The Scattered Church

Acts 3:1–11 ESV

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s.

Recap:

Jesus instructs them to wait for HS

Pentacost Happens

Peter Preaches a Sermon 3,000 are added to their number

They are figuring out how to exist in community of 3,000 and they meet in homes

Think of it as Movie Scenes

Transition: Now we have this next scene which cuts to Peter and John going to the Temple. The first example of the scattered church.

Who are we to be once we scatter?

When we look at Biblical Narrative as Christians on this side of the story we look at what happens and we work to discern what does that mean for us… This is one of those stories.

Reminders for reading biblical narrative:

It is here for us.

Not everything that happened is included

Everything included is here for a purpose.

Transition: So who are we to be?

1. A Praying People. v1

Acts 3:1 ESV

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

Commitment to Prayer.

Commitment to discipline

As we look the rest of the book of Acts we are going to see the people of the church in prayer a lot!

Transition: Prayer is where the work of ministry begins, it must be foundational to our lives, and a life of prayer leads to point two....

2. A Missional People. v 4-7

Acts 3:4–7 ESV

And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.

Directed their Gaze vs looking away.

Look at us....

What we give is in the name of Jesus.

3. A Gospel telling People

Acts 3:7–10 ESV

And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Lets Talk what we offer over the details of the gospel message… A Few Weeks ago we talked about How Peter preaches Jesus. But why do we preach the Gospel.

When we share the gospel we?

A. We offer Hope

God has the ability to radically change their life

People are stuck…

Life is hard

People are headed towards death

without hope

Romans 15:13 ESV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

The Response of the THE MAN

B. We offer Transformation

Transformation of Perspective

Access to the father.

Thus Healing is offered

C. We offer a restored relationship with their creator.

We don’t simply offer healing or transformation… but a restored relationship with their Creator.

Small Group Questions:

What does the discipline of prayer look like in your life?

In what ways is your life “missional” and in what ways can you see yourself more as living a life on mission?

How does the gospel encourage your mission?

Spend remaining time in prayer that the Lord would grow your heart towards his mission, and provide direction on what it would look like to live a life of prayer.