Well, it’s another Sunday morning. “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe[a] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
As I was growing up I was intrigued by the Vikings. What I would read about them only made me more interested in them. They seemed to be a tight knit community, more like a family and would fight together for their own. One thing that always bothered me though was that they followed the pagan gods. It wasn’t until the 960’s that these people were ordered by their king to stop following the pagan gods and find Christianity. This king found favor with the Holy Roman Empire and would be remembered throughout history for his work with Christianity and so many more things as well, his people love him dearly.
Moving ahead to 1996, where a group of companies; Intel, Ericsson, Nokia, and later IBM decided to create a single wireless standard. Each company had been developing their own short-range radio technologies, but all the names they came up with were terrible. Try as they might they couldn’t come up with a catchy name for this new technology. One evening after having their proposal firmly rejected, two of the members of the team decided to go out for the evening and drown their sorrows.
While they were out, one member from Ericsson Inc., a Scandinavian company, was telling history stories of Denmark and Norway’s past. While telling these historic stories, the name of an obscure Scandinavian king from the Middle Ages that had brought Christianity to the Vikings came up in the conversation. See, this king changed the way the vikings lived from nomadic style living to community style living and built fortresses to protect his people. He made it so that anyone inside these forts could be notified of danger quickly, no one would could sneak up on them in their forts without everyone inside knowing they were coming. Inside these forts Christianity continued to grow and spread among the Viking people living there. See, King Harald “Bluetooth” Gormsson, also known as King Harald I, is remembered for unifying Denmark, converting the Danes to Christianity, and conquering Norway. And now he is also know for the name he lent to the short range technology called “bluetooth.” It says in Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV) this, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
King Harald knew the value of community, he knew the truth of Christ Jesus also. As we make our way on this path we are on, it would be good to remember that. It tells us in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV) this, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken. There is strength in numbers. We must spread the good word of our LORD and Savior, we must share the love that He has given to us.”
We must do as it says in Ephesians, 6:13-18 (ESV) when we are told this, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” And above all we need to share the love of the lord, I will start that now, God truly loves each and every one of you, and so do I.
