Where are You Looking | Acts 3:1-10 (3)

Introduction

Over the past two weeks we have been observing, studying, and pulling as much as we can from this text. The first week we observed the disciples - LOOKING WHERE THE SPIRIT DIRECTS. Next we looked at the lame beggar (LB) - LOOKIN WHERE THE SPIRIT SPEAKS.

This week we observe from the crowd - LOOKING WHERE THE SPIRIT SURPRISES

Let’s read 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.

Let’s pray together…

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We are familiar with the story now of Peter and John healing LB. We’ve acted with the focus on Peter & John. We acted it out last week with the emphasis on LB and those who carried him. Lets act it out one more time with the emphasis on the crowd.

Who is going to be LB this week? _______

I’ll be Peter this time.

Everyone else stand up - yall are the crowd. I need yall to be filled with wonder and amazement when I heal LB.

“Yall get more excited when a trained athlete accomplishes what he is supposed to do in a game. I know yall can get more excited than that.”

“Alright one more time - pretend you’re a little Pentecostal this time…”

Really think about this… the person you have been walking past for YEARS… DECADES is now walking into the Temple. People look where the Spirit Surprises. People look where the Spirit moves.

PEOPLE - Look Where the Spirit Surprises

One Sentence leads to 3 points tonight: What People See {will affect} What People are Interested in {and will determine} What People Believe in.

What People See (ref 3:9)

“And all the people saw him walking and praising God”

Before your life is changed

People living life and following regular routine.

What have the people seen for years & decades?

People were familiar that he was lame and that he was a beggar

People are familiar with the life you live before your miracle

What is your miracle? SALVATION

There is a life that people see and become accustomed to interacting with

Topics of conversation

Use of language

Styles of conversation: gossip, lies

Lifestyles

After your life is changed

There was a Wonder and Amazement when LB’s life was changed

The ordinary they saw was now reversed to this outstanding surprise

The life they were familiar to seeing is no longer familiar.

The moment Jesus changed your life - there should be Wonder & Amazement because… “The ordinary they saw was now reversed to this outstanding surprise”

The life people are accustomed to interacting will be different. People will see and experience and change in…

Topics of conversation

Use of language

Styles of conversation

Lifestyles

A changed life by Jesus is evident by the people around you because the Holy Spirit that lives inside o f you will direct you from sin and convict you of sin.

The temptation is to live a double life

WHAT PEOPLE SEE will affect …⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎

What People are Interested in (ref 3:10)

“And they were filled with wonder and amazement”

The difference they SAW affected their interest

The difference the world SEES in you will affect their interest

LB received this physical healing and a supernatural salvation

Their interest in what happened to him will lead them to WHO changed him

If the life that is changed is not DIFFERENT & PRAISING, the potential interest in WHO did the changing will immediately be deflated.

The presence of interest in a non-believer leads to an easier conversation

Missions example

Friends example

Peter took the opportunity of interest to invite people

Acts 3:11–16 ESV

11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

Acts 3:19–20 ESV

19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,

Acts 3:26 ESV

26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

Never miss the opportunity of interest to invite people

WHAT PEOPLE SEE will affect WHAT PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN and will determine…⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎

What People Believe in (ref 4:4)

Conclusion