Acts 3

Introduction

I texted earlier about a question. The question was, what if i told you that you had the greatest possession that you could ever have? What would your reaction be? Some of you guys are pretty smart and know what I am talking about. Jesus is the greatest possession. We may call it cliche or think this is a small statement but it indeed is not. He really and truly is and the early church and apostles understood this.

Example of Joints and walking

Lets look at the beginning of this passage

Acts 3:1–2 NIV

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.

Im not sure on the importance or implication of this verse, but for whatever reason this verse struck me hard today. You have a guy who has never been able to walk and every day he is carried to beg at the temple.

I think this is a good reminder for us. We should be looking for people in need. People often pray when times are hard. It is called an Oppurutnity.

The Worst Situations in our life can provide the greatest oppurtunity

This guy has never been able to walk. He has had to depend on people his entire life and little does he know he is being carried that day to meet his healer. Can you imagine?

We need to look at these struggles in our life and see them as opportunity just as instructs us.

Acts 3:3–7 NIV

When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.

So this guy is standing in front of two apostles who have been given authority to heal (TO DECLARE THE NAME OF JESUS) and the best he can come up with is can I get some money.

This is so me. Its easy to look at stories in scripture and criticize because we know the rest of the story. We knew he was about to be healed but he didnt.

how many times have I come to God and said I need this and I need that. Give me relief give me this.

God is more interested in your redemption than He is your relief.

and look you may be healed or given relief amen. but that wasnt the priority.

Acts 3:8–10 NIV

He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

What a testimony this man has. Right? Because of what he went through he was then able to testify the greatness and wonder of Jesus.

God wants to use our pain to show His glory to others.

This takes being selfless. This takes complete surrender.

Jackie Robinson Son David

Acts 3:11–16 NIV

While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

I love that he was holding on to Peter. This is great sign of discipleship right.

Jesus is alive today and we should live expecting Him to move.

Acts 3:17–26 NIV

“Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’ “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days. And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

The Grace of God is greater than you or I could comprehend.

They murdered Jesus.

We have Hope