We began a conversation three weeks ago about what gives us meaning in this life and I suggested that the question is actually a mute point for those who call themselves Christian because if we believe that Christ came, died and rose again then we must also live out this reality. To live out this belief we are called to become a witness for Christ. An impossible role without the acceptance of the Holy Spirit, the power of God offered by the Holy Spirit for the single intent of glorifying the Lord through a commitment to live as a person who publicly declares a belief in and adherence to Jesus Christ.
Before we dive in to our scriptures this morning, I’d like to tell you a story of a person who persevered.
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Wilma didn't get much of a head start in life. A bout with polio left her left leg crooked and her foot twisted inward so she had to wear leg braces. After seven years of painful therapy, she could walk without her braces. At age 12 Wilma tried out for a girl’s basketball team, but didn't make it. Determined, she practiced with a girlfriend and two boys every day. The next year she made the team. When a college track coach saw her during a game, he talked her into letting him train her as a runner. By age 14 she had outrun the fastest sprinters in the U.S. In 1956 Wilma made the U.S. Olympic team, but showed poorly. That bitter disappointment motivated her to work harder for the 1960 Olympics in Rome--and there Wilma Rudolph won three gold medals, the most a woman had ever won. Today in the Word, Moody Bible Institute, Jan, 1992, p.10.
That story of perseverance reminds me that some of the most successful people weren’t successful just because they were smarter than the rest of us. But they were more committed. Steve Jobs said "I'm convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones, is pure perseverance", Muhammad Ali "It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you down, it’s the pebble in your shoe", Martin Luther King Jr. said "If you can't fly then run, if you can't run, then walk, if you can't walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, keep moving forward." and Charles Spurgeon said, "By perseverance the snail reached the ark." <read slides>
I like Spurgeon’s comment the most because it reminds us that perseverance by its very nature is slow and often arduous, but it is no less productive. In fact, it could be argued that the more perseverance it takes, the more solid the result will be. This idea is helpful as we talk about our spiritual growth (or sanctification). A transformational change only possible by the power of the Holy Spirit that moves through reason, experience and tradition all informed through the scriptures.
Today, I’d like to continue the conversation about what it means to be witness empowered by the Holy Spirit for the Glory of God by jumping ahead from Chapter 8 (where we left off last week) to chapter 13 in Acts. The world, described in the book of Acts explains, has significantly changed. Saul, who last week holding the coats of those stoning Stephen, has become a follower of the “The Way.” His transformation is clearly alarming to the Christian leadership as well as Jewish hierarchy. In many ways, he is being tested and reviewed by former associates as well as new friends. However, he seems oblivious to the criticism, as well as his role as the first incarnation of the energizer bunny. He just keeps moving.
He begins his new life in Damascus, moves on Jerusalem over to Antioch and then on to Cyprus, Phrygia, Galatia, only to return to home base. It’s more than a three hour tour with his little buddy Barnabas. They work as a team but the duo definitely stirred it up. Let’s listen in to the report of their activity as part of this first missionary Journey of Paul’s. If you have a bible or a bible app, let’s turn to Acts 13:42
42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
Barnabas was Paul’s traveling companion. He was the first of the originals who felt Paul was the real deal. He took him under his wing and the two learned from one another. They worked together, traveled and held each other accountable. They were a good team for the Lord. Therein lies a secret for the ability to preserve. If you heart is committed,, the Holy Spirit has been invited and present, it’s helpful to have someone to hold us accountable and others to spur us on.
44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.
A week goes by and the ancient coconut wireless is in full broadcast mode. A number of people have come to see the show. The original facts are starting to get a little sketchy. People are listening to the pundits of the day tell them what was said versus what was actually said. As a result, the leaders are not thinking about building the kingdom and bringing hope to the community. They have begun to think selfishly. To which, Paul and Barnabas begin to speak in the same manner as Peter had shown in the past to the Jews.
46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. 49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.
What a moment! Paul and Barnabas explain the history of their sharing of the gospel and their reasoning for moving beyond Jews to all who will listen. It’s a reminder to never give up. To always move forward. I’d especially like to point out two nuances in verses 48 and 49 that most of us overlook. First, Paul shared the message with those who were unclean according to their cultural standards. These were the non-jews who thought to be less than because they we’re not specifically chosen by God. We still have people like this in our society. We walk by them everyday. They are the people society has placed a stigma on. The bar patrons, the tattooed, the divorced, the unemployed, single mothers, welfare families and alcoholics/addicts. Second, verse 49 might seem like a statement at the end of children’s fairy tale: “And they all lived happily ever after." However, it actually says much more. It says God used these people who were considered less than to carry His message. How did they carry it? They went and told others what they heard. Why? Because they felt the relief which comes feeling forgiven, loved and hope for a better future.They shared the idea of a Messiah coming to make sure the people knew they could live with, in and through God in the here and now as well as throughout eternity. That God had created all mankind worthy if they would just believe in His existence which means surrendering their idea that they are a God onto themselves.
Bette Nesmith had a good secretarial job in a Dallas bank when she ran across a problem that interested her. Wasn't there a better way to correct the errors she made on her electric typewriter? Bette had some art experience and she knew that artists who worked in oils just painted over their errors. Maybe that would work for her too. So she concocted a fluid to paint over her typing errors. Before long, all the secretaries in her building were using what she then called "MistakeOut". She attempted to sell the product idea to marketing agencies and various companies (including IBM), but they turned her down. However, secretaries continued to like her product, so Bette Nesmith's kitchen became her first manufacturing facility and she started selling it on her own. When Bette Nesmith sold the enterprise, the tiny white bottles were earning $3.5 million annually on sales of $38 million. The buyer was Gillette Company and the sale price was $47.5 million.
Or 3MPost it notes: So after 5 years of constant rejection for the adhesive and another seven years in development and initial rejection, Post-It notes were finally a hit and have since become a mainstay in offices the world over, today being one of the top five best selling office supply products in the world.
50 But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Some will never get the message. Paul had already declared the Gospel to these folks. He told them that through their faith in Jesus, they could have two blessings they could never get through adherence to the law. The first is was the forgiveness of their sins. The second was being made right before God. The Jews were taught that God justified the righteous and punished the wicked (2 Chronicles 6:22-23). However, God actually justifies the ungodly who put their faith in Jesus. In other words, everyone (no one can be considered perfect because we all fall short of the glory of God) who puts their faith in Jesus Christ will be saved. No exceptions. No rules to right. No requirement to be the best at bible trivia.
This is good news is best delivered by those average individuals who are willing to trust in the Lord, walk in his ways and share His love with those along the way. And if people don’t want to accept the message, we are to shake the dust off and move on.We like the great people of our time, the disciples, the apostles, the Christians who have gone before us, need not worry about everyone believing our message. We only need to persevere with sharing ours through our walk on the path outlined for us by our gifts and talents. Let's pray.
https://communitycenter.life/rev-robert-butler-info
