HAVING BEEN WITH JESUS – Following Jesus from the Edges.

Having Been With Jesus

Following Jesus from the Edges

Pastor Calvin Cook

June 23, 2026

Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled ordinary men they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

This morning as I read this verse from Acts 4:13 my mind went way back in town 40 plus years. I had just graduated from High School and started my first job about 15 miles from my home.

It was a strange new world. New people. New schedule. New ideas, dreams and hopes. I worked shifts in Howard Johnson on the PA turnpike. I really liked the job but made some new friends who would probably prove to not be the best influence. After work the people I worked with would gather in the parking lot to drink a few beers. I never did more than say a few words and head for home.

One Saturday night as the shift was about to end, one of my co-workers invited me to a keg party, saying it was a good place to party without fear of getting arrested, most were underage. I didn’t say Yes or No but tried to be cordial and cool as he gave me the location and directions to the party.

The place where the party was happening was on my way home. On the drive my mind raced with questions, thoughts, what-ifs, and maybes. As I passed by the road to the party I felt relief. Not that I would miss the opportunity to be with friends but that I chose to go home be safe and follow my gut which I would come to learn later was the Holy Spirit.

The following week at work, the guy who invited me came and asked why I didn’t show up. I remember telling him that I attended church and needed to get home so I could get up the next morning. I probably will never forget his reply “Yeah we thought you were one of those Jesus do-gooders.”  From then on, our relationships and conversations were not the same. There was not normal joking, banter, or friendship. I was crushed and hurt. But what took place as the word spread that I was a Jesus do-gooder, others who did believe, spoke up and talked about their faith.

I’m pausing to think this morning – how are we desiring to be recognized? As one who has been with Jesus? Changed? Redeemed? Sanctified? A Disciple? A Follower? Genuine? Authentic? Loving? Kind? Compassionate?

Are we making the write choices that keep us focused on Jesus?

I want to offer this word of encouragement this morning. We are all going to stumble, maybe even walk away from the love of God. But regardless of who we are, where we have been, or what we have done. There is always hope and will always be hope in clinging with all of our life to Jesus.

One keg party could have been the end of that journey. I learned some time later that the keg party got raided by the State Police and several were arrested.  The guy from work didn’t share that bit of information but was willing to condemn me and recognize me as having been with Jesus.