Untitled Sermon

Upon This Rock

The First Days of the Church

Message 5

Silver and gold have I none

Me:

Pride

a. It’s a constant looming enemy

i. It can be a driving force in my life

ii. Googles definition

iii. “a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.”

iv. I can take “deep pleasure and satisfaction” in sharing how well Grace Church is doing.

v. It motives me…

vi. Sometimes I think it borders on sin (It’s the very thing I hate)

vii. But then God has a way of humbling me.

b. Listen to what Paul says.

i. He brags as Hebrew of Hebrews (I’m in the who’s who pharisees)

Philippians 3:7 NKJV

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

(NLT) — 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.

iii. Let use a country boy term – I’m barking up the wrong tree.

Philippians 3:7 NLT

7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.

We:

Barking up the wrong tree.

It’s our greatest human struggle

i. None of us are spiritual enough to avoid it

ii. All of us what meaning and purpose in life

iii. And we do some crazy things to find it

b. We find it in…

i. Love family jobs money addictions

ii. These often fail and we lose hope.

iii. Let me show you something

God:

3. Silver and gold have I none

a. Let me show what I do have.

i. Tell the story

ii. Acts 3:1 (NLT) — 1 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service.

1. Prayer keeps coming up

iii. Acts 3:3–8 (NLT) — 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. 4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” 7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

b. Two kinds of need

i. The man was a beggar

1. Probably had been for years

ii. But there was a deeper need

iii. Let me ask you something?

You:

4. What motivates you?

a. What’s your deepest need?

i. If you could ask for anything

ii. Turn back the clock (guilt)

iii. If I could just get a raise (materialism)

iv. Do you blame someone else for your problems? (resentment)

v. Last Sunday I said, “You’re at the wrong church to sit and soak” (fear)

vi. I just want to be loved and respected (Pride or the need for approval)

b. I know how to meet that need

i. This is critical for the church

We:

5. Making Christ Lord

a. We can’t ignore the physical need

i. How do we serve the community?

ii. Jesus works through those who look and see the desperate need of the suffering.

iii. Of course, the food pantry – How can the building be used to serve the community

b. We can’t ignore the spiritual either

i. A full life comes from having Christ as Lord.

ii. Acts 3:6 (KJV) — 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

iii. Who does the beggar represent?

iv. Your life without Christ

v. I’m the complete opposite of the prosperity

c. The blessing of suffering

i. Life is full of it – consequences for our sin – hurts – failure – rejection – poverty

ii. I don’t need the favor of men to find satisfaction

iii. My need is meet in Christ

d. To succeed as a church

i. Christ must be the head of that church

ii. For Christ to be head of the church he must the Lord of your life.

iii. What motives you?