Worship
Scripture
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. … ‘What are we going to do with these men?’ they asked. ‘Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.’
“Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’
“After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.” -Acts 4:13, 16-21, emphasis added
The Power of His Presence
He makes our ordinary extraordinary and our natural supernatural! It’s just who He is when we live in His presence and surrender in such a way that the fullness of Jesus is manifested through us!
I need to tell you a real-life example of this truth through a woman by the name of Robin Wilson. She and I were on our recent trip to a country in South Asia. On the first day in her very first encounter, she spotted a 5-year-old little boy in the arms of her mother, standing amongst a crowd of people. She moved straight for them to bring them the power and love of Jesus. These are her words: “We were told he was born crippled. I prayed over him, and then I took his little hands and pulled him up to a standing position. After steadying him, I saw one of his feet was very curled under. I laid my hand on it and prayed, and it straightened out. Then I began to move his feet and he took small steps while we had his hands. We did that several times. His mom was amazed. She said he had never stood before or walked in five years. He did the same thing a little later in the medical clinic we hosted. I didn’t see him walk on his own but his little legs were so tiny and withered. I know God touched him. I trust God to continue to touch him and strengthen his legs. Honestly, it was very surreal with all of these people standing around in a circle watching.”
Robin didn’t have the power to heal that crippled boy in her humanity. But Christ in her had everything that little boy needed in order to walk again. Robin just had to bring Jesus to that little boy with simply a mustard seed of faith, and His great name, Jesus, did the miracle. Jesus brought Robin’s ordinary to the extraordinary because of her surrender!
The Early Church Ministry
Everywhere these simple, ordinary fishermen went, the lives of desperate people encountered Jesus. They simply carried His name and His presence. And all they had to do was declare Jesus—the origination point where all the goodness people were experiencing came from. The boldness that ensued from Peter to preach the gospel turned their wonder into salvation—the greatest miracle of all.
They could not stop speaking about what they had seen and heard because it just simply was not an option to hold back. They were partnering with Jesus in a whole new way now. Their lives had been turned upside down, and they had been filled completely with the Holy Spirit.
“They had to, not only because of the inner compulsion of the Holy Spirit, but also because of the command of Jesus: You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem (Acts 1:8).” -David Guzik, Acts 4 commentary
Understanding Biblical Courage
Peter’s “courage” is defined by the Greek word parresia, meaning to tell it all. Peter had walked with Jesus, yes, but his few years in Jesus’ presence as He walked the Earth paled in comparison to the life of the Christ that now lived within him. Peter had everything he needed to fulfill God’s commission and call on his life. He lacked nothing. However, Peter still had a decision of his will—to walk in obedience to God’s call on his life or retreat in fear, need for comfort, distraction, or lack of faith that God could use him.
Church in America, I beseech you to let the parresia of the Holy Spirit tell it all through your life. The presence of Jesus is with you and in you, and He is longing to express the fullness of His life through your surrendered life. Can you imagine if Peter and John just simply got too busy with fishing again to preach the gospel? What if Peter had not been so convinced that Jesus reinstated him and wanted to partner with him to live out the Great Commission? We have been handed the most significant time in history by the very sovereign will of God! When He returns, will He find us faithful or distracted, busy and consumed with the cares of the world?
“No one attribute is more needful to-day for Christ’s witness than Holy Spirit boldness due to Holy Spirit fullness.” -A.T. Pierson
Just like the church in Acts, the two things we need in order to navigate bringing the gospel to a dying world is His presence and His name. There is power in when we simply open our mouths and release His presence through our lives. Thousands get saved, and crippled people walk for the first time. Would you desire to live to this end? Jesus did, and He still longs to!
I want to close with a quote from a fabulous book I am reading by Robert Morris called “Grace, Period.” He writes: “Connection to God—His presence—is the surest, highest source of transformation. Nothing causes the desires, ways, and habits of your old, dead self to fall away like simply sitting in your heavenly Father’s presence. God has glory, and glory changes us: But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18, emphasis added)”
Long for His presence. Enter into His presence. Carry His presence, with the name of Jesus on your lips.
A Few Key Notes
- East-West invites you to learn more about the 10/40 Window during a limited time event called “Out of Darkness.” You’ll hear stories from missionaries who lived in the 10/40 Window, watch testimonies of lives that were changed, and have an opportunity to make an impact. This virtual event is only available through April 25, so sign up today!
- Come take the gospel to the nations with Arise. View our open teams and apply for one today!
