During our echo weekends we are reminded of the commission that Jesus gave to us. Our job as Christians is to go into the entire world and preach the gospel. We are meant to be missionaries. As a missionary, we can share Jesus with people in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and social situations. Knowing this, I think we should take a look at the disciples (the first missionaries) shortly after we left them in our last series.
Peter, who was once filled with fear, suddenly preaches to 3,000 people and testifies about what Jesus had done for him. After that, Peter and John are walking to the temple and see a man who could not walk. The man asked for change and Peter and John obliged him through the power of God. The man began walking and leaping and praising God. Peter and John began to preach and then were thrown into prison. Then, they are brought before the same guys that just put Jesus to death!
Peter, who denied Jesus stands up for his faith even against certain death. Listen to what Peter said to them in Acts 4:8-13. “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is ‘the stone that the builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
So the council meets and they decide that they can’t put the disciples to death, everyone saw them heal the man. The man who is healed is also standing next to Peter and John, so they decide to try to stop Peter and John. Here’s what they said in Acts 4:17-20
“'But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must
warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.’ Then they called them
in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
But Peter and John replied, ‘Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s
sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we
have seen and heard.'"
We don’t have all the answers about our faith. There are atheists out there that make a living exploiting the fact that our belief system is based on a man who rose from the dead. We have to take that in faith. However, even the most educated atheist in the world cannot compete with what you have seen, what you have heard, and what you have experienced.
When you become a missionary in your workplace, your community, and among your friends, you are not telling them all the answers. You are simply telling them what you have experienced and what God has done in your life. When the elders saw that Peter and John were unschooled, but they spoke with such authority, they realized they had been with Jesus. When you spend time with Jesus it is noticeable. This week, spend some time talking with the God who loves you and made you. Your time with Him will influence everyone around you. It will make an impact, especially to the kids that we have the privilege of ministering to every weekend. Thank you for all that you do.
Announcements:
- 12 Disciples courtyard event is will be this weekend in celebrating our Unusual Suspects and Just Like Me series. Bring your cameras to snap some pics :)
- 12 STAMPS - We will be giving 1 stamp on stamp books for every Disciple that the children can remember, for a possible total of 12, in addition to their weekly stamps.
- CHRISTMAS PLAY : Practice is this Saturday night during the Fusion/Jelevate service at 5:30. This will be the last weekend that kids can sign up to be part of the choir, so hurry to sign your children up!
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