February 13, 2002
Rejected, Renewed, and Revived
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before your healed. He 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: 8-12 (NIV)
Peter and John were on trial for the healing of a man who had been crippled all his life, until they had extended the hand of Jesus to him. Jesus, the rejected one, was renewed in death, given a new body, and revived to life! There is no other name in all of heaven or earth that brings one to Salvation. These same rulers that were questioning Peter and John were the ones who had Jesus crucified. When a person is filled with the Holy Spirit, a boldness comes that has never before come to that person. Mankind is rejected by God without Jesus. With Jesus, a person is renewed, and is continually renewed each day as long as he or she is willing to experience that renewing of the Holy Spirit. This is revival! To bring to life that which was dead is to experience revival.
Each of us was dead in sin, rejected by God. There is no other name by which man must be saved. Jesus is the only way to God. There is no other religion, belief, or faith that will bring a person to God. Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the only way to heaven and eternal life. What of those who say that Mohammed is the way, or Budda, or some other god? They do not have eternal life. It is only through Jesus that one can experience eternal life. God has raised him from the dead. We have a hope in this in that we, too shall be raised from the dead to dwell forever in the presence of the Lord.
Renewing, revival, accepted are all things that one who has Jesus experiences. Salvation is a one time thing, but that renewing of the mind, that being returned to the first love, that returning to the boldness of the new is an ongoing thing. We must seek the heart of God and allow him to restore in us that which has been damaged. We must let the Holy Spirit fill us as Peter was filled. We need that indwelling, that renewing, that empowerment. We need the Lord to work in us his good and perfect work. We need to experience the boldness of Peter through the Holy Spirit. We need to be renewed each day in Jesus.
Father, I praise you for that boldness that we witness here in Peter. Father, in Jesus name you renew our hearts and our minds so that we can experience this filling of the Holy Spirit. Father, this day, give us that same desire to tell others that Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven. Father, this day, give to your saints a filling of the Holy Spirit never before experienced. Father, this day, move in your people according to your word. Lord, in Jesus name, you fill us, you renew us, you revive us. I praise you that you have not rejected us. I praise you that Jesus is the cornerstone and that you brought him to life again, revived! I praise you that you shall do that same thing for me. I praise you in the name of Jesus, amen!
All rights reserved: Amy Seelbach
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