There is a game that I used to play as a child called “hot potato.” The rules of the game were pretty simple: A group of people would form a circle, and toss a small object (such as a bean bag, ball, or even a real potato,) back and forth between each other while music played in the background. The object of the game was to not be the one holding the ball or “potato” when the music stopped. Those who were left at the end of the music holding that object “lost,” and were out of the game.
As I was thinking about this childhood memory, it kind of reminded me of a passage of scripture in Acts 3, in which Peter had performed a miracle by healing a man who couldn’t walk, and when the people of that city saw this, they looked upon Peter with wonder and amazement.
“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
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.
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?” Acts 3:1-12
And then four verses later, when speaking about Jesus, Peter said,
“And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” Acts 3:16
Peter knew that any miracles or power that he had to perform miracles had been given to him by God, and not of himself. He gave the credit where the credit was due.
People have many different kinds of talents or abilities, some of which are absolutely amazing to witness. Some people have a great talent for art, and are able to perfectly draw an exact likeness of anything with just a pencil. Some people are extremely gifted musicians, able to not only just play the instrument, but to play it absolutely flawlessly.
How did these people obtain their gift? Some people may say that they worked hard practicing at it, or that they are just naturally gifted and were born with it, but not everyone will always realize where their gift actually came from.
As a Christian, we have a duty while on the Earth to serve Christ and to do His will, and we each have been given different gifts and abilities to use to further the name of Christ. That is our mission and our “duty.” And because it is our duty, we should not expect to receive any praise for the things that we do in His service. If any praise is directed towards us, we need to immediately direct it towards Christ. We need to take that spotlight off of ourselves, and direct it to Jesus.
“But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” Luke 17:7-10
A man without the spirit is just that; a man. It is the Holy Spirit working in a person who does the miracles. With the gifts of the Holy Spirit we can do great things, but we can never forget where the ability to do those things comes from. They come from God. Like the “hot potato” we need to cast that glory away from us, and give it back to our Lord.
In Christ,
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 