Face the Firm Rocks, Building Blocks, and Formative Faith of Being Human.
Good Morning Friends,
It will benefit us this morning on the journey to Pentecost and looking forward to the formation of the church, to consider the beautiful gift which Jesus has left us: this spirit of strength and of counsel. Today we see in the story of Paul how the Holy Spirit helps us to go forward amid everyday trials and even terrible trouble with a kind and loving heart for evangelism. So what kind of heart do you have? Is it made for evangelism? Maybe you have been anointed for this purpose and maybe you are not prepared. I cannot say, but at some point you will have to get a handle on the answer. This morning to help you on the journey… to face the challenge we explore, in the spirit, the proper attitude we should have when we Face the Firm Rocks, Building Blocks, and Formative Faith of
Being Human.
Scripture: And when an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to maltreat them and to stone them, the apostles learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country; and there they continued proclaiming the good news. In Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet and had never walked, for he had been crippled from birth. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. And Paul, looking at him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said in a loud voice, ‘Stand upright on your feet.’ And the man
sprang up and began to walk. When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, ‘The gods have come down to us in human form!’ Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice. When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, ‘Friends, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to follow their own ways; yet he has not left himself without a witness in doing good—giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.’ Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.
Acts 14:5-18 (NRSV)
‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.
John 14:25-26 (NRSV)
Message: Saying, “We are only human” can be used as an excuse but not this morning. Today we explore what we humans can do in life with the proper attitude. We explore in today’s scripture the effects of the Holy Spirit on guiding our heart and changing our focus to help us to grow into productive evangelism. Today we consider the enduring relevance of the truth that a person becomes his better self only when he is forced to lay aside his pride. Paul referenced in our scripture reading for today, was a man of great arrogance and conceit. But Paul was destined to be used by God, but first he had to be humbled and learn to set aside his past so that he might seek forgiveness. Paul with his pride as a Pharisee, his confidence in his learning and Hebrew birthright had the memory of his cold self-assurance as he watched the death of Stephen. His recognition of the weakness of all human flesh was absolutely necessary for the supreme truth of the overruling grace of God to take hold of his life. Paul needed a reminder in the form of scars from his numerous beatings and stoning. He needed to become willing to learn what God might do with a person that was willing to confess his sin with a repentant heart. He needed to recognize his human weakness before they could emerge out of the darkness and into the daylight. We see Paul pushing on from his darkness into the light recognizing his worthlessness. Without having changed his focus he could never have successfully evangelized others. See in today’s scripture these three ways the Holy Spirit helps us to refocus:
1. Paul got the beat down. Here he grows from thinking about what he did not have to rejoicing with an attitude that appreciates what he did have. His life and Lord. Here we too can realize that without God we are nothing…we must be humble to find joy.
2. Paul healed a lame man. Here he grows in the guidance of the Holy Spirit from getting a blessing to being a blessing. Here we realize that we too must do some good for God is with us.
3. Paul learned from the Holy Spirit in Stephen the importance of changing his focus from earth to heaven. Here we too learn that when we do have a change of focus we must expect some opposition and face it forward.
Friends, if we are going to evangelize we must be humble. We must do something for the good of people. And we must expect some opposition facing it with a focus on heaven.
Pray we battle through our past and in the end receive the blessings of seeing and experiencing God face to face. Pray we have the joy of knowing the Holy Spirit personally, and of receiving the gift of grace. Pray we stop pretending that we are somebody of importance. Pray we not despise our weakness but rejoice as we depend on God’s strengthen. Pray we choose a path of dependence on God…trusting God. Pray we have a heart fixed on the Holy Spirit. Pray we have a grateful heart. Pray we do some good and face our challenges with God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 