-Into Our Hands!-
GIVE IT!
Acts 3:1-11
Note, I also have a previous and different sermon on this text from a few years ago here: https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/healing-at-the-beautiful-gate-john-dobbs-sermon-on-faith-246962
Introduction
We spent the first three months of this year making our way through Mark’s Gospel. This month we look at the book of Acts to put into perspective what we should do with the Jesus Message! Last Week Daniel got us off to a good start at some lessons from the book of Act with a message about the mission called TELL IT!?
Acts begins with a final time of the disciples with Jesus before he ascends to be by the side of the Father. The disciples are to wait in Jerusalem until power comes.
Acts 2:1-3 NLT On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them."
In an explosive message Peter traced the promises of God through the history of Israel all the way to Jesus Christ.
Acts 2:36-41 NLT “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away[a]—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.
Thus the church was born and the message of Jesus began to spread throughout the known world! The next account in Acts is our text for today. If Jesus gave the gospel commission to Tell it, the Apostles were commanded to Give It to anyone who would receive it.
Acts 3:1-11 NLT Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. 4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and[b] walk!” 7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. 9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
What can we learn about Giving the Gospel to the World?
1. PRAY OFTEN (3:1)
The Jewish day began at 6am and ended at 6pm. For the devout Jew there were three special hours of prayer: 9am, 12 noon, 3pm. These prayer times were very special when observed in the Temple courts. A great example - Peter and John have been through so much -and there is much more to come for both of them. They continue to exercise a pattern of prayer as they rely on God for everything they do for Jesus.
2. NOTICE ALWAYS (3:2-4)
This beggar is a man who has never walked in more than 40 years (4:22). Everywhere he went, someone had to carry him. There were three principle places to beg in NT Times:
1. Near the gates of the rich, as Lazarus did (Lk 16)
2. On main thoroughfares, as Bartimaeus did (Mk 10)
3. Near places of worship, as this man did. Perhaps those going to or coming from worship might be favorable toward giving.
This beggar is by the Beautiful Gate - one of nine gates that led into the sacred part of the temple. If this is the “Nicanor Gate” it was made of Corinthian bronze. This gate faced the east; in the morning the early rays of the sun reflected off the bronzing in fiery splendor. (Roper) In all of that beauty and the crowds coming from prayer, the beggar called out to Peter and John and they looked at him!
In our busy lives we can easily overlook those who are in need. Not necessarily pan handlers, but people who need encouragement, a smile, some hope. Let’s make sure to be aware of the people we encounter!
3. SERVE AS YOU CAN (3:5-11)
The beggar thought that what he needs was a few coins. They couldn’t give the man what he asked for, but better! We can’t always help like we would like to. Sometimes we don’t know what to do. But what can we do? What is our opportunity? After he is healed, People gathered around to see this shouting jumping beggar that they had known for all of his life sitting there begging!
Isaiah 35:6a NLT “The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!”
Peter had their full attention, and he had something to say. How do we give the Gospel away? Pray often, Notice Always, Serve As You Can…
4. SHARE JESUS! Peter’s Sermon (3:12-4:20)
Jesus Heals! The power to heal belongs to Jesus! ? 3:12 “…why stare at us as though we had made this man
walk by our own power or godliness?" Jesus is still the great physician and healing can take place as He wills it … instantly, through medical means, through natural means, and even through the veil of death and into an eternal healing!
Have Faith in Jesus! Faith Brought about his healing (3:16 “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.”)
Willimon “…The name of Jesus is the direct link between the living and active Lord in heaven and his community on earth. It is under this name that the sick are healed … miracles take place … and sins are forgiven. At baptism this is the name laid upon each Christian … This name is involved as the authority for the disciples’ teaching and preaching. … In this name Jesus is present, along with his saving power, to the degree that Peter can say simply,
Jesus Christ heals you.’”
Turn to Jesus! Repent to have sins wiped away! (3:19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. 20 Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord…) Peter appeals to the religious leaders to repent of their sin of turning away and killing Christ! Repentance involves acknowledging sin and deciding to abandon it!
Respond to Jesus! The religious leaders were disturbed - they had Peter and John arrested - 4:4 “But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000.” In chapter two we saw 3,000 being baptized! Now a few thousand more have! This is how we begin our new Christian life - being baptized!
Be Saved By Jesus! Peter and John are Put on trial and Peter begins to courageously continue to speak in faith. Barclay : “It was spoken to an audience of the wealthiest, the most intellectual and the most powerful in the land, and yet Peter, the Galilean fisherman, stands before them rather as their judge than as their victim. Further, this was the very court which had condemned Jesus to death. Peter knew that he was taking his life in his hand. Peter boldly says, 4:12 “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Be Compelled to Share Jesus! Peter and John were warned (4:18-20) “never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? 20 We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”
Conclusion
Acts 4:21b-22 “For everyone was praising God for this miraculous sign — the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years.”
How do we give the Gospel away? Pray often, Notice Always, Serve As You Can, Share Jesus with Others!
Have Faith, Turn to Him, Respond to Him, Be Saved by Him, Share Him!
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Resources
Barclay, William. The Daily Study Bible Series: The acts of the Apostles (Revised). Westminster, 1976.
Roper, David. Truth for Today Commentary: Acts 1-14. Resource Publications, 2001.
Willimon, William H. Interpretation Series: Acts. John Knox Press, 1988.
