A Wrong Turn

  We all know someone who has slipped away.  Either through temptation, peer pressure, or as the result of some tragedy that they could not accept in light of what they thought they knew about God.  What are we to do in these situations?  

Matthew 18: 12-14

  "What do you think?  If a man owns a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go look for the one that wandered off?  And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.  In the same way your father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."

  We are all called to love and serve on another, as Christ served those who were with Him.  Sometimes that love took the form of harsh correction.  When one of the twelve did as much as utter words forged in a strayed line of thought, Jesus confronted him with the truth.  The apostles loved Jesus, and wanted to follow His commands.  They made themselves subject to His will, but sometimes they strayed, or came up short.  

 Mark 9: 14-29

  When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them.  As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

  "What are you arguing with them about?" he asked.

  A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech.  Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground.  He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid.  I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."

  "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you?  Bring the boy to me."

  So they brought him.  When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion.  He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

  Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"

  "From childhood," he answered.  "It has often thrown him into the fire or water to kill him.  But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."

  "If you can?" said Jesus.  "Everything is possible for him who believes."

  Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

  When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit.  "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."

  The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out.  The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead.". But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
  After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
  He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."

  We see  that Christ discovers the disciples arguing when there are to be no divisions among us.  Paul makes this clear in 1 Corinthians 1:10.  He then discovered that they are suffering from a crisis of faith due to their failure to drive out this particular evil spirit.  Look at what happens next.

  Jesus rebukes them for their lack of faith.  He then shows them that this spirit, like all things, must submit to His authority.  He shows them that, despite what they have seen, it can be done.  He then instructs them on how to be successful the next time.

  It all sounds simple, a logical approach to correction.  I'm telling you though, that it isnt that easy.  Emotions are going to be involved, and strong ones.  You have to be in the Word.  You need to be able to turn to scripture.  You need to be sure that you are reaching out to correct in love, even if the circumstances require hard words.  Most of all, you need to be covered in prayer.  This is the most powerful tool that we have been given as Christians, and we must use it.  You must pray for that individual, over them if they will let you.  You must pray for wisdom, and the right words to say to that person.  You have to act.

  We, as the church, cannot afford to sit silently and watch those who have been marked as His, slide back into darkness.  We cannot afford to let those who are His, continue to suffer when we have been given the power and authority to make them whole.  We must venture out, now and then, to rescue the one.

  Christ made His heart clear on this matter, and it is Him that we serve.

Stoned for Christ

Read Acts 6-7

Stephen was a man filled with the Holy Spirit. That is pretty much all that is said about his qualifications. The apostles chose him as one of the seven lay leaders for this reason alone. He wasn’t an honor grad from some bible college and had not spent a single day in seminary. Stephen was a spirit filled man who loved God with his whole heart.
God isn’t impressed with our earthly accomplishments. We don’t earn extra points for an expensive education or extensive financial backing. God wants our hearts. He demands that we seek after him. This is a requirement that Stephen had in spades.
Acts 6:8 tells us that Stephen was full of God’s grace and power. Many miracles and wondrous signs were performed through him. Elders in the church of the day grew jealous and tried to accuse Stephen of heresy, but no one could match the wisdom that God had given him. Stephen could not be out witted.
In the end, the only thing the enemy could use against him, were blatant lies. Even these he defeated easily with God given wisdom. This only angered his enemies more. They were filled with so much jealousy and raged that they decided to kill him anyway. The masses were ready to stone him to death.

Acts 7:54 – 60

When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.

Stephen did not try to run. He did not try to fight, or make excuses for his faith. Stephen was filled with the peace that only Christ can give. He simply told the truth. He shared the message of Christ and prayed for those who were lost. He followed the example set by Christ, even to his own death. If only we all shared his faith and commitment.