Why Are You Here?

Scripture — Acts 3:1–10 (NLT)

(S1) —

Movie/book — With twists and turns and surprising outcomes?

I could say that about my faith journey — How God has surprised me along the way

Why am I here? Share parts of my/our story — God’s hand in it

Email — How has God surprised you?

What can happen when you open yourself up to the transforming power of God’s surprise.

“Personally, I don’t like surprises. I like to know, to control what is happening, to be prepared ahead of time. I have learned that what I expect is narrow, limited and small. God’s expectations reach beyond, is always more, and sweeping and spacious.” April 11, 2017 By Jean Wise

Isaiah 55

I am here because God’s grace has been continually at work in my life. Much of what I didn’t discover until my latter years.

Philippians 1:6 “6 I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

2. Biblical text with three recipients to God’s surprise

2 Disciples surprised by the power of God — A man surprised by what he is given — People surprised at the miraculous outcome

3. Three things I have learned on how being open to the God’s surprise in your life can have lasting eternal benefits

Has God surprised you? Why are you here?

God’s best for us. Jesus is the only reason I am here. I hope he is the reason you are here as well.

PRAY

(S2) — John/Peter why were they there?

Acts 3:1 (NLT)

Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service

The most obvious answer is because of there faith — worship/prayer

They have a story — From fishermen to followers of Jesus

Feed my sheep — disciple Jesus loved

Good at fishing but not at following — they had a lot of growing to do

They were willing to go where Jesus would take them

My encounter with a God who pursues — Christian home — Sunday school/sing — Stuffed animals

Accident — Saved for something more

I didn’t get here overnight — Career — Marriage — Children — Church

(S3) — Hearing God’s voice — I ran the opposite directionI _ I was a Jonah — Peter — John all rolled into one

“The Hound of Heaven,” Francis Thompson — A pursuing God, Max Lucado

“I fled Him down the nights and down the days I fled Him down the arches of the years I fled Him down the labyrinthine ways Of my own mind, and in the midst of tears I hid from him, and under running laughter.” ― Francis Thompson, The Hound of Heaven

(S4) — Why am I here?

I was willing to go where grace would take me

Youth group — Jenny — Music ministry — TX4J — Drawn to the grace of God’s love

Prevenient grace — When we discover God who loves us and has been pursuing us even before we know him

“A Gift for All People,” (Max Lucado)

“What a surprising way to describe God: A God who pursues us. Dare we envision a mobile, active God who chases us, tracks us, following us with goodness and mercy all the days of our lives?

(S5) — The second person to receive God’s surprise

Acts 3:2 (NLT)

As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple.

What do we know about this man?

unable to walk due to a disability (brought there)

Burdened with the guilt of sin — from birth

Sometimes the burdens we carry are not so obvious — we don’t always know what the person next to us is dealing with...

As a young person, I discovered my need for the saving love of Jesus

Mom’s attempt to take her life — Guilt — Youth group

(S6) — The man needed more than money he needed Jesus — What Peter could give...

Acts 3:3–6 (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!”

When facing a person who is hurting, sometimes we are not enough, our money is not enough — If you know Jesus’ transforming love, then you have the best gift you can give.

A pursuing God — He’s not hard to find. He’s there in Scripture, looking for Adam and Eve. They’re hiding in the bushes, partly to cover their bodies, partly to cover their sin. “A Gift for All People,” (Max Lucado)

(S7) — Why I am I here?

I was ready to have my heart transformed by the love of Jesus

This man had become so dependent on others, but this day, through Peter, he met Jesus and his life would become one in praise of God.

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.

(S8) — The PEOPLE were the third party to receive God’s surprise

Acts 3:9-10 “9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded!”

They were open to the miracles of God. They were filled with wonder and amazement

When we say yes to Jesus, the effects go beyond what we could ever imagine. We open ourselves up to God’s surprises — to be used in ways that have eternal impact

Woman on the gurney at the hospital/Dorothy at the E.R

(S9) — Not because I am somebody special, but because of Jesus...

I was able to step out on faith

Ross Olson

(S10) — The miracle? What Jesus did through Peter

Acts 3:6–7 (NLT)

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.

God’s surprise — Brought two disciples where they needed to be — brought healing where there was brokenness — opened hearts and minds to the miracles of God

If he did it then, why would we doubt he can still do it today.

We all have a story What treasures have you discovered along the way? How has God surprised you?

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field” — and suggests ways to find that treasure within ourselves...” using it to glorify God. Gerard Hughes

John and Peter’s story changed because they were willing to go where grace would take them?

The man’s life was transformed because he was ready to have his heart transformed by the love of Jesus

The people were open to the miracles of God and were filled with God’s surprise...

All because a few were willing to step out on faith.

(S11) — I don’t like surprises — I like be in control — Here is what I have learned

Proverbs 16:9 “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”

Why are you here?

Are you willing to go where grace will take you?

Are you ready to have your heart transformed by the love of Jesus

Will you let Jesus help you take the next step on faith?

Stones in a pond