Acts 5:12-16

Many of us fall short in our thought process when we are discerning how God uses us.

We seem to forget the authority that he has given hos followers.

Often we say that Christ equips us for his work

Though we do not act in a matter that would make another believe that to be true.

See when christ ascended he equipped his followers

This wasn’t a limitation to just his current followers at that time but it includes his followers for all of eternity.

However, the followers who could call themselves his disciples had been experiencing all sorts of reactions from the community in which they ministered.

following the death of Ananias and sapphira the disciples were starting to get quite the name for themselves.

They had been going from place to place and sharing the gospel, working miracles in the name of Jesus and had truly been displaying the authority that christ had given them

And no matter how any others looked at them one thing could not change, they were given power by Christ through the Holy Ghost to do these acts.

Acts 5:12–16 KJV 1900

And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Now being someone who really loves setting themselves in the narrative of scripture and really trying to vision what this was like I want to set the stage for our apostles here

The Apsotles as we already know had been going around doing many miracles and wonders including being a part of Gods wrath to Ananias and Sapphira

Certainly at this point if you were within shouting distance you were either terrified of the disciples and their God or in awe at God and the works he was doing through ordinary men.

Now they were all in a place called “Solomon's Porch”

Solomon's Porch was a nice shaded area outside the eastern wall of the court of the gentiles and the Christians would often use it as a gathering place to teach or fellowship

And scripture says that they (The Christians in the area along with the disciples) were gathered at Solomon's Porch

The scripture even says in verse 13 that none of the rest of them would join them.

This meant that those who weren't saved Christians were in such shock by what was taking place that they would not dare to come to this place.

And so here are the apostles at Solomon”s porch and other Christians began to bring to them those who were sick

They were putting people onto cots and carrying them out onto the streets just hoping that the shadow of Peter would fall onto their sick loved one.

Many brough their loved one from a distance to Solomon’s porch in Jerusalem just so the apostles may heal them

and you know scripture says at the end of verse 26 “They were all healed”

By who “Peter a lowly fisherman”

so why would you bring your loved one out in the streets as they lay on their death bed into the hot jerusalem sun, to see a fisherman?

Well you would only find yourself doing such a thing if that fisherman was touched by the Holy Ghost.

Guess what Peter to this point had done nothing but be faithful.

What Christ has said would happen was happening, the spirit was working through him.

On the streets of Jerusalem a once fisherman had the attention of all. The city officials hated him, the Christians loved him and all the rest were scared of what power he may possess.

All of this because he was a faithful follower of Christ.

I pray today that you ask yourself “Why is it that I am not as faithful and committed as I should be?”

Peter certainly was

Now don’t get me wrong Peter had his flaws, he may have question Christs approach or even denied him three times but one thing was certain about Peter he was the rock that Christ built his church.

So church as ordinary people today we are as equipped as ever.

Christ has given us the power and the ability to carry out such a mission

A mission that requires commitment and sacrifice

A mission that is to reach the ends of the earth with the gospel and to see the church grow.

See a key part of todays verses is that in verses 14 the scripture says

Acts 5:14 KJV 1900

And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

meaning the church was growing fast.

The modern church has failed miserably

We are often lazy, selfish, and discontent

Often we find in the modern church it is all about us and not about Christ any longer.

We are happy with where the gospel has landed

I mean it has reach enough people, right?

How sad is it that we are content to say the gospel has reach its limits.

The word was given to us to save us only so that it may save another.

How do we find contentment in the truth that our brother or sister is going to hell.

In John 20:21 jesus Christ himself said

John 20:21 KJV 1900

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

We are truly happy to say “I have done my part”

Church you have not done your part for the gospel until you breath your last breath

Until that moment we should be scratching and clawing to share the word passioantley and faithfully

We should be faithfully trying to grow closer to our Lord.

Seeking his face and trying our hardest to avoid the sins of this world that only we may “well done thy good and faithful servant, enter in to the joy of your Lord”

Can you imagine those words from our Lord.

Church the gospel needs to go farther

It is a shame that our Lord has conquered death and sin for eternity and we seemingly fail to care.

He did not do so only that you or I may receive salvation but so that all the earth may have an opportunity to share in his wonderful sacrifice and miraculous gift of grace.

So as I have asked many times through out this time in Acts that we have spent.

“What is holding you back?”

What is the reason that you do not want to further the gospel reach?

Why are you content in waiting?

(conclusion)

Peter was not a man who possessed special powers

He wasn’t a man who could work miracles on his own

He was only an ordinary fisherman

Similar to many of us he had a day job?

yet he left that and sold out to the gospel of Jesus.

Church Peter is not the only one

Men and women have sacrificed everything for the advancement of the gospel

Everyday folks like you and I

Yet as as we saw in today scripture the spirit can work through everyday folks.