Miracle At The Gate Called Beautiful

SERMON OUTLINE:

• The Activity - Prayer (vs 1)

• The Place – Beautiful Gate (vs 2)

• The Request – Money (vs 3)

• The Miracle – Salvation (vs 6-8)

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

• Little boy had his first day at school,

• Said to his teacher will you teach me something that will impress my parents;

• So the teacher got him to repeat this phrase all day long; "2x2=4".

• When he got home and they were having tea together.

• Mum and dad asked him; "What did you learn at school today".

• And the little boy replied "2x2=4".

• Mum & dad were well impressed, they thought they had a genius in the family,

• Until a few minutes later the little boy said; "Mum, what's a two?"

• TRANSITION: Like that little boy,

• Many are familiar with the name of Jesus,

• But sadly only a few seen to understand and know its meaning!

• The name Jesus means "Saviour" or “Rescuer”.

• It was given to Jesus not by his earthly parents but by his heavenly Father,

• Mary his mother and Joseph his step-father were commanded to call him Jesus;

• The reason, because "He saves His people from their sins,"

• (Matthew chapter 1 verse 21).

If you read the whole of this chapter (3&4):

• You will notice the emphasis is on the name of Jesus:

• There are eight very strong references to it;

• (3:6, 3:16, 4:7, 4:10, 4:12, 4:17, 4:18, 4:30)

Look for a moment at the two references mentioned in this chapter (3):

• i.e. chapter 3 verse 6:

• “Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you.

• In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

• i.e. chapter 3 verse 16:

• “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see”.

• A name can be much more than identification;

• It can carry authority, reputation and power.

Ill:

• If I gave signed my name to an order at 10 Downing Street (that’s if I could get in),

• It would probably be ignored.

• But if Theresa May signed the order;

• Those who received it would be obliged to take note and to obey.

• My name has no official authority behind it;

• But Theresa May being Prime Minister her name should have authority behind it.

• TRANSITION:

• In this chapter Peter & John will NOT act on their own authority (foolish),

• Instead they will act on a higher authority – ‘the name of Jesus!’

(1). The activity - Prayer (Vs 1):

“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer at three in the afternoon.”

Ill:

• Hippy who turned up at a job center, looking for work.

• The man interviewing him asked him some questions;

• “Where have you been?”

• The Hippy replied, “Oh just here and there”.

• “What have you been doing?”

• The Hippy replied, “Oh just this and that”.

• “How often have you been doing it?”

• The Hippy replied, “Just off and on”

So the person in the job center reviewed his replies:

• “Oh just here and there”.

• “Oh just this and that”.

• “Just off and on”

• Then he told the hippy;

• “I think you should come back, just now and then!”

• TRANSITION:

• For Jewish men at the time of Christ, prayer was important.

• There were three special times for prayer;

• 9.00a.m., midday (12 noon) and 3.00p.m.

• Prayer for religious Jews has always been meaningful;

• And Jewish men felt prayers in the Temple courts were especially heard by God.

• The very first Christians were converted Jews,

• Although Jewish Christians don’t like that term converted,

• Many Messianic Jews refer to themselves as “completed Jews,”

• Since they believe that their faith in the God of Israel;

• Has been “completed” or fulfilled in Yeshua (Jesus).

We should not be surprised to see Peter and John going to the temple to pray.

• Jesus has just returned to heaven and the Church has just been born.

• The very first Christians were all converted Jews;

• And so they were still observing many Jewish religious customs.

• And Acts chapter 2 verse 46 tells us they met in the temple courts ‘daily’ to pray.

• It was a common well-known place for prayer,

• They also needed somewhere big enough were 3,000 people could meet together.

Application:

• Prayer is a good habit to cultivate.