THE SHADOW OF A MAN
Acts 5:15.
Insomuch that 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.
In the Bible we read of many miracles of God; miracles of healing.
We read of the woman that had an issue of blood for 12 years, and by faith when she touched the hem of His garment she was made whole.
We read in the 19th chapter of Acts, verse 12, how that God did many miracles, special miracles, by the hands of Paul. How that they brought handerchiefs and pieces of cloth from off his body to the sick and diseases and evil spirits departed.
I truly believe in the miracle working power of God.
I am living proof of the miracle working power of God.
We have seen God touch impossible situations and change those things. With God all things are possible.
I want to look at something in this scripture that I think is often overlooked, and that is the presence of God in the shadow of man.
A man’s shadow is the symbol of his influence. The shadow of a man is often larger and more far reaching than the man himself.
I thought of my friend Lloyd, who at 97 years old, lying on his bed ready to depart this world, spoke words of life and encouragement to me that will remain in my life as long as I live. The presence of the Lord in the shadow of man. Even death has not stopped the reach of his influence or the effect of his life on others.
I think of the Sunday School teacher that tried all she knew to reach a wayward and rebellious child and felt as though she had failed, but years later that same child, grown to adulthood, is weeping at an altar of repentance. He could not forget what she had taught him. Her shadow had fallen on him and the presence of the Lord was in it.
Make no mistake, each of us cast a shadow; either good or evil, but your life is having an effect on someone.
It is very amazing to see how far reaching are the reprecussions of a good life. More important than genius or brilliance or even great achievement is the influence of a Godly life.
I don’t think Job, David, Paul, John or any of these men had any idea how far their shadow would reach.
Friend, Jesus turned to ordinary people, no more gifted or well trained than you or I, and said, "Ye shall be my witnesses."
There is no greater accomplishment that we can make than to have represented Jesus Christ in our community by our way of life, our standards of value and our attitudes toward each other.
Peter was passing by. Each of us here today are only passing by. What sort of shadow are we leaving behind? Is there healing in our shadow or hurt?
Everyone exerts an influence quiet but real, maybe unconscious but in existence.
The shadow of harsh words spoken in the morning may linger all day.
Are we allowing the presence of the Lord to flow from us or are we allowing a different presence to work through us.?
Can I tell you something?
The moon lights up the night, but it has no light of its own. It is just a reflector. It reflects the light of the sun. Do we?
I want to point out the importance of living a Godly life. If we are going to take on the name of Jesus, let us strive to take on the nature of Jesus.
Our shadow is cast by our words, deeds, and works. Often our testimony is spoken louder by our actions than by our words. The fruits of the Spirit are manifest by the actions of our flesh.
The presence of the Lord in the shadow of man.
Proverbs 20:27. The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord.
It is unobserved and almost unconscious influence of the Holy and God reverencing life of the Spirit of God that is preserver of society, of home, and morals.
When the saints of God are lifted out of this earth, the light will be out and this earth will be a very rotten place.
God gave Adam a garden, and he has given each of us a garden. Our life and our personal sphere of service. When I was lost and undone, a man walked up to me in a store on day and spoke words to me of Jesus. "Why not try Jesus", he said. Those words grew in my heart and I can to repentance and was saved. I was touched by the presence of God in the shadow of man.
Let us pray today that the shadow that each of our lives cast is filled with the presence of God, as our lives are filled by his Spirit.
What an honor it is for us and what patience God must have with us to count so largely and move so mightily through the shadow of man.
Friend, if you are not saved today; if you don’t know Jesus as your savior, his presence has overshadowed this place today and Jesus is passing by and calling to you.
Why not come to him today?
Why not allow him to overshadow you with his love?
