Ordinary Man
Acts 4 says so much to me personally about my own life that its hard to choose one thing to write about. But I love verses 13 & 20. 13When 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. 20For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” God chooses to do extraordinary things through ordinary people. I am humbled by the privilege to preach and I cannot comprehend why God chooses to use me. I cannot express how incredible it is to have the Spirit of God speak to people through me. I often feel like a microphone in His hand and I walk away in awe of the power that I feel being channeled through my body. It is obvious to me that He is using me, an ordinary man to proclaim His truth. Just this morning I preached a funeral for a little girl named Kate who was only 4 months old. As I stood over this tiny casket and spoke to the parents of this precious little girl I could feel His presence using me to communicate truth and comfort to them. It is inexpressible. I wish I could describe it to you but I can’t. All I can say is that the more of the Word I get in me the easier it is to get out. I cannot help speaking about what I have learned. I’m just an ordinary man who has been with Jesus. Its not me, its Him, I just get to go along for the ride!
I agree with you. I think GOD speaks through you. You are an amazing preacher. One thing I love about Harrah Church is that it is full of ordinary people that are seeking and doing Gods work. I am incredibly blessed to have become a part of our church and the things we are doing here.
Jimmy, you may be an ordinary man but you are doing some amazing things through Christ. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to attend a church as connected to Christ as ours…back to ACTS. I feel like verse 29 really spoke to me. I wish I had the kind of boldness Peter and John had. So many times I have been given the chance to speak the word to someone but was too afraid to offend them. The more I learn the easier it is to let the Holy Spirit in and really listen to what it is I need to say. I have learned to pray for the Holy Spirit to give me the courage to be bold…to be bold for CHRIST!
Acts 4:20 – “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard”. This verse hit me. Despite all the threats, imprisonment, etc – the apostles proclaimed the Good News – there was no way they wouldn’t! And we are so wimpy and we are afraid to say something about our Savior because someone might get mad at us or get their feelings hurt “we think” or call us a Bible thumper….
Just this morning I read this quote “An Ordinary man built the Ark, professionals built the Titanic” Glad you are an Ordinary man that God can use.
You are so right…God does use ordinary people to do extraordinary things. It is amazing to watch it happen to others. It fills me with joy and passion when I let go and let God use me.
Sometimes we seem to get comfortable, tucked inside our little shells. Missing a “Peter and John moment”. Well..how many will we miss?
People, get uncomfortable! Be bold, pray for courage and step out of your comfort zone. Take the risk, Peter and John did. Acts 4:4 5,000+ believers. Jesus promised “If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven”. Matthew 10:32
Acts 4:15b, “…and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
A real encounter with the risen Lord changes a person so that others “take note.” It is not conformity to a set of rules, a belief in a set of doctrine, adherence to a set of church norms or behaviors, it is an inside out complete change of the person. The change is so complete, so dramatic, so miraculous that people notice and know that being with Jesus brought it all about.
My own life – has there been really a change? Am I trying to conform to a “Christian” standard or self-perceived set of rules? I need to encounter and spend time with Jesus. I do that by spending time in the Word, spending time in prayer (meditation, silently listening)and spending time with fellow followers of Him. As he changes me, through the working of the Spirit, into His likeness, then, others will take note that I “have been with Jesus.”
I have to agree with Kris… that verse hit me too!! Sometimes Iget full of God’s spirit and Ireally don’t care who’s around anymore.. I just share my excitement and the love He fills me with. Sometimes people Do think I’m crazy but oh well… Glory to God!! He is soooo awesome and I don’t deserve His greatness, but I thank Him for it everyday!!