In The Garden
"The Church That Dares"
Pastor Wayne Clabaugh

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Scripture text: ". . . they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them." Acts 5:15

The last in this series at least of the "mark" of a New Testament church or a church alive with the "Spirit of God" is that of a church that is a "healing" church - or "A Church That Dares".

Anyone who's ever been in ministry will agree with me that the greatest ambition for the part that we played as ministers of the gospel, was to see souls saved. And of course the more, the better. In fact, the more that were saved, gave us a feeling that we were really being "used of God". This isn't always a vain emotion, as all ministers want the confirmation of their ministry to ultimately be seen in the response of souls at the altar. What's neat is that I still cry when I see someone come to the Lord. No, I'm not a baby - that's just my heart. There is no greater joy, not greater high than to see someone come to the altar and you just see it in their faces, they mean business. It's beyond AWESOME!

But people don't realize the work-s-day world of the Pastor isn't a life of leisure. We "have to" go about the business of the day, and we "have to" fill out reports and we work on fund-raising for the new buildings that will carry on the Lord's work after we're long gone; but the feeling of accomplishment in these things come from other men. Fruit for our labors (not money but souls) is our vital breath. Without it, we become discouraged and even lost to the ministry: I've seen it happen many times. 

Then . . . one day, someone comes to the altar, and sobs profusely before the Lord, asking The Lord to make a difference in their lives. Maybe it's not even at the altar in your church building. Maybe it's an altar that has been created in a Hotel somewhere during youth councils, and you see them turn their lives around and become men and women for God. All the fundraising successes; and all of the success with building campaigns pale in comparison to such a wonderful experience!

We see here in our text for today, that the awesomeness of God's ministry in the leaders of the early church was so powerful, that people would actually carry those that were sick and inflicted, and lay them in the streets in hopes that just the shadow of Peter would overshadow them, and bring them healing.

Unfortunately, people need more than just the shadow of our busy lives. They need the physical contact of touch, and the gentle laying on of hands as spoken of in James 5:14.

"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:"

You say - well first of all I don't have any elders in my church. Well, what about you? What about your wife, or the Sunday school teachers. My wife carries a bottle of anointing oil with her everyday. On the days that I was extremely ill, I remember waking to the odor of the sweet smell of her anointing oil where she had anointed me with oil in the night and prayed over me for my recovery every morning. Laying hands on someone is not indicating that you have any special power to impart to the individual. It symbolizes the agreement of those that participate, the imparting touch of God The Holy Spirit flowing through the body of Christ, consummating the gospel of the healing power of the stripes of Calvary with the faith to receive, and bring glory to the Father.

But who makes the distinction of illness? And who decides when and where we find the time to practice such a feat of faith? I would guess that the most logical answer to that question would be to look again at that verse (James 5:14) and see what it says. "Is there sick among you?" That kind of answers both questions doesn't it? To me, it simply tells us that if you know of the illness of such a person, the time to pray would be when they asked. Don't say "yes, we will be praying for you" . . . do it! NOW! If there are other Christians around, call them over, and ask them to gently lay hands on the sick one, and if you have anointing oil, anoint them - let the fragrance of God the Holy Spirit fill the room, and PRAY THE PRAYER OF FAITH! Watch and see what happens! Not only have you followed what the scriptures tell you to do, but those that you included in your prayer become "ALIVE" because they were included in this special form of ministry, and they will bring others, and your church will grow, and grow, and grow.

You see - people will go to a wrestling match or a movie house because they know that that is "just acting". It's entertainment! They know what to expect - and usually get what they came for. But when they come to the house of God - they want to see God! They want to experience the awesomeness of His Power. And all the well designed bulletins and meticulously lined-out homiletics, will not bring them to the throne of His Grace. You can tell them Sunday after Sunday that God is a God of Power, and a God of Love, and a God of Mercy, and a God of Grace, and yet, if they don't see it - you have become nothing more than a tinkling cymbal, and sounding brass.

O Sound Of rushing Mighty Wind,
Wake us, we pray, to larger life;
O tongue of flames come purify
From all that genders inward strife.

The Pulse of Passion stir again,
Thy Power within our lives remain.
Breathe in our souls, O Breath Divine,
And sanctify what should'st be Thine;

Since gain comes not except by loss,
empower us to sustain our cross.
And like Thy Spirit gladly given,
Lead men to truth, and joy, and heaven.
-- Prayer / Song by General Arnold Brown - The Salvation Army --