In the Presence of Jesus
We live in a world that is full of troubles & woes! Read the newspaper -- listen to the evening news; -- troubles beyond our imagination; -- trouble of every kind; -- trouble everywhere. But it is not just in the news -- it's in the classroom -- on the job -- in our neighborhood -- in our homes.
There are some days when nothing seems to go right! However -- in spite of it all -- you & I can experience an inner calmness & peace -- if we learn to enjoy the presence of Jesus in our lives.
Let me tell you the story about Peter & John. They sure had their troubles; -- major troubles! They were trying to live for God -- & do what was right -- & they found themselves in the middle of a boiling pot.
According to the Biblical account found in Acts 3 & 4 -- Peter & John had been arrested & put into jail for healing a lame man -- while they were on their way to attend a church service! They had to spend the night in jail! They were doing all the right things -- yet here came a whole truck load of troubles -- & it blew them right off the road! Have you ever felt that way in your life?
On the next day Peter & John were arraigned for trial before the Jewish High Court -- & the court began to question them: -- "By what power -- or what name did you do this?" What a ridiculous question! -- These men knew exactly whose name was being preached by Peter & John. They, in fact, had seen a crippled man running about -- crying out that he had been healed by Jesus -- through the help of Peter & John. They'd seen 5,000 people confessing their sins -- & calling on Christ's name to cleanse them. They had to know there was power in Jesus' name -- but they purposely blinded themselves to it.
So Peter -- ever the spokesman -- answered these rulers -- & made a statement in the words found, beginning with Acts 4:9 -- "If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple -- & are asked how he was healed -- then know this -- you & everyone else in Israel: -- It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth -- whom you crucified -- but whom God raised from the dead -- that this (crippled) man stands before you completely healed. -- He (Jesus) is -- 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.'
Salvation is found in no one else -- for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:9-12 NIV).
Wow! -- What a statement! -- That, my friends -- is a powerful truth! I'm not going to preach on that text today; -- maybe another Sunday. The thing I want you to notice today is the reaction of the High Court to these two very ordinary men -- Peter & John! Look at Acts 4:13 -- "When they saw the courage of Peter & John -- & realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men -- they were astonished -- & they took note that these men had been with Jesus" (NIV).
There was a calmness & composure about Peter & John the court could not ignore. They realized what being with Jesus had done for these two men! The lives of Peter & John had been enriched by fellowship with the living Christ. And the presence of Jesus will do the same for us today! The presence of the living Christ is like an artesian well within the life of the Christian!
The penetrating question today is this: -- Have you been with Jesus? -- How much of the presence of Jesus do others see in you?
While Peter & John were on trial before the High Court -- the members of this court could sense that these two men had been with Jesus! They could see it in their lives. -- They could hear it in their words. They could witness it in their actions. -- There was a calmness & composure about them -- even in the midst of their trouble.
How about you? -- Have you been with Jesus? Does it show in your life -- your words -- your actions? Can others tell that you have "been with Jesus?"
How Long Has It Been since you talked with the Lord? And told Him your heart's hidden secrets? How long since you prayed? -- How long since -- you stayed on your knees till the light shone through? How long has it been since your mind felt at ease? How long since your heart knew no burden? Can you call Him your Friend? How long has it been since you knew that He cared for you? -- Mosie Lister
My friends -- when you have been with Jesus -- His presence will make a difference in your life! Living our lives in the presence of Jesus -- will bring some important elements into our daily lives. This whole passage reveals to us what living in the presence of Jesus will mean in our lives.
1. Living in the Presence of Jesus Will Help Make You Compassionate!
That is what this whole story is all about! Read about their act of kindness in Acts 3; -- Peter & John went to the
Peter & John had traveled this path many times before. I wonder how many times they had passed by this same lame man & never noticed him. They were too consumed with their own plans & their own concerns to see the need of their fellow man. -- But now -- something had happened! Now they had been with the Lord -- & the power of God had come over them & filled them with a greater compassion & a greater love for people. Now they took the time to show this man the love of God.
You cannot help but be compassionate with people when you have been with Jesus -- because Jesus was a Man of compassion. You & I are not Peter & John -- & maybe we haven't walked face to face with Jesus as they did. -- But we have more than they did. We have salvation by the Blood of the Lamb -- & the love of God has compelled us to do His work.
That's why at Christmas time -- you made it possible for us to pass out food baskets & toys to some of the families in our area. That's why last Sunday you placed nearly $500 in the Super Bowl to enable us to restock our food pantry.
God's love is a love that is ever reaching out to those in need. He wants to show compassion -- & He wants to use you & me -- in as much as possible -- to be His hands & feet in this old world.
The superintendent of an orphanage always prayed with his children. When he would ask the blessing -- he would bow his head with all the little children in this orphanage -- & he would say: "Lord Jesus, we thank you for the food that you have provided. -- We want you to come & be our honored guest at this meal." Well -- one little fellow had heard that prayer so many times -- he finally said: -- "Why doesn't Jesus ever come? -- You always invite Him to be our honored guest. -- Will He ever come?" The superintendent said: -- "He will come if we really want him to." The little fellow said: -- "I'm going to put a chair out for Him." He put a chair right next to his own chair & said: -- "This chair is for Jesus if He ever comes."
That same day there was a knock at the door -- & as they opened the door -- there was an old man in rags who was hungry & shivering & cold. The superintendent said: -- "Sir, please come in & share a meal with us. We'd be glad to have you. -- Just come in here & sit down & warm your-self. -- We even have a chair for you. -- Sit right here." He put the man in the chair that had been set aside for Jesus.
After this was all over -- the little fellow looked up at the superintendent & said: -- "I see it all so clearly now. -- Jesus couldn't come Himself -- but He sent this man to take His place." Jesus said: -- "If you have done it unto one of the least of these -- my brethren -- you have done it unto Me" (Matthew 25:45).
When we show compassion to others -- it is as though we are showing it directly to Jesus. The greatest indication of a disciple of Jesus Christ is that we have love for one another -- & that love cannot stop in the church. It must reach out to a lost & dying world.
My friends -- when you have been with Jesus -- His presence will make a difference in your life!
2. Living in the Presence of Jesus Will Help Make You Confident!
Our Scripture text tells us -- "They saw the courage of Peter & John" (4:13). This confidence resulted from their close association & fellowship with the risen Lord! The High Court recognized that the confidence of Peter & John was not self-induced -- but came from the presence of Jesus in their lives! Immense spiritual life & energy surged within them -- because they had been in the presence of the living Christ!
When called into question -- Peter & John did not draw back & become apologetic. Where they had once been hesitant -- they now stood firm with confidence & courage. Where they had once been shy & vacillating -- they were now bold & adventurous! Where there was once a weak faith -- it now became strong & purposeful faith! They were free from fear of what man could do to them!
We need this same spirit of courage & confidence today! It is time that we stand firm with confidence & give our testimony for Christ & His cause! It is time that we gird ourselves with the confidence that comes from being in the presence of Jesus!
In the coming days -- it is going to be even more important to have this confidence -- this bold assurance. Already -- the winds of political correctness have made Jesus' name an offense too many. Bible believing Christians are under serious attack in our nation -- in our schools -- & in society in general. Soon -- many believers are going to face persecution -- & the unprepared will buckle under the pressure. A few years ago -- a Polish pastor had to take a stand during the Communist years. -- He worked in a factory -- & his foreman told him the Party bosses were coming in for an important meeting. The Party would be hosting some foreign dignitaries -- & they needed the pastor to serve as an interpreter. The pastor agreed -- with one condition: -- "I'm a Christian. -- I serve Jesus. -- So I won't drink." He knew that vodka flowed freely at those meetings -- & he would be asked to partake. The foreman agreed he would not have to drink anything.
The next day -- as soon as the meeting started -- the vodka was passed around. -- The Communist boss took some -- then the foreman did. But when the bottle came to the pastor -- he refused. Everyone looked up in alarm! -- They urged him to have a drink with them. -- The Party boss glanced at the foreman -- as if to say: -- "Why isn't he drinking? -- Does he think he's better than us?" The foreman glared at the pastor in a fury -- but still the minister said no.
The pastor was ready to be jailed on the spot. -- He could have been persecuted -- tortured -- separated from his loved ones for years. Yet -- in his mind -- there was no question but to obey his convictions. He had no fear whatsoever! -- Why? -- He had been alone with Jesus. That's the only way someone in those circumstances could possess such strength & confidence.
The next day -- his foreman called him in. The foreman said: -- "You're a lucky man. -- The Party boss called me after the meeting. -- He said if he ever needs someone he can trust to go on a special mission -- he wants you."
Those leaders marveled at the pastor's confidence & security, they knew he wasn't afraid of anything -- including death. Even the unsaved recognize that such boldness comes only from being with Jesus! Such courage & strength & boldness & resolution comes to the Christian from living in the presence of Jesus!
When you have been with Jesus -- His presence will make a difference!
3. Living in the Presence of Jesus Will Help Make You Wiser!
Again we are told in our Scripture text that the High Court perceived that Peter & John "were unschooled, ordinary men & they were astonished & took note that these men had been with Jesus." The New English Bible translates that statement as -- "They were untrained laymen." It was obviously a source of amazement that ordinary fishermen were so proficient in the knowledge & use of the Scriptures. They appeared to be better equipped than the rabbis -- & this, to say the least -- was confounding. -- From whence came this knowledge? They realized what being with Jesus had done for Peter & John.
This was probably the greatest compliment they could have given to the Savior. He too had seemed to be an ordinary man -- a carpenter from
The schooled -- the educated -- the learned members of this High Court -- were all well trained in intellectual refinement -- but they marveled at the wisdom of Peter & John -- who seemed to possess a spiritual insight & perception -- even though they had not been schooled & trained.
How is it that these unschooled men could argue from the Scriptures with such fluency & skill -- seeing that they were technically untrained -- & they were just mere private citizens? They had not been to Seminary. They had not been to graduate school. They were not skilled physicians that they might heal. They were not skilled theologians or scholars! Rather they were common -- uneducated -- ordinary men.
But they had been in close fellowship with Jesus! The key to their wisdom was in the fact that they had been touched & influenced by this Galilaen named Jesus! And Jesus had given them a wisdom this world cannot understand! Walking in intimate fellowship with the Lord will also give you a wisdom this old world will not understand!
The Christian Herald once carried an article about a senior executive of a large bank in
In a far deeper sense -- we can be transformed by having a close fellowship with the Lord Jesus! Through reading the Bible -- prayer & obedience to Jesus -- we will grow wiser by increasing in spiritual wisdom! When you have been with Jesus -- His presence will make a difference!
Conclusion: -- My friends -- there is nothing that will sustain us in the hardships & troubles of life -- like the presence of Jesus!
So how can we experience His presence? First -- we must ask Him to forgive our sins & we invite Him to dwell (to live) in us! Secondly -- we can enjoy His presence as we daily live in fellowship with Him through His Word & through prayer.
It is our high privilege to have daily sweet communion with the blessed Lord! -- As we linger in His presence -- the holy aroma of His person will permeate our entire life!
Dr. Charles Weigle composed many lovely hymns & gospel songs -- among them the favorite -- No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus. One day Dr. Weigle visited
As he took his seat a man turned to him & said: -- "Dr. Weigle, I know where you have been. -- You toured one of our lovely gardens -- for I can smell the pleasing aroma on your clothing!" Weigle replied: -- "Yes, that's right. -- Several others have told me the same thing."
That little story reminds me of Acts 4:13 -- "they took note that these men had been with Jesus." My prayer is that you & I will walk so closely with the Lord that the fragrance of His grace will pervade our very being. I want others to know by my words -- my actions -- my spirit -- that I have been with Jesus! Oh, may the perfume of the Rose of Sharon always speak to others of His living presence within each of us!
They took notice of them that they had been with Jesus. The glowing faces & zealous acts & the calm spirit of Peter & John revealed that they "had been with Jesus." As we live in the midst of trouble on every hand -- we too can enjoy the calmness of spirit that comes in being with Jesus!
We are talking here about Christ-likeness! To be like Jesus, this my song. In the home & in the throng; Be like Jesus, all day long! Oh, I would be like Jesus.
Christians should be the reflectors of Jesus!
Pastor Lyle Pettit -- Wynne Chapel -- Cochise, AZ
www.wynnechapel.org