Acts Message 8

The Power that changes people.

Acts 3:1–10 NKJV

1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Intro: Pentecost had come, Peter had preached, 3000 saved that day. Last vs chapter 2 we see “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

As these many people were saved their lives were changed.

That is what is so great about the salvation of Jesus, it changes lives. If you are a Christian your life was changed when you received Jesus as your Lord.

Statements you may say: I’m going to turn over a new leaf in life .I’m going to make some changes to your life style. I’m going to be a better person. These things can be good, but to have a real change, a spiritual change, it can only come through Jesus.

I. VS. 1,2

Acts 3:1–2 NKJV

1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;

VS1

Peter and John. That was different. It used to be Peter and Andrew, James and

John.

Now its Peter and John. The Holy Spirit had brought these two into a closer fellowship with each other. By nature they were different. John Philips says

“Peter was a doer, John was a dreamer, Peter was motivator, John was a mystic, Peter had his feet on the rock, John had his head in the clouds.”

John would outrun Peter to the tomb, Peter would push his way past John and rush in. Peter would dash out again his mind in a whirl, John would walk away thinking deeply over the significance of the staringly ordered grave clothes.

Peter and John were opposites. By nature they would get on each others nerves, but now they walked together. Before they were had been mutual disciples of Jesus, now they were members of a common body, before they knew friendship, now they enjoyed fellowship. Their were on their way to the Temple.

1. The Jewish believers still went to the temple to pray three times a day. Peter and John were going there the 9th hour, 3 PM. Later the Christians had to leave the Temple, because it was no longer significant meeting place of God with man.

VS. 2

1. Beggars favored three different locations

a. The houses of the rich, Main highways, The Temple.

2. There was a man at the Temple gate “Beautiful” it was a gate to the temple.

a. Notice that he was there daily. Carried by someone day by day. Because he was lame he was not allowed to go into the Temple.

b. This man was born lame, Next chapter we see he was 40 years old. Elab

c. He life was about to change. He was going to receive a gift that he was not expecting.

3. Salvation is a gift from Jesus, it is not a self-improvement project.

a. We often underestimate what happens when God saves a soul. We say something like, “I hope their decision sticks” “I hope it real”

b. When someone receive that free gift of salvation there is a change. II Corn 5:17

c. This man lame 40 years, he wanted money but he needed a miracle.

4. He when to the temple daily but he was still lame.

a. He was day after day, but he was still the same.

b. “asking of alms of them that entered into the Temple”

Two points here:

1. He was asking for money because he helpless. He had to depend on others to do everything for him. Elab.

Some Christians are like the lame man when they come to church.

a. They have been coming for years, but still can’t do anything on their own.

b. The pastor is to preach to feed the flock. Elab.

c. For some, go all week without praying, or pray very little. Go all week with reading God’s word. Go all week with any quality quiet time with God. Then come to church and expect to get something to fulfill their spiritual needs. Elab

d. This because there is no spiritual growth.

2. He was asking for money because he was hopeless.

Some in the church that are hopeless because there has never been a change.

a. They may have been though the motions. Elab

b. You may be one that has never been changed because Jesus has never come into your life.

Maybe you’ve come close to Jesus, but He’s never come into your life.

1. Daily the lame man was at the Temple. Jesus when to the Temple on more then one occasion. Good chance He passed by this man, but He didn’t heal him.

Our focus must be on Jesus VS.3-4

Acts 3:3–6 NKJV

3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

1. He asked Peter and John for some money. Two unemployed fishermen.

a. They didn’t have money to give him, but they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Because they were filled with the Holy Spirit they witnesses for Jesus. Acts 1:8

VS. 3,4 Look at us

b. They wanted him to see Jesus, he would see Jesus in them.

c. Hymn: Let others see Jesus in you?

1. Do others see Jesus in you?

a. In your daily walk.

b. In your attitude.

c. In your worship.

2. If you want to lead people to Jesus, they need to see Jesus in you.

3. If PGBC wants to lead our community for Jesus, our community needs to see Jesus un us,

a. Truck or Treat.

b. Other outreach events.

Getting the focus on Jesus by getting their attention VS. 5,6

Acts 3:5–6 NKJV

5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

1. He gave heed to them. This suggests that something in the voice and manner of these men grabbed their attention. He was interested in what they would give him, but they said “look at us”. They spoke with the authority of God.

2. As Christians we need to speak with the authority and compassion. But we need to back up what we have to say. By studying God’s word, not specking in our own opinion.

3. We can get peoples attention by the way we live our lives. The closer we walk with Jesus, the more people will see Jesus in us. When Jesus is seen in us we will have their attention.

VS. 6 He was expecting something. Money. Elab.

1. Peter says I don’t have any money. Maybe a bit of disappointment, because he was expecting some money.

2. He wanted money, but the needed a miracle.

A. The miracle that changed his life.

“In the name of Jesus of Nazareth”

1. It wasn’t about Peter, and Peter wanted to make sure this man knew it.

Notice something. They didn’t have any money but they had the power of God.

Pine is not a rich church. We have not have a lot of money, but we can have the power of God.

Acts 3:7–10 (NKJV)

7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.

10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Dr Luke gives some medical detail here.

“Immediately” This was not a gradual cure. Peter lifts the man up, immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

“Strength” Wuest” Made strong.

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Psalm 18:1–2 NKJV

1 I will love You, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

He had strength he had never had before. Look at the effect it had on him.

Acts 3:8 (NKJV)

8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.

He leaped up. He stood, and he walked into the temple. “Praising God”

Exploring Acts: An Expository Commentary ((4) We See Him Laughing (3:8b))

That was spiritual discernment. He was not praising Peter, he was praising God!

He did not regard Peter as someone special, though naturally he was grateful to him.

He did not kiss the hand through which the life-transforming power flowed. He praised God

He was filled with joy. That is the result of Jesus working in your life. You are filled with joy.

Joy......Praise......Testimony. All because his life was changed.

He is walking around the temple, filled with joy, filed praise.

Acts 3:9–10 (NKJV)

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.

10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

The people who had seen this lame man begging day after day, now see him walking leaping and praising God.

He had been changed, changed by the power of Jesus.

A real miracle.

A picture of a sinner changed.