The Holy Spirit is the Holy Catalyst

Acts 3:1-4:31

A catalyst is an element that when introduced into a situation doesn’t itself change, but causes everything around it to change—often rather noticeably. Take this little experiment, for example.

Last week we saw the Holy Spirit introduced to the disciples and took note of the massive change He caused among them. The Holy Spirit doesn’t change (God never changes), but His presence literally lit a flame and brought immense change to the social, political, and spiritual landscape of that day and every day since. The end of Acts 2 tells us that on day 1 alone, 3000 people were added into the Kingdom! That had nothing to do with Peter or John; that was the work of the Holy Spirit — the catalyst for, or power behind, all Kingdom work. We do not make things happen for God; we are simply responders and reporters. That’s all Peter & John were with the man lame since birth.

We Only Need to Respond

A number of years ago, one of our family of churches in Florida found themselves in the middle of Hurricane Charlie, unprepared and caught off guard, but willing to spring to action. They were a small, aging church, but had a need thrusted upon them and reacted with love, service, and a huge collection of water. That response changed the life of their church.

Peter & John’s encounter would change the life of the early church as well. Notice what they were doing that day – going to the temple, preparing for every other day. Notice that they were not prepared to help that man – they had no money and no resources. Peter’s reply to the man’s request for help was to say, “I have no money to give you, but in the name of Christ, get up!” They were simply there and said yes. Ministry isn’t a planned activity that we create and make happen. Ministry is a “yes” in the moment. Much like the church in North Port who had an opportunity dropped in their lap, Peter & John saw and responded. What He is looking for is for us to recognize the opportunities He gives us and to move forward in obedience.

We Only Need to Report

This response to the call of God and subsequent speech for people to turn to Jesus causes a big stir among the people and leads to Peter & John getting arrested and thrown in jail overnight. It is their response in the council the next day that shows us how little we need to talk when sharing the gospel. It’s the miracle that made headlines. It was the miracle that got them arrested. The miracle was God’s; not Peter’s. It’s the work of the Holy Spirit to direct people to God; He’s never asked us to do that. God simply asks us to be a witness, which is all we can really do.

We recently experienced the 24th anniversary of 9/11. Those of us who lived through it witnessed the event. All of us remember stories about it, whether we were alive for it or not. For me it was the stunned silence of my friends and myself as we started at the TV and explored how we could step up for our nation. Seeing the tears in the faces of my friends is a scar in my mind that will last forever. The memory of that horrific day survives in the stories; the people who rushed into the building, those who rushed the terrorists on the planes. The very phrase “Let’s Roll” is now a common colloquialism because of Todd Beamer’s heroism and courage.

It’s the story that makes the impact. Not our analysis or opinions or expoundings. Stories matter because it’s always about the original event. That’s why God calls us to be witnesses; to testify of His work in our lives. It’s our story of His power in us! No one can deny what we’ve seen or what’s happened to us. The power of God isn’t in our expositions, our opinions, or our theology. Those human constructs that try to explain God don’t hold water compared to the actual power of God. The power of God is in our testimony – our witness. Whether it’s a visually changed life, a testimony of God’s work in you, or an act of faith on display, the testimony is key because it’s NOT us, but it shows God’s work in us. Jesus calls us to be witnesses, not lawyers.

Next Steps

The story concludes with the Jewish Council realizing that they can’t really do anything about this, so they threatened them and let them go. If the focus stays on God, there is nothing anyone can really do to us. Jesus says that in Matthew 10:27-28. Don’t try to make stuff happen, just be available and vocal about God’s work in you: respond and report.

1. Make yourself available to the Holy Spirit
2. Write out and pray over your testimony – how you responded to God’s work in you. Know it.
3. Pray for the courage to let the catalyst (Holy Spirit) change you.

Remember to the science experiment. The catalyst is the unchanging one that causes the change in you. Let Him; and let others see!