WED. - Signs of CHARACTER in the Church -3

Turn in your Bibles to Acts 3 -

It has been amazing that we took nearly 7 1/2 months in Acts 2 -

And there were some purposeful interruptions accounted for, in that time span -

BUT - IT TOOK A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME TO ACCOUNT FOR THE MESSAGE THAT GOD WANTED US TO KNOW!

And - the SAME criteria for GIVING GOD’s MESSAGE can be seen in the last half of Acts 3!

I was just reading in 1 Samuel this morning -

How the priest Eli's sons, Hopni & Phinehas, did not take to heart the message of God, served wickedly in the temple, -

And through multiple opportunities, chances, and disobedience -

Eli, Hopni, and Phinehas eventually lost their lives

And Phinehas’ newborn son received the name, Icabod, accordingly!

Yet - tender Samuel had obeyed the message of Eli, and God Blessed the message and young Samuel's obedience.

Consequently, Samuel continued to give Gods Message unhindered as a prophet, & the Word of God notes in 1Sam. 3:19, that “not none of his words hit the ground”!

What a powerful illustration, to give God’s Message as HE instructs and as quickly as He says togive it!

That IS a distinct SIGN of CHARACTER!

Here in Acts, right on the heels of the Holy Spirit’s POWERFUL Commencement Upon the Church

We have just witnessed a POWERFUL MIRACLE -

NOT BY PETER’S DOINGS -

Just like the thousands saved, baptized, and added to the Church, was NOT Peter’s Doings EITHER -

IT WAS COMPLETELY THE POWER OF GOD ON DISPLAY!

YET - What Follows the MIRACLE, here in Acts 3, is JUST as powerful -

AND THAT IS THE MESSAGE OF GOD!

AND PETER IS THE INSTRUMENT, OR TOOL, OF CHOICE!

WHO ELSE BETTER, THAN THE ONE WHO COULD NOT KEEP HIS FOOT OUT OF HIS MOUTH!

THE ONE WHO WAS KNOWN FOR BEING THE ONLY HUMAN, OUTSIDE OF CHRIST, TO EVER WALK ON WATER!

AND UNDENIABLY, THE ONE WHO DENIED THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!

BUT GOD WAS NOT DONE WITH PETER!

The ministry, that God allowed Peter to serve in, was more powerful in the latter end of his life, than in the beginning!

THAT TAKES CHARACTER!

WE CAN ALL STAND TO BENEFIT FROM THE NOTABLE CHARACTER OF PETER, & OTHERS FROM THE WORD OF GOD!

AND GOD, ULTIMATELY GETS ALL THE GLORY!

If you have found your place in Acts 3, and are physically able to stand - PLEASE STAND FOR THE READING OF THE WORD OF GOD!

Acts 3:11 - “And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.”

Acts 3:12 - “And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?”

Acts 3:13 - “The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.”

Acts 3:14 - “But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;”

Acts 3:15 - “And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.”

Acts 3:16 - “And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”

Acts 3:17 - “And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.”

Acts 3:18 - “But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.”

Acts 3:19 - “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”

Acts 3:20 - “And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:”

Acts 3:21 - “Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”

Acts 3:22 - “For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.”

Acts 3:23 - “And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.”

Acts 3:24 - “Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.”

Acts 3:25 - “Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.”

Acts 3:26 - “Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.”

Let’s Pray and We Will Have the Message!

INTRODUCTION -

As I was preparing for the message -

I began reading the Word of God, prayerfully and pen in hand - penciling in notes on a pad of paper!

Then just reviewed the text from a commentary or two —

And there was one commentator that took the cake - from the onset!

Notice - Acts 3:11 — “And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.”

Let me help paint a visual display, as John Phillips portrayed this particular verse - setting the course for the message!

IMAGINE - BY WAY OF ILLUSTRATION, WHAT HAS JUST TAKEN PLACE IN JERUSALEM!

IF! - the Day of Pentecost was NOT DRAMA enough - Acts 3 DEFINITELY takes 2nd Place in the DRAMA category!

Everyone is going about their traditional RELIGIOUS duties - going to the Temple to pray in the afternoon!

AGAIN - the same old scene has played out time & time again, with probably many of the same characters!

BUT - NOT THE SAME OUTTAKE, THIS TIME!

Probably EVERYONE in Jerusalem has witnessed this SAME impotent man, who sat at the Gate called Beautiful - by the Temple!

Probably EVERYONE in Jerusalem had warmed this SAME impotent man with care, and/or, coins - on their way to the Temple!

BUT! NO ONE WAS EXPECTING WHAT TOOK PLACE - WHEN GOD’S SERVANT CAME ACROSS THIS SAME IMPOTENT MAN _ AS HE MADE HIS WAY TO THE TEMPLE!

For those who were in close proximity - WITNESSED A MIRACLE TAKE PLACE - as we recounted last week!

IMAGINE - how YOU would have felt and responded, had YOU just visually witnessed THIS MIRACLE yourself!

Perhaps - you would have hung around to see what happens next!

Maybe - you would try to bid others, to come see WHAT just happened!

TODAY - FOXNEWS, CNN, & MSNBC would have been summonsed alongside the ALL THE LOCAL NEWS outlets!

Reporters would be flocking to get a live interview with Peter with probing questions!

Cameras would be shoved into the face of God’s servant - AS WELL AS THE HEALED INDIVIDUAL!

Can you imagine THE PRESS COVERAGE FOR THIS MIRACULOUSLY HEALED MAN?

Can you fathom the dates being set to appear on THE TODAY SHOW, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, & THE FOX EARLY MORNING SHOW?

Dr. Phil would have been competing with RETIRED Oprah Winfrey -

And, one can only guess the comedic barrage from Late Night TV Talk Show Hosts!

YET - the reality painted a TOTALLY DIFFERENT PICTURE ON THE STREETS OF JERUSALEM - IN FRONT OF THE TEMPLE!

This man, so overwhelmed to be able to walk, leap, and jump - from his frozen state of impotency!

AND THE CHARACTER-LADEN PETER STEPS UP TO THE PLATE!

The reason WHY, is simple - THERE IS A MESSAGE TO BE GIVEN!

Peter, NOT only exhibited SIGNS OF COURAGE on the Day of Pentecost

He ALSO showed SIGNS OF CHARACTER when the masses gathered -

And he did NOT let ANY stone go unturned - with God’s Message!

Take Note -

THE TRUTH REASONED!

From our text, we see that Peter did NOT waste any time, AND CUT TO THE CHASE! - Acts 3:12 - “And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?”

There is NOTHING more disheartening, when God works in the lives of men, AND OTHERS ATTEMPT TO STEP IN, & TRY TO TAKE THE CREDIT!

I am QUITE sure that the Word of God is full of examples of those who COULD fit the bill!

First - your mind OUGHT to go back to the Old Testament (Genesis 11) -

The Bible reminds us that there was only ONE language -

And the pride of man was beginning to surface in that short time of approximately 100 years since the flood!

Therefore, those men, were NOT going to be wiped out by the floods again -

And began building THIS TOWER, to go up into the Heavens!

The only problem, they forgot that God was watching!

When we get so busy, thinking ourselves to be somebody

There is an Almighty God UP ABOVE, looking down upon us -

Who knows us to be different!

And accordingly, God has to show mankind, JUST WHO was Superior & in charge!

What about a certain SUCCESSFUL king in Daniel 4

One full year, once the dream had been interpreted by Daniel for King Nebuchadnezzar - that we prefaced in Sunday School last Sunday Morning -

Nebuchadnezzar was lifted up in pride about the empire in which he thought he had built!

Daniel 4:30 - “The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?”

What he did NOT realize was that God was watching and listening to him, just like those in Genesis 11.

Daniel 4:31 “While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.”

The Apostle Paul could paraphrase what has been stated concerning both of these occasions -

When he penned 1 Corinthians 10:12 - “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

HOW CONVICTING THEN to Take GREAT CARE & Give the RIGHTFUL Credit When God Does Anything!

Hence the reason, we see the Apostle Peter, NOT MISSING A BEAT, when the opportunity presented itself “TO STAND UP STAND UP FOR JESUS, YE SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS”!

Afterall, who was it - bid Christ to come out upon the water, and began to sink?

Afterall, who was it, that was jealous of “THAT DISCIPLE” whom Jesus loved, and later asked on the beach of Galilee - “What shall THIS man do?”

And the Lord had to rebuke Peter lovingly, but authoritatively - “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee”?

AFTERALL, HAVING LEARNED HIS LESSON - WHO BETTER TO BE PLACED WITHIN AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING GLORY TO GOD -

WHEN OTHERS COULD HAVE CONVINCED PETER TO TAKE THE PERSONAL RECOGNITION INSTEAD!

As someone wisely stated, “NEVER, under any circumstances, take for yourself glory that is appropriately due to God.”

From the text, we can see that Peter Cleared the Confusion - THE TRUTH WAS REVEALED!

GOD GLORIFIED THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. - Acts 3:12–13 “And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.”

Instead of attempting to garner ANY praise unto himself, Peter turned the attention towards Praising God!

Afterall, this miracle that JUST TOOK PLACE was accomplished in the POWERFUL Name of the Lord Jesus Christ - Acts 5:11!

THAT was the One, Who was delivered unto Pilate - just recently, & probably STILL fresh in their memory bank!

THAT was the One, “the Holy One and the Just (ACCORDING TO ACTS 3:14), Who was denied; and a murderer set free!

That was the One, Who had JUST BEEN KILLED!

That was the One, as Luke identifies in verse 15 - as the Prince of Life!

And the credit goes to the Lord Jesus Christ -

Acts 3:16 - “And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”

The phrase, “his name”, simply means the name of Jesus Christ, and we could read the affirmation - “And Jesus Christ (WHO WAS JUST IDENTIFIED) through faith (BY THIS IMPOTENT MAN IN HIM) hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know”.

HEY - THERE’S JUST SOMETHING POWERFUL, THERE’s JUST SOMETHING WONDERFUL, THERE’S JUST SOMETHING AUTHORITATIVE ABOUT THAT NAME - THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES!

This phrase brings the powerful illustration that Peter consciously did this miracle in the authority and power of the Lord Jesus Christ, and NOT in his own!

Someone even went so far as to state - “Peter could NOT even take credit for the faith that was exercised in the healing!

And this impotent man, through faith in the POWERFUL NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST -

Received perfect soundness!

Every part of his being that was the culprit of his impotency - was made perfect!

The PERSONAL APPLICATION that each of us can take away from this single point tonight is THIS:

Any time that you are able to do something for God, and He allows you to see the results - DO NOT FORGET WHO GETS THE GLORY!

If you are a teacher, and you witness the “LIGHT COMING ON FOR THEM,” - it was NOT YOU - BUT GOD, WHO DID IT!

If you are one who can sing, and someone is moved by the song - it was NOT YOU, BUT GOD, WHO MOVED THEM!

When you talk to someone about the Lord, and they get saved - it was NOT YOU, BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD WHO CONVICTED & SAVED THEM!

If you are able to preach and something GREAT happens - it was NOT YOU, BUT ALMIGHTY GOD!

Romans 11:36 - “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

Colossians 1:17 - “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

Ephesians 3:20–21 - “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

The Truth Reasoned.

Notice - THE TRUTH to REPENTANCE.

THE TRUTH of RESTITUTION!