Have You Been With Jesus? Series

In chapter 3 is the first recorded miracle in the Book of Acts

Act 3:1-10 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being 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 of them that entered into the temple; (3) Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. (4) And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. (5) And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. (6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: 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) And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. (9) And all the people saw him walking and praising God: (10) And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

What happened after that is interesting...and challenging to us as the church...the Body of Christ today!

Act 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

Peter and John went up together...where? To the temple at the hour of prayer the 9th hour (3 o'clock afternoon)

Thought: Could this be the prayer time Jesus referenced in His parable told in ?

Act 3:2 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 of them that entered into the temple;

The man was lame (from his mother's womb) for more than 40 years:

Act 4:22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

Peter and John looked like ordinary men...in fact in it is noted in Act 4:13 ...when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

They were perceived as being unlearned and ignorant which caused their critics to marvel. Unlearned and ignorant men just do not do extraordinary things. They simply wake up every day, eat their meals, do their chores, go to work, engage in their daily routine and return home to their ordinary unexciting lives.

In fact the only exciting things that happen to them are the occasional show or trip or game which they honestly and earnestly believe are exciting things!

When the lame man looked on them all he saw were two ordinary men mere Galileans! He asked for what he expected ordinary men to give...alms. Very ordinary request of ordinary people who are expected to carry ordinary stuff like silver and gold! So is that all your life is about? Daily routine with ordinary expectations? The lame world look on us expecting nothing more than the ordinary...but...it is only an outward look. The disciple of Christ has something more! You are not mere men! In fact Paul draws this point out when he addressed the Corinthian church telling them they walk as men!

1 Cor 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

How often have we not become slackers and allowed the carnal to rule us resulting in an ordinary life and walk rather than being more than conquerors through Christ in us?

As the testimony of the rulers, elders and scribes reveals... they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

BEEN WITH JESUS!!!! This is what makes the ordinary become extraordinary.

BEEN WITH JESUS!!!! This is what turns water into wine!

BEEN WITH JESUS!!!! This is what makes 5 loaves and 2 fishes feed 5000!

BEEN WITH JESUS!!!! This is what makes tax cheats and robbers honest and generous men!

BEEN WITH JESUS!!!! It makes sinful women pure before God!

BEEN WITH JESUS!!!! It makes cowards become death defying and unafraid.

Being with Jesus does something inside of you! We may be just earthen vessels but we have a treasure in this earthen vessel

2 Cor 4:5-7For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. (6) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.