Five Things A Church With Pentecostal Power Ought To Do” Series

Subject: “Five Things A Church With Pentecostal Power Ought To Do”

Acts 3:1-10

Introduction:

During this season of Pentecost, I want us rediscover the purpose of the power made available to the Church. In describing the ministry of Jesus, Apostle Paul said, Ac 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” First these disciples were commanded to wait for the power from on high, and then in the upper room they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave the utterance. The book of Acts often speaks of the many wonders and miraculous signs that were done by the apostles. Now, in Acts 3, we are given a detail account of the lame man who was healed at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. We not only are called to witness the great miracle but we are also called to listen to Peter’s second sermon.

On the Day of Pentecost, the power of God turned despairing, fearful men into dynamic disciples. They had received the Holy Spirit and were clothed with power from on high. But why was the power given? The power of God seemed to have two purposes (1) Personal transformation - power to become sons of God and power for kingdom building – to be witnesses to the entire world. The power of God energized them to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. The power of the Holy Spirit enables his disciples to reach out and touch human needs and share the message of the Gospel. Pentecostal Power enables us to reach out and touch others.

In our text today, we see the power of God healing a human life. We see people who have been touched by the power of God touching others. It is the story of the lame man who begged by the gate called Beautiful. In this passage we see a real example of the power of God to heal. This man was healed physically, but the message of this text is not limited to physical healing in any way. This passage deals with human healing on every level.

The Scripture tells us that this forty year old man was crippled from birth. He had never been able to stand and walk, to run and play like the other boys. Now, he’s a grown man and every day friends must carry him to the Temple so he may beg for a living. There had never been a day in his life when he had not been a burden to somebody. He was born that way and he had never known the freedom of going anywhere with having to ask others to carry him there. This man really symbolizes all humanity as we struggle with tragedies of life. Everywhere we look there is human hurt, human suffering, and human tragedy. Sometimes it maybe physical affliction, mental turmoil or spiritual barrenness, but it is all around us. But A Church with Pentecostal Power can make a difference!

How many people do we pass everyday that are crippled by economic situations, or they don’t know what to do with their children; or their marriage is falling apart or their job is hanging by a thread or they struggle with low self-esteem, guilt or depression? Behind every door there is human need. Every person has a story to tell. We’ve all been hurt, we’ve all been used, we’ve all failed, and we all need healing. We need Jesus—and that’s the biggest need that anyone has.

The Church was empowered at Pentecost to help people receive a touch from God. Every day this man was brought to the Temple to beg. It was the most he could hope for. He is living on the sideline of life. He had never heard the good news. He couldn’t get into the church, and he thought, “All church people are good for is a hand out!”

Unfortunately, this is the attitude of many people today. They hurt, but they hurt in silence, and the church is the last place they want to go. Many of them view the church as self-righteous. But even if they have a good view of the church, they lack the motivation to get out of bed on a Sunday morning to come to Church. There are five things I believe a church with Pentecostal power ought to do: (1) A Church with Pentecostal Power ought to raise the level of Expectancy.

I. A Church With Pentecostal Power Ought To Raise The Level of EXPECTANCY – At the hour of prayer, Peter stopped and said to him, “Look at us!” And verse 5 said, the man expected to receive something from them. He did not know what he was going to get, probably thought it would be money, but his faith was quickened by Peter’s words. Expectation is necessary to be used by God and to receive anything from God. You must expect it. Peter and John knew what they had received and they expected something to happen. They raise the man’s level of expectation. Those who have received his power ought to expect to be used. We must help people raise their level of Expectancy. God will meet us at the level of our expectation.