Being in the right place but Looking at the Wrong Source
ACTS 3
We saw how during the day of Pentecost the how everyone was filled with the holy spirit and the first church was birthed.
Acts 2:40-47
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Let us Read from the book of ACTS 3
Peter Heals a Lame Beggar
3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame 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. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Peter Speaks to the Onlookers
11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’[a]
24 “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’[b] 26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”
Continuing with ACTS 2 and in ACTS 3 first few verses 2 things I would like to share about the early Church.
Peter and John – A partnership in Ministry
Peter and John are often found together in Scripture.
hey were partners in the fishing business (Luke 5:8-10)
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
they prepared the last Passover for Jesus (Luke 22:8)
Luke 22:8
8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
they ran to the tomb (John 20:3-4)
3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
and they ministered to the Samaritans who believed on Jesus Christ (Acts 8:14).
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit
However, they were quite different from one another…Peter was outgoing, always had something to say…never hesitated to give his opinion, quite outspoken.
But, John was contemplative and reflective…tender, referring to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved!/at last supper, he leaned on Jesus’
Now that they were filled with the Holy Spirit, the apostles were no longer competing for greatness, but were at last working faithfully together to build the church
It is so important to have someone along with us in our journey of life. Ministry Partners.
Priority of Corporate Worship and Prayer
Secondly , They were going to the temple for Prayer.
Have you ever been involved in a fellowship group or for prayer? It Creates a strong bond of community.
Being in the right place but Looking at the Wrong Source
Let us look at the life of the lame beggar
1. Lame from Birth
He may be thinking , God what I have done that I am like this? he was lame in his mothers womb. Living a life of regret. The bible says he was 40 year old.
2. Need help (Dependent)
Not only he may have felt his life was useless, he also needed help from others. He needed to be carried every day
3. Temple Gate
He was placed in the most importance place of the city , the temple and he was placed at the gate of the temple. He may have seen people from rich to poor, their life sorted. Sometimes he may have heard stories of life changing / miracles but when we looked at him. He was unclean, not allowed to enter as per the law
4. Beg
His source of income was begging. He lived in poverty. Both Physical & Spiritual?
From all these things , one thing which amazes me is why he was not desiring healing? Why ? What happened? Why He was desiring Money then healing? Any answers?
He is used to of what was happening in his life.
40 years now what?
Can we become like that?
full of broken and miserable people who are just trying to get through the day: Are we the one who are just trying to get through the day ?
When Peter and John about to enter , he asked for Money.
Peter & John looked straight at him and the bible says that he gave his attention to him.
Peter and John’s faith: In the Name of Jesus
3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
Peter and John offers this lame man something which no one offered him till date. He offered him Jesus.
Peter and John had Jesus. They are saying that we don’t have the riches of the world
I was so amazed with the faith of Peter and John. How can we develop this kind of faith? And what are the barriers to speak in faith? Do we have Jesus to offer others?
Speak and Believe
7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.
Peter and John not only spoke the name of JESUS but also believed in it
Are we convinced this morning in His name today?
Times where we need to speak the name of Jesus do we speak it out? And after speaking it out do we have confidence that it will happen.
Have you ever seen a lame man? His legs? It does not have life. When we speak the name of Jesus , we can give life.
Not by own power or godliness but by faith in the name of Jesus
12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him. AMEN. We speak it out his name in our brokenness , in our weakness, for healing , for power.
My
Experiencing the Name of Jesus, The power of Jesus
8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
I believe , we all have experienced the power of Jesus in our lives. That’s why we all are here , living everything else and coming in this place and spending this hour.
Few Signs of expression that we are touched by the Power of God.
But when we experience the power of God, everything changes, This lame man’s attention changed from outside the temple to inside the temple. (Before I was this… Now I am this…)
When we experience the power of God we keep on Praising God, Jumping in Joy.
One of the reasons I pray , Praise every week during our worship service is that how can I keep quiet. I have experienced the power of God in my life. I want to praise , sing it aloud.
When we experience the power of God, others look at us amazement and in wonder of what God has done for us. Everyone should look at you and think that what happened to him?
When we experience the power of Jesus , the touch of Jesus everything should change? Is everything changing in your life. Are we still the same.
We want to see or desire this in our community when we are touched in the power of Jesus , we jump , we praise , everyone looks at amazement every week, every week. We can fill this place with it every week.
Each week before we come to this place , we should expect great things from God. We should experience his touch. If we have gone empty then we missed something precious.
In verse 2
2 Now a man who was lame 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.
We may be place in a place called beautiful with all our ugliness, sinfulness, brokenness . The cross is Beautiful and it accepts our ugliness and makes us beautiful. If we want to experience that beauty in us let us go to the cross. There is power in the name of Jesus. He accepts us and allows us to enter and access this great power which we have in the name of Jesus. Can we expect healing today (Emotional & Physical healing)
Being in the right place but Looking at the Wrong Source
This Year , God promised New thing but in Faith.
Virjil Selvan is Pastoring the Renewed Hope Community. The Renewed Hope Community is situated in the heart of the city between Old and New Panvel. We can confidently share that Renewed Hope Community is a Church in Kamothe, Church in Khandeshwar, Church in Khanda Colony, Church in Karanjade, Church in Panvel, Church in New Panvel, Church in Karanjade because we are centrally located and these places surround our church Venue.
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