8. Francis of Assisi

Introduction:

Over the last nine weeks we have been looking at that it means to be a Jesus Freak. We have seen over the weeks a great many people who have had such a passion for Jesus that it has set the world and the church on fire. We turn our hearts to one of the Jesus Freaks of the 1100’s. He was a Jesus freak who was called to re-build the church of his day and set about the work of transforming it. Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone or St Francis was a radical man whose early life was one of plenty and excess. Francis was to become a man whose heart was on fire for God.

St Francis Quotes.

“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” 

 “Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” 

“I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, He can work through anyone.” 

 “We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.” 

 “He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.”

St Francis Facts:

Francis of Assisi was renown for drinking and partying in his youth

He spent nearly a year in prison

Francis reportedly heard the voice of Christ, who told him to repair the Christian Church and live a life of poverty

Francis reportedly received a vision that left him with the stigmata of Christ—marks resembling the wounds Jesus Christ suffered when he was crucified—making Francis the first person to receive the holy wounds of the stigmata.

Francis was spoiled, indulging himself with fine food, booze and women, and left school at the age of 14. By this time, he had become renown as a teenage tearaway who frequently drank, partied and broke the city curfew. He was also known for his charm and for being dandy in his dress.

DVD – St Francis

Questions:
1. What in the DVD spoke to you the most?
2. What do the dvd's tell us about St Francis as a person?
3. What do the DVd's tell us about his faith?
4. Can you think of a bible passage that would sum up St Francis's Life?
5. What one thing can you take away tonight and apply to your own life?
6. What do you think of St Francis act of poverty?

Closing thoughts on St Francis’ Conversion and life’s work.

The moment of Francis’ conversion was when he saw the wretched specter of a leper in the road he was travelling on, he spurred his horse to flee. But as he galloped by, Francis thought he recognized Christ in the contorted face of the outcast. Abruptly he stopped, dismounted, kissed the leper, gave alms, seated the man on the charger and led the way to the leper’s destination. Before this experience, Francis so loathed the sight of lepers that he would look at their houses only from a distance of two miles while holding his nose. But Francis later said of this experience, “ . . . What had previously nauseated me became a source of spiritual and physical consolation . . . .