We all want to know the secret to happiness, success, and wealth and I believe we have proven over and over again as a society that we will do most anything to discover the secret. Truth is we will buy most anything that promises the answer or perhaps better stated we will “buy into” anything that promises us secret information.The world wants to know the secret to being healthy, wealthy, and happy. There has to be a secret and we want to know what it is. The world is seeking. We are seeking. You and I are seeking answers more so than at any other time. Why?
Look around . . . Wars, Rumors of War, Devastation, Disease, debauchery, Crime, Natural Disasters, you name it . . .
The sad reality is that the world is still searching to find the Secret and the secret has already been revealed. But don’t tell those folks who run the television networks. Late Night TV will sell you the secret to personal wealth and with the advent of 1800+ cable channels you don’t have to stay up late to learn (no wait BUY) those secrets. Why if you find the right channel, you can even find a preacher or two who will promise you Wealth and Prosperity if you only will only give and . . .
Or you can go on-line or into any Bookstore (they still have those right?) and go to the Self Help Section of Books. You can find a book to help you do anything. You can find the secret to anything (if you have the time and the right price). The Books are too numerous to count and for that matter to numerous to really be of any help. The truth is any of the books work, if you do the work to improve – that is the dirty secret – not the information gained by reading the book, but the work put into being successful.
Trouble is what we are looking for is something easy. Something that doesn’t require work. Something that is simple and easy.
This stuff isn’t new. It has been around since Bible times. The world wants you to believe the secret is found in wealth and fame. Far worse than that they want you to believe the secret to getting that is found within you – That’s right the biggest lie you can buy on TV, the bookstore, or from the world is that everything is about you. You control everything – If you can think it you can be it or do it or become it. The only secret they have is the secret that what they are offering is fleeting at best and rotting garbage at worst.
Peter and John encountered a bunch of spiritual people seeking answers at the start of the church (Acts Chapter 4). Things were changing. All this Jesus stuff was supposed to go away after His death. But it was still going on. People still wanted answers and Peter and John were giving answers. 1000s of people were responding to the message (and this message was free). They gave away the secret for Free! It got them arrested. They were told to stop. They couldn’t. They didn’t.
Jesus plan “Come follow me” was radical. It promised eternal life. It promised something beyond this life. Jesus plan did not promise wealth. It did not promise fame. It didn’t promise success – or least not success as the world measured it. Jesus’ plan did promise a legacy. It promised that you could be great!
Jesus’ plan promised that which the world seeks: a lasting legacy of greatness!
Oh, did you miss that secret about the Jesus plan? It was right there in the story in Acts.
No one in authority could figured out why people were listening to Peter and John. The Bible states they also realized that Peter and John were ordinary men with no training. This surprised the leaders(Acts 4:13b NIV).
I like this passage about Peter and John because I want them to be Super Hereos of the Faith, but the Bible tells us they were ordinary men and that’s not good news. NO! That is great news! They are just like you and me - simple ordinary people trying to figure out to leave a legacy of greatness.
But here is the Secret: They realized that these men had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13c NIV
The secret was not to be found in what they did or what they said. The secret was in who they been with – that was the difference.
You will not find never-ending happiness in things – happiness from things will fade in time. So, you will need more things.
You will not find fulfillment in accomplishing things – there will always be more to accomplish.
Could the simple secret to life – to happiness – to greatness – really be this simple?
The secret – they had been with Jesus!
Jesus didn’t give us this secret He lived the secret as He spent time alone with God.
It was his habit to go to the temple (church)- To go to the synagogue (study)- To spend time alone in prayer (personal quiet time).
So, what is the secret that we all seek?
“Time with Jesus”
When you have been with Jesus you are never the same. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
II Corinthians 5:17 NIV.
As a new creature we must begin to redefine what is success in order to discover to true GREATNESS. Next week will look at this definition of success for our lives.
Today we reveal the secret to success: Spend time with Christ.
Spend time with Jesus and you will begin to do more than just talk about HIM you will begin to become like HIM and begin to do amazing things. The secret will be revealed in not only how you talk but in what you do – You have been with Jesus!
You know the secret. Are you ready to share it with others?
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