Finding Worth in the Worthless

Have you ever found worth in something that others deemed useless?

After moving to Dallas over two years ago, we found ourselves in a bit larger house than we owned in Houston. Now, a bigger home is not always the blessing that one immediately associates with more space. In a larger home, you have to be concerned, not only about higher energy bills, but with the ability to fill the space with functional furniture. In our Houston home, we didn’t have a dedicated space that could be called an “office.” Yet, in our new domicile, there was a front room ready for such usage. So, naturally, we ended up buying a computer desk and various pieces of office furniture to feel like we had arrived in style. Likewise, our master bedroom in Houston wasn’t quite big enough to have a separate sitting area complementary to the bedroom suit. However, when moved into our Dallas home, the bedroom swallowed up what had otherwise filled our previous space, leaving a large void in the corner of the bedroom.

Our idea to remedy this situation was create a reading area, complete with chairs and lamp. In a house with two maniac toddlers buzzing around, quiet, secluded places are far and few between. Even the bathroom provides little sanctuary from two curious little blonde heads playing peek-a-boo! Yet, when the day was done or naptime ensued, we though it important to have an escape – a place we could sit down at and rest, read, or whatever.

As we thought about the space, we were immediately met with the question, “what kind of chair should we put in this space?” We had decorated the room in a Bourbon Street meets Paris motif, so it seemed that a piece of new (or what I like to call comfortable) furniture would be out of place. With that in mind, we hit the shops, looking for antique wing-chairs that would do just the trick. However, as we shopped, we were horrified to discover the cost of what we wanted. $300, $500, even a $1000 price tags donned the appropriate models we shopped for.

Finally, in an act of desperation, we set out one Saturday to go “garage sale-ing.” After a fairly disappointing morning, we hadn’t found anything and discouragement began to set in. In a last ditch effort, we drove by one final sale to see, beyond all hope, if they had a chair for us. Then, it happened. As we pulled up to the yard sign, we noticed an ancient sofa and chair placed lazily at the back of the sales tables. Cautiously, we approached the pair, only to discover the reality of their condition. They were both dilapidated, mildewed, and in disrepair. We noticed that the once elaborate material was had turned purple in color, but the removal of the seat cushion revealed the original salmon pigment of the fabric. Yet, despite the obvious flaws that would have earned any other piece of furniture a trip to the dumpster, the beauty of the chair’s construction was magnetic and beautiful. My wife and I were convinced that deep within the brokenness of that old chair lay a new one waiting to be recognized for what it was.

We bought the 120 year old chair for song, loaded it into the car, and went home with our prize. But the beauty of our find was not quick to arrive nor easy to achieve. We had to strip the chair down to the frame, fix the cracks, sand, stain, refinish, and reupholster it. It was tedious project. However, when the chair was completed and we brought into its new resting place, we both stared in wonder at the old chair. It was hard to believe that this was the same one we’d seen on the brink of disposal just a few weeks earlier. Indeed, we found worth in what so many others had found utterly worthless.

Jesus did an amazing thing when, through his death on the cross, he opened up the Kingdom of God to all peoples of every race, color, and creed. Until that time, entrance into God’s household had to come through the nation of Israel. Yet, after the cross, everyone could be heirs of the King! When God showed Peter this through the conversion of Cornelius, you can imagine the emotions that were going through his Jewish head…for before such time, the Gentiles were considered to be as old, abandoned furniture – good for little but refuse. Yet, when God opened wide the gates of heaven to anyone professing the name of His son, everyone was given worth and refitted with usefulness in Christ’s body.

This week, let your worship to God center around the gratitude that comes from knowing His amazing love stretches to all peoples. And, unless we want to stand in the way of what God is doing in the world, we will lift up the cross of Christ, so that all men and women would draw near.

Resounding Themes:
The Mighty, Drawing Power of the Cross
The Missional Heart of God
Seeing the Work of Movement of God’s Spirit
Broadness of the Christ’s Body

Ready, Set, READ

Acts 10

Ready, Set, MEDITATE

- What does the text have to say about who Cornelius is? What strikes you about him? Even though Cornelius was not a Christian nor Jew, Luke records that God took notice of him. What should that mean for us today?

- Where is Peter when he experiences God in this story? Why is Peter so shocked by what occurs? Knowing who Peter is, why is this vision concerning? What is God doing/showing to Peter through this vision?

- How would you describe the emotions present at the meeting that follow in Caesarea? Peter? The circumcised brethren? Cornelius? Cornelius’ family? What does God do to further embolden Peter to accept Cornelius and his family as believers? What is his response?

- Answer the following: The Gospel is for 1) some, 2) many, 3) all, 4) your race/demographic, 5) members of the church of Christ? If you honestly answered #3, then how are you at accepting the Cornelius’ around you? If God were to let down a sheet in front of you as he did Peter, what/who might be on it? What is God trying to tell us through the broadness of the gospel message?

Ready, Set, PRAY

In You, oh Lord, I take refuge. Never let me be put to shame, for You are my Rock and my Deliverer. And righteous Father, You are the Deliverer of all peoples. You allow the sun to rise and set on both the just and the unjust. Not a hair falls from our heads that You do not see nor ordain. From the beginning of time, You have desired a relationship with us that transcends all human reason. Your affection for us extends beyond the skies and reaches to the heavens. God, You have shown us what is to love and be loved. By the sending of Your Son, Jesus, You bridged the gap that separated us all from You. And so, with a spirit of boldness and not timidity, we now gain full access to Your holy place – and the promise of that access knows no limit of race, creed, or gender. God, I beg Your forgiveness for the times I have labeled unclean what You have specifically called cleansed! Father, let me see with broadness as You see. Grant me the eyes that I might envision the world of possibilities that has been made created through the blood of Jesus Christ.

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

At the end of broken dreams, He’s the open door…

People need the Lord, people need the Lord.

When will we realize that people need the Lord!

May the Jesus that the world needs be seen through me. Make me able through the power of the resurrection! Through Christ. Amen.

Ready, Set, WORSHIP!