Acts 3:1-26 Walking by Faith in Jesus Alone

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! 26 When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes! 27 Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. 28 My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!

Psalm 119:25-28 ESV

PRELUDE — Use these moments to prayerfully consider the Scripture meditation above, so you may properly give God the glory due to His name.

THE LORD CALLS US TO WORSHIP HIM

*God’s Word of Greeting

*Call to Worship……………..…………………………………… Psalm 119:41 “Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise;”

*Psalm of Praise……TPH #119D My Soul Is Sinking Down to Dust (insert)

INVOCATION:

Father we now call upon you to be with us and be in our presence.

And illuminate our minds by your Spirit and Word.

We thank you Father in all things in Christ name Amen.

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S CALL

Responsive Reading……………………………... Psalm 119:33-56, p. 829 TH

*LET US PRAY

Prayer of Confession and Repentance

Grant, Almighty God, that, since you have until now so kindly invited us to yourself, and daily invite us,

and often interpose also your threatenings to rouse our inattention,

and since we have been inattentive to your reproofs,

as well as to your Kindness to us your children

Help us to not proceed in our wickedness, and thus provoke the vengeance that we deserve

Help us to anticipate your wrath by true repentance,

and be humbled under your hand,

even by your Word,

that you may receive us into favor,

and nourish us in your paternal bosom,

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Assurance of Pardon……………...……..……………...….. Hebrews 8:10-12

Hebrews 8:10–12 ESV

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

*Psalm of Thanksgiving TH #149 teach me O Lord your way of truth

LET US PRAY

Congregational Prayer

Lord, teach us to be resigned to your will; teach us to delight in your law;

teach us to have no will but your will; teach us to be sure that everything you do is good

and is the very best that can be done.

Help us to leave our concerns in your divine hands, being persuaded that you have sway even over evil; that out of it you bring good,

till your high purposes shall develop in your own perfect glory,

and in the perfect bliss of all those who put their trust in you.

Father we Pray for _____________ and we ask for all these things in the powerful, glorious, majestic, and wonderful name of Jesus Christ Amen.

THE LORD FEEDS US FROM HIS WORD

Scripture Reading……...………………..……..…………….. Psalm 119:25-48

Sermon Text……………………………………………………….. Acts 3:1-26

Sermon…………………………………………..Walking By Faith in Jesus Alone

HP Acts 3:1-26 Walking by Faith in Jesus Alone

Vs. 1-Walking by Faith through Prayer.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

3 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

Peter and John were walking by Faith.

They got up and went to work.

And what was there work?

Their work was to Walk by Faith in Jesus Alone.

that meant going to somewhere where many people who had not yet come to faith in Christ would be.

And to share the true and living Gospel which gives life to them.

People who knew of the prophecies of the Messiah.

People who witnessed the death of Jesus Christ but said that is not our Messiah.

Our Messiah is going to be a conquering King from the line of Judah.

From the line of David the other conquering King.

Peter and John were walking by Faith

By going up to such a people

they had an hour of prayer according to the text at the ninth hour.

The Book of the Acts (1. A Cripple Cured (3:1–10))

So the apostles continued to live as observant Jewish lives.

They attended the set services of worship in the Jerusalem temple.

The two principal daily services accompanied the offering of the morning and evening sacrifices.

And Peter and John this afternoon, went up the steps leading from the outer court to the inner courts of the Temple,

So they could be present in the Court of Israel for the service of prayer which accompanied the evening sacrifice (about 3 p.m.)

So that by the ninth is meant the last portion of the day

And they are going to pray with people who are offering a sacrifice which was to point to the Messiah the Jews just crucified.

Point to a Messiah they had just murdered.

Point to Messiah the Jews would be praying to God to bring to them.

But they had know idea it was Jesus.

Their eyes we're still shut to the true things of God.

It was if Jesus was still speaking in Parables to them hiding the truth from them.

Put here Peter and John are going to pray with these devout Jews.

And So as Peter and John are going to Pray going to worship in Gods Temple.

They are stopped in their duties and turn to other duties.

They are walking by faith in Prayer but now they will be

Walking in Faith by declaring the Name of Jesus to a man who was lame from Birth.

A man in need of prayer for his life has been one of begging for alms.

begging for bread.

Becasue his legs cannot hold him up.

He can’t walk into the temple

He probably has no trade because he can’t work.

He is in need like many in our country that are in need and beg for money on the side of the road.

Except unlike those today he wouldn't even have a wheel chair as many would today.

He can’t walk.

And he is not on the side of the road

This man is at the place where people go to meet with God.

And others are bringing him so he is probably a Jew himself.

But the text doesn’t indicate whether he is a Jew or a Gentile

And people today are in need of help like this lame man who sits at the Gate they call beautiful.

Some think this gate lead into the Court of the Women.

Which brings us to verses 2-10

Which point us to what?

Vs. 2-10 Walking by Faith in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth

English Standard Version Chapter 3

2 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. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 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!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 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.

This Miracle that points to the Lord Jesus Christ.

And that the power the apostles have is through him alone.

Peter says to the man in verse 6

I can’t give you Gold or Silver.

Becasue they Don’t have any Gold or Silver.

But what they can give is much better.

They can heal him by saying rise and walk.

We can’t do this in the church today.

Even though many con men in so called churchs would have you believe they posses the power that God gave the apostles to perform miracles.

Men like Benny Hinn.

Do I think miracles don’t happen anymore,

God forbid I should say such a thing

If God can bring dead people such as you and me back to life which he is doing everyday around the world.

And has done in you if you call upon Christ.

He can definitely still heal us of our physical aliments.

But its not a power that clergy seem too posses today.

I can’t with surety say as Peter did I can’t give you any money.

But In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth get up and walk.

But Peter can and did do this.

Imagine what it was like for this man.

Verse 2 says he was lame from birth

English Standard Version Chapter 3

2 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.

He is not only lame from Birth

Some people carried him daily to this Beautiful gate so he could ask for charity.

This story has so many correlations to us today.

This man is crippled from Birth.

We are Spiritually crippled from Birth.

We are Dead in trespasses and sins.

We can’t choose God.

We can’t walk in God’s ways as the Psalmist speaks about in Psalm 119

And its not just that we can’t we don’t want to be healed of our spiritual sickness.

So yes we need a physician Jesus Christ of Nazareth to heal us just as this man needed healing.

And what is the result of our healing,

Well hopefully it looks like this mans healing in some ways

The Book of the Acts (1. A Cripple Cured (3:1–10))

At that very moment, this man who had never been able to stand, let alone walk, became aware of a strange new strength in his legs and feet:

instead of his legs collapsing beneath him,

His legs actually supported him.

I would imagine that he next practised standing,

and when he found he could do that,

this man put one foot forward and tried to walk;

and when he found he could walk,

It seems ordinary walking seemed too ordinary for him

So he praises God for this miraculous healing by leaping in the air

thats what verses 8-9 say

English Standard Version Chapter 3

8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God

This man discovered all that his Healed legs were now capable of doing,

Think about the last time you were so excited you jumped in the air

Or did a Cart wheel

This is how happy this man is he is jumping up and down

Much like your children jump up and down when they are excited.

And this man praises God for being able to jump up and down and leap.

I would imagine that this man was a believer now.

He is praising God entering the temple with Peter and John

They are going into the inner chambers of the temple

.And he didnt just praise got with the jumping up and down the leaping’

He rejoiced in God’s goodness to him; the temple courts echoed his shouts of joyful praise.

People saw him praising God and walking according to verse 9.

And verse 10 says people recognized him

10 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.

So this guy in your town who you bring to the temple in now walking and leaping and praising God in the Temple.

I would be amazed.

I bet all eyes are on Him.

It says they had Wonder and Amazement.

This is and exciting thing

And the Jewish community should be asking what questions?

What should be going on in their minds?

The Book of the Acts (1. A Cripple Cured (3:1–10))

They should be saying I know that there had been nothing fraudulent or deceptive going on about this mans lameness,

Because he had been born lame;

They would naturally be astonished at what they saw.

It was marvelous enough, to be sure,

but it was more than a marvel;

More than just excitement

More than just a healing

It was a sign.

The two apostles had not cured the man by any power or skill of their own;

It was by the name and authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

This is how this man was healed both physically and spiritually

And this is how we are healed spiritually.

through Faith Alone

And what does Acts chapter 4 say in verse 12

English Standard Version Chapter 4

12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Vs. 11-16 Put Your Faith in God and not in men.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 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? 13 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. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 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.

So we see the people running towards Peter and John as if they are the source of this mans healing.

As if mere men had this power that made this lame man whole again.

And what is there there response.

It’s not our piety

It’s not our power.

It’s the Savior who we serve that has given this man who was lame the ability to walk.

And who has given him the ability to praise God for this miracle.

Then Peter continues in his explanation from History.

The God of Abraham Issac and Jacob is the one who has healed him.

Oh and by the way this miracle is by his Son Jesus Christ from Nazareth the one you killed.

the one who met with Abraham under the tree before destroying Sodom and Gomorrah

The same Christ who saved Issac from being Sacrificed just before the knife was about to be plunged into his chest.

The same Christ who wrestled all night with Jacob and put his hip out of its socket.

And this is the same Christ who you turned over to pilate to be but to death.

In exchange for Barabus a murder.

So let me be clear.

This is not the God Jehovah alone the Jews say they worshiped.

This is not the God of the Jehovah witness who deny Christ today.

This is not the God of the Mormons who deny the truth of who Christ is.

This is not Allah the false God of the Mormons.

This is the true and living God Father Son and Holy Spirit. God in three persons.

And there is only life through Jesus the author of Life

the one they had put to death and the one who God raised from the dead.

And its Faith in Jesus Christ alone which has healed this man before you today.

And what is the direction that Peter and John give the people after they lay out the facts that this lame man was healed by Christ alone.

By Faith alone and nothing they or anyone else did?

So lets read verses 17-26

Verses 17-26 is there direction

Vs. 17-26 Repent from your ignorance and have faith in the promise fulfilled.

Peter says

Acts 3:17-26 “Acts 3:17–26 (ESV): And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19  Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 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. 22 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. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 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.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

Peter tells them to Repent and gives them the blm that only the Gospel can bring.

he says in verse 19 that they are to repent and turn back from there sins so they can be blotted out.

There sins being the key.

Peter makes it personal

So I will make it personal with you.

God gave us Ten Commandments and they have many different ways that they can apply to our lives.

Gods Law law is in Exodus 20 verses 1-17 if you didn’t know.

So lets turn there and read Gods law.

Exodus 20:1–17 (ESV): 20 And God spoke all these words, saying,

2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

3 “You shall have no other gods before me. - That was the sin the Jews had and many in our country have today.

4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

This is the crosses that people have with so called images of Christ on them and anything else they worship other than God.

7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

This is your cursing cussing and OMGing taking the Lords name in vein.

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

THis is doing what you want on Sunday instead of doing what he has called you to. It’s the Lords Day for a reason not mans day off.

12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

This applies not only to your immediate parents but those who are Fathers and Mothers to you in the church.

13 “You shall not murder.

This is having hateful thoughts to others as well.

14 “You shall not commit adultery.

This is cheating on your spouse.

15 “You shall not steal.

I think stealing is obvious taking or desiring things that are not yours.

16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

This is lying to those around you giving them half truths.

Minimizing our sin in lies to others.

It’s the sin Ananias and Sapira were struck down dead for for bear false witness to the apostles.

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Desiring others goods.

So if these are sins you have committed or are committing these are the sins that you are to Repent of.

These are the sins you are to ask forgiveness of if you sinned against your wife or your neighbor.

These are the sins Peter is telling the Jews to Repent of

Why do they need to repent?

Why is it so important that they confess these things and not hide them.

Becasue without confession’

Without repentance

Without Turing back

or away from these sins

Then Christ is not there savior

Christ mediation is not for those who hide there sins.

Christs mediation for sins is only for those you Repent of there sins and grieve over their sins

and realize that Christ is the one who offers them hope

Christ is one that can forgive sins and know one else.

And if you are lying to yourself and others

concealing your sins.

Then you can relate more with Ananias and Safire

And even though you might not be struck down dead today.

There will one day be a recking to be had with God.

Hell awaits all those you will not repent and turn to Christ.

Isn’t that what verse 23 says when Peter is quoting the old Testament

23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.

This is the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18 being fulfilled.

That one would be raised up from amoung there brothers.

Christ was raised to blot out these confessed sins.

Peter goes on to say to them

5 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.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

It’s a blessing that Christ was sent to us to turn us from our wickedness

not to leave us in our wickedness.

And if we are happy in our sin

if we like our sin

if we want to continue in it then Maybe you have not been redeemed yet.

Maybe your in danger of hellfire.

and you have not yet been redeemed by Christ.

if this describes you attend the word God and I pray that Christ would one day redeem you if not this very day.

Becasue the call of Christ is sweet.

and gracious

and lovely.

And he calls us to himself even though we were once adulterous.

Even though we used to be his enemies.

Christ our mediator if he has called you will keep you and love you and bless you.

Becausue He is a mighty and faithful Bridegroom to all his elect.

He is the one who was foretold of by Moses, all the prophets, Samuel,

And promised to Abraham Issac and Jacob.

And Christ will continue to keep you until his return at the end of the ages when he will judge this world in righteousness.

And that is why I titled this sermon

Walking by Faith in Jesus Alone

Becasue this is what chapter 3 of Acts called the men and women to in Peters age.

And calls you to.

He calls you to

Vs. 1-Walking by Faith through Prayer.

Vs. 2-10 Walking by Faith in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth

Vs. 11-16 Put Your Faith in God and not in men.

Vs. 17-26 Repent from your ignorance and have faith in the promise fulfilled.

That is walking in Faith in Jesus Alone.

Lets us pray to that end

Let us pray.

*Psalm of Response….... Trinity Psalter 119 Verses 41-48 p.103

WE ARE DISMISSED WITH GOD’S BLESSING

*God’s Word of Blessing

*Closing Hymn……………………………………………... TH #731 Doxology