Sermon Tone Analysis
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Intro:
Chapter 2 of Acts is naturally linked to Chap 3
- What the HS did at Pentecost and in the believers following was for this new church to be a gift to the world.
- What had happened was what the Lord wanted to happen now through them
- It is interesting that they are now confronted by human need after this infilling of the HS
The Father intends it this way; the HS carrying us to people in need.
- Changing of our heart to be filled with a love not only for God, but for others.
- The HS burns out the chaff of judgementalism, exclusivity, and reservism.
Pentecost changes us into the people of God that care deeply about people.
The danger and tragedy is that we want to stay and live in Acts 2, but never experience the fruit of the Spirit in Acts 3.
- We want to enjoy this presence of God, the HS, and the joy of fellowship of others enjoying this Pentecost experience
- We miss out on the mission and intention of God if we remain.
- We become stagnant and in-grown; unhealthy
We want to relive ‘the good old days’ old camp highs, times of revival or renewal.
We have to be careful of trying to stay there because we will miss out on what God is doing and producing in and through our lives in those moments.
The central verse in Acts that establishes the theme, mission and purpose throughout Luke’s account is found in 1:8
Jesus instruction in Acts 1:8 is what drives/compels us forward
- We are called to be witnesses: He has come!
He is coming again!
- We talked about how the purpose of the infilling of the HS at Pentecost was tied back to this verse.
- The fruit of the HS is described in Acts 2 with one another.
- We must remeber the mission of God!
As we keep one foot in chapter 2 and begin our journey now into chapter 3, our experience with the HS and its fruit in our lives is an equipping for God’s purpose and mission.
- Has the infilling of the Holy Spirit moved you to people in need?
- Have the gifts of the Holy Spirit equipped you for ministry?
- Is the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control, (Galatians 5:22-23), bearing fruit of communicating Christ to others?
The authentic test of Pentecost is what happens in Acts 3.
Verses 1 & 2 Set the scene:
This healing story is one example of the “many wonders and signs” indicated in 2:43
This was customary still for the Jewish believers.
(2:42,46).
There is still a connection of Peter and John and the other Jewish believers to Judaism.
They continued to be faithful to the religious practices as they had known and been taught.
It can be easy to begin to form some opinions and judgements about this crippled man we are introduced to.
Jewish tradition of giving alms for the poor were done as acts of faithfulness to God and for the provision for the poor as outlined in the Old Testament.
(Deuteronomy 24:10-22, Isaiah 58:6-7, Amos 8:4-8, Malachi 3:5)
Jewish thought toward giving to the poor was viewed as a key element of faithful person’s responsibility to share their possessions as a means of doing justice.
People likely viewed the man as a way to check off a religious duty rather than really seeing him.
What do we know about this man that is crippled?
He has been so since birth (Acts 4 gives reference he was about 40 years old at this time)
He relies on others for everything!
We can assume that this man is not just physically crippled, but likely emotionally and spiritually crippled.
We look at his daily practices…they contrast significantly from the daily practices of everyone else.
The worshipers go into the temple, give alms, go to pray, worship, etc.
Where is the crippled man?
Jewish tradition banned him from the temple and all it represented.
In the Greco-Roman world, it was common to associate a person's physical traits with inner conditions and character.
For instance, the depiction of Zac-chaeus as "short" in the Lukan Gospel does more than merely add descriptive color to the story.
Rather, his lack of physical stature was perceived as an indication that he was also "short" on character.
The crippled man at the Beautiful Gate was no doubt a social and religious outsider due to his physical condition.
Most would have considered him weak in both body and character (see Parsons 2006, 109-22).
Such ancient perceptions would have limited his participation in worship (see, e.g., Lev 21:16-23).
However, it is unclear whether he would have been completely ostracized.
Luke's description of the man's healing as the strengthening of his ankles and feet correlates with the ancient view that noble men had strong ankles (see Parsons 2008, 55-57).
Let’s not forget the Pentecost experience of the infilling of the Holy Spirit and the changes it now brings into the hearts and minds of these believers.
Verses 3 - 4
Acts 3:3–4 (NIVUK84)
Acts 3:3–4 (NIVUK84)
3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.
4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John.
Then Peter said, “Look at us!”
The Holy Spirit changes our demeanor and our perspective
A couple things can be at play here…
1. Have you ever noticed something different about somebody when they have an encounter with God?
Different way they look; smile, glow, spring in their step, making eye contact?
2. Peter & John are now looking at their world with through the eyes and sensitivity of the Holy Spirit.
Has the in-filling of the Holy Spirit changed you?
It sure changed Peter & John!
- Has the infilling of the Holy Spirit moved you to people in need?
- Have the gifts of the Holy Spirit equipped you for ministry?
- Is the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control, (Galatians 5:22-23), bearing fruit of communicating Christ to others?
Maybe, for the first time, this beggar was really seen.
He had been in this place, likely daily, in front of people coming and going into and out of the temple.
We see people all the time, but do we really “see” them?
It can be easy to feel lost in the crowd.
Peter’s sermon in chapter 2 had a focus on the crowd that had gathered.
Peter’s focus here is on the one.
The Holy Spirit directed them to the one.
The Father’s heart is on the one.
Verse 5
Lets talk about expectations a little bit.
What expectations did the beggar have for that day?
What about his life?
- The crippled man was expecting to “get by” another day.
- His expectations were low as this was his normal life; go and beg and live off what is given.
Life expectations of someone crippled in this time period?
- “Sentenced” to a life of poverty
- Would never get married or have a family
- Was not permitted into the temple b/c of his condition
Jewish views of his condition:
Their physical traits were a representation of their character traits.
There is a tension building in this moment…
Maybe this is the time to wrestle with this question…
Who is the lame man for us?
I love how Lloyd John Ogilve addresses this in Drumbeat of Love,
“We must ask, “Who is the lame man for us?”
He is one of three persons; possibly all three at once.
(1.)
Some of us are like the paralytic in some areas of our lives.
As we read this, we may become aware of an immense immobility physically, emotionally, or interpersonally.
We are conscious of inabilities, inadequacies, and ineptnesses.
We want to love, but it's difficult.
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