City Life Starter

Written by Stefan Johnsson

The Word

¹³ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. -Acts 4:13-14(ESV)

¹⁸ While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” -Matthew 4:18-19

²⁰ Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. ²² For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. -1 Corinthians 1:20-25

Reflection

Have you ever stopped to think about the mighty men/women of God who impacted the world for Jesus and their humble origins?

• Billy Graham – Raised on a dairy farm in North Carolina
• C. S. Lewis – A reserved Irish Academic with no church background
• G.K. Chesterton – Son of a London house agent
• A.W. Tozer – Left school at age 15 and had no formal education and was working in a tire factory
• Corrie ten Boom – A daughter of a Messianic Jewish watchmaker who survived Nazi concentration camp
• Jackie Pullinger – A young music graduate with little resources, left for Hong Kong and founded the St. Stephen’s Society.

These are only a few names of famous 20th century Christians who impacted the world for Jesus. Common men and women who became powerful when they chose to trust in God and follow Him.

I doubt Peter originally believe he was anything special. He had given up on becoming a Rabbi and had started to learn the family trade as a fisherman. Not even after Jesus’ resurrection did people think of Peter as anyone special. He was a common man and uneducated in the teachings of the top rabbinic schools. Yet, Peter’s impact on the world and on igniting the flame of the gospel message cannot be understated. His sermons are forever written down in the Bible for all to read and hear. And he knew that this was only because of the power that comes through believing in Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

God loves to use what others throw away, because He is glorified in the process. As Peter said in Acts 4:11, it is the cornerstone that the Jews rejected (Jesus) which God used to change the world.

God separated the world after the Tower of Babel and gave it to the sons of god and Satan to rule over until a set time in the future, but kept a remnant for Himself in Abraham. Through Abraham, God built a nation, and from the nation, a Savior, and from this Savior, a host of people – a new kingdom – who have changed the world and spread the message of Christ to all nations. If God can do that, He can do amazing things through anybody who is willing to follow Him.

Application

We do not often view ourselves as someone who can greatly impact the world for Christ. All we do is aim for the basics of faith. Love God, serve the church, and try to share the gospel when an opening presents itself. But never do we aim for something greater.

God can call anyone; He can call you. Would you serve God in such a way that could impact the world? He doesn’t care about your past, your mistakes, or your inadequacies. God cares about a willing and obedient servant. Pray for God to use you today and be open to any calling that God puts on your heart. Who knows, maybe your obedience to God will impact the world beyond what anyone could ever foresee.

Prayer

Father in heaven. Let not my common upbringing or past, my inadequacies or inexperience, limit what You can do in me. I want to impact the world for Jesus and I pray that You will use me. As Isaiah said, “Here I am Lord, send me!” Let that be my prayer today. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.