Sermon, Feb 20, 2011, Acts 3

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at 3 in the afternoon.

Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping and praising God. Acts 3:1-8

Notes

In the previous chapter of Acts we see the church operating inside -- the new Christians devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. Now the church moves outside its walls and encounters the world.

This poor crippled man -- restricted, probably all his life, from going inside the temple. He was always outside.

Questions:

1. Can the church today give the people what they want?
2. Does the church today give the people what they want?

The world knows what it wants and goes where it can get it.

Bro Mike gave an illustration from the medieval church -- Thomas Aquinas and Pope Innocent II. When Thomas Aquinas arrived to meet with the Pope, he found the pontiff counting silver and gold coins -- the great wealth of the Roman Catholic church. The Pope looked at Aquinas and said, 'We never have to say now , 'silver and gold we do not have.'" Aquinas replied, "But
neither can we say, 'Get up and walk.'"

I had never heard this story before and I was so touched by the encounter between these two historic churchmen.

The crippled man was placed just outside the temple courts (most likely) so that people entering in to worship might perhaps feel guilty and throw him some coins before they entered the gate of God's House. [Did anyone ever stop and bring him in? He had other needs, too...not just physical healing.]

The church has what the world needs -- therefore she should share that.

All physical healing is temporary. Only Enoch and Elijah escaped natural death.
All spiritual healing is eternal.

Bro Mike referred to the church in Laodicea (Revelation 3) and God's judgment on that church:

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, "I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing." But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

What do we have? We have all the important things. We can show the world how to receive forgiveness for their sin and how to restore themselves to God's fellowship.

The promise of God is met every single time with no exception.

--Notice the people in your path
--Look beyond their wants
--Be willing to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit

Bro Mike referred to these words of 2 Timothy 3:5...having a form of godliness but denying its power. These are hard words.

Some of us need to "risk" ministry--risk disappointment and failure.

Are there any signs of power in our lives?