Word associations seem so very important when one reads the Scriptures. God's revelation of Himself & what He requires of His children seem to constantly use the same terms under a variety of topics, so that, through repetition, different angles can illustrate the important principles God wants us to know & practice.
I’ve learned to record WORDS daily & associate their principles through all
my Scripture readings. This is how I approached reading this morning in Acts 3.
Often, we can get caught up in the STORY, identify physical attributes, & even
associate with the characters, but miss the spiritual dimensions the Holy
Spirit wanted to teach us through the Word. In ignorance or blindness, we can miss vital
spiritual behaviors.
In this post, I feel like the Holy Spirit led me to deeper insight in the making
of a disciple's heart. Through His power, he wants to heal spiritual beggars
and uses his disciples intentionally practicing His principles as they go about
their daily schedules.
I believe the Holy Spirit uses God’s Word to teach specific practices so that
we “know
how we ought to behave in the household of God” (1 Tm 3:15). Through spiritual
insight of this practice, we “become co-laborers” (1 Co 6:1)
and "the
Lord adds to the Church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47).
But for background, I need to testify to an ongoing lesson the Lord began in me
years ago.
In my serving busyness, I realized I passed over a group unnoticed for the most
part in all church functions. I walked by members of this group constantly in
my efforts to keep up appearances, schedules, & the demands of ‘service to
the Lord’.
I was
heart-sick at the spiritual rebuke & determined not only be more aware to
this group, but also do something to remedy my ignorant blindness. I found that
awareness of this group characterized specific behaviors which spot members quickly.
Asking the Holy Spirit to teach me, I learned I could encourage correct
behavior in me & even help others become aware of the needs of this group. I dubbed my
adventure into this unknown territory as “WW”. I told a few friends my plans of
action. Together, we began identifying members, praying that the Lord would tenderize our hearts as He opened our eyes to see these dear people around us. We believed the Power of His mighty
Name heals and strengthens, and as WW, our awareness deepened our compassion.
OH!
"WW" is a code word for Wall Watchers. It requires awareness & a
willingness to “stand in the gap” for others in the Power of His Name. At every
assembly, we began to identify needs by "watching the wall". We encouraged each other with a whispered "WW" as we looked for those using walls for support. We realized walls supported the overwheming feelings of isolation, insecurity, and aloneness. Those using the walls were not sure they were welcomed & needed companions to draw them into friendly circles. To "watch the wall" was to become aware of those standing or
sitting alone & close to walls. Walls were erected everywhere, often invisible, but definitely, a supposed support. We became aware of walls in church
foyers, the end of a row of chairs, the edge of pews, and often, in the back or
darkest areas of meeting places. Although alone, we also noticed these group members are usually very intent on watching others gather around in tight conversations.
WW became a real challenge with six friends desiring to stretch our
comfort zones to include these dear ones who carried longings to belong, to be helped, and begging for hope in comfort through fellowship
& friendships.
Unfortunately,
over the years, my experiences also taught me of the lack of curiosity & love many followers have to
really see & know each other. I believe this is a detriment to true "disciple-makers" & honestly, I found it's quite hurtful in the family of God. I know the Lord has allowed me to personally experience wall support so that I feel the rejection & hurt caused by ignorance and self-absorption within the assemblies. Driven by our own prominence & value, our needs & comforts dominate our attention, causing ignorant spiritual blindness for those begging for God's love & power.
After much
observation, I believe there's a serious need to crucify the flesh of ‘self-religion’
and count the cost of truely following the Master. Many of us have worn the badge
of busyness too long. We need the Holy Spirit to heal our eyes, give our hearts the curiosity
of differences and learn to “stare intently” in discerning true spiritual needs requesting our help & support..
I often
ask:
How can we look right through people in our busyness & schedules?
How can we overlook others needing support as we only focus on our own insecure needs?
Are we hypocritical to claim our needs have already been met in the power of the Name
of Jesus Christ if we are still blinded by our own value?
Oh, Lord! Help us to see those who climb heights like Zaccheus just to see Jesus! Help us to be aware of the beggars being carried to healing pools, and those desperately reaching out just to touch Your garment of righteousness! May they "know the Father's Love for the Son" (Jn 17:26) through our extended companionship! Give us courage to "stare intently" & really see others along our religious paths! Urge us to answer for the hope in us by the powerful Name You’ve richly escrowed on our account. May we see people begging for what we do have, extend our right hand of fellowship & boldly speak the Truth of the Gospel to them so that You may bless them (Acts 3:26).
May we grasp the truth of your power in Jesus' Name for Only when we truly know what we have in Your healing Power will the whole congregation stand amazed & with united hearts praise & glorify God, our great Father!
I read Acts 3 with new eyes this morning. I circled every reference to "Sight"...
- Peter stared intently.
- Peter said "Look at us!"
- All the people saw...
- When Peter saw...
- Peter asked, "why do you look so earnestly at us?"
2. As power flowed from them, they began to compassionately see the need of "all the people" as an opportunity to declare the gospel of God.
3. Many witnessed companionable SUPPORT given to a beggar through the powerful name of Jesus which opened their hearts to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
OUTLINE & EXPLANATIONS as I begin to see how one behavior in the household of faith, I'm learning that my own eyesight must be evident & finely aware as the Holy Spirit uses spiritual SIGHT to transform lives for the Kingdom.
“Wall watchers make disciples as they are Go because they SEE the spiritual needs of those around them.”
1. Discipleship DEEPLY DRAWS Eyes to open.
On their way to prayer at "church", Peter & John passed by many
people gathered around the temple, but their eyes seemed alert to "watch
the walls". Amidst much activity, their focus is drawn to “see” one
particular beggar and his real spiritual need.
2.
Discipleship DEMANDS DIRECTION to Exact request
Implied by Peter’s offer of giving, they saw beyond the beggar’s physical
ailments, helplessness & poverty. They saw his real spiritual need to know God’s
POWER in the Name of Jesus which would invade his standard of living and change everything.
They offered this beggar the true spiritual “Help” his heart so desperately needed.
3.
Discipleship DISCERNS DIFFERENCES that Exemplify man’s separation
As
the beggar asked for help, the Bible says "Peter stared at him
intently". I had to pause and wonder WHY Peter would "stare intently
at a beggar", Taught staring is impolite, we are often embarrassed &
turn away, yet Peter intentionally stared. Staring is caused when things are
out of the ordinary, different, strange, and not expected. Staring mentally separates
an individual from the crowd because something is different. Because God says, “man
looks on the outward appearance”, I believe it’s natural to stare at
differences, but it’s what we do about those differences that should mark us
as disciples. The disciples mentally calculated differences this beggar
presented & realized these life-long separating obstacles exemplified powerless
living without God. Physically, he was different by being helpless, unable to stand alone, &
desperately asking for help. Spiritually, he was separated.
Peter stared.
As he truly focused, Peter saw the real spiritual need of spiritual blindness separating this beggar
from God. He needed to be brought to God through the blood of Jesus Christ. This
was the true offering Peter could give in the power of the Lord's Name.
4.
Discipleship DETERMINES DEPOSIT to Expose spiritual needs
In
the Name of Jesus Christ, we have been given the Holy Spirit as a deposit of
our future inheritance. He is a guarantee, a seal, a POWER in our daily lives
to be lived out for Kingdom purposes. Worth far more than silver or gold, Peter
& John identified this deposit as their own possession, knowing the Lord
had commissioned them to "proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ" by
seeing spiritual needs and making disciples.
5.
Discipleship DEFINES DISCIPLINE to "Extend the RIGHT HAND
of Fellowship"
One of the responsibilities of disciple-making is recognizing God's work and joining
Him by the practice of “extending the right hand of fellowship”. This is
mentioned often in Scriptures and encouraged in the early church letters to be
an identifying characteristic of the family of God. In a favorite verse of
mine, we read, “the right hand of fellowship was extended to us when they recognized
the Grace of God given unto me” (Gal 2:9). We see those known with influence in the church extend the right hand of fellowship when they see the
grace of God in Paul & Barnabas, co-laborers on mission. Paul writes entire
chapters encouraging believers to "extend the right hand of fellowship"
to traveling co-laborers such as Timothy, Titus, Phoebe, & many others serving
the church. He writes a whole letter to Philemon to encourage "extending
the right hand of fellowship" to encourage Onesimus, a new
fellow-believer.
Today, many enter our assemblies, needing to feel the touch of welcome & be
encouraged by the biblical practice of "extending the right hand of
fellowship". This should characterize each one who bears the family name. Through
this practice, we would encourage each other by building up the faith, lifting-up
the weak, supporting & strengthening many who need help to stand firm. As described
in Isaiah 50:4, we would with a word, be able sustain those who are weary.
6. Discipleship
DECLARES DESIRE to Encourage growth
For the disciple-maker, there is a declared intent. The Holy Spirit,
the Helper, gives us this power to strengthen, lift up, build up, sustain &
encourage other believers, In this passage, Peter "extended the right hand
of fellowship" to the beggar with the intent "to help him up". In
1 Co 6:1, believers are taught to be God’s co-workers with the intent to encourage.
Our intentions to reach out must always be declared as our desire to spiritually
help another. We need to teach this intentional common courtesy among God’s
children, constantly ready to encourage, build up, lift up and strengthen those
who are weak. This is the practice of truly “seeing” others, the powerful “stared
intently” or focused desire of Wall Watchers.
7.
Discipleship DEFEATS DETERRANTS to Exhort
In Jesus’ powerful Name, the disciple-maker is given the authority to defeat
all disabilities & difficulties hindering others in knowing the power of
God unto salvation. In efforts to strengthen another, the Holy Spirit desires to use our tongues
to speak the Word of God, whether it is to weathered & weary servants of the Lord, or to God's brand new 'adopted' children! When we willingly "extend the right hand of fellowship" with
pure intentions, the power in the Name of the Lord helps, supports and lifts-up those who walk in newness of life.
8.
Discipleship DEFENDS DOCTRINE to Explain transformation
As this event unfolds, people “see” a beggar walking & praising God. Whenever
a transformation truly happens, the crowd takes notice. Peter, seeing their amazement,
explains their “earnest look”. They are intently staring at the powerful Name transforming
a life to perfect soundness. A door is open to present the whole Gospel &
Peter strongly exhorts by pointing an accusing finger directly at their diseased hearts
needing spiritual healing. He names their guilt in the choice of a murderer and
with truthful facts, he intimately targets their rejection & denial of the
Holy & Just One. Then, Peter offers spiritual sight through the powerful
name of Jesus to the onlookers, begging them to repent & be converted. They
must see Jesus, the beloved Son of God, sent to bless them by turning every one
of them from their sins. Each transformed life DEFENDS the gospel of Jesus, clearly
demonstrating his intent to rescue.
9.
Discipleship DEVOTES DENISEN to Empower others
The
definition of denizen speaks volumes into the family of God. Before
salvation, Ephesians 2:12 describes sinners as “separate
from Christ, excluded from citizenship, foreigners to the covenants of promise,
without hope & without God”.
In Ephesians
4:18 & Colossians 1:21, Paul describes each of us as being “far
off from God by our evil thoughts & actions”. We were aliens of the covenant,
non-citizens & foreigners, but Jesus came to bring us nigh unto God. All dimensions of life change
when Christ brings us nigh to God by redemption through His blood.
In John 1:12, God gives the “power to become sons” to aliens who receive Jesus Christ. He gives them the
right to become sons of God. God declares this right to citizenship.
When we “extend the right hand of fellowship”, we are
agreeing with God’s declaration which “offers the rights of citizenship” to the alien.
In essence, this family practice is declaring with God: “you
are no longer foreigners & strangers, but fellow citizens
with God’s people & members of His household…” (Eph 2:19)
In the Church, the practice of “extending the right hand of fellowship” to
those Jesus brings to God is agreeing with God about citizen’s rights. This practice
empowers the children of God to serve wholehearted in community as the
family of God.
The descriptions of companionship found in Acts 3 powerfully describes the tender moments of discipleship-making. By extending his right hand, Peter’s spiritual power strengthened a beggar to leap up, stand & walk into the temple with his disciples. By extending the hand, Peter welcomed companionship into the power of the Name of Jesus. With that hand-up, the beggar began walking & leaping as was promised in Malachi 4:2 to those who “fear My Name”. The Son of Righteousness arose with healing and this poor beggar leaped like a young calf let out to pasture. The Hebrew word for “leap” is also translated “grow up” which KJV uses in this spiritual promise.
Just think.
When we “extend the right hand of fellowship” we draw another to “grow up”, enter the temple with us, and together, we serve the living God, praising Him with the enthusiasm of springtime life!
Another term describing the constant practice of disciple-making is the word “held”. The Bible says that this healed beggar entered the temple “as he held Peter & John”.
Discipleship requires time spent with the healed, allowing them time to grow stronger in faith. It’s a bond of companionship which continues to strengthen as God’s power flows through his followers & invites them to serve alongside others, helping each other.
Besides giving support to the healed one, many other ‘strangers’ will run toward this example of companionship as they see God’s love & patience offered through His people.
Longing for love & offered friendship gives more opportunities to present the Gospel. Not only was the new member of the household of God strengthened, but the attention of others was drawn to know what POWER continued to sustain such a man.
Peter used their wonder to draw them to know God and His dear beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
