Acts 3- Getting in the Flow

Building up on What God Started

Acts 2- WE see a true move of Holy Spirit- s Move of God

Moves of God continue based on the hunger of the people-

What God starts continues as the people devoted themselves to His presence and His moving-

After Pentecost the move of God didn’t stop- That was just the beginning of What God was doing-

So often we stop at just the beginning of what God is doing and we don’t build off of what God is doing

Don’t ever treat the beginning as the end- “As if it couldn’t get any better”

Don’t treat the Start as if it is the finish-line

Paul would say- Phil 3:12-15

Philippians 3:12–15 ESV

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

The Starting of something is not the Finished product

We are constantly being built up

we are constantly growing in our faith- and the things that once seemed like they were impossible become less of mountains for us as we grow in our faith

2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

this is both personally and corporately

This is the Beginning of What god is doing in this church and in your personal life

a New level of Glory that isn’t the same as when you started!

The Early Church built on what God is doing-

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Day by day they wanted the presence of God- This is hunger and this what made the early church explode

They wanted the things of God more and more

Matthew 5:6 ESV

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Hunger & Thirst- Two terms that show a desire a longing for something

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 25.17 διψάω; πεινάω

to have a strong desire to attain some goal, with the implication of an existing lack—‘to desire strongly.’ μακάριοι οἱ πεινῶντες καὶ διψῶντες τὴν δικαιοσύνην ‘happy are those who desire intensely to do what God requires’

What Happens when we are hungry?

Acts 2:43 ESV

And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

God is moving

Acts 2:47 ESV

praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

As they are hungry pursuing God’s presence- God responds by increasing them

What you do in Private spills over into the public

Acts 3 goes from focusing on the whole body of Christ or the church- down to two individuals whom are doing everyday life

Acts 3:1 ESV

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

The anointing of God doesn’t need a place or a special service to flow-

what is needs is hunger for Jesus! They had spent the time pursuing God and His presence now they are doing everyday life

They are a vessel

They know the voice of God

They have built up their faith through the word and prayer

They are prepared to be used by God

- what we do in the Secret places matters to how we live and minister in our everyday life

Mark 1:35 ESV

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Luke 5:16 ESV

But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

Luke 6:12 ESV

In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.

Jesus flowed in ministry because He spent time with the presence of God- Constantly in the presence of God so that God could work through His life

John 5:19–20 ESV

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.

Jesus is the example not the outlier

Luke 9:18 ESV

Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

This is the relationship that Jesus had with the Father- he was constantly in the presence of God

Praying

This is also the area that the early church functioned out of Acts 2:42-47 showed us that

If you want to be used by God make time for God’s presence in your life

The Anointing is an overflow

Psalm 23:5 ESV

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

The Preparation is keeping the cup full, and ready to be poured out!

The Spirit has anointited you

1 John 2:27 ESV

But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Peter and John are simply on their way to the temple - what they would have normally done

This is were the Spirit begins to speak - the Spirit is teaching bring to remembrance the things Jesus did and said

John 14:26 ESV

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

The Anointing of the Holy Spirit isn’t just for Sunday service-

Acts 3:2–3 ESV

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.

It takes Faith-

God can use you- God can move through you

You might think “well he’s never done it before”

or

“I’m not a pastor or anyone special”

God is looking for the who are hungry and are devoted to Him

2 Chronicles 16:9 ESV

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.”

Your pentecost experience with the fire and power is right there and He will do a new thing!

Peter here has faith to believe and faith to act

Acts 3:4–8 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. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

Peter shows that faith is the key

Can God move this way?

Yes He can and He does

Acts 3:16 ESV

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.