Where Do I Go From Here? 5

Give What You’ve Received

living with a bold faith

Text: Acts 3-4

Introduction

Illustration: Have anyone ever told you to use their name at a particular place and it would bear enough weight to give you some kind of special treatment?

The very emphasis of chapters three and four are all about the NAME OF JESUS. The authority, reputation and power of Jesus’ name will be on full display.

What has carried us to these last few crucial steps of the serious believer and follower of Jesus is the very nature of His name!

It is clear that the greatest concern of the first century Christians was the name of Jesus Christ be glorified.

1) The Impact Of Jesus’ Name

Verses 1-10

At this point, believers were still very attached to the temple and the traditional time of prayer.

These first ten chapter presents a transitional period of moving away from the temple and embracing the “one body” which was to be made up of Jew and Gentile.

A. A greater need was noticed

There were nine gates that led from the court of the Gentiles into the temple itself. Scholars are not agreed, but the Beautiful Gate was probably the “Eastern Gate” that led into the court of the women. Made of Corinthian bronze, the gate looked like gold; and it certainly was a choice place for a lame man to beg. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 412.

The giving of alms was an important part of the Jewish faith, so beggars found it profitable to be near the temple. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 412.

Notice the difference between Peter and John.

There were no longer a competition between the two.

There was gospel cooperation between them.

If they did not notice this man’s need who would have?

APP — It is important believers stop nitpicking over dumb things and actually care more about working together to Jesus.

a. They desired this man’s attention and he gave it to them

This man expected to receive something equivalent to his request.

APP — Requests are made from you every day!

When someone prompts you to be angry…what do you give them?

When God is requesting you put to use your talents…what do you give Him?

When you are presented a moment to be either spiritual or critical…what will you display?

We call these OPEN DOORS.

God opens them and so does the Devil!

B. A greater gift was given

Remember, Peter and John had just pooled all their resources with their growing church.

APP — How awesome is it to believe you have something greater to give when you have nothing.

“In the name of Jesus”

Peter directed this man’s faith to ONE NAME!

The fact this man took Peter’s hand tells us something radical happened in his heart…FAITH IN JESUS.

This being a result of Jesus’ work would fill hearts with wonder and amazement.

C. A dual faith was needed

Faith and courage will take you further than you could ever imagine for the glory of God

Dr. Ben Carson mentioned how when he traveled around the country while running for president he learned that the majority of people had common sense. What they lacked was COURAGE! They would rather stand in a corner and just look at the floor.

Q — Do you remember when the disciples could not perform a healing miracle and Jesus said, “You could not perform what was needed due to not having the faith to do it.”

A brave faith of one led to a believing faith of another!

Q — Does your faith create curiosity in the hearts of those around you?

2) The Truth About Jesus’ Name

A. Peter used multiple names attributed to Jesus

God’s Son, the Holy One, the Just.

The religious crowd declared Jesus a blasphemer because of such self acclaimed titles.

He wanted them to know Jesus truly lives with those titles.

Peter wanted them to see their crime very clearly.

Even though Calvary seemed to be man’s last word, the EMPTY TOMB was God’s!

B. Jesus stood in the place for even the worst of sinners

C. Jesus died and resurrected

D. Jesus gets all the credit (v16)

“His name”

“through faith in His name”

“faith by Him” or “through Him”

“perfect soundness”

E. Repent and believe

“your sins” — Romans 5:12 “12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

“blotted out” = erased — Psalm 51:1 “1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.”

Hebrews 6:18 “18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:”

BIG PICTURE — Peter was calling for national repentance through it’s leaders.

The Messiah would come more quickly if that had happened.

3) Their Boldness For Jesus’ Name

Chapter 4

A. God’s message can’t be bound

Once the truth of Christ is spoken, it goes to work on the hearts of those who hear it.

Over 5,000 heard the gospel and many of them believed.

What was a huge indicator these two men were growing in their boldness? LIFE GOT HARDER!

B. God’s children must provide the right answer

(v7) “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this”

(v8) “filled with the Holy Ghost”

Notice verse 10 & 12!!!

C. (v13-14) God’s children must be educated by Jesus

God loves taking the poor, uneducated, dangerous, selfish, etc., people and blowing the minds of the world’s elite.

No education can equal that of spending time with Jesus!

“Real fruit” tells the fact you have spent time with Jesus.

D. (v17-22)

No threat would shake this former “denier” of being with Jesus.

Q — Why is it, people are more apt (more eager) to share some headline news or juicy gossip OVER what they have personally experienced through Jesus?

E. (v23-31) Praise and Prayer will develop your boldness

Their praise and prayer came after a time of persecution.

After you have seen what a brave faith did for a forty year old man, wouldn’t you want to pray to be bold for Jesus?

When asked to explain the secret of his remarkable ministry, the noted British preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon replied, “My people pray for me.” St. Augustine said, “Pray as though everything depended on God, and work as though everything depended on you.” Prayer is not an escape from responsibility; it is our response to God’s ability. True prayer energizes us for service and battle. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 415–416.

Conclusion