Sermon for Saturday
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? Acts 3:12
Some years ago, when several of the most outlandish of the televangelists were being caught in scandals and inappropriate behaviour, I noticed an interesting aspect of all those people. Their television programs and their various other campaigns were all named after themselves. The Jimmy Swaggarts, Jim Bakkers, and Rex Humbards were all flaunting their names and faces on all their programs. People who worked with them identified themselves with those men. They were promoting themselves as men who were reaching large audiences and accomplishing great missions and doing great exploits. Presumably, they were preaching the Gospel, although it wasn’t much of a Gospel, so they should have been seeking to give glory to God, and not to themselves. Most of the denominational groups around us aren’t much better, always promoting their pastor, preacher, or spiritual leader as being the best, the holiest, the most amazing thing to hit Christianity since the reformation. So it’s refreshing to see, as Christianity launches, Peter rejecting any credit for himself and John when a miracle was performed.
The greatest miracles we see – or ever could see – are when a lost soul trusts Christ and passes from death unto life. If it happens during a Gospel series, we might tend to credit the preachers. But we know better, although God certainly uses the preachers to sow the Good Seed. We know that only God can convict of sin and produce repentance in anyone. Only God can save a soul, and while the preachers deserve credit for their efforts, they willingly step back and acknowledge that salvation is of the Lord. if it were otherwise, we might have some uppity preachers among us, instead of the humble, faithful workers who we know and appreciate. A man who could save souls might raise himself in pride and become useless to God.
Humility in Gospel work is critical, whether it’s the preachers or anyone else. But it is also comforting. If we inject the best of our efforts and see no results, our pride might perceive a failure. But our humility patiently leaves the results to God and willingly grants to Him all the glory when results do become apparent.
Peter’s humility is a good example for us, to never take any of the credit for work that God alone can perform. -Jim MacIntosh