Before I forget, I want to jot down some amazing things Pastor Phil Dooley said tonight. What a call to rise up from our Christian slumber. We need more brave Christians, he said, people who rise up above their comfort or convenience zones to see people in need and to get involved in helping them. And we need to be brave to proclaim Jesus' name.
He refers to the story of Acts chapter 3, where Peter and John were as usual going to their regular service and about to enter the temple, when they see a crippled beggar in front of the gate, and they heal him in the name of Jesus.
First, Christians should see things differently. We should have the eyes to see the people in need, just as Peter and John saw the beggar in need.
Second, Christians should not only see people in need, but then should do something about it. The 'religious' thing to do for Peter and John is to enter the temple as usual to be on time for service, but the 'right' thing that they did was to rise above their inconvenience and actually do something about it. Let us learn not to "be good at church", but to "BE a good church". Wow, what an incredible point.
In fact, later in Acts chapter 4, when the rulers questioned Peter and John by what power or name did they do this to the beggar and they said Jesus, they said: "But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name". And this is what is happening with our world. It's fine that you help out the poor and do all sorts of charity and humanitarian stuff, as long as you don't mention the name 'Jesus'. But how can we shut up if the very source of motivation for doing these things is what Jesus has done for us? We must be brave to proclaim.
"I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith"
This is what it's all about. To be a Christian is to say:
"It's not about me".
