Introduction- Have you ever had a duh moment in your faith walk? Duh is a new word that has come into use in recent years. Duh is a slang term of sorts. It is used to tease someone who misses something that is obvious. Such as, if you were to fall and break your arm and I were to ask “Does it hurt?” That is a duh statement on my part. A broken arm leads to obvious pain.
In recent years, due to frivolous law suits, many companies are printing duh statements on product labels. Consider these:
The label on a particular brand of soap read: “Use like regular soap.”
The label on a frozen dinner read “Defrost before eating.”
A pudding label read “Product will be hot after heating.”
The label on a string of Christmas lights read “For indoor or outdoor use only.”
The label on a chain saw read “Do not stop chain with hand.”
The label on a rear mounted motorcycle helmet read “Remember, objects in the mirror are actually behind you.”
(Adapted from Travis Fitch’s contribution to Sermon Central)
What about your faith? Have you ever had a duh moment, a moment when you missed an obvious lesson the Lord had for you. Consider this text. “Now when he had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’ “ (Acts 1:9-11 NKJV) Jesus had tried to prepare his disciples for his departure. However, they struggled to grasp the significance of the event. That was a duh moment for them. A few verses earlier we find the same situation. They missed an obvious point of teaching. “Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.” (Acts 1:6-7 NKJV) Jesus disciples struggled to get on top. Jesus twelve disciples were a group of stumbling disciples. In our text they stumbled over the meaning of Jesus ascension and the nature of his earthly rule. In other Biblical texts we read where they stumbled over the meaning of service. They struggled to remain faithful as Jesus faced the cross. They were truly a bumbling crowd. Yet, the encouraging news is that Jesus loves, supports and uses followers who are struggling to get on top. The question I want to consider is, what is the dynamic that changes struggling disciples into useful disciples? In the Acts 1 text we find four dynamics that will transform a struggling disciple.
Before moving to our text, it is important that we define the word disciple. A disciple is someone who follows and learns from another. Thus, a Christian disciple is someone who follows and learns from Jesus Christ. A Christian disciple is not perfect. A Christian disciple is a human. A Christian has made a faith commitment to follow Jesus Christ and learn from Him. The four dynamics, we examine, will change struggling disciples into useful disciples.
1. The struggling disciple has the continuing Presence of God to support him. All through the Bible we find God’s presence continually supporting and standing beside his children, even when they struggle. Some anonymous person said “Lord, help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that you and I cannot handle.” That thought is encouraging.
When Adam and Eve sinned, in the Garden of Eden, they were expelled from the garden. However, even in their failure God’s presence provided protection. God placed the cherubim at the entrance to the garden to keep them from returning. God knew that if they returned to the garden a worse fate awaited them...they would live in their sin forever.
When David committed adultery with Bathsheba God sent a series of four punishments to bring his life back into line. God did not dessert him.
When Jesus sent his disciples out to do their work he made them an important promise. He said “lo I am with you always.” He promised that he would not dessert them.
When David wrote Ps. 23 he was assured that even when he went through the valley of the shadow of death, God would be with him. The rod and staff would comfort him.
Illustration: Thomas Dorsey was a black jazz musician from Atlanta who was known in the early 1920’s for the suggestive lyrics he combined with original music. Then God touched his life and in 1926 he gave up the suggestive music and began to write spiritual music. In 1932 times were hard for Dorsey as they were for nearly everyone trying to survive the depression. Dorsey also was having trouble finding acceptance of his music. The most difficult night of his life came one night in St. Louis when he received a telegram telling him that his pregnant wife had suddenly died. Dorsey was filled with grief and his faith was shaken, but instead of wallowing in self-pity, he expressed his agony the only way he knew how. He wrote this song. . .
1) Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand. I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light; Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.
2) When my way grows drear, Precious Lord linger near. When my life is almost gone; Hear my cry, hear my call, Hold my hand lest I fall. Take my hand Precious Lord, lead me home. In spite of Dorsey’s checkered past he experienced God’s presence during that crises. That song which came out of his pain and grief has comforted and challenged thousands of people since then. Most of us have had moments when God’s presence was all that could get us through.
(Contributed to Sermon Central by Tim Richards)
2. The struggling disciple is given a Power to strengthen him. God’s Holy Spirit empowers us for service.
A. The Holy Spirit teaches us. The teachings of the Bible do not make sense apart from the Holy Spirit’s imparting spiritual truth to us.
B. The Holy Spirit comforts us. When you are filled with doubts, uncertainties and fears the Holy Spirit will speak to comfort you.
C. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. This keeps us from damaging our walk with God through foolish decisions.
Illustration: Our modern cars have many devices that help us to avoid damage to our cars through built in warning systems. We have low fuel lights. We have low oil lights. We have lights to prevent over heating. The Holy Spirit is the warning system in the heart of a believer.
The ultimate example of the Holy Spirit’s work is seen in the life of Peter. Peter was a stumbling, reluctant and timid disciple until he submitted to the Holy Spirit’s power. The Holy Spirit transformed him into a mighty preacher for God
3. The struggling disciple is given a Purpose that will stimulate him. As Jesus ascended to Heaven his disciples stood there gazing into Heaven. They did not know what to do next. Jesus was returning to His Heavenly home but he left his disciples to carry out his purpose in the world. They needed to understand their purpose. This was a duh moment for them. Jesus had just given them a mission statement. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NKJV) When they got their purpose sorted out they were prepared to move forward. Sometimes people in the church do not understand the purpose for which the church exists. The church does not exist merely for the sake of those who attend its services. This is a partial truth. The church exists to represent Jesus Christ, His love, His salvation and His ministry to the world. The church is not a social club for saints. It was intended to be a hospital for sinners.
A. God’s purpose will sustain you when times get tough. Not long after this duh moment Peter and John were warned to stop preaching the news about Jesus. The warnings did not phase them. They continued to preach and share in spite of the threats. If our purpose is not clear trials will destroy us.
Illustration: Thank God, not everyone lets the negatives of life keep them from accomplishing what God wants them to do. On June 18, 1999 Gary and Gloria Sloan, Southern Baptist missionaries, who had been on the field in Mexico only six months, were enjoying a birthday celebration for their daughter, Carla, at a popular swimming spot on Mexico’s Pacific coast. With them were two other young missionaries from the United States, Joy Murphy and John Weems. Due to a strong undertow, Carla began to be pulled out to sea. Gary Sloan and the other two missionaries rushed to save eleven-year-old Carla, but were overcome and drowned, as did she. When Carla’s body was brought to shore, Gloria doubled over in agony, unable to breathe. But it was then that she felt the physical presence of Jesus. Gloria said, "I felt such a strength and power and control. I looked down at my daughter, and I had such a peace" (The Commission, a publication of the International Missions Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, pg. 29).
A large group of people gathered to watch this unfolding tragedy. And before long, four bodies lay in the sand. But what happened next is truly amazing. Gloria stood over the bodies of her dead loved ones and gave witness to the saving power of Christ. She told the people, "The pain I felt because of the loss of my husband and daughter was not as much pain as I felt for the true lostness of those standing around me" (Ibid, pg. 29).
Gloria Sloan then told the people that her daughter and husband were standing in the presence of God. And then she said, "What if you were the ones laying here? Would you know you would be in God’s presence" (Ibid, pg. 31)?
Gloria’s husband and daughter were buried in Mexico. After their funerals, she went home to Texas to heal. And believe it or not, after almost six months, Gloria packed up her remaining three children and went back to Mexico to finish the work that she and her husband had begun.
(Contributed to Sermon Central by Donnie Martin)
B. Purpose will motivate you. The reason some people are hard to motivate is because they have not gotten their purpose straight. When you know who has called you and what he has called you to do your motivation level will be higher.
4. The struggling disciple is given a Promise that will sustain him. Notice the words of the two angels recorded in verse 11. “men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” At that point Jesus disciples were discouraged, defeated and confused. However, God’s promise that Jesus would come again sustained them as they faced the future.
Illustration: Don’t you like stories with happy endings? My wife and I have gotten addicted to the television show “Doc.” It comes on the PAX channel every night at 9:00. That show leaves us feeling happy and hopeful. It always has a happy ending and it always focuses on God. God’s story always has a happy ending, like that show.
There is hope for struggling disciples. God has given a dynamic that will change your life: His presence, His power, His purpose and His promises. You can be useful in God’ service! He will change your life!
