"Not A Nickel To My Name"

26 April 2009

Third Sunday of Easter

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris

Fortress Chapel

Contingency Operation Site (C.O.S.) Sykes

Tall-afar, Iraq

BIG IDEA: Believers are goodhearted people but should be challenged to encourage the UNCHURCHED to exercise their faith in God.

REFERENCES: Acts 3 (The Lame Beggar Healed; Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico); Acts 3:2 ESV (And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple,);1 Corinthian 3:6 ESV (I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth); I Corinthian 3:6 KJV (I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase); Psalm 4:4 ESV (Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your bed, and be silent;

Matthew 21:14 ESV (And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them; 2 Samuel 9 ESV (David’s Kindness to Me-phi-bo-sheth); 2 Samuel 4:4 ESV ( Jonathan, the son of Saul had a son who was cripple in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul & Jonathan came from Jezreel and his nurse took him up and fled; Acts 20:35-36 ESV (In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jessus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”; Luke 6:38 (ESV) give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you”;

I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Acts 3:1-10 (ESV)

II. READ THE PERICOPE: Acts 3:1-10 (ESV)

III. READ THE TEXT: Acts 3:6 (ESV) But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

IV. PURPOSE: To challenge believers to encourage the UNCHURCHED to exercise their faith in God.

V. SERMONIC THEME: “Not a nickel to my name”

VI. INTRODUCTION:

“Not a nickel to my name” implies that a Christian doesn’t have to have “money” in order to be a blessing to others. Time, Talent, and Treasures – God’s Pleasures!

It has been said (in Luke 6:38 ESV) give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.

Christians are known throughout the world for their love and forgiveness. If a strong Christian is having an issue with you or someone; it’s probably really an issue that needs to be lovingly addressed immediately. Because, believers are known for their giving and forgiving.

****** TAKE 5 BEATS ******

MOVE 1: Who can ever forget the story of David and Jonathan’s son – Me-phi-bo-sheth?

a. For don’t you remember, the Good book says – in 2 Samuel 4:4 – …

b. …that Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was 5 years old when Saul and Jonathan (who David Loved like a brother) was killed.

c. When the news about their death came from the city of Jezreel, the little boys nurse picked him up and fled;

d. but she was in such a hurry that she dropped him, and he became crippled in his feet.

e. In Chapter 9 of 2 Samuel, we find King David inquiring about of Saul and Jonathan’s Family Tree. He asked if there was anyone left of Saul’s family? If there is, I would like to show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake.

f. Now, instead of David having a need to show kindness, he could have very easily thought about the times when Saul tried to kill him.

g. This would have led him to feel revengeful and he may have even wanted to destroy Saul’s heir – Me-phi-bo-sheth. But, he didn’t. He thought of his battle-buddy: Jonathan and how he loved Jonathan like a brother.

******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******

MOVE 2: So, the Good Book says that King David was made aware of Me-phi-bo-sheth, and requested his presence.

a. When the young man arrived to the palace, Me-phi-bo-sheth bowed down before David with respect and said – “at your service Sir”.

b. David proceeded to be generous to Me—phi-bo-sheth and ultimately allowed him to eat at the Kings’ table as if he was one of his own sons.

c. David also blessed him with his father and grandfather’s inheritance, and he provided him with a family of 15 sons and twenty servants to assist him …

d. … ( This was especially important since Me-phi-bo-sheth was cripple and couldn’t work his agricultural fields in the same manner that others would have been able to do so without a crippling disability).