Elok Rupa vs Elok Hati

IN THE NAME OF JESUS:

 FAITH THAT MAKES US STRONG

(Acts 3:12-19 —  Ps Paw Liang)

The Easter season reminds us of our faith in Jesus. How much do we believe in the power of His resurrection? Really believe? Believe the power of God that will make us strong, compel us to repent, to turn towards God and be transformed and be revitalised?

Out of his concern for the church in his time, Soren Kierkegaard, the 19th century Danish Philosopher told the story of a magical land inhabited only by ducks. And of duck church. One fine Lord’s Day, all of the ducks dutifully waddled to duck church, where the parson duck stood to deliver his homily. He opened his duck Bible to the place where it spoke of God’s great gift to ducks—wings. “With wings”, said the duck preacher, “we ducks can fly! We can mount up like eagles and soar the heavens! We can escape the confinement of pens and fences; we can know the utter euphoria of unfettered freedom! We must give God thanks for such a great gift as wings!” To which all of the ducks in duck church stood to their feet with a hearty “Amen!” And then, they turned around…and waddled home. 

Jesus’s Name has authority: Peter and the early apostles began the church “in the power of Jesus’ name. Peter explained the power of Jesus’ name: He is God of their ancestor, has been glorified b God, The Holy and Righteous One, the Author of Life, He has conquered death being raised from the dead (13-15). By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’s name and the faith that comes through him has given this complete healing to him, as you all can see. The power does not come from the sinner (lame man), or the preacher (Peter), but it comes from the Holy Spirit for the sake of the gospel and for the glory of God.

Jesus’ name has authority over sickness, poverty, failures, death (spiritual, emotional, physical). We often believe Jesus’ name has power over others’ sickness and disabilities? And only certain people can channel out the power. But how about the power of God working in my life? In my church? Can God heal and revitalize His church? Grace Methodist Church?

Jesus’ Name has Power all over our Life: Peter turned to the crowd and said, “Now, brothers, I know you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. Repent, then turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. (v19) REALISE Something is wrong. REGRET and STOP doing it then make a RESOLUTION TO TURN TO GOD. Repentance is not just having a good feeling; but leaving our old way of life TURNING to Jesus, our Lord and Saviour! Many will regret but fail to make a step to turn to God, just like the duck congregation. Churches often believing in something but doing the other thing and trapped in doing the same thing again and again yet expect a different result.

Faith that makes us stong is the power to repent and to turn to God. What to repent? Peter who quick to act and slow to listen, who was paralised by fear to the point of betraying Jesus? The crowd who mindlessly following the voice of majority who requested to crucify Jesus. The crowd who remained silent in the face of injustice. 

Genuine repentance and true conversion comes from the work of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit truly works in our life, He gives us power to repent and to turn to God.What do you need to repent (leave behind) and turn to God’s way? Your attitude towards your marriage? Family? Work? Attitudes in my ministry? What do we as a church need to repent and turn to God’s way? 

Only when we repent and turn towards God we will experience the new spirit and be revitalised and growth will happen. 

Believing in the name of Jesus is believing His authority and power over our life! Do you really believe Him? Let’s repent (change of mind), leave our own preference and wholeheartedly follow Him! Walk out with faith! Be open for times of refreshing! (PLT)