Episode 6

Hello again, and good morning to you all. I am so blessed to be here this morning and I cannot believe that we are in October already…I mean, this is pretty crazy to be honest with you. It just seems like the weeks and months are flying by us and now we find ourselves in October which means it is the month for our meet the Hardy’s at the corn maze. On Oct. 24th, we will be there are the corn maze in Byron and we want to invite anyone and everyone to come and join us as we sit around the fire and have some s'mores and then get lost in the corn maze. It has been such a fun time the last few years and so we are doing that again. Hey, those of you joining us online, welcome, we are so blessed to have you join us this morning, evening, or whenever you may be logging in. I want you all to know that you are all invited to join us at the corn maze on Oct. 24th. We always have such a fun time there and it is a great time to get to be with everyone outside of the church building. I also want you to know that you are welcome any Sunday to join us we are here every Sunday at 930 am with hot coffee and friendly conversations.

Did you all know that Beth and I came here in 2019. When we came we had all kinds of ideas and thoughts to be honest, but more than that we wanted to learn about what was going on here in Leaf River. One of the first things that we saw was the amazing family atmosphere that was felt here on Sunday mornings. I mean, I would even ask people why do you come here and I was always told about the family atmosphere. I asked visitors why they came back and I was told the same thing. It was amazing and it was very clear that God had been doing a work in the life of LRBC to create an incredible spiritual family for everyone to be a part of. That is an amazing thing…Im not sure if everyone here realizes the uniqueness of this reality. But its true…There is something special here at LRBC and if you want to truly experience that, then I want to invite you to connect with me or one of the Elders about really taking that next step for you personally or for your family.

But you know, this didn’t happen accidentally…No, within the fabric of LRBC was woven a unique family structure that can be traced back to the history of the church. Those that were forming this church were meeting together regularly and they were praying regularly, both in the church as well as in various other places, including peoples homes. They had meals together and they lived life together. We saw last week that when you break bread together that this raises the level of fellowship. Actually, we are in the middle of a series that we have titled The Book of Acts, an origin story. Today we are going into episode 6 of this origin story. Last week we saw something that was woven into the church from the very beginning as well. If you remember last week we saw that there were 4 aspects of discipleship. You see, they devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. Those are pretty important for us to think about as we look at our own church here at LRBC. Can we say that we are devoting ourselves to these things the way the early church did? Well, maybe not like they did, but I think we are at least working in that direction. I mean, we are focused on teaching the word, and we are focused on fellowship and being a family. We have meals together and we have prayer time together…all together, I would say that we are, as a church, heading in the right direction. Now, have we gotten it all figured out yet? No, not at all…You see, Luke also explains to us here in Acts that Jesus gave a job to us today. Therefore, we have to ask the question…and this might be a tough question, but we have to be honest as a church…If LRBC were to stop existing today, would Leaf River even notice we were gone? You see, Ive asked that question to various people from time to time, you know what answer I have gotten? Maybe not…So if the answer is maybe not, then I have to ask this question that I have asked you all over the last few weeks. Have you personally participated in the mission of the church?

So thats where we are in the book of Acts so far. As we enter into episode 6 we know that the church has pretty much just exploded. There are thousands of new beleivers and they are all focused on learning and growing as beleivers. What we see next, what we will look at today, is simply the

Natural Result of Discipleship

You see, I say what we are about to see is natural, becuase it is what happens when we are so focused on God that we see the opportunities that God will place at our feet. It is natural becuase when we are focused on what God is doing around us, we are actually looking for opportunities to show his love and grace. I say natural becuase what we are going to see today, is something that we each should be prepared to do, and be willing to do at any given time. You see, I will give you a hint. Today we see Peter and John going about their business and seeing a need. Then when they filled that need they had an opportunity to tell many people why they did what they did…This is great what we are going to see today becuase frankly it gives us hope that we can make an impact, we can make an eternal impact right here in Leaf River where God has placed us. Ok, let’s look at this together. First of all we see

Peter Acted...

You see, this is really interesting becuase they did not plan to do anything. We are going to see in a few minutes that they ended up having a huge event with many people there, but that is not what they had planned. Let’s just read about this together.

Acts 3:1–11 (ESV)

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s.

Now there are a few things that are pretty interesting here, and I am going to try and just kind of gloss over them pretty quickly. We will need to come back to Acts another time, becuase there really is much more than we can work through this morning. First of all what I really want to point out though, is that Peter and John were just living their life. If you will noticed they were simply walking to the Temple like they always did. Now this tells us that they did continue to gather in the temple keeping with Jewish tradition. They went to both pray, but also to witness and share with others about who Jesus was.

As they are living their life and they are doing what they always did, they come across this man. Now, this man has been lame, meaning paralyzed in some form since he was born. Now thats important. You see, if he had not been lame since birth some could claim that he simply was better, and it was no big deal. Maybe Peter had some medical knowledge since he was friends with Luke and he provided some medicine or something to that effect. However, he has been lame from birth. They are in Jerusalem meaning they have access to the best doctors of that time…he was lame, and everyone knew he was lame. The community likely knew this man as a person they frequently saw at the temple doors.

However, what happened was amazing, becuase as Peter and John are walking up to go participate in prayer and worship, this man is calling out. He is calling out like he does thousands of times a day…but this time…this time there is something different. This time as they are walking…Peter stops and stares at him. Scripture says he “directed his gaze”. Then what happens next is huge....Peter tells this man to look at them. He gathers this mans attention. You see, what typically would happen is as people are walking in tot he temple they might flick a coin over to him. That is what is normal…that is what is to be expected. This is before the times of social safety nets and various programs, and so the Jewish faith taught that charity was one of the important tenants of the faith. They would teach that the Torah, worship and charity are the three pillars of the Jewish faith.

This time was different though…this time the person that is expected to give charity is engaging with this man. This man probably thought this was gonna be his day…this would be the day that he will be able bring home some finances for himself and potentially his family. Now, today is his day, just not for the reason he thought it was. That is why this is different…there is a break from what is normal…there is a break from cultural expectation…that was huge…but that also wasn’t the end of it.

You see, Peter’s response to this lame man changed his life, forever…Peter said,

“I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” —Peter

This man has just experienced the work of the Holy Spirit…Peter helps him up, after all he has been lame since birth. You can imagine that he felt something different in his ankles and feet as they were strengthened. Of coarse he did…he lept up and began to walk and jump through the temple while he was praising God. Now this clearly gathered a bit of a crowd. I mean what would we do if someone was always outside the door becuase they couldn’t walk to get in, but suddenly they came walking and jumping into the sanctuary here…or better yet, what is clearly being communicated here…they came dancing into the room here…Of coarse we are all going to shift our attention to what is happening.

Now, real quick I want to give you a little glimpse into the original text here, becuase its pretty cool. You see, the word that Luke used is the word “hallomai”. Ok, so that word is traced back to the Old Testament using the Septuagint, which is the greek translation of the original Hebrew. Anyway, that word is traced back to

Isaiah 35:6 (ESV)

then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;

This is beautiful imagery from a poetic section in Isaiah that is talking about joy being restored when the Israelites repent and return to the Lord. That is what Luke is showing us here 2000 years later. That is what Luke is sharing with the reader. You see, words have meaning. When there are many words for the same action then you begin to see the meaning behind the words chosen. Now, this leaping and dancing man in the temple is gaining the attention of everyone in that space. They all begin to gather together so that they can see and understand what is going on. So, Peter and John are with this man as he is praising God, and…well...

Peter Spoke...

You see, first Peter acted when he saw an opportunity. When the Holy Spirit prompted him, he acted and he used the power of the Holy Spirit to move and have an interaction with a specific person that was in need of the Holy Spirit power. But, you know what else…This specific action that Peter and John took to engage with this individual caused a big crowd to gather, and, well…lets read together what happens.

Acts 3:12–26 (ESV)

And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

Now think about this for a moment…Peter, the guy that denied Christ 3 times not that long ago, is now standing up for the second time in a crowd in order to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Are you seeing the power of the Holy Spirit working in him. You know this is a bit interesting too, becuase Peter at this moment, Peter and John could have started their own thing. They could have taken a moment to get famous for themselves. Instead the first thing that happens in Peter corrects any misunderstanding. Peter ensures that those in the area were well aware that it is not them that caused this man to be well, but it was in fact Jesus.

So, Im not going to go through the whole sermon here, we will do that another time. However, this morning I want you to understand what Peter’s message was. Peter is taking time here to really paint a picture for those that day. Peter confronts Israels guilt in contrast with Christ in 4 very quick ways here. Look at this,

1. Peter contrasts the glory of God’s servant Jesus with those present who disowned him. (v. 13a)

The God of our prophets glorified Jesus while you delivered him over...

2. Peter contrasts Pilate’s desire to release Jesus as innocent, with their demand to sentenceJesus to death. (v. 13b)

You delivered to Pilate who desired release, yet you desired death...

3. Peter contrast who they wanted to crucify with the one they demanded to be released. (v. 14-15a)

You killed the Author of Life, while releasing the taker of life...

4. Peter shows them how they treated Jesus, the promised prophet, as a false prophet. (v. 23-24)

The Lord shall raise up a prophet, and everyone who does not listen will be destroyed...

However, Peter does not only confront Israels guilt. No, Peter gives them hope.

Think about vs. 18-21....these really seem to be the meat of this whole sermon that Peter is preaching right now. Look at this...

“But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.”

Peter instructs those hearing this sermon, and Luke instructs those reading this account, to repent. Hope is only found through repentance. That’s kind of a big deal…even for us today. You see, there were likely people who heard Peter’s first sermon on the day of Pentecost and they listened but were not moved to action. However, today, Peter felt compelled to sow the guilt of Israel and the hope of Jesus, and that was the catalyst to suffering in the lives of the beleivers that we will talk about next week.

For today, I want to highlight something, and I want to ask you a question…Peter was living his life, and he saw an opportunity to act and interact with someone in need…not just physical need. Then the opportunity arose and Peter took the time to speak and share the Gospel. Peter, personally participated in the mission of the church…

You see, there is something we can learn, I believe from this interaction, and it is something that we know to be true sociologically. You see, Peter met a need of someone, and that gave him the opportunity to share the Gospel. Had he not taken the time to offer the physical help this man needed, he may not have had the opportunity to have such a large impact on the lives of others. Teddy Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States once said,

People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” —Theodore Roosevelt

This is a true statement, we know it to be true based on the interactions of hundreds of studies over the last several hundred years at least. However, Peter didn’t have the luxury of sociology books in order to tell him the best way to interact with people in order to share the Gospel. I mean we have study after study showing us the best ways to interact with people. However, Peter didn’t have any of that. What Peter did have was a job given to him by Jesus, and the Holy Spirit enabling him to accomplish that job…What Peter did was personally participated in the mission of the church…What about you.

This morning we are going to close out in communion and I want to ask you to focus outwardly as we partake in communion. Focus on the roughly 80% of Ogle Country that does not have a relationship with the Lord. Focus on Leaf River and how you can personally be a blessing to this community, and to others in your life. Focus on proclaiming the Gospel to the lost all around us on any given day. Focus on how you can personally participate in the mission of the church this week...

Prayer

Read

Luke 22:15–20 ESV

And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

This morning we are going to participate in the Lords table by getting up and coming to the alter as a symbol of physically participating in the work of the Lord. So, while avolene plays, take your time and come up, after a few minutes then I will close us out in prayer and I will invite Nathanael up to lead us in a closing song.

However, for now, focus your heart on the Lord and on those in your life that you know are not following the Lord. Let’s pray...

Communion prayer

Avolene plays

Closing prayer