It is the power of...
Illustration
It is the power of Jesus' name alone that has made the lame man strong, as God promised to the covenant people. In crucifying him they acted in ignorance. But those times are passed and it is time to turn to the author of life. It is time to make a choice for life, not death. The new pastor, a second-career person, graduated from seminary, received a call from a church in a rural community, and after his ordination, went out to "re-activate" a dying church in a dying community. Or so he thought. But when he tried to lead them to some new ideas for ministry that might revitalize their life and program, he was ignored. When he tried to jar them into attention by saying straightforwardly, "This church is dying," the denial was almost palpable. The church was stuck, and he was out of ideas for ways to either lead them to new life, or a graceful death. Frustration became anger, and cynicism played around the edges of his hopes. Despair began to grip him. Yet somehow, he began to be aware that if he allowed the anger and frustration to control his life, that would mean death. It was time for him to find a way to choose life for his ministry. -- Johnson-Hoy
