Shine brightly

Earl and Robin Pinkston were our guests this past Sunday, missionaries to the island of Malta through the International Mission Board.  The islands where they serve is mentioned in Acts 28:1-10, Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.  

If you were with us on Sunday or worshipped via the livestream, you heard that today that only less than 1% of the population of the islands is Christian.  Paul’s witness and the miracles done in the midst of the people some 2000 years ago have not continued to change lives.  I don’t believe it is that the darkness overcame the light, for Scripture tells us that this cannot happen.  Unfortunately, it is the emotional, sign-driven experiences in life that bring about true change in lives.  We can see the miraculous happen in front of us and be amazed but not changed.  It requires an acknowledgement of our brokenness and sin before a holy and just God.  And our inability to make any change to that status.  But God in His great love sent His Son to take on flesh and dwell among us, to live a sinless life and then to die a horrendous death on the cross so that our sins could be paid for and us redeemed from the slavery of sin.  All that happened to Christ Jesus leading to His death was a picture of the wrath of God being poured out on Christ rather than on me.  I did dodge the wrath of God, Christ willing took it upon Himself for me.  And when I by faith trust in the death and resurrection of Christ on my behalf, not wanting to live like I have, I am truly saved.  The miracle is that God would pour out His love, mercy and grace on someone like me (and you). 

This type of encounter that saves a person, changes them and the light of God should shine forth from our lives, so that the “islands” around us begin to consider the message of Christ and trust Him also.  When those who have truly been saved remain silent, this passage in Acts and the testimony we heard on Sunday should remind us that darkness can be overcome with light, but the light must be faithful to shine, and shine brightly for a lost and dark world to see the futility of a life apart from Christ.

Pressing On…

Ron Tipton, Senior Pastor