A New Day: Trusting Jesus
A New Day: Trusting Jesus
The past two Sunday’s, as churches throughout our country have moved to online worship, Mary and I have listened and watched several worship services, including our own at First Baptist Richardson. Each pastor has offered a clear gospel presentation as part of the sermon; one pastor encouraged members of his own congregation to record their own gospel story and place it on social media.
Each of these gospel presentations, these personal testimonies brings to mind the story of another preacher from the first century, the Apostle Paul and his missionary partner, Silas, as found in Acts chapter 16. I first truly discovered this passage as a seminary student while learning the various scripture passages from the old and new testaments that mention music. (Yes, minister-musicians study those passages so we may approach music in the church from a solidly biblical understanding and perspective.)
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and
the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:25-31)
Paul and Silas were singing - at midnight - while in prison! Let’s pause for a moment to ponder that these two incarcerated men (for preaching the gospel) were not sleeping at midnight - but SINGING HYMNS TO GOD! No restraint or holding back! Not even consideration for the other prisoners who might have otherwise been sleeping! These two prisoners were praising God!
This is my story! This is my song!
Praising my Savior all the day (and night) long!
The next time you sing your praise to God, consider these two imprisoned men who sang God’s praise at midnight. Then, consider what resulted from their singing: first, a great earthquake; then, opened doors of prison cells and loosened bonds of every prisoner. When the jailer realized that his prisoners might flee - on his watch - he started to take his own life. But Paul (I love this) cried with a LOUD voice: STOP! Then, Paul introduced this jailer to Jesus, and the jailer - and his household believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.
This amazing story of the simple trust of a man that resulted in his conversion began with two men singing hymns to God! Does this move you and me to worship God with heart, mind, soul, and voice? It certainly should!
A gospel song from a a few generations ago is titled Trusting Jesus by American, Edgar Page Stites (1836-1921). The song describes the simplicity with which one may find salvation through trusting in the person of Jesus Christ.
Simply trusting every day, trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small, trusting Jesus, that is all.
Trusting as the moments fly, trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him what-e’er befall, trusting Jesus, that is all.
There is, indeed, hope in the name of the Lord, and it is found through simply trusting in God. This is the Good News of God’s gospel, and it is for all persons, and it is written on every page of the Bible, Genesis to MAPS, as one of my favorite preachers used to say. It may be summed up in John 3:16-17, and is for all who would acknowledge and confess their sin before and to God, and accept Jesus as his or her personal Lord and Savior. My own story began with parents and grandparents who loved their children and grandchildren enough to share this Good News with each of us, and lead us to personal faith in Christ.
What is your gospel story? Who are the people who led you to understand the Greatest Story ever told? Take time today to write your own gospel story of how God changed your life, and made of your life a new creation in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Then, you just might encounter someone who needs to hear your story, and, who, like the jailer, may also find new life in Christ.
Oh, to see my name written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death; Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.
This, the pow'r of the cross: Son of God slain for us.
What a love! What a cost! We stand forgiven at the cross.*
God bless you, and have a good day!
Paul
Romans 6:23
- The Power of the Cross, Getty and Townend (2005)
© Paul R. Magyar, 2020
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