Acts 1:15 "In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)"
I read today's passage and I simply can't believe it. Here you have Jesus. He walked the earth...healed the sick...raised the dead...walked on water...was crucified...came back from the dead... and after 33 years of ministry there are only 120 people that called themselves believers.
Was it fear that drove people away? Was it disbelief? No matter. 120 people looked pitifully small compared to the eternal impact that Jesus made. The disciples felt like failures.
But then, when you think about it, it was those 120 believers who began the movement known as the early church in Acts chapter 2. It was those 120 people who stuck around when everybody else fled. It was those 12o faithful followers who, with great personal risk, faced the Roman authorities and proudly proclaimed their allegiance to Jesus. Only 120. God can do a lot with a little.
Have you noticed that God can take very little and make very much? The mustard seed, if you've never seen one, is about the size of a poppy seed from your bread. Extremely small. But did you know that the Bible says that if you have faith (even mustard seed-sized faith)....God will do something with it. He's fed thousands with 2 fish and 5 loaves. Populated the planet with two people. Saved the world through an ark and a small faithful family... Taught multitudes of people with 12 disciples... and redeemed the world through 1. On a cross.
God does a lot with a little.
120 believers? Seems like a small number. The amount of money in you bank account? Maybe a small number. You- the only believer in your whole family? Again, a small number.
God does a lot with a little.
What may seem like a failure to us numerically...God uses as an opportunity... a chance for us to show faith. A chance to believe. Do you believe that God can take the little things in your life and make a big difference? You should. He can.
See you tomorrow,
Pastor Brian
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
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2 comments:
I loved this teaching - it applies to so many things for me! Thanks!!!
"What may seem like a failure to us numerically...God uses as an opportunity... a chance for us to show faith."
Really having to live that right now! Thanks for the great word Brian!
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