The Bible is filled with them. And every one that I read makes my souls leap within my body because I know that I am one too! Read Acts 4 and let it stir your soul as it did mine, I’ve only used a portion of it for todays post, but I want you to think just for a second on your own life, and how many “mic drop” moments their might have been?
Acts 4:8-14 KJV
[8] Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, [9] If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; [10] Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. [11] This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. [12] Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. [13] Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. [14] And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
To the Arrogant Leader and Politician
I know that we don’t have the exclusive on that title, but we have our share of both in our small West Virginia community. I detest arrogance. I can tolerate belligerent and obnoxious, but I have no patience for arrogance. The word says that “pride cometh before the fall.” But the problem for me is, I want the fall to be immediate and God is far more patient. Which is a doggone good thing for me, else I’d be the first one down! But I want that mic drop moment to come sooner. However…
Your Time Will Come
Peter called’em out!
In the verse prior to this those arrogant rulers ask, “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” And so, Peter answered in great detail. It was in the name of Jesus that they had healed the lame man and made him walk; the same Jesus that Peter reminded them that they had killed.
We have a politician in our own community for which he thinks the sun rises and sets in himself. He is one that attends church and yet, when I did a puppet show in an area elementary school for Christmas, he complained that I sang songs of Christ. Hello? I needed a mic drop that day. I didn’t get it. But 300 children sang along to songs about the birth of the Lord Jesus, and the mic drop will come. Perhaps it did that day as they sang. But for certain on the day this man stands before Jesus heading into eternity, he will answer for it unless he gets his heart right prior to that day.
The religious leaders of Peter’s day have had their day before the Lord. As will the rest of us as we stand and answer for what we’ve done for the Lord in the days that’s been given. But those who have a problem with the name of Jesus (I don’t think they’re saved…yes, I’m callin’ them out) It’s not for me to judge, but anyone who’s ashamed of Jesus, God’s ashamed of them. And me too… even though my opinion doesn’t count.
What counts in this life is the fact of whether or not you know Him as Savior. Not just know the name, because most everyone in the world does, but do you know Him as Savior and Lord? Those Pharisees of the day had seen Jesus face to face, and yet they refused to believe Who He was. That problem still exists today. He may not physically be on earth, but His presence is obvious.
To the Ignorant and Unlearned
Before you get offended, I consider myself in that group! Just a commoner! I’m not against education, but I’m not always a fan of it. I’ve watched more people come out of colleges damaged by the world than better off. And I’ve watched preachers, who have no degree from an institution but have the greatest degree of wisdom from the Holy Spirit! I’ll take the ignorant and unlearned any day if they follow God over the preacher that follows his “education.” Don’t give me big words, give me the gospel!
It wasn’t Peter that stopped the persecution and shut up those naysayers of the gospel. It was the evidence that stood in the crowd. The man healed. They couldn’t argue with it. And if those of us who have been healed would show the evidence of that in our lives, we could shut up people of today! But the problem is people are afraid to tell the world what Jesus has done because they don’t want to look like a fanatic. Well, for the record, I’m a fanatic! And as my friend Doyle Ballengee used to say, “Go ahead and call me a fanatic, if you hear the “C” word (cancer) you’ll be looking for a fanatic!”
That too was mic drop moment.