Silver And Gold Series

Silver and Gold

Text: Acts 3:1-11

Introduction

1. Illustration: Mark Roberts wrote of a time when he visited the Capitol as a guest of Congressman John Campbell. If he was with the congressman, he could walk freely around the Capitol, entering many areas that were reserved "for authorized personnel only," reserved for members of Congress and their guests. He could enter those places, not because of who he was or because of what he had done, but because of who Congressman Campbell was. The name "Congressman John Campbell" opened doors. So, it is when we come before God in the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus opens doors!

2. As you read the NT, one thing becomes very clear, the early church was always looking for open doors to share the Gospel.

3. As a NT church ourselves, there are certain things we should always expect…

a. Expect an open door

b. Expect a miracle

c. Expect people to notice

4. Read Acts 3:1-11

Proposition: We should always expect God to open the door for us to share the Gospel.

Transition: The first thing we should expect is…

I. Expect An Open Door (1-3).

A. Peter and John Went to the Temple

1. Luke begins this section with the apostles living out their daily routine. In v. 1 he says, “Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service.”

a. The Jews had three hours of prayer in the Temple, 9, noon, and 3 in the afternoon.

b. This shows that Peter and John were still living as faithful Jews, but now they had a new mission and purpose.

c. But it also shows that God presents us with opportunities to share the Gospel in our daily lives.

d. Peter and John were doing what they normally did and God opened up a door for them.

2. Again, we see God opening a door with everyday events. In v. 2 it says, “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.”

a. Beggars would routinely sit at places of high traffic like well-traveled roads, in large cities or like this instance at the main entrance to the Temple.

b. This beggar had been lamed from birth, so, he survived at the generosity of those coming into the Temple.

c. Notice that this was something he did “each day.” This was his life, and he knew nothing else.

3. This is where Peter and John enter the story. Luke tells us, “When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.”

a. He was doing what he always did, day after day, but this day was going to be different because God put Peter and John in his path.

b. He asked them for money, but they were going to give him something much greater than money.

c. Peter and John were going to use this everyday occurrence to change this man’s life forever!

B. Keep Your Eyes Open

1. Illustration: Thomas Edison said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

2. Expect God to open doors, but we need to be ready to walk through them.

a. “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks” (Lk. 12:35-26).

b. One thing we know for certain is that the Lord wants us to share the Gospel with people we meet.

c. And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone” (Mk. 16:15).

d. So, if the Lord wants us to share the Gospel with all the world, don’t you think he’s going to open doors?

e. Do you think he will open doors for you at work?

f. Do you think he will open doors for you at school?

g. Do you think he will open doors with your family?

h. Do you think he will open doors at the grocery store or the gas station?

i. The question isn’t is God going to open doors for us, but are we willing to walk through them?

j. The problem is as Thomas Edison described, “it looks like work!”

k. Wait for the door to open, and then run through it as fast as you can!

Transition: The next we should do is…

II. Expect A Miracle (4-8).

A. Get Up and Walk

1. Now this is where the story gets interesting. In vv. 4-6 it says, “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!”