Post Resurrection Reactions

Scripture: Acts 3:11-20; Psalm 4; 1 John 3:1-7

Title: Post-Resurrection Reactions

This sermon shares what can happen when a person reacts to the infilling presence of God’s Holy Spirit

INTRO:

Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

I want to talk to you today about reactions. That’s right – reactions.

We all know a little something about reactions:

For example - you may remember these words:

*“For every action (force) in nature there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

Those words were written by Sir Isaac Newton back in 1686 and are called Newton’s Third of Motion.

And we know about the reactions that we get from certain things that we eat, drink or are put in our bodies like a vaccine shot.

Recently, I received my second dose of the Moderna Co-Vid 19 vaccine. The nurse that gave me my shot told me that there was a chance that I might experience some unpleasant side effects. She was right. I did experience some unpleasant side effects.

After the initial shot things went pretty good. I had experienced some pain where they gave the shot and had a little low grade fever. Nothing that stopped me from doing anything I wanted to do the next day or two.

The second shot was quite different story. I experienced most of the things that Moderna puts on their side effects list:

• Injection site pain

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Muscle pain

• Joint pain

• Chills - High Fever - 102.5 - 103.5

For about 48 hours it was quite uncomfortable to say the least. I was stopped in my tracks. About the only thing I could do was to endure it. I slept a lot and just waited for the next few hours to go by.

Now, that is not to say that you should or should not get the vaccine shot. It is to say that you might want to give yourself a day or two off after you get the shot. You might want to rethink your schedule so you can give yourself some down time (rest time).

Let’s think for a moment about that word – Reaction and the idea of experiencing a reaction. We know that reactions happen (when things move – Newton’s Third Law) and when we put things like certain foods or medicines in our bodies. We know we can have reactions to certain pollens; grass, tree or flowers. We know we can have reactions to certain foods like peanuts, ghost peppers and gluten laden products.

But is it possible for us to experience a reaction when we allow the Blood of Jesus into our hearts and lives?

Do we experience a reaction when we allow the Holy Spirit to infill us with His Holy Presence?

I believe we do!

This morning I want to share with you three wonderful reactions that we can experience as we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us. Three wonderful reactions that we can experience as rescued and redeemed people through the blood of Jesus Christ.

In our passage, the Apostle Peter is preaching in the temple. He has just left the crippled man who has been healed in the name of Jesus. He is now sharing with all those who will listen that when we encounter the Risen Lord we can expect certain reactions. That is to say, when we repent of our sins and receive God’s Holy Spirit there are certain reactions that we should expect to take place in our lives.

I. First Reaction: The Disciples became Helpers rather than Just Takers

It wasn’t by accident that Peter and John went to the Temple that day and it wasn’t by accident that they stopped by that crippled man.

I personally think it was all a Holy Spirit set up. I think it was a Holy Spirit set up so the Lord could show out. I think the Holy Spirit led Peter and John to the Temple that day and the Holy Spirit had the crippled man there at the right place and at the right time.

I think it was all to show what happens when we allow the Lord’s Holy Spirit to react with our spirit. It causes us to go from being takers to being helpers.

It is easy for us to think about our own pain, our own troubles and our own little worlds. It is easy for us to get a little self-centered about our own issues.

However, one of the great reactions we experience when we are filled with God’s Holy Spirit; when we are Born Again – rescued and redeemed by the Blood of Jesus we become helpers and givers.

We become people who focus not only on our own needs but the needs of others.