Where are You Looking | Acts 3:1-10

Introduction

This story allows us to look at a miraculous moment through the eyes of different people. You’ll notice that each look - looks through the scenario to see Jesus.

Tonight I want us to take each look and study the message.

Let’s read together Acts 3:1-10

Acts 3:1–10 ESV

1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 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. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 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!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 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.

Does anyone know who wrote Acts? =LUKE. I think its interesting that God lead Luke to write about a lame man being healed. The doctor is writing about people being healed.

Let’s pray together!

Just a little while ago, these two along with some others were in a house for Pentecost (Jewish tradition). One of the largest pivotal moments in the New Testament took place:

sitting together

mighty rushing wind sound came from heaven - filled the house

divided tongues of fire appeared to each one of them (OT view was always one flame of the spirit — — NT view has the flame extended to each person)

they were all filled with the Holy Spirit

preach the Gospel in the streets with many people who speak different languages - and everyone was hearing the gospel in their own language.

The pivotal point in the New Testament was the dwelling of the Holy Spirit upon each of them. It deeply & spiritually changed them. Now we have Peter and John going into the temple… we just read the story but you may not remember or fully understand the scenario — so lets act this out together.

I need someone who is lame

I need two people to carry the lame person “lay him at the beautiful gate right here”

I need a Peter & John “go stand by the door and wait for your cue

Here is the script:

A lame man was brought to the Beautiful Gate to beg for money

Peter & John were going to the temple

As they got close to the temple, the lame man asked for alms. (“I need alms”

{Did you say arms? It’s your legs that don’t work. A.L.M.S}

Peter directed his gaze at him, — so did John, and said “Look at us”

Crowd pauses in interest at what is about to happen

The lame guy fixed his attention on them expecting to receive something.

Peter gazing at him 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!”

They took him by his arms that worked fine before, even though this lame guy was asking for it.

Immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. He’s leaping, jumping, and walking while praising God.

All the people recognized him as the lame guy at the beautiful gate. They were saying things like “WOW” - “AMAZING” - “I wonder if they can help my non-literal lame friend… if you know what i mean.”

Everyone can find their seat now. Now that we have a better visual of the story, lets look at a miraculous moment through the eyes of different people. You’ll notice that each look - looks through the scenario to see Jesus.

The first look is the LOOK FROM THE DISCIPLES…

DISCIPLES - Look Where the Spirit Directs

Peter and John headed to the temple for a time to pray. There is no indication they were planning to meet up with the lame guy and heal him. The two disciples were simply going to pray. Even though they were following their plan, they were not spiritually distracted to where the Spirit directs. The only way Peter would’ve directed his gaze and told him to look at him was by the direction of the Holy Spirit which now lives within him.

During your daily routine, are you looking to where the Holy Spirit directs you? The same Spirit that lived in Peter and John lives within us! He wants to direct us the same way He directed Peter and John. We have to be on the look out for where he directs.

When you start to drive, you learn to have this fifth sense of police cars. While you are jamming out to music, talking with friends and family, or just thinking. Every white or dark suv/car with tinted window is sus.

While we are living life, going to school, going to sports, going to extra curriculars, going with friends and family — you are looking where the spirit directs. When you are spiritually looking for where the spirit directs, its in these moments you will see the need around you.

An important question we all must ask is, “How do I look where the Spirit directs?”

AWARE of the Spirit | 1 John 3:24

1 John 3:24 ESV

24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

We must aware that the Holy Spirit is apart of the trinity. When we get saved, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. If you do not obey God’s command which is to repent of your sins and believe in Jesus, you will never be aware of the Spirit.

Peter and John were aware of the Spirit. Remember they had just encountered the pivotal point of the NT where the Holy Spirit abides in them now. Do you realize what their awareness of the Holy Spirit means?

Listen to Ephesians 1:13-14

Ephesians 1:13–14 (ESV)

13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

You’re awareness of the Holy Spirit is your guarantee/down payment for you heavenly inheritance. This inheritance is you eternal perfect body which you will have in heaven with Jesus. If you are not aware of what Jesus did on the cross, repent of your sins, and believe in Him — — you are not aware of the Holy Spirit because He does not dwell with you.

2. AWAKE to the Spirit | Revelation 2:7

Revelation 2:7 (ESV)

7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…

We also have to be awake to the Spirit. When we are aware He is there we must also be awake to the Spirit by listening. Have you ever been in bed and supposed to be getting up and your parents tell you something, and later they ask you about that conversation and you have no idea what they are talking about?

Same idea here. We must be alert and awake to the Spirit, ready to listen and able to comprehend. Peter and John’s alertness and focus are an example that they were awake to the Spirit. Their action to look at the man and be active is a testament they were awake to the Spirit.

How many opportunities do we all miss because we are not awake to the Spirit’s direction in all areas of life? Think about opportunities at school, practice, travel, hanging out, church. What are the opportunities around you? You will never know the opportunities are there unless you are awake to the Holy Spirit.

How can I be awake to the Holy Spirit like Peter and John so that I don’t miss an opportunity? Starts with the condition of where the Holy Spirit abides. He abides within your heart. If your heart is cluttered with sin, then there is a barrier blocking you from listening to the Holy Spirit.

If you are not awake to the Holy Spirit then you are not able to answer the Holy Spirit.

3. ANSWER the Spirit | Galatians 5:16

Galatians 5:16 ESV

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

We know from earlier in Acts that Peter and John were aware to the Holy Spirit and in this chapter they are awake. Then enabled them to answer the Holy Spirit by being obedient and stopping to take the opportunity.

When you are aware of the Spirit and awake to the Spirit then you must answer the Spirit. We see in the passage that Peter was at this point - he answered the Spirit. Answer the Spirit by walking by the Spirit!

Answer the Spirit will involve speaking when it may seem scary.

Answering the Spirit will involve acting when it may seem awkward.

Answering the Spirit will involve caring when you may want to give the cold-shoulder.

Answering the Spirit will involve trust when the timing seems wrong.

Answering the Spirit must be unconditional no matter what your usual is.

Conclusion

Now is the time to Look Where the Spirit Directs. It’s possible the Holy Spirit is directing you to one of the three points tonight.

Maybe He is directing you to first be aware of the Spirit.

Directing you to be awake to the Spirit

Directing you to answer the Spirit

LAME BEGGAR - Look Where the Spirit Speaks

PEOPLE - Look Where the Spirit Surprises

Conclusion