Such As I Have

SUCH AS I HAVE…

by Pastor James May

There are so many times when we feel inadequate to the task that God has set before us. How often do we find ourselves at a loss for words in times of tragedy? How many times do we feel absolutely helpless in the face of overwhelming grief in the loss of a loved one? I can tell you that I am at a loss for words more often than not. In such times I just don’t have anything to give that seems relevant to the situation; at least not from within my own ability to give.

I want to read a very familiar passage of scripture for you this morning and, from that scripture, give you the knowledge that, as a Christian, you always have something relevant to give to those who are hurting. You may not have anything of value that you can give based upon your own ability, education or reasoning, but you have the greatest gift of all. You have the gift of the Love of God.

Acts 3:1 - 9, "Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God:"

This was just an ordinary day in the life of Peter and John. They were living their lives with a new-found faith now. No longer were they hiding in shadows, fearful of the mob that had crucified Jesus. Oh the dangers were real, the threats had not subsided and everyday the persecution of those who called themselves Christians was just as widespread as it had been on a short time before when Jesus had been crucified.

But something was different now. Fear had been replaced by faith! Frustration had been replaced by faith! Doubt of what the future held was replaced by a commitment to follow Jesus and to preach the gospel to the world around them. Peter and John, and all of the other disciples, had embarked upon a course of service that would ultimately end in great suffering for the cause of Christ and an eternal reward in glory once this life had passed.

They had experienced the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost fell in the Upper Room and now they had a fresh anointing. The power of the Holy Ghost was upon them everywhere they went. But that anointing power and indwelling Spirit of Almighty God wasn’t there just to occupy space or to have a place to live in the heart of men. No, the power of the Holy Ghost is there for a reason. It’s there to be given out, extended in faith to anyone who needs the touch of God in their lives.

If you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, then you should be actively seeking for the Baptism in the Holy Ghost.

I have the same question for you this morning that Paul had for the new converts and disciples at Ephesus in Acts 19:1-7, "And it came to pass, that …Paul … came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied…"

Some of you have been baptized in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues and I hope that you pray every day for a fresh infilling and a fresh anointing. I believe that we need to pray for that new-ness of the power of the Holy Ghost in us to be renewed every day. We can’t live on past experience or the power we had last year or years ago, we need a fresh infilling, anointing and abiding power of the Holy Ghost if we are going to be the disciples that God expects us to be.