So I have now officially been a citizen in Louisville, Kentucky for 2 weeks! Last Sunday and today I have visited a church by the name of Highview Baptist. The church has 7 different locations and I have visited the Fegenbush campus both weeks. Dr. Russell Moore teaches at this particular campus and I have really enjoyed it so far! Dr. Moore is so good at preaching the Word of God! He presents it with such authority, clarity and victory. In service today we focused on all of chapter 3 in Acts. I'll just set up the scene for you.
Peter and John are making their way to the temple for prayer and discover a lame man begging for alms in front of the Beautiful Gate. This lame man had several people carry him to the gate every day because it was a place where a huge crowd would make their way to every day. This lame man would beg for gold and silver, you know material things that seems to bring significance in many people's lives. So, as Peter and John make their way to the gate they take notice of the lame man and makes eye contact with him. The two disciples of Jesus even calls out to the man saying, "Look at us." The lame man looks at Peter and John and automatically expects a gift of the form of materials. However, John reveals to the man that neither of them have any gold or silver to give him. Now before I move on and share the rest of the scripture with you lets meditate on what's going on here. Here is a lame man looking for help because he obviously needs it but the man is looking for help in such insignificant ways! I mean the gold and silver that he might find himself recieving from day to day is only going to get him so far. His mind can only grasp so much spiritually! He obviously limits his expectations to currency and materials. The man is obviously not expecting the biggest need which is to be able to walk and move. Now why am I pointing this out? Because what happens next is such an incredible event that even the one's witnessing it are completely stunned! Now back to the story. John looks at him and tells him that he has no gold or silver but what he does have is way more! "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" And then John takes the lame man by the hand and helps him up. The lame man finds himself completely whole again, able to walk, even dance!
How often do we find ourselves in the same situation. Spiritually, we find that we are in desparate need of help. While we look for help by way of material and things offered by the world, Jesus is right there in front of us offering His hand showing us that He is all we need! Many times we find ourselves becoming prideful, stubborn and content in our flesh and all of a sudden our expectations become way too low! Oh how the offer of Jesus' hand is so much more. Why do we depend on things that do not last! How unfaithful we can become while we have such an amazing and providing God calling out our name filled with grace and love.
Back to the story. John and Peter take the lame man into the Beautiful Gate where many people could see the glory and splendor of God. Now what doesn't suprise me, is that the people look to the disciples as if it were done by their hands alone. Peter then asked the people why they were giving all the credit to him and John. Peter goes on to tell the people that the mighty work was done by the very man that they placed on the cross! Well its really best just to quote the scripture from here!
"God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness."
Peter also reveals, that by the name of Jesus, which by faith in that very name, has made the lame man strong to whom the crowd has been made witnesses to.
So much had been offered and yet the crowd didn't want to have anything to do with it or Him(Jesus) in that matter. Jesus came to offer life and they chose things! They chose death instead of life. We all chose death through the one man Adam and completely deserve death and yet Jesus offers Life! My prayer over this specific scripture is that we would all examine our life and ask where we exclude Jesus from because our expectations are so poorly low. Jesus, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords has everything we need! Why would we lower our expectations in money, fame and possessions when God gives us all things we need according to His knowledge and grace! I pray that this encouraged and challenged you. May we live fully in Christ and completely die to our wicked and depraved states.
For His Kingdom,
Twiga
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