Acts 3:1-10, Helping Hands

Acts 3:1-10

Helping Hands

Introduction:

The book of Acts provides us with the startling details of how the church of Jesus Christ began.[1] It would be accurate to call this book the “Acts of the Holy Spirit.” God indeed uses men and women to fulfill his purpose—those who are empowered, filled, anointed, and overflowing with the Holy Spirit.[2]

Acts takes up the story where Luke left off. We begin with 120 disciples who had been in a ten-day prayer meeting. It explains the explosive beginning of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that resulted in tongues, prophecy, miracles, salvations, and the birthing of countless churches.

Acts provides us with the story of Paul’s three missionary journeys, with many gentile nations hearing the gospel and believers being added to the church. Acts demonstrates the healing miracles of Peter, Paul, and the apostles. We see miracles in answer to prayers, including signs and wonders, and many deliverances. God will do what only God can do—and he is still working in power today through his yielded lovers.[3]

The book of Acts confirms and further defines the identity of the church as the community of people who follow Jesus.[4]

I. Two consecrated men (3:1): Peter and John go to the Temple to pray.

II. One crippled man (3:2–11)

a.The money he requests (3:2–3):

i. This man, lame from birth, asks Peter and John for money. –

1. begged everyday—complacency

ii. enablement without empowerment

iii. “Simply HANGING OUT at the temple didn’t help”

b. The miracle he receives (3:4–11)

i. The witness of the apostle (3:4–6):

1. (4-5) visible witness

2. (6) vocal witness - Peter commands the cripple in the name of Jesus to walk. I don’t have what you want, but I got what you need!

3. ‘In the name of’ is a frequently occurring biblical phrase meaning ‘by the authority or power of the person whose name is mentioned’ [NAC, TH]. ‘In the name of Jesus Christ’ represents Jesus’ divine authority and continuing power to grant the blessings of salvation[EBC, PNTC, TNTC]; in the authority of Jesus’ STILL ACTIVE messianic person… in other words…THERE IS STILL POWER IN THAT NAME -- THE NAME OF JESUS!!

ii. The worship of the cripple (3:7–8):

1. (7) a helping hand - instantly healed & strengthened!

a. no THERAPY

b. no REHABILITATION

2. (8) Walking and leaping, he enters the Temple, praising God.

iii. The wonder of the crowd (3:9–11):

1. (9-10) His witness

2. (11) Their surprise (“The people are amazed at this.”)[5]

III. Conclusion – I need everyone TO STAND who God has made a way for to be a WITNESS, because your blessing is about to move someone to want to EXPERIENCE JESUS today!

i. HE MADE A WAY

ii. HE KEEPS ON MAKING A WAY

iii. HE BROUGHT ME OUT

iv. HE KEEPS ON BRINGING ME OUT

v. HE PUT MONEY IN MY POCKET

vi. HE KEEPS ON PUTTING MONEY IN MY POCKET

vii. HE PUT FOOD ON MY TABLE

viii. HE KEEPS ON PUTTING FOOD ON MY TABLE

ix. HE HEALED MY BODY

x. HE KEEPS ON HEALING MY BODY

xi. HE TOOK CARE OF MY CHILDREN

xii. HE KEEPS ON TAKING CARE OF MY CHILDREN

xiii. HE PUT A ROOF OVER MY HEAD

xiv. HE KEEPS A ROOF OVER MY HEAD

xv. HE GAVE ME HEALTH AND STRENGTH

xvi. HE KEEPS ON GIVING ME HEALTH AND STRENGTH

xvii. HE LIFTED ME UP WHEN I WAS DOWN

xviii. HE KEEPS ON LIFTING ME UP WHEN I’M DOWN

xix. HE KEPT ME SOBER AND SANE WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO LOSE MY MIND

[1] Simmons, Brian, translator. The Passion Translation. BroadStreet Publishing, 2017, p. Ac. [2] Simmons, Brian, translator. The Passion Translation. BroadStreet Publishing, 2017, p. Ac. [3] Simmons, Brian, translator. The Passion Translation. BroadStreet Publishing, 2017, p. Ac. [4] Simmons, Brian, translator. The Passion Translation. BroadStreet Publishing, 2017, p. Ac. [5] Willmington, H. L. The Outline Bible. Tyndale House Publishers, 1999, p. Ac 3:1–11.