The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ-He is Lord of all-that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Act 10: 36-38, NKJV.
Blessed LORD, today we are eager to hear from You, what we need to do, that our ministry might be a ministry of liberation for the oppressed. At this hour, we wait on You, in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
As the church of the Twenty-first Century faces the challenge of preaching to a generation that is confronted with all kinds of unique situations, the question is often asked: “What is the best way to reach this generation?” Large sums of money is spent yearly, upgrading our facilities (there is nothing wrong with that); implementing new techniques of Evangelism, creating more dramatic forms of preaching (all of these things have their place). Yet, oftentimes, we are less than satisfied with the results. What I sincerely believe, is that when all is said and done, “What the world needs is Jesus, just a glimpse of Him!”
Our Scripture for today ends with the phrase: “for God was with Him.” This is the ingredient for success in every ministry – the presence of God! Good music is very important. Good preaching cannot be replaced. Interesting, colorful, programs, are very effective; but all of these will mean nothing at all, if the presence of God is missing. It is the presence of God, that creates the loving atmosphere, where true, and lasting friendships are formed; where decisions for eternity are made; where children are dedicated to the Lord; where family relationships are healed; and where shepherds and their flocks become one, in service, to the True Shepherd!
Perhaps the problem in our way of doing ministry today, are not the innovations per se; but when we allow these innovations to replace the presence of the living God! We complain about the church not having any power. Neither did the fledgling church of Christ’s day… until, it received power from on high (Acts 1: 8)! Then, the power of their witness, “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17: 6)! That is why Jesus warned them to remain in Jerusalem until they received power from on high (Luke 24: 49). He who was the “Way, the Truth, and the Life” knew that “no one comes to the Father” through human methods, no matter how impressive they are!
Yesterday, our devotional ended with the prayer that God would enable us, by allowing us to walk in Jesus’ footsteps. One of the most impressive incidents in Christ’s ministry was the story of those faithful friends, who in a desperate attempt to help their buddy receive healing, broke up the roof of the house where Jesus was teaching, to let him down in the midst of the action. There tucked in the middle of this narrative, is a very interesting sentence which could be easily overlooked, “And the power of the Lord was present to heal them” (Luke 5: 17)! Dare we attempt to do anything in ministry, without the power of the Lord being present?
Jesus did nothing without the help of the Father as we saw yesterday, and have seen again, today. We can do nothing without power from on high. Perhaps some of us may need to “tarry” a little bit longer in prayer, and maybe even fasting; until we receive the power we need, to do Christ-centered ministry. May God help us to be willing, whatever it takes, to do it God’s way!