THE JESUS EFFECT: IN LOVE WITH OTHERS
“THE JESUS EFFECT: IN LOVE WITH OTHERS”
This message is presented by Pastor Jesse Claycamp
“THE JESUS EFFECT – IN LOVE WITH OTHERS”
ACTS 9:32-43
Intro:
“Christianity is not a means simply of getting into heaven, nor is it only a system of doctrine, but it is a wonderful manifestation of divine life and love in the midst of a world of sin and wretchedness.” - H.A. Ironside
Saul saved… Church is enjoying a season of rest and growth (v.31)… Peter is traveling throughout Israel ministering to the saints…
WILLING TO REACH OUT TO OTHERS: (32-34)
Peter went to minister to others: (32) Lydda – 11 Mi. SE of Joppa
True ministry to others comes from being ministered to by the Lord first.
* You can only give out what you have received… (Acts 19:13-16
Seven sons of Sceva)
= Peter walked with Jesus, heard His words, hung out with Jesus, saw His miracles & works… CHANGED HIM!
=Here was a man who knew what it was to fail Jesus, yet knew His love greater…grace received, grace given. Love poured into, now poured out of… reach his world!
“The Jesus Effect” (overflowing life)
= Something has changed IN me & now it flows OUT of me…
John 7:37-39 “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out saying, “If anyone thirsts let him come to me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”
Demonic (Mk. 5)/Mary Magdalene/ wisemen (went home another way…)
*How has Jesus affected you? Are you loving others, reaching others, sharing with others what God has shared with you? Hands, Feet, heart of Jesus – willing to reach & minister to others?
= Peter patterned his life after Jesus… went to them and got dirty with ministry!
Peter seized the unplanned opportunities: (33-34)
Peter finds this man (not seeking for show…) & find out about him…relational! 8 yrs. Bedridden…paralyzed. Saved already???
God stirred Peter’s heart to do something unplanned… (flash back to Jesus – Mk. 2 – paralyzed man)
True Christianity is walking in the footsteps of Jesus (following His example)
How did Jesus handle things? What’s God’s Word have to say? What is the Spirit impressing upon my heart to do in this situation?
Ministry must be led by His Spirit. It’s not a scheduled thing…not a religious weekly event… it’s in everyday things. (Acts 3 – temple beggar)
- As God leads, doors open and He nudges you to act.
* How flexible are you?
*KEY: JESUS – saw people, not problems… People created in His image, need His love & grace.
- Peter saw Aeneas not through the natural eyes, but with God’s eyes. A man that needed Jesus…. ”the Jesus’ Effect”.
- Peter responded to the Spirit’s promptings and stepped out in faith.
Peter knew true changes only lies through Jesus’ Name – POINTED to Jesus: (34)
Acts 3:12 “So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?”
Peter was just a man, the vessel God would use, instrument… focus was Jesus
Jesus is the answer for every man.
Spiritually: many are paralyzed (Christians/ non-Christians) Sin gradually paralyzes, numbs, callouses your heart to God’s spirit & work. “______. Jesus, the Christ heals you…arise.”
Unsaved -Cain: anger/ sin desires to rule/ looked for moment/ murdered. “___. Jesus, the Christ, heals you…arise.”
Saved – Lot: saw Sodom/ pitched tent towards/ living in…carnal, worldly, paralyzed! “Jesus, the Christ, heals you…arise”
God heals (His part)/ Arise now, make bed (your part)
Bed = testimony to God’s work in you. (knew you by that bed…)
He arose immediately – not “think about it”, not laughing, not mocking…but obeying.
SEEING GOD GET THE GLORY: (35)
They saw this man…they saw “the MAN”… product is salvation… “The Jesus Effect” (35)
Christian = “little Christs” (Romans saw them as little Jesus’)
I don’t think he had any idea what God would do with his life/ testimony when he first picked up that mat.
- Sharon (30 mi. area – message spread from one person)
**True Christianity looks to see people turn to Jesus not yourself.
John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
REPEATING “THE JESUS EFFECT”: DORCAS (36-42)
A. Dorcas’ noted lifestyle - IN LOVE WITH OTHERS: loved to serve and bless others (36,39) providing clothes for widows and poor…
Dorcas: Love/ True Christianity is full of good works and giving. Not self-centered, others-oriented. “we need more Dork’s for Jesus”.
God notices our labor of love for others:
Heb. 6:10 “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
God remembers works and giving in His Name (10:4 – CORNELIUS)
Jesus: (“What you’ve done to the least, you’ve done to Me.”)
Acts 20:35 “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
1 John 3:18 “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”
Dorcas’ impact on others: (37-39)
They called for Peter… Peter went and saw this woman and the great love she showed others.
Impact of her life was not seen in totality until she had died. Her death would bring opportunity for more salvations…
Ps. 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.”
- Today Dorcas ministries… God’s love changes lives. Before Jesus there were no care facilities, orphanages, relief programs. Red cross? JESUS’ EFFECT: loving others as He loves me.
C. Dorcas’ new life: (40-42)
- (40) Peter moved by the Spirit again just followed Jesus’ example (Mk. 5 – little girl)
(41) “He gave her his hand and lifted her up”… not because she was weak & still sick, but because she was honored… her life of love for others was worth lifting up, worth noting to others, her life/ work was worth “giving her a hand” in applause, praising to others, presenting to others…She is alive! (physically; spiritually – let a legacy of love; a fingerprint of Jesus)
(42) Joppa – many believed in the Lord – salvation
How is Jesus affecting you today? Are you in love with others? Is He leading you to serve, to bless, to be “JESUS” to your world?