Introduction
His name was George. He grew up in a small town, but always had big dreams.
Life had different plans, and through a series of events he found himself taking over his Father’s business in the town he so desperately wanted to get away from.
Yet, he had a good life there, making a home with his family and children.
Until one day, thanks to an irresponsible employee, he lost a large sum of money which belonged to his business and would soon face serious jail time for embezzling funds.
Absolutely desperate, that night he found himself in the local bar, crying out to God: “God, oh God, dear Father in heaven, I’m not a praying man but if you’re up there and you can hear me, show me the way. I’m at the end of my rope. Show me the way oh God.”
Maybe this story sounds somewhat familiar to you—“It’s a Wonderful Life.”
The best stories have a moment of desperation. A moment when the character has nowhere to turn, and yet somehow find a way.
When we open our Bibles we see its no different: the best stories of salvation are born out of utter desperation (Noah, the Israelites, David, etc.).
But, within scripture, it isn’t to lay the foundation to show the cleverness, wit, and strength of the human character, but to show the power, glory, and abundant grace of God.
The Bible constantly highlights the helpless, and in so doing, exalts the absolute dependency we have on God for salvation—this is seen, within its greatest extent, within Jesus Christ.
Within Jesus ministry, the most desperate people come to him—demon possessed, lepers, blind, lame, etc.
They come to Jesus, not as a first choice, but as a last resort: they have nowhere else to turn, nowhere left to go. No one else can heal. No one else can help. No one else can save.
We’d like to think that Jesus would be our first choice, but often he isn’t. In times of tragedy, like George Bailey, we go to every possible option, before finally turning to the Lord.
But that’s ok—because the Lord only saves desperate people.
People who realize that they have no one else to turn to, no hope in anything/anyone else; who accept Christ, not because it is convenient but because it is necessary.
People who are disillusioned by their own ability and power, and simply reach out to Christ in a desperate cry of salvation: “Lord, save me!”
Over the next several weeks we will look at some of these desperate stories for the same reason we mentioned early: to put the spotlight on our great God.
Yet, I also hope that it will transform how we view our relationship to Christ.
Too often Jesus becomes a convenient part of life, a good garnish on the side of life, but not the everything of life.
Series: “No One Else: Stories of Desperation and Salvation.”
Text: Acts 3:1-10; 4:12.
Context
Key part of the text: “Name of Jesus” (3:6, 16, 4:7, 10, 12): by his power and authority these events occurred.
Immediately drawn to this man who was “lame from birth, being carried.”
Drawn to similar situation (John 9:1-3).
Jesus isn’t saying they aren’t sinners, but that his ailment wasn’t a direct result of sin.
Even more so: don’t simply see people as what they have done, but what God can make out of a desperate situation.
Like the apostles, our initial reaction is one of judgment and not grace: “They made their bed, and they can lie in it!’ Peg people down.
Don’t misunderstand: we need to see people in their sin; but if we fail to see what God has done, can do for that sin we’ve stopped short.
In fact, this entire context sets us up for grace and gives us a pattern that we will witness throughout our series.
The Requirement of Grace
Put in this man shoes: parents never saw him walk; not married; can’t take care of himself.
Pitiable. So desperate has to have others carry (the impersonal ‘they).
Contrast to Beautiful gate; he shouldn’t be here.
People passing by. He has no one who can address his deep need for help (need goes deeper than the dollar).
Side
