June 6
1 Kings 1:1-53 | PS 124:1-8 | Prov 16:24 | Acts 4:1-37
I personally don't care for tofu. It is essentially tasteless, but absorbs the flavor of whatever it is prepared with. Unfortunately, much of our world is just like tofu. Afraid to take a stand, cowards, they simply go along being absorbed into whatever popular movement comes their way. This describes most politicians. Concerned with re-election, rather than take an unpopular stand, and speak the truth, they play it safe and say nothing or go with the flow. Sadly, the same is true in many churches and with many pastors. Seeking to keep their churches filled, and wanting to remain relevant, they back off from the authority of Scripture so as not to lose popularity. Alexander Hamilton said, "When you stand for nothing, you fall for everything". The Holy Spirit will embolden those who are willing to be moved by Him. The Holy Spirit, God Himself, will direct our steps and our words. The Holy Spirit is not concerned with popularity or being liked. He is truth. So, decide today, what you will be, tofu or a vessel for the Holy Spirit. You can't have it both ways. You are either absorbing from the outside or being filled from the inside.
Peter and John, filled with the Holy Spirit had just healed a lame man, and were now boldly proclaiming the gospel message in the streets of Jerusalem, which landed them in custody. They now had a choice: fear in the face of possible death or speaking boldly with abandon the truth about Jesus. We read their statement in Acts 4:9-12, "If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”" When it became apparent that these men could not be silenced, we see this hearing unfold in 4:18-20, "So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”"
Now, you might be thinking, that you don't have a firm handle on the Scriptures, others might debate you better, that you might be asked questions that you can't answer, that you will be made a fool of, that others will make fun of you and that your popularity and likability may be destroyed if you stand firmly and publicly for the things of God. Notice the response of the religious leaders towards Peter and John in Acts 4:13, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus." You are called, not because of some special education or skill set, but because you belong to Him and are willing to be His vessel in a world hostile to His message. We read in 2 Corinthians 10:4, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,". The two ingredients that you need to stand boldly in the face of ungodly opposition are seen in Revelation 12:11, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." That's it. No advanced degree. No church program. We simply need to be able to present the gospel message and explain our own stories of how Jesus came into our life and what He has done in our life since our relationship began. We need boldness, not cowardice. It is time to stop playing it safe.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: