REAL CHANGE

RECAP - THE SERIES

WE ARE IN A SERIES “THE BOOK OF ACTS”

LAST WEEK WE TALKED ABOUT “POWER RESTORED”

GOD WANTS TO RESTORE SUPERNATURAL POWER TO THE BODY OF CHRIST

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS LACK OF UNITY

NOT NECESSARILY FIGHTING OR NOT GETTING ALONG BUT,

NOT COMING TOGETHER WITH A COMMON PURPOSE WITH ONE MIND IN ONE ACCORD

PURSUING THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND EXPECTING THE HOLY SPIRIT TO USE US IN A SUPERNATURAL WAY

UNITY.... NOT UNIFORMITY

I HAD A SISTER COME TO ME THIS LAST WEEK AND TELL ME HOW SHE FELT LIKE SHE WASNT DOING ENOUGH AND WHAT SHE WAS DOING WAS JUST TOO SMALL IN HER EYES

I TOLD HER.....DON’T YOU LET THE ENEMY LIE TO YOU LIKE THAT

WHAT YOUR DOING IS IMPORTANT TO THE BODY OF CHRIST

WHEN YOU SERVE DO IT UNTO THE LORD WITH EVERYTHING YOU GOT

WE ALL HAVE A PART TO DO AND THE ENEMY TRIES TO DISCOURAGE US FROM DOING WHAT WERE DOING WITH THINGS LIKE.....

“WHAT YOUR DOING DOESN’T MATTER”

Acts 2:38-47

The New International Version (Chapter 2)

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”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.

SO SOMETHING BIG WAS HAPPENING

I MEAN 3000 SAVED IN ONE DAY?

- WOW…THIS IS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT

THE PEOPLE KNEW THAT SOMETHING WAS HAPPENING THAT WAS BIGGER THAN THEM AND THEY WANTED TO GET IN ON IT.

SO LET’S MOVE ON TO CHAPTER 3 THIS MORNING....

NOW...

JESUS TOLD THEM THAT WHEN THEY GO OUT TO PREACH THE GOSPEL

“GO WITH SOMEONE ELSE…2 OR 3 OTHER WITNESSES”

SO IN ACTS CHAPTER 3 WE SEE PETER AND JOHN WERE HEADED TO THE TEMPLE TO PRAY...

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE OF THE CHURCH RIGHT NOW...

PETER AND JOHN WALKING TO THE CHURCH TO PRAY

HOW MANY OF YOU ARE THANKFUL THAT YOU HAVE OTHER BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO WILL PRAY WITH YOU.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY JOYS OF GOING TO CHURCH

HAVING A PETER OR A JOHN TO PRAY WITH YOU....COME ON SOMEBODY

I LOVE THAT THE FIRST WORD IN CHAPTER 3 IS NOW....EVERYBODY SAY “NOW”

THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE TODAY IS “REAL CHANGE”

REAL CHANGE STARTS NOW

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TODAY TO BRING CHANGE?

WE SERVE A NOW GOD

GOD IS....I AM

NOT.....I WAS OR I WILL BE BUT,

I AM.....RIGHT NOW

I AM YOUR EVER PRESENT HELP IN TIME OF NEED

I AM THANKFUL FOR A NOW GOD

DOESN’T MATTER WHAT YOU DID YESTERDAY

YOU CAN MAKE THE DECISION TO DO SOMETHING RIGHT NOW

TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR TOMORROW.....OH COME ON

Acts 3:1

The New International Version Chapter 3

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

EVEN THOUGH GOD HAD ALREADY MIRACULOUSLY GREW THE CHURCH AND THE MINISTRY THEY HAD STARTED OVER NIGHT BUT,

EVEN THEN…PETER AND JOHN WERE NOT CONTENT WITH WHAT GOD HAD ALREADY DONE

THEY WANTED MORE OF WHAT GOD HAD TO GIVE

GOD IS LOOKING FOR THE REMNANT WHO ARE ACTIVELY SEEKING MORE OF WHAT GOD HAS TO GIVE

CONSTANTLY PURSUING MORE OF GOD’S KINGDOM ON EARTH

Matthew 5:6

The New International Version Chapter 5

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

Hebrews 11:6

The New International Version Chapter 11

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Psalms 105:4

The New International Version (Psalm 105)

4 Look to the LORD and his strength;seek his face always.

HOW MANY PEOPLE WORK OUT OR GO TO A GYM EVERY WEEK?

(TALK ABOUT ELIMINATING DISTRACTION BY PUTTING IN HEAD PHONES)

I DO THIS WHEN I’M STUDYING OR EVEN PRAYING SOMETIMES

I PUT THESE IN WHEN I DON’T WANT TO BE DISTRACTED OR BOTHERED

WHICH IS GOOD AND IMPORTANT BUT..

ILL BE TALKING TO MARIA ON THE COUCH AND JUST SHARING SOMETHING IMPORTANT AND THEN

I LOOK OVER AT HER AND SHES LIKE… “ARE YOU TALKING TO ME”

IT’S IMPORTANT.....

WHEN WE ARE HEADED TO THE TEMPLE TO TAKE THOSE (METAPHORICAL) HEADPHONES OUT SO THAT WE DON’T MISS THAT CRY FOR HELP FROM OTHERS

IF THE CHURCH IS SO BUSY GOING TO CHURCH THAT

WE’RE MISSING THE PEOPLE RIGHT OUTSIDE THE CHURCH

THEN WE’RE MISSING THE POINT OF CHURCH

CHURCH THERE IS SOMEBODY WHO NEEDS YOU TO TAKE YOUR AIR PODS OUT

WATCH THIS IN VERSE 2...

GOD IS TRYING TO INTERCEPT

HE IS CREATING A DIVINE INTERRUPTION

GOD IS IN THE BUSINESS OF INTERRUPTING CHRISTIANS

SOME OF THE GREATEST MIRACLE EVER PERFORMED HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO SOMEWHERE.

AS JESUS WAS WALKING TO THE ROMAN CENTURIONS HOUSE

THERE WAS A WOMEN WHO PRESSED THROUGH THE CROWD TO REACH THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT

GOD WILL INTERRUPT YOUR LIFE TO BRING LIFE TO SOMEONE ELSE....

THIS IS WHY WE HAVE TO WAKE UP

WE HAVE GOT TO BE AWAKE AND AWARE OF HIS DIVINE INTERVENTION

Acts 3:2

The New International Version Chapter 3

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.

Acts 3:3

The New International Version Chapter 3

3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.

THIS MAN WAS LOOKING FOR A TEMPORARY FIX...

HE WAS LOOKING FOR CHANGE

QUARTERS, DIMES, NICKELS

WHATEVER CHANGE THEY WOULD GIVE HIM

PETER AND JOHN KNEW WHAT HE REALLY NEEDED WAS REAL CHANGE

THEY KNEW WHAT HE WAS ASKING FOR WAS NOT WHAT HE NEEDED

OH COME ON....

I AM THANKFUL FOR PEOPLE IN MY LIFE WHO KNOW WHAT I’M ASKING FOR IS NOT WHAT I NEED.

GOD DOESN’T JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU A TEMPORARY FIX BUT

HE WANTS YOU TO HAVE REAL CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE

ETERNAL CHANGE

Acts 3:4-6

The New International Version Chapter 3

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.”

(OPEN IN PRAYER FOR REAL CHANGE)

HOW DOES REAL CHANGE BEGIN?

REAL CHANGE STARTS WITH ME!

REAL CHANGE STARTS WITH ME REALIZING THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE IN MY LIFE

I WAS THINKING ABOUT THIS MAN LAYING OUTSIDE OF A GATE CALLED BEAUTIFUL…YET

HE WAS LIVING A VERY UGLY LIFE

THINK ABOUT IT....EVERYDAY

HE WAS WATCHING PEOPLE....

WALK, RUN, PLAY, PRAY, WORSHIP

HERE HE IS WATCHING OTHERS LIVE IN BEAUTY WHILE HE LIVES IN AN UGLY CONDITION.... EVERY SINGLE DAY

HE’S STUCK

NOT JUST STUCK BEING LAME OR PARALYZED BUT,

STUCK IN A PLACE OF BEGGING TO SURVIVE

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN STUCK SOMEWHERE IN LIFE, HAVING TO WATCH OTHER PEOPLE GET TO MOVE FORWARD?

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN STUCK IN A CONDITION THAT YOU DIDN’T WANT TO BE IN?

WANDERING IF YOU ARE EVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE FREEDOM

LETS LOOK AT THE WORD BEAUTIFUL

MOST OF THE TIME NEW TESTAMENT WORDS AND MEANING ARE DERIVED FROM GREEK

THE OLD TESTAMENT WORDS AND MEANING ARE DERIVED FROM HEBREW

SO LETS LOOK AT THE WORD BEAUTIFUL IN THE GREEK

THE WORD FOR BEAUTIFUL IN GREEK IS “HORAIOS”

Lexham Theological Wordbook ὡραῖος

the word hōraios is derived from the noun ὥρα (hora, “hour”) and indicates that something happens at the right time

HORIAOS ALSO MEANS TIMELY

OH MY LORD,

WE SERVE AN ON TIME GOD

IT MAY FEEL LIKE GOD IS LATE TO THE PARTY

IT MAY FEEL LIKE YOUR STUCK ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE GATE CALLED BEAUTIFUL IN AN UGLY STATE

BUT I AM HEAR TO TELL YOU THIS MORNING THAT THE GATE YOUR SITTING AT IS TIMELY

THE SITUATION THAT FEEL UGLY AND UNENDING IS TIMELY

GODS TIMING IS EVERYTHING

AND IS ALWAYS PERFECT

TRUST HIS TIMING IN YOUR LIFE

THE ENTRANCE THROUGH THE GATE YOUR STUCK AT WILL COME AT THE RIGHT TIME

OH COME ON SOMEBODY....

TELL YOUR NEIGHBOR....

IT’S A SET-UP

NOT A SET BACK

SOMETIMES LIFE KICKS YOU WHEN YOUR DOWN…AMEN

SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THINGS THAT AREN’T FAIR

WE HAVE TO TRUST GOD’S TIMING

BECAUSE....

IT MAY NOT COME WHEN YOU WANT IT BUT HE WILL BE THERE RIGHT ON TIME....

REAL CHANGE IS COMING....

TELL YOUR NEIGHBOR

REAL CHANGE IS COMING

REAL CHANGE COMES FROM ADMITTING THAT YOU NEED A SAVIOR.

REAL CHANGE DOESN’T HAPPEN THROUGH A PROGRAM

REAL CHANGE COMES THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

REAL CHANGE STARTS WITH SURRENDER

I LEARNED SOMETHING THIS LAST WEEK ABOUT REHAB PROGRAMS

REHAB MEANS TO RESTORE

REHABILITATION -

the action of restoring someone to health or normal life through training and therapy after imprisonment, addiction, or illness:

the action of restoring something that has been damaged to its former condition:

THIS MAY BE OK TO PRAY FOR WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEALTH BUT...

LORD RESTORE MY HEALTH

LORD RESTORE MY PHYSICAL STRENGTH....BUT

WHEN IT COMES TO MY SPIRIT

WHEN IT COMES TO MY HUMAN NATURE

I DON’T WANT TO BE RESTORED

I WANT TO BE TRANSFORMED

I WANT TO BE RENEWED BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AT WORK AND ALIVE INSIDE OF ME

BE TRANSFORMED…BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND

STOP THINKING OF THE SITUATION YOUR IN LIKE THE WORLD WOULD THINK ABOUT IT.

TRUST GOD THAT HIS TIMING IS PERFECT AND WHEN HE’S READY

DIVINE INTERVENTION WILL COME

TRUST HIM

SOME OF YOU IN THIS ROOM WILL BE LIKE PETER AND JOHN

THIS WEEK YOU WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE WHO IS...

HURTING AND BEGGING

GOD HAS SENT YOU ON A DIVINE ASSIGNMENT... EVEN TO CHURCH TODAY

IF YOU THINK YOU’RE HERE BY ACCIDENT OR OUT OF ROUTINE

YOUR WRONG

I BELIEVE YOU CAME THIS MORNING AND GOD WANTED YOU TO HEAR THIS MESSAGE

SOME OF YOU

GOD WILL USE YOU TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE... AND SOME OF YOU ARE HERE..

BECAUSE YOU ARE THE LAME MAN NEEDING AND CRYING OUT FOR HELP

CRYING OUT FOR CHANGE

CRYING OUT FOR HEALING

SOME OF YOU THIS MORNING HAVE BEEN STUCK IN A DEPRESSED STATE

LAME IN YOUR MIND

GOD WANTS TO HEAL YOU THIS MORNING

GOD WANTS TO SET YOU FREE FROM THE DEPRESSION

..........WORSHIP TEAM COME..........

FOR “REAL CHANGE” TO HAPPEN:

START WHERE YOU ARE

USE WHAT YOU HAVE

YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE TO THIS WORLD.

JUST BECAUSE YOU DON’T HAVE MONEY

DOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN’T HELP SOMEONE

3. WORK WITH WHO IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU

GOD HAS PUT PEOPLE IN YOUR PATH FOR A REASON

YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO ON A MISSIONS TRIP TO MINISTER TO SOMEONE

THERE ARE PEOPLE RIGHT IN FROM OF YOU.....EVERYDAY

YOU GOTTA TAKE OUT YOUR HEADPHONES…

WAKE UP, BE SEARCHING, LISTEN

The New International Version Chapter 3

7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.

PETER AND JOHN DIDN’T LEAVE THIS GUY ON HIS OWN

HE HELPED HIM GET ON HIS FEET

THEY WALKED WITH HIM

IT’S TIME FOR THE CHURCH TO TAKE A FIRM GRIP ON THOSE WHO ARE LOST AND SEEKING HELP AND ANSWERS

WHEN YOU SPEAK INTO SOMEONES LIFE..

FOLLOW UP

(EXPOUND)

WATCH WHAT HAPPENS NEXT....

The New International Version (Chapter 3)

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

I UNDERLINED THE WORD “BEGAN” BECAUSE

IT WAS A PROCESS

IT WAS THE BEGINNING OF CHANGE

DO NOT DESPISE THE DAY OF SMALL BEGINNINGS

DON’T DESPISE THE DAY THAT YOUR HUSBAND AT LEAST SHOWED UP TO THE MEN’S BREAKFAST ON A SATURDAY MORNING.

AT LEAST YOUR CHILDREN ARE IN CHILDREN’S CHURCH THIS MORNING

AT LEAST YOUR HUSBAND DECIDED TO GO TO MARRIAGE CLASS WITH YOU

IT’S ONLY THE BEGINNING CHURCH....

.....STAND TO YOUR FEET WITH ME.....

OH COME ON CHURCH....

SOMEONE IS GONNA GET THEIR LEGS BACK TODAY

SOMEONE IS ABOUT TO START WALKING AGAIN

THERE MIGHT BE PAIN BUT...

IF YOU CAN GET LOUDER WITH YOUR PRAISE THAN YOU ARE WITH YOUR PAIN

BREAKTHROUGH IS COMING

FREEDOM IS YOURS TODAY

WHEN WE BEGIN TO SHOUT IN CELEBRATION OF REAL CHANGE THEN PEOPLE START TO NOTICE...

AND CHANGE STARTS TO SPREAD LIKE WILD FIRE

LIKE HOLY SPIRIT FIRE......

GOD WANTS TO TURN YOUR MESS INTO YOUR MESSAGE

HE WANTS TO TURN YOUR TEST INTO YOU TESTIMONY

IT MAY SEEM LIKE YOUR FAMILY IS FALLING APART....

BUT GOD IS GOING TO RESTORE IT

IT MAY LOOK LIKE YOUR MARRIAGE IS OVER

BUT GOD IS ABOUT TO RESTORE IT

IT MAY LOOK LIKE THE ADDICTION HAS CONTROL OVER YOU

BUT GOD IS ABOUT TO TRANSFORM BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

IF YOUR HERE THIS MORNING AND YOU NEED GOD TO TURN YOUR UGLY SITUATION INTO SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL...

YOUR READY FOR “REAL CHANGE”

RAISE YOUR HAND RIGHT NOW

IF YOU ARE READY TO WALK IN FREEDOM AGAIN

JUST RAISE YOUR HAND

OH COME ON....THE WORSHIP TEAM IS GOING TO PLAY

WOULD YOU COME THIS MORNING

....WORSHIP FOR A WHILE.....

EVERYONE ALL OVER THE BUILDING

RAISE YOUR HANDS

ON THE COUNT OF 3 WERE GOING TO SHOUT THE NAME OF JESUS AS LOUD AS WE CAN.

LET YOUR PRAISE BE LOUDER THAN YOUR PAIN THIS MORNING

GOD’S TIMING IS PERFECT CHURCH

YOUR DIVINE INTERVENTION IS ON THE WAY....DO YOU BELIEVE THAT?

CLOSE IN PRAYER