"SUCH AS I HAVE"
A. THE HOUR OF PRAYER
- Key to the story of the miracle of personal evangelism:
- Peter and John on their way to prayer meeting at the hour of prayer.
- A lame man at the beautiful gate of the temple begging alms.
- A conversation which led to the healing of the lame man.
- Community prayer a life saver on many occasions:
- The Jews in the days of Queen Esther - Esth. 4:15- 17
- Daniel's prayer group saved the wise men of Babylon - Dan. 2:17-23
- The apostles in prison - Acts 4:24; 12:12-17
- Regular community prayer ought to be had by God's
remnant people at all times:
- Such a call is made to God's people - Zeph. 2:1-3
- Especially so in times of stress and danger to God's people - Joel 2:15-17
B. THE BURDEN OF MY SERMON IS EFFECTIVE EVANGELISM
- Look at us:
- A daring invitation by God's witnesses to discover Christ and the power of God unto salvation in our personal lives - Gal. 1:15, 16
- It shows that Christ and His influence can be seen in the believers - Matt. 5:14-16
- It shows also that Christianity is more than a form of godliness - Gal. 2:20
- Such as I have:
- True Christians are never bankrupt; they will always have something to share with others - "share your blessings with others".
- Their possessions are not necessarily measured by the gold standard. That does not mean that gold may not be used for the furtherance of the work of God; but it does mean that our connection with the resources of heaven enable us to have some blessings to share with others.
- Peter shared five blessings with the lame man:
- He gave him an incentive for a new outlook upon life - "rise up and walk". This was something no other person had ever suggested to him since he had been lame from the time of his birth. He had heard before of the miracles of Christ performed, but never had opportunity to meet Christ.
- He filled him with faith and new hope for a better future.
- He helped him on his feet; for the first time in his life he stood up and walked.
- He connected him with the Redeemer of men; that was the greatest blessing that ever came to this poor man.
- Finally, this experience brought praise and thanksgiving to this man - he became an ardent follower of the Lord.
C. LESSON FOR US
- Do we possess the moral courage:
- To invite a sinful and doubting world to examine our personal lives to discover Christ?
- Let us be honest with God and ourselves. What would others discover in us if they were invited to search our lives?
- Would they discover the power of God unto salvation? Or would they find a form of godliness but a denial of a living experience?
- Why is it that in spite of our Bible knowledge we have
so little to offer to a sin-sick world?
- Is it because we do not live as close to the Lord as we ought to?
- Or is it that we lack the dynamic faith to draw divine strength and vitality from the storehouse of divine grace?
- These are not idle questions, but rather an attempt to find a reason and a remedy for our weakness!