither a saint (until later), nor was he
Irish.
He was, however, a deeply devout follower of Jesus Christ and
powerful proclaimer of the gospel of salvation. He was not the only proclaimer
of the gospel in Ireland, but he was certainly one of the most influential--and
not just for Ireland, but also Europe.
Much of the life of Patrick, as with many figures in ancient history, is myth. For example, I mentioned two already. It is a myth that St. Patrick was Irish, and also that he was even a saint. It is also a myth that St. Patrick magically drove all the snakes off the island. There is no evidence this island ever had any snakes. This may be a story illustrating how Patrick drove the evil practices of paganism from the island. Green was also not originally associated with Patrick. One writer tells us this: “The Irish countryside may be many shades of green, but knights in the Order of St. Patrick wore a color known as St. Patrick’s blue. Why did green become so emblematic of St. Patrick that people began drinking green beer, wearing green and, of course, dyeing the Chicago River green to mark the holiday he inspired? The association probably dates back to the 18th century, when supporters of Irish independence used the color to represent their cause.” Actually, after 1630, when the English King, William of Orange, defeated the Catholic King James II, protestants wore orange in protest of the Catholic holiday. The white stripe separating green and orange on the Irish flag is said to symbolize the peace between Protestants and Catholics. It is also a myth that the modern “raucous revelry” (copied) associated with celebrating St. Patrick’s day began in Ireland. It actually began in the early 1700’s in America. One of the most endearing myths is that Patrick used a three-leaf clover (shamrock) to demonstrate the truth of the Trinity—three Persons but only One God. There is nothing in the historical record to show Patrick did this, though he passionately declared the doctrine of the Trinity.
Many myths have arisen in regard to Patrick’s life, but one fact is not a myth—Patrick was a passionate missionary declaring the gospel of salvation to the people of Ireland.
Before we look at some significant characteristics of Brother Patrick, let me give a brief outline of his life.
The place of his birth is disputed. Patrick mentions “Britanniis.” This could mean the Roman province of Britain, or modern scholarship suggests the French region of Brittany. Regardless, he was not Irish. Pirates kidnapped him when he was 16 and sold him to an Irish lord. For 4 years Patrick served his master as a shepherd. During his time as a slave, God captured his heart and mind. In a dream Patrick heard God say a boat was waiting. Patrick escaped and made it back to England. For a little over 20 years Patrick tried to convince the Catholic Church to send him back to Ireland as a missionary. Patrick had a dream in which an Irish man called him to come back to preach the gospel. Eventually, Patrick returned and for thirty years or so he was a power preacher and the Emerald Isle was largely converted to Christ, along with a significant overflow of witness to Europe. Patrick’s life is associated with many myths, but one fact is not a myth—he had a powerful mission to Ireland.
Patrick’s life was powerful because it was an imitation of the life of the Lord Jesus Christ in four significant ways: Patrick was a man of prayer, a man of patience, a man of perseverance, and a man of passion. Let us launch our study from 1Cor. 11:1. READ.
Much of the life of Patrick, as with many figures in ancient history, is myth. For example, I mentioned two already. It is a myth that St. Patrick was Irish, and also that he was even a saint. It is also a myth that St. Patrick magically drove all the snakes off the island. There is no evidence this island ever had any snakes. This may be a story illustrating how Patrick drove the evil practices of paganism from the island. Green was also not originally associated with Patrick. One writer tells us this: “The Irish countryside may be many shades of green, but knights in the Order of St. Patrick wore a color known as St. Patrick’s blue. Why did green become so emblematic of St. Patrick that people began drinking green beer, wearing green and, of course, dyeing the Chicago River green to mark the holiday he inspired? The association probably dates back to the 18th century, when supporters of Irish independence used the color to represent their cause.” Actually, after 1630, when the English King, William of Orange, defeated the Catholic King James II, protestants wore orange in protest of the Catholic holiday. The white stripe separating green and orange on the Irish flag is said to symbolize the peace between Protestants and Catholics. It is also a myth that the modern “raucous revelry” (copied) associated with celebrating St. Patrick’s day began in Ireland. It actually began in the early 1700’s in America. One of the most endearing myths is that Patrick used a three-leaf clover (shamrock) to demonstrate the truth of the Trinity—three Persons but only One God. There is nothing in the historical record to show Patrick did this, though he passionately declared the doctrine of the Trinity.
Many myths have arisen in regard to Patrick’s life, but one fact is not a myth—Patrick was a passionate missionary declaring the gospel of salvation to the people of Ireland.
Before we look at some significant characteristics of Brother Patrick, let me give a brief outline of his life.
The place of his birth is disputed. Patrick mentions “Britanniis.” This could mean the Roman province of Britain, or modern scholarship suggests the French region of Brittany. Regardless, he was not Irish. Pirates kidnapped him when he was 16 and sold him to an Irish lord. For 4 years Patrick served his master as a shepherd. During his time as a slave, God captured his heart and mind. In a dream Patrick heard God say a boat was waiting. Patrick escaped and made it back to England. For a little over 20 years Patrick tried to convince the Catholic Church to send him back to Ireland as a missionary. Patrick had a dream in which an Irish man called him to come back to preach the gospel. Eventually, Patrick returned and for thirty years or so he was a power preacher and the Emerald Isle was largely converted to Christ, along with a significant overflow of witness to Europe. Patrick’s life is associated with many myths, but one fact is not a myth—he had a powerful mission to Ireland.
Patrick’s life was powerful because it was an imitation of the life of the Lord Jesus Christ in four significant ways: Patrick was a man of prayer, a man of patience, a man of perseverance, and a man of passion. Let us launch our study from 1Cor. 11:1. READ.
First and foremost, Patrick like Christ, was a
1. A Man of Prayer
At the heart of Brother Patrick's life (that's what we call saints
in the Baptist tradition), was a devotion to a life of prayer. A thoroughly
pagan lad when he was snatched from his home and sold into slavery in Ireland,
Patrick had an epiphany of faith while tending sheep as a slave boy.
There in those lonely, lush hills of Ireland God captured
Patrick's heart in mighty way. Patrick comments that he prayed over "100
times in the day, and nearly the same at night." Patrick learned what Paul
meant when Paul admonished us, "Pray without
ceasing" (IThess.
5:16).
Prayer never fails, but we often fail in prayer. I'm not talking
about the "tips" we leave on the table for God when we say a blessing
before our meals. The kind of prayer I'm talking about is the "unceasing,
prevailing prayer" which drove Patrick to the throne about every 8
minutes, 24 hours a day.
The kind of prayer that makes a difference is intense, which we
will talk about in a moment. Last night as I was driven to prayer, I literally
shook so bad I felt I might come apart. My prayer became so intense I could not
form words. Often, until our situation in life becomes so desperate that we
become desperate for the Lord, we don’t pray as we should.
I've had many failures in life, but as I examined the life of St.
Patrick, as he modeled the life of Our Lord, I realized my greatest failure in
life has been a failure in the practice of "prevailing prayer."
I've always prayed, and probably pray more than the
"average" believer, but "average" prayer is not
"prevailing prayer." I wish I would have spent as much time learning
to pray as I did in classrooms learning theology. Patrick was not a theologian,
but Patrick had a Ph.D. in prayer . . . and, Patrick shook his world with the
gospel!
What are the characteristics of a world-changing prayer life?
What are the characteristics of a world-changing prayer life?
1-A. World-changing prayer is FREQUENT. Remember I told you that Patrick prayed “100 times during the day, and near as many at night.” Prayer was Patrick’s customary behavior. Notice what the Bible says about the prayer life of Our Lord (Lk. 22:39):
And He [Jesus] came out and proceeded as was His custom
to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him.
According to a survey I read not long ago, the average church-goer prays less than three minutes per day—a few may pray a little more depending on how long it takes for them to say grace at a meal, and how often they eat each day.
Clearly, prayer is not “customary” with most church-goers. Most church-goers scarcely think of God throughout the day. Not Patrick. Not Our Lord. Prayer was a “customary way of life.”
According to a survey I read not long ago, the average church-goer prays less than three minutes per day—a few may pray a little more depending on how long it takes for them to say grace at a meal, and how often they eat each day.
Clearly, prayer is not “customary” with most church-goers. Most church-goers scarcely think of God throughout the day. Not Patrick. Not Our Lord. Prayer was a “customary way of life.”
1-B. World-changing Prayer is EXHAUSTING.
Not only is it time consuming in regard to frequency, but in regard to the actual time spent. The word describes the prayer life of Jesus in this regard (Lk. 6:12):
Not only is it time consuming in regard to frequency, but in regard to the actual time spent. The word describes the prayer life of Jesus in this regard (Lk. 6:12):
12 During those days He went out to
the mountain to pray and spent all night in prayer to God.
Sometimes, anything less than “all night” is too short. The question is: how desperate are you for a touch from God—desperate enough to spend “all night” in prayer. The other night, I did not go to bed. I remained in my chair and prayed as long as I could stay awake. I’d sleep a little and then wake to pray. I simply have not developed the fortitude of spirit to spend all night praying. But, desperation is pushing me to that point. Prevailing prayer is physically exhausting.
Sometimes, anything less than “all night” is too short. The question is: how desperate are you for a touch from God—desperate enough to spend “all night” in prayer. The other night, I did not go to bed. I remained in my chair and prayed as long as I could stay awake. I’d sleep a little and then wake to pray. I simply have not developed the fortitude of spirit to spend all night praying. But, desperation is pushing me to that point. Prevailing prayer is physically exhausting.
1-C. It is INTENSE (LK. 22:44)
While frequency and time spent are important, they are not most important. The most important aspect of the Lord’s prayer life is it’s intensity. Consider our verses back in Luke 22, especially 44:
44 Being in anguish, He prayed more fervently, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.
There have been various attempts to explain this phenomenon. The most direct approach is to take it literally. There is a condition called hematidrosis which can happen when the body is placed under great emotional distress. The word for “fervently” (NIV, earnestly) gives the idea of “being stretched to the limit.” The prayer of Jesus littler stretched His being to the very limit resulting in “sweat becoming like drops of blood.” We cannot achieve such an intensity of our Lord, but do we even “break a sweat in our prayer life” in the normal sense of that term. World-changing prayer is INTENSE.
I’ve spent a little more time on PRAYER than on the other Biblical aspects of Patrick’s character because prayer is the foundation for everything else we become or we achieve for the Lord in this life.
Two additional aspects of Patrick’s mission-focused character occur in one passage in Colossians (1:11-12)
11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.
2. A Man of PERSEVERANCE
Endurance, or
perseverance, is linked with patience in this passage. The two go hand in hand. History documents the hardships that Patrick
had to endure in his life beginning with being kidnapped and sold into slavery. Thankfully, most of us have not had to endure
such an event in our lives. But, we all
experience hardships. Perseverance is
needed to keep from “throwing in the towel,” so to speak, and surrendering to
the circumstances of life. The word for
“endurance, or perseverance” in this text paints a picture of “standing up with a great weight on your
back.” It literally means, “remain under.” It means, “don’t quit.” Anybody can stand tall when skies are fair,
but it takes great perseverance to stand tall when it seems you are carrying
the weight of the world on your shoulders.
3. A Man of PATIENCE
3. A Man of PATIENCE
The other word mentioned in this passage, closely related to
perseverance, is patience. You can’t have one without the other. Patrick was very patient. He returned to his native home after six years as a slave feeling the call to return and preach the gospel to those in the land that once enslaved him. He made his call known to the Church officials. They stonewalled Patrick’s attempts to return because he was not an “official priest.” They would make Patrick jump through ecclesiastical hoops for over 20 years, including learning both Latin and French, but Patrick never gave up. Finally, he was able to return to Ireland to preach the gospel. How many of us are willing to wait 20 years for our vision to be realized, or perhaps even longer. Our timing is not God’s timing. We often must be patient, and being patient requires perseverance.
perseverance, is patience. You can’t have one without the other. Patrick was very patient. He returned to his native home after six years as a slave feeling the call to return and preach the gospel to those in the land that once enslaved him. He made his call known to the Church officials. They stonewalled Patrick’s attempts to return because he was not an “official priest.” They would make Patrick jump through ecclesiastical hoops for over 20 years, including learning both Latin and French, but Patrick never gave up. Finally, he was able to return to Ireland to preach the gospel. How many of us are willing to wait 20 years for our vision to be realized, or perhaps even longer. Our timing is not God’s timing. We often must be patient, and being patient requires perseverance.
If we are going to leave a lasting legacy of loving God by loving
others, we need to be persons of PRAYER, persons of PATIENCE, and persons with
great PERSEVERANCE. Patrick was also a
4. Man of PASSION.
When I think of what most intrigues me about the Lord as He walked upon this earth was His passion. I am afraid that over the years we have created a portrait of Our Lord as some kind of milk-toast, passionless, travelling lecturer who was more comfortable sitting at a desk studying the Torah than out in the marketplace mingling with sinners.
The Biblical term, at least one significant term, for passion is zeal. We read this in regard to Our Lord, prophesied by the Psalmist (69:9) and repeated by John (2:17).
17 And His disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for Your house will consume Me.
The word for zeal, “zēlos,” literally means “to boil.” A boiling pot is full of life and energy. The idea of God’s “house” could represent the “work of God in this world.” As believers, we need to be boiling over for the Lord and for His work if we are going to leave a significant legacy when we leave this world, a legacy of love for lost people like Patrick left. The Lord’s work is “saving souls.” He said,
Lk. 19:10, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” This was the Lord’s passion. This was Patrick’s passion. It should be our passion as well.
Throughout the Bible we see Jesus as a passionate, manly man focused like a laser on a single mission. Perhaps nowhere does His passion boil over more than when He made a whip and drove the moneychangers out of the Temple Court yard. These men were common thieves and scoundrels that took advantage of religious pilgrims for personal profit. The Lord passionately showed His displeasure in a very manly way.
And, of course the Lord showed His greatest passion as He hung on the cross that was meant for you and I. One of the most poignant passages pointing to the passion of our Lord is Jn. 19:34:
34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.
4. Man of PASSION.
When I think of what most intrigues me about the Lord as He walked upon this earth was His passion. I am afraid that over the years we have created a portrait of Our Lord as some kind of milk-toast, passionless, travelling lecturer who was more comfortable sitting at a desk studying the Torah than out in the marketplace mingling with sinners.
The Biblical term, at least one significant term, for passion is zeal. We read this in regard to Our Lord, prophesied by the Psalmist (69:9) and repeated by John (2:17).
17 And His disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for Your house will consume Me.
The word for zeal, “zēlos,” literally means “to boil.” A boiling pot is full of life and energy. The idea of God’s “house” could represent the “work of God in this world.” As believers, we need to be boiling over for the Lord and for His work if we are going to leave a significant legacy when we leave this world, a legacy of love for lost people like Patrick left. The Lord’s work is “saving souls.” He said,
Lk. 19:10, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” This was the Lord’s passion. This was Patrick’s passion. It should be our passion as well.
Throughout the Bible we see Jesus as a passionate, manly man focused like a laser on a single mission. Perhaps nowhere does His passion boil over more than when He made a whip and drove the moneychangers out of the Temple Court yard. These men were common thieves and scoundrels that took advantage of religious pilgrims for personal profit. The Lord passionately showed His displeasure in a very manly way.
And, of course the Lord showed His greatest passion as He hung on the cross that was meant for you and I. One of the most poignant passages pointing to the passion of our Lord is Jn. 19:34:
34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.
There, with all the gore of a Hollywood horror movie, the blood of Jesus gushed out his side, down His body and puddled on the ground beneath the cross. Jesus gave it all—every last drop of His life so you and I would not have to spend eternity in hell.
That is real passion. We call it in sports, “leaving it all on the field.” No game is ever won by post-game analysis in the clubhouse. Games are won by giving one’s all on the field. Passion—boiling over for the work of the Lord is essential to leaving a godly legacy.
How I long to “leave it all on the field” for Jesus. I want my passion for Him to boil furiously until that love boils over into a genuine, sacrificial, soul-seeking love for lost people. In the final analysis of this game of life, that is all that really matters.
That’s the legacy of the little slave boy, Patrick. We remember him today because he left a legacy of leading lost souls to Christ. Is that a legacy you want to leave for yourself?
We still celebrate St. Patrick’s Day over 1500 years after he died. Much of the celebration has more to do with myths associated with St. Patrick than his mission. But, his real legacy is not green beer, shamrocks, leprechauns and partying like crazy. Patrick’s real legacy is his mission to spread the word of God to a land where he once was brutalized as a slave. Patrick’s legacy is his mission.
What will you leave as a legacy? In 2005 a neuroscientist, Dr. David Eagleman, created a way to send emails after you die—for only $19.95 per year. He advertised, “It can be anything from computer passwords or a love note to the last word in an argument.” In a sense, you could leave a legacy via email. The service was called Deathswitch. The site was shut down in 2015. Rob Frankel, a Los Angeles marketing expert gave a possible reason: “Nobody wants to think about their death. It’s hard enough to get people to buy a cemetery plot.”
Leaving a legacy is all about thinking of our demise. What will people remember us for in the grand scheme of things? What in our life really has “eternal” value? St. Patrick’s legacy of devotion to Jesus Christ and commitment to the mission of saving souls has lasted over 15 centuries. Leaving a legacy is all about the Lord’s work. I will close today with my favorite ditty from Sunday School that has driven my life since I was in my twenties.
“Tis one life, will soon be past.
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Leaving a God-honoring legacy requires prayer, perseverance,
patience, and a passion for the work of Jesus Christ.
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