Contagious Living

SERMON OUTLINE: “Contagious Living”

Acts 3:1–10 NKJV

1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

INTRODUCTION

Peter and John weren’t heading to a healing service. They weren’t planning a miracle moment. They were simply on their way to pray—and God used their ordinary obedience to create an extraordinary encounter. This story reminds us that the supernatural often breaks out in the middle of our normal rhythms.

I — Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in Real Life

Acts 3:1 — “Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer…”

Key Idea

Before the miracle ever happened, they were already moving toward God. Their hearts were aligned with heaven, and that alignment made them sensitive to the needs around them.

Illustration

Think of a radio. When it’s tuned correctly, you hear the broadcast clearly. When it’s off by even a little, the signal gets fuzzy. Worship is how we “tune” our hearts. Peter and John were tuned in—and because of that, they noticed a man everyone else walked past.

Supporting Scriptures

Psalm 100:4 — Enter His gates with thanksgiving; miracles often begin with worship.

John 15:5 — Abiding in Christ produces fruit; worship keeps us abiding.

Romans 12:1 — Presenting ourselves to God positions us for transformation.

Application

When we consistently show up to worship—prayer, Scripture, gathering with believers—we become spiritually aware. God often uses people who are simply faithful in the basics.

II — You Can Only Give What You Have

Acts 3:6 — “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you…”

Key Idea

Peter didn’t apologize for what he lacked. He confidently offered what he did have—Jesus’ authority, Jesus’ power, Jesus’ presence. You can’t give what you don’t carry, but you can give what Christ has placed in you.

Illustration

Imagine someone asking you for jumper cables when your car doesn’t have any. You can’t give what you don’t possess. But if your battery is charged and you do have cables, you can help someone get moving again. Peter’s spiritual “battery” was charged, and he had the cables ready.

Supporting Scriptures

Acts 1:8 — You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.

2 Corinthians 4:7 — We have this treasure in jars of clay.

Matthew 10:8 — Freely you have received; freely give.

Application

We don’t need to be wealthy, famous, or impressive to be used by God. We just need to carry Jesus. What He has deposited in us—faith, compassion, authority, hope—is exactly what the world needs.

III — We Bring Jesus Into Broken Places and Watch Him Do the Impossible

Acts 3:7–8 — “Immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength… he leaped up…”

Key Idea

Peter didn’t heal the man—Jesus did. But Peter brought Jesus into the moment. When we step into situations with Christ’s presence, Christ’s power shows up.

Illustration

A firefighter doesn’t create water; they simply connect the hose to the source. Once the connection is made, the water does the work. We are spiritual “hoses”—we connect broken people to the Source, and Jesus does the impossible.

Supporting Scriptures

Mark 16:17–18 — Signs follow those who believe.

John 14:12–14 — Greater works because Jesus empowers us.

Ephesians 3:20 — God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think.

Application

Every hospital room, every family crisis, every discouraged heart, every broken marriage—these are places where Jesus wants to show His power. We don’t perform miracles; we simply carry His presence into the moment.

CONCLUSION — Ordinary Steps, Extraordinary Moments

Colossians 1:27 NKJV

27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Peter and John didn’t wake up expecting a miracle. They were just going to pray. But God used their worship, their willingness, and their faith to transform a man’s life.

The same Jesus who healed the lame man is still healing, restoring, and transforming today. And He chooses to work through ordinary believers who carry Him into ordinary moments.

CHALLENGE

Stay faithful in worship—God moves through aligned hearts.

Recognize what you carry—Jesus in you is enough.

Step boldly into broken places—He still does the impossible.