Useless Things
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We were with Paul and Barnabas last week in Antioch. They then went to Iconium where an angry mob of people attempted to stone them both, but they managed to escape and make their way to Lystra, still preaching Jesus.
8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.
I want to talk about this miracle for just a minute.
This man had suffered from this condition his entire life.
Paul recognized the need this man had and also recognized the faith he possessed by observing him.
Faith does the impossible. We are saved through faith. Faith heals the broken. Faith moves mountains.
Do we notice needs around us? In order to notice, we must look and observe not only the people around us, but their situations and their hearts for change. We must do this on purpose. This means we must actually pay attention to other people around us. Instead of going through life with blinders on, with no time to invest in and care for others, we have to make it a point to slow down and care about what others are going through. This goes beyond the polite hello and the very impersonal how are you. People around us are going through things that we have no idea about, nor will ever know because they will not share with people they don't think care about them. We must get beyond the surface conversation and dive into the real stuff.
Paul, with authority, told this man to stand up!
Paul, with authority, told this man to stand up!
Paul noticed this man, saw a need, felt the sincerity in the man's heart and stepped into this man's life in order to help him.
How many times do we see a need and recognize the heart for change, being able to help someone, only to tell them to pray or that we will pray for them and continue on our way? How many times do we fail to act, hoping that God will do something for them?
The man leaped and walked. Faith/God is just looking for an outlet from which to work. When we allow faith to move through us, we become the outlet from which faith works. Faith in Christ is perfect and provides a perfect cure. Faith in Christ is also continuous and provides continuous power for us to live.
Just like this man, we are all crippled from birth until the time that our faith in Jesus saves and heals our brokenness. When we are saved and healed, we too must leap and walk in front of the world so that everyone knows the power, grace, and love of Jesus.
Now lets see what happens after the miracle.
11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
The people began to give credit to Paul and Barnabas for the miracle. Not truly understanding that these two men were living and moving for the glory of God and the furtherance of the Gospel and in the faith and under the authority of God, they thought that the miracle was done under the power of these men alone although they had just heard Paul preach the Gospel.
The people began to give credit to Paul and Barnabas for the miracle. Not truly understanding that these two men were living and moving for the glory of God and the furtherance of the Gospel and in the faith and under the authority of God, they thought that the miracle was done under the power of these men alone.
But not only did they give Paul and Barnabas the credit for the miracle, look at what else begins to happen.
12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.
They not only gave them the credit, but they also began to give them their worship. Worship that belongs to God alone!
This is important for us to talk about and unpack because many times, we do the same thing. We give credit and give worship to the wrong things, and we take credit and take worship that does not belong to us.
Which of God’s blessings have you taken credit for?
Family, successes, church
Talents, skills, gifts
What worship have you taken or continue to take?
Family, friends, church, world, yourself
We are driven by ego, image, performance and status.
I’m about to step on some toes, but just look at your social media account. You spend so much time and effort putting forward an image of yourself that is not real, for others to look at and approve of. You judge your worth by how many likes you get. Your page has nothing but your selfies on it.
Who do we give our worship to?
Who do we give our worship to?
Who do we give our worship to?
We often worship the vessels of God's work or the work itself over the One who did the work. The pastor, worship leader, teacher, leader, speaker. The stage, the microphone, the instrument. The building, facilities, name, logo.
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
Who are you seeking worship from and why?
We do this because are insecure in who we are. We lack trust and confidence in God and in His plan for us. We are taking fulfillment in the temporary instead of having hope in the eternal.
We do this because are insecure in who we are. We lack trust and confidence in God and in His plan for us. We are taking fulfillment in the temporary instead of having hope in the eternal.
We do this because are insecure in who we are. We lack trust and confidence in God and in His plan for us. We are taking fulfillment in the temporary instead of having hope in the eternal.
Insecure in who we are. We lack trust and confidence in God and in His plan for us. We are taking fulfillment in the temporary instead of having hope in the eternal.
When we take worship from God, we are telling Him that He is not enough for us. His love, grace, mercy, hope, salvation, restoration, redemption is not enough.
We often worship the vessels of God's work or the work itself over the One who did the work. The pastor, worship leader, teacher, leader, speaker. The stage, the microphone, the instrument. The building, facilities, name, logo.
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
We worship things and people that should not be worshipped, and we take worship that does not belong to us, yet we wonder why we are not seeing God work miracles in our lives.
We worship things and people that should not be worshipped, and we take worship that does not belong to us, yet we wonder why we are not seeing God work miracles in our lives.
God granted Paul works and signs and miracles as an apostle, his faith was rewarded. Going all the way back to the miracle at the beginning, just like the crippled man, when we have faith in Jesus and give God the glory for ALL things, we will also be rewarded.
God granted Paul works and signs and miracles as an apostle, his faith was rewarded.
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.
Jesus owns it all.Jesus made it all.Jesus reflects the complete radiance of God's glory.Jesus is the exact representation of God's being.Jesus continues to sustain all things.Jesus paid the price for our sin.Jesus rules it all.
Jesus is the only one worthy of our worship.
Are we simply going with what is popular, or are we filtering everything through God’s word? If we are not strong, founded, and tethered to the word of God, then we will easily be manipulated by the thoughts and opinions of others and base our decisions and our stances on what other people are doing rather than on what is right, biblical and true.
Look at the apostles reaction to this.
Acts 14:
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out
When you think about everything they have been through up to this point. All the resistance, all the attacks, the negativity, the hostility, all these things things they could deal with and let slide, but it was when they began to receive what belonged to God, when they were elevated to the status of gods, that they tore their clothes in objection.
When was the last time you reacted that way? When did you last stand up and defend God’s honor? Honestly, we are surrounded by opportunities to do so every day. Just look around. Are we that committed to our Father that we would run into a crowd of people to tell them that they were making a mistake? That goes back to Standing for Jesus a few weeks back.
Listen to what Paul says:
15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,
Acts 14:15-
15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, 16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” 18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.
Paul gives another sermon in an attempt to subdue the crowd. He quickly denies the claims from the people that they were gods and reminds them of what he had just preached to them moments earlier. To turn from these ‘useless things’ to the living God.
These were the very things that they had been challenged to let go of: idol worship, sacrifices, rituals, traditions and strict adherence to the law. To let go of these things and follow the living God, Jesus Christ. It seems that Paul’s words went in one ear and out the other.
Even saying all of these things, the crowd was undeterred.
Too often, we try to bring our own useless things with us when we surrender to Jesus. We want to know God, but only on our own terms and keep God within the boundaries of our own religious construct.
Why is it so difficult for us to let go of our ways? Even after we are told over and over again, we continue in what we've always done because we've always done it. Even when it's spelled out right in front of us, we attempt to twist and mold it to fit our own ideas and beliefs. Even when we see God work and His promises kept and miracles take place, we continue to live our lives in the same way as we always have.
Too often, we try to bring our own useless things with us when we surrender to Jesus. We want to know God, but only on our own terms and keep God within the boundaries of our own religious construct.
13 Therefore the Lord said:
“Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths
And honor Me with their lips,
But have removed their hearts far from Me,
And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
:13Too often, we try to bring our own useless things with us when we surrender to Jesus. We want to know God, but only on our own terms and keep God within the boundaries of our own religious construct.
What is your presumption of who or what God is supposed to be?
What is your presumption of who or what God is supposed to be?
All of these things are symptoms of a heart condition.
13 Therefore the Lord said:
“Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths
And honor Me with their lips,
But have removed their hearts far from Me,
And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
Here’s the question:
Do we really believe what we say we believe? Do we really want to be like Jesus? Do we really want to glorify God and see His will be done? Do we really want to be free from our sin? Do we really want to leave our old selves behind and live the life that Jesus died for us to live?
If the answer is yes, then we have to be willing to let go of these useless things that we worship and think gives us purpose. We have to be willing to react like Paul and Barnabas did, not to put on a show, but because we are genuinely grieved when God is misrepresented. We have to be willing to take time out of our own busy and important lives to look into the life of someone else in order to truly see them and be the miracle they have been waiting for.
Just as the man who was healed would have given anything to walk again, we should also be willing to give everything for life.
If we truly want to be like Jesus, then we have to be willing to go where Jesus went and do what Jesus did for the same reason He did. To glorify His Father. But in order to do that, we must let go and put aside useless things.
Are you willing to put aside useless things this morning?
Invitation
Prayer