DON’T HOLD BACK, GIVE WHAT YOU GOT
Acts 3:1-6
Intro: I took my text from this scripture for a couple of reasons. One of them is because I want you to know that my primary thought this night is not on tithes and offerings. I may preach in that area some but that is not my key text. I believe tonight we all have something we can give in the way of spiritual offering toward the service and worship of our Lord Jesus Christ. Whether we do that or not is left entirely up to us. Oft times we find ourselves with something to offer during the service but we hold back and then that we had to offer is no longer any good because it was meant for that particular service. I want to preach on the subject “DON’T HOLD BACK, GIVE WHAT YOU GOT”.
I. PETER HELD NOTHING BACK FROM THE LAME MAN AT THE GATE OF TEMPLE CALLED BEAUTIFUL HE GAVE ALL HE HAD (Acts 3)
A. Peter and John went up into the temple together in the ninth hour of prayer
B. At the temple gate was a lame man asking alms
C. (Acts 3:4) And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
D. (Acts 3:5) And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
E. (Acts 3:6) 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.
F. Had Peter held back and not gave what he had that man would have sat there that day until the sun went down and every day there after until he died
G. It will make a difference somewhere and to somebody when you DON’T HOLD BACK AND YOU GIVE WHAT YOU GOT
II. PAUL HELD BACK NOTHING TO THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS HE GAVE ALL HE HAD (Acts 20:20)
A. Paul testified that he had taught them publicly and from house to house
B. To Paul it wasn’t just holding meetings at appointed intervals but rather using every opportunity to encourage growth amongst believers
C. Paul preached two things to the Ephesians that are still the two fundamental elements of the gospel today
1. Repentance toward God (v 21)
2. Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (v 21)
D. (v 25-27) Paul was sure he would never see the Ephesians again but his conscience was clear in leaving them because he knew he hand held back nothing and give them all he had
E. Can you go home tonight or during this upcoming special meeting or any other service from here after with a clear conscience knowing you have gave it all for the church and for the Lord and that you have held back nothing?
III. THERE IS A PRICE FOR HOLDING BACK (Acts 5)
A. Ananias and Saphira had a possession and sold it. These folks were church members
B. (Acts 5:2) And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
C. (Acts 5:4) Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
D. Ananias would have been better off not selling it and just keeping it as lying about it and holding back
E. He and Sapphira both paid with their lives for holding back
F. (Acts 5:11 ) And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
G. (Acts 5:14 ) And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
Closing: No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave – President Calvin Coolidge
Give God all He asks, and receive all He promises
