God Uses Individuals, Not Microphones

I am so excited about the opportunity to share Acts 5 this weekend. I have been challenged by my time in this passage this week. If you are one of the many reading this in Hilo, take the time to read through this passage prior to Sunday and make every attempt to be with us Sunday a.m. For those of you scattered in other places, be sure to join your family in worship this weekend.

Aloha,
allen

Thoughts
If there is one thing the book of Acts makes clear, it is the fact that the religious world simply is dumbfounded as how it should handle the Spirit-filled believer and Church. Take for example the events of Acts 3 and 4. A well-known man, born lame, untreatable by modern medicine, is healed in the name of Jesus Christ at the temple. Thousands bear witness to this remarkable healing. Even the most elite of religious doubters must confess that a miracle has taken place. Nevertheless, they are outraged because of the authority with which the Christian community places in the name and person of Jesus Christ. And beyond this, these believers are neither government supplanters (unless one would consider their introduction of the Kingdom of God on earth), nor are they violent defenders.

When it comes to Christianity, in its purest form, the world really has yet to figure out what to make of it. Certainly it makes personal demands for repentance and confession of sin by all, but it offers in return the testimony and miracle of transformed lives. Healings and signs and wonders confirm that there is truly something to the claims that this community of faith proclaims.

In many regards the current resistance the American Christian faces is nothing in comparison to that which the believers experienced in Acts. Few are beaten, crucified, stoned, imprisoned, burned at the stake, etc. in today’s church. Nevertheless, the denial and hatred that arises from the claim of Christ’s deity is increasing. And in many cases the testimony of the believers are succumbing to these pressures. Perhaps, our prayers should begin to resemble that of the disciples in Acts 4…

“And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:29-31)

This has become my newfound prayer for my life and church. Rather than bending to the pressures of an unbelieving and denying world of critics. Imagine what God could do through a people who would speak His word with all confidence as He extends His hands to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of … Jesus?! Though the voice of an unbelieving generation may resound through the speakers, the greatest witness of our faith will remain in the voice of individuals and the lives they touch in Christ’s name.

Application
Has the criticism of another individual ever caused you to change your belief?

Who has had the most impact on your life: the people with the microphone or the individuals closest to you?

Would you dare to pray the prayer of Acts 4:29-31 for your life and church daily?

Prayer
Father,

My prayer is simple today. In the midst of an unbelieving generation, will You empower me with courage to share the truth of Jesus Christ. As I share those things which I have seen and heard, will You extend Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders in the name of Jesus Christ? This is how You built Your Church in Acts and I know that You can do it again in my generation.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

To Church vs. With Jesus

I am sure most of us know the difference between what it means to go to church vs. being with Jesus. As my alarm clock sounded this morning, I was typing today’s devo in response to Acts 4:13. My prayer is that each of us would seek more to be with Jesus vs. just being in a church service. Oh, how God longs to do great things in and through us! Let’s be with Jesus!

Thoughts
Firsts are memorable events. First birthdays. First loves. First dates. I’ll never forget my first sermon…and neither will the gracious people who endured it. Stirred by a devotional from my college class, I preached on the Amalekites and the importance of slaying our enemies in obedience to God.

As you could imagine the presentation was a little chalky, raw, and chunky. While I am sure there were some tidbits of truth they seemed more like flakes of tree bark; good fiber but a horrible source. Thankfully, there was a seasoned minister who was able to summarize what I was trying to say and offer it to the congregation in a palpable way.

People began to respond. In particular there was one individual who truly was wrestling with the enemy over an issue in their life. A sin issue they were unwilling to slay. For some time we remained in the altar praying over and for the individual. According to their physical antics and posture, they were being ‘touched’ by the Lord.

That service I learned a lesson I’ll never forget. When it was obvious the individual was not going to release this issue to God–and they tired from their physical workout–we closed the service. After such a time in the presence of the Lord, as He was truly there, one would expect a gentle and humble response. Instead, the individual snapped back to the gestures of those who prayed with them with sarcastic tones and quick wit. Though there’s nothing wrong with joking, it was just such a weird response after spending considerable time in the altar.

When the religious leaders in Acts 4 encountered the disciples, they recognized their untrained and uneducated speech. Nevertheless, they noticed something of importance: they resembled their Master. Their Teacher. From their actions and attitudes the religious leaders knew the disciples had been with Jesus.

More than our cute Christian phrases, memorized rote, or dance routines, people will recognize Christ’s disciples by the way in which we spend time with Him. Have you been with Jesus today?

Application
Have you ever noticed the contrast of those who have been to church vs. those who have been with Jesus? What are the differences?

Have you ever been to church without having been with Jesus? Is there a tangible difference?

What is the characteristic you most embody today: to church or with Jesus?

Prayer
Father,

Thank You for the opportunity to be with Jesus. The religious systems of our day are bulky, boring, and barren when it comes to transformation. Yet, moments in the presence of Jesus brings generational changes. While going to church is easier, being with Jesus is what I long to experience. It changes me and is recognized by the outside world.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Name of Jesus

Some of my all-time worship songs are written to describe the indescribable attributes and majesty of Jesus’ name. Indeed, there is no greater name. The authority of Christ’s name is beyond anything that we can imagine or comprehend. In today’s devo I took a portion of Warren Wiersbe’s Be Dynamic (Acts 1-12): Experience the Power of God’s People. Sometimes the words of others just say it best. Enjoy this snippet of Wiersbe’s thoughts on Jesus’ name.

Take a moment to listen to this song as you read today’s devo…It’s from Church on a Sure Foundation’s, a local church in Hilo, Awesome to Me cd. Tioni Tam Sing is the singer. Click here.

Thoughts
The emphasis in Acts 3 and 4 is on the name of the Lord Jesus (3:6, 16; 4:7, 10, 12, 17, 18, 30). A name, of course, implies much more than identification; it carries with it authority, reputation, and power. When somebody says, “You can use my name!” you sincerely hope the name is worth using. If an order is given in the name of the President of the United States or the Prime Minister of Great Britain, those who receive the order know that they are obligated to obey. If I were to issue orders at the White House or at No. 10 Downing Street (even if I could get in), nobody would pay much attention, because my name has no official authority behind it.

But the name of the Lord Jesus has all authority behind it, for He is the Son of God (Matt. 28:18). Because His name is “above every name” (Phil. 2:9-11), He deserves our worship and obedience. The great concern of the first Christians was that the name of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, be glorified; and believers today should have that same concern.

The name of Jesus Christ still has power!…we can still claim the authority of Jesus Christ as He has instructed us in the Word.

We can preach the “remission of sins” in His name (Luke 24:47) so that people might believe and have “life through His name” (John 20:31). We can give someone a cup of cold water in His name (Mark 9:41), and we can receive a child in His name (Matt. 18:5). These ministries may not seem as spectacular as healing a cripple, but they are still important to the work of God. We can ask in His name as we pray (John 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23-26). When we ask the Father for something “in the name of Jesus Christ,” it is as though Jesus Himself were asking it. If we remember this, it will help to keep us from asking for things unworthy of His name.

Yes, the name of Jesus Christ still has authority and power. Let’s go forth in His name and conquer! (Warren Wiersbe, Be Dynamic (Acts 1-12): Experience the Power of God’s People)

Application
What aspects of Christ’s name intrigue you most?

What attributes to you consider when you use Christ’s name in prayer or in ministering to others?

Has your awareness of how you use Christ’s name been elevated today? How might you use it more reverently and effectively today?

Prayer
Father,

As You are well aware, I really have no understanding of everything that is mine in Christ. Within His deity and person there are attributes and gifts of which I am absolutely ignorant. Nevertheless, I have found in the name of Jesus a freedom from my past, a help in my time of need, a protection in the battle, and a hope for my future. My prayer today is that You would open my eyes to see the full authority You have given me in the name of Jesus.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Stuck

This week we’ll be spending our time in Acts 4. A continuation, or cause and effect, of Acts 3, this chapter continues some great insight into handling adversity, false belief systems, and how to gain courage to stand for truth in the midst of an unbelieving world. Today’s thought is a bit of a rant from my early morning encounter, but I believe you’ll see the connection it has with Acts 4. Let’s not get stuck in unhealthy belief systems!

Thoughts
Stuck:

• • [ trans. ] fasten or cause to adhere to an object or surface
• • be or become fixed or jammed in one place as a result of an obstruction
• • (of a feeling or thought) remain persistently in one’s mind

As I meandered into the office this morning, I made my routine stop at the mailbox. Grabbing yesterday’s mail, my attention was drawn to the largest, most colorful member of the stack. It was an invitation given by a well-known speaker, minister, and self-proclaimed prophet. Now before I go much farther I must tell you, I know God has absolutely used this individual powerfully and I do not question that. However, the content of the envelope was a bit disturbing. With a $1,000 “seed offering” from my church or family, he would pray over our needs. And, if I make the pilgrimage to his next gathering, he will prophesy a 5 part prophesy over me.

Please excuse my rant, but somewhere along the way we’ve missed something. What happened to the genuine concern for the Body of Christ and the desire to see all churches flourish regardless of whether they sent you a $1,000 offering?!

Here’s my point: If we’re not careful we all run the risk of becoming stuck in false belief systems. I believe in God’s financial blessings and partnering with individuals in ministry. However, it is a real danger when we become fixated upon the finances more than our genuine concern for the Body of Christ.

Yet, getting stuck is not reserved to financial beliefs alone. In Acts 3-4 the Sadducees became fixated on the doctrine of resurrection. They refused to believe in a bodily resurrection and thus disqualified Jesus’ full ministry. Their belief system and forward progression were obstructed by their dogmatic adherence to an unscriptural doctrine.

The human psyche is addictive and adhesive by nature. It clings to certain beliefs and behaviors naturally. Each of us must dogmatically cling to Jesus (4:12) and at the same time remain teachable by the Holy Spirit and Scripture. May we accurately handle the Word of Truth (2 Tim. 2:15) lest we become an opponent of the Lord Himself.

Application
Have you ever become stuck in a false belief system? If so, what was it?

How do you seek out truth in your faith and life?

Is there an area or element of your belief system that you tend to focus more attention on than others? Have you prayerfully considered if it is a healthy focus?

Prayer
Father,

I know that there are areas of my life that I tend to focus unhealthy attention on, or ignore, at the risk of my faith. Just as the Sadducees believed in You, loved You, and knew Scripture (to an extent), most believers really do love You. Nevertheless, we can all become fixated on false beliefs and risk the forward progression of our own spiritual growth and that of the Kingdom. Today, through Your Holy Spirit and Your Word, lead me in a healthy introspection of my belief systems. Make the necessary corrections in order that I may grow and Your Kingdom may grow through me.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.