“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” – Acts 3:6
This past Sunday, during our church’s homecoming services, we were joined by the quartet, Molded Clay which was started by former New Birth Baptist Church member Darrell Duggins. Darrell and I were “introduced” through our church Facebook page from which he sent me a message. Long story short, we talked and they lead our church service homecoming morning with many songs based on the Bible and the works of Christ. Many were moved that day but none were moved more than one young man in the congregation (and I’ll get to that in a minute…)
Before the service started, Darrell and I talked and agreed to some basic structure to the service but in the end, we simply agreed to let the service go through the power of the Holy Spirit – we were trying to be sensitive to God’s plan and not ours. As part of the service, I had studied and prepared a message as usual but during the study time, I would simply sit and stare at the passages; I had a message complete and ready to go but, there was something more to the reading of the Scriptures than normal. I repeatedly read the passage Acts 3:6, marked it in my Bible, jotted it down on some notes… it was constantly in the forefront as I read and studied time and time again.
As homecoming services were drawing to a close, Darrell asked me to come lead the invitation as they continued to sing. I did not preach the message for I felt the message God wanted preached had already been spoken through the songs and worship time all throughout the morning. I did however, read Acts 3:6 with the simple message of “rise up and walk” the isle to eternal salvation in Christ. People responded to the invitation with some coming to ask for prayer for their families and circumstances and of course, all were important but I was waiting for one special person to step out – I didn’t have a name but simply a strong desire for one lost to come.
That happened when Allen Shelton stepped out of his pew and walked the isle to tell me he needed to be saved. I lead him through the Scriptures, prayed with him as he prayed the sinners prayer for salvation and the service was closed on that powerful and beautiful moment.
I could have chosen to steal the moment and preach my message; I mean, I had prepared and studied so it needed to be preached, right? Well… no… God had already tugged on the heart of many that morning and he didn’t need me to get in the way! The Holy Spirit was present in abundance that Sunday morning and the last thing I needed to do was get in the way!
Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is something that is learned and trusted with time. Paul taught the Thessalonians many things about their walk and work with Christ and it included, “Quench not the Spirit”. For the lost to come to the knowledge of salvation, the Holy Spirit has to draw them. That person then has to respond – I have to do my part to preach the gospel but in the end, all that is required is the power of the Holy Spirit to convict the soul to “rise up and walk” while I get out of the way.
Thank God for the Holy Spirit – without Him, we would all be more wayward than we already are. His calling us to repentance is needed daily – and nothing or no one needs to get in His way!