Acts 3: 1-16
Is our Christianity a failure? I am afraid that what many of us today call Christianity is failing because while addressing the proper way to behave, emphasizing Church attendance and tithing we have failed to offer people something that touches their heart. Something that stirs their soul and causes a rise in their sense of mortality. We need to have a Christianity that encourages people to see themselves for who they are and what they can become with the help of Jesus.
How do we go about touching the lives and hearts of other people? The people that God puts in our lives--The people whose lives are empty and in need of encouragement. People who, though they might not know it, need their heart stirred and touched. People who are lame spiritually and are grasping and groping for strength to stand in a hardened and unforgiving world. People who are searching for meaning and purpose but yet they cannot find it. How do we reach these people?
I. We have to see the need v. 1-3
a. Peter and John saw the need
i. Saw the need for Prayer
1. Why were they going to the temple to pray—Why did they need the temple—The veil was torn in to?
2. This was a transition stage for the early church. Most of the Christians, including Peter and John were Jews and it was part of their custom to go to the temple to pray around 3:00 PM
3. Peter and John did not see Christianity as a new religion from Judaism—They saw Jesus as a fulfilling of the law---Jesus himself said that He came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it.
4. Peter and John realized their need to pray and communicate with God.
5. I wish my prayer life was better than what it was
If we are going to have an impact on the lives of others then we better start praying earnestly
Peter and John saw the need for prayer
ii. Saw the need for Compassion
1. Here was a lame 40 year old man that had never walked.
a. There wasn’t any SSI or Disability payments in his day
2. All he could do was to set at the gate called Beautiful and beg for loose change
a. This gate call Beautiful was Corinthian Bronze overlaid in Gold, Silver and Precious Jewels.
b. What a paradox—what a contradiction
c. Things have not changed much—we still as churches have a tendency to spend more on our buildings than we do on missions and to help the needy.
d. Peter and John saw the need for compassion
3. There were thousands of people at the temple
iii. Why did they notice this lame man?
1. They took notice of the man because that is what the Spirit of Christ does for us when we get serious about Christ living though you
2. We do not see the same way as we use to
a. We will gain sympathy for people and the situation that they are struggling with
b. It will no longer be about us but about others
c. Do you see the need
d. When you look at the people in your community or the people you work with do you see the needs that they have
e. Or are you so consumed with your own world that helping others is the last thing on your mind.
We have to see the Need
II. We have to have Faith v. 4-6
a. Peter and John had faith
i. That the treasures of this life were temporary
1. Silver and Gold have I none
2. They were not looking to get rich
3. Peter and John were fishing partners and they had what appears to be a good business.
a. After Jesus’ death Peter even resorted back to his old business but then the Lord told him to go and feed His sheep and then Peter got serious about his calling.
4. If they did have any material possessions left they shared it with the rest of their brothers and sisters in Christ (Acts 2:45)
5. But both of them left all that they had to follow Jesus
Peter and John had faith that the treasures of this life were temporary and that by faith they were laying up treasures in Heaven and they also had faith . . .
ii. That Jesus could help a poor lame man
1. They had faith that Christ was who He said He was.
2. They had faith that Christ’s Spirit would lead them and go before them to do the work that He called them to do.
3. They had faith that God wanted to work a work in this man’s life
iii. Where is our faith today
1. Sure we might have saving faith—we have trusted Christ as our Savior
2. But where is our faith that if we put Him first
a. Not our jobs
b. Not our families
c. Not ourselves
3. That He will supply all of our needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus
Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
4. His riches—His riches—His riches—Praise God!
If we are going to make a difference in the lives of others
We have to see the Need
We have to have Faith
III. We have to expect a Miracle v. 7-9
a. Peter and John expected a miracle
i. Peter knew before he offered his hand to the lame man that Jesus was going to heal him.
1. Peter did not say I hope that Jesus can heal you
2. Peter did not say maybe Jesus will heal you
3. Peter said Rise up and Walk
a. He knew Jesus was in the healing business
b. He knew Jesus was in the Miracle business
ii. I cannot do anything without Christ but with Christ I can do all things
iii. It says all things it does not say some things—It says all things
Philippians 4:13 (KJV)
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.
iv. Now don’t get me wrong—I am not a faith healer and I have doubt that I can heal a lame man or a deaf man or a mentally unstable person
v. But I do believe that Christ wants us to expect him to do miracles
Ephesians 3:20 (KJV)
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
So there is a power that works in us that can accomplish the impossible—a power that is able to do exceeding abundantly above what we ask or think
Such as hardened sinners melting under the convicting power of Christ because we believed in a Miracle and Christ granted it though His saving Power.
Financial needs being meet in ways that we cannot explain.
If we expect a miracle then we will receive a miracle
If you do not expect one then I know for sure you will not receive one.
We have to see the Need
We have to have Faith
We have to expect a Miracle
IV. We have to cause Excitement v. 10-11
a. Peter and John caused Excitement and Wonder
i. They did not manufacture it.
ii. They did not attend a seminar on how to motivate and get people excited
iii. They did not have a formal church plan
iv. They did not have an entertainment committee
v. They did not try to entertain
vi. They simply did what Jesus wanted them to do and that within itself caused excitement
1. Illustration of people coming to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus
2. If they truly get it they become excited
3. And if they truly live it others are going to be in wonder and are going to inquire about what is happening in their life
vii. The only excitement that we need to create at New Hope Baptist Church is the excitement of Jesus becoming real in our lives and accomplishing miracles through His Power
viii. Jesus said that if He be lifted up He would draw all people to him.
ix. Let’s lift Him up and Let’s get excited about what is His doing in our lives
We have to see the Need
We have to have Faith
We have to expect a Miracle
We have to cause Excitement
V. We have to give credit to Jesus v. 12-16
a. Peter and John gave credit to Jesus
i. Peter said that it was not within their power to do this
1. They were simple fishermen that Jesus had called
2. They were simple men who were filled with the Spirit of Christ
3. They were simple men who saw the need, who had faith, who expected a miracle.
Acts 3:16 (NLT)
16 “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.
It is Jesus and Jesus alone that heals---It is Him who deserves all the Glory and all the credit.
There are many who are crippled, deaf and diseased spiritually this morning. Many who they may not know it are crying out for healing.
Are we going to make a difference? If so let’s pray that Jesus would fill us with His power so we would be more conscientious of the needs of others, let’s pray that we would have the faith that we need to expect miracle.
Where are you this morning? Are you one that is lame—are you one this morning that needs a healing touch from Jesus.
May be you are following Christ from and distance and you are not making a difference in this world.
Maybe you’re just existing-gliding through life with now thoughts of other
