At Connect2Christ Church our vision statement is: “Bridging the gap between worship and missions through our connection to Christ.” We believe Jesus is the Bridge who connects us in the anointed worship of our eternal King and then sends us out to connect with others in his kingdom mission to the world. To worship God is to bow down in devotion [obedience] and make ourselves available to Christ’s mission of saving humanity. The knees of disciples bow now, but one day every knee should bow in heaven and on earth…to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:10-11 NLT). It is such a Gift to connect to our Christ—the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jo 14:6).
At the foundation of the Gospel [Good News] message of salvation is the invitation to bow before the High Priest and King, because only God can save a sinful soul destined for destruction. We are invited to willingly and gratefully bow now, and we should, because bowing later will involve tremendous pressure, suffering, and pain. The Spirit is wooing human beings to draw near and now is the time.
In our Bible Study from last night, we learned bowing to our High Priest enables us to come boldly to the throne of our gracious God to obtain mercy and find the grace [empowerment] to help in our times of need (Heb 4:16). Humanity should run to this High Priest and fall before the Savior! Life will continue to get more challenging and the power of the Spirit is the Helper of Christ’s disciples. Waiting to bow is dangerous, because Jesus will return like a thief in the night [unexpectedly] for his disciples [the Church] and we need to have established and devoted our allegiance to the King before then (Rev 16:15).
Today, we continue in Luke’s eyewitness writings about the Acts of the Apostles and the birth and growth of the Christian church. Acts is the connecting link between the life of Christ and the life of his disciples. Between the gospels and the letters to the churches, we find the Book of Acts and how people were responding to the revelation of the resurrected Christ through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit who brings spiritual life and vitality to willing hearts.
Saul (who is later renamed Paul) becomes an example of the humility that manifests when we recognize the authority and divinity of Jesus. Saul bows the first time under pressure, but after his revelation of the Living Lord, he willingly bows and gratefully gives his life to further the Truth. Saul seeks to live in obedience through the power of the Spirit. The lives of believers [disciples] of Christ should live likewise—as instruments of grace who bow to every opportunity provided, by the Spirit, for the redemption of others.
In our lesson today, we see that bowing reality in the disciple, Barnabas. When others cannot see the Truth of Saul’s conversion and changed life, Barnabas stands up as an eyewitness to the Truth of an obedient bowed life; his faith covers Saul for a season until others can see, as well. Saul spends his life shining the Light of Christ within him to a dark world. Only our living, perfect, and holy High Priest could bring such transformation within sinful human hearts—humanity without Christ.
Acts 9:26-31 NLT
26 When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! 27 Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.
28 So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He debated with some Greek-speaking Jews, but they tried to murder him. 30 When the believers [disciples] heard about this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus, his hometown.
31 The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.
Prayer: Lord, it is time for your Spirit-filled sons and daughters to display your glorious Light within us and your power to save. Your Word teaches all of creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when you will reveal who your children really are. So, give us holy boldness to witness to the Truth of who you are and how you have brought transformation to our lives. As our High Priest, please pray and intercede for us Lord. Help us to stay rooted in your Word, pray for anointed opportunities to witness, and continually place our confidence in the work of the Spirit to lead and sustain us in your grace each day. As well, keep us strong and vibrant as a spiritual family who willingly and joyfully cover one another in prayer and faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.