“Something to Give”
Acts 3: 1- 10
Pastor Robert L. Scriven
Trinity Baptist Church
Sparks, NV
We can find some encouragement from this story of Peter and John in the 3rd chapter of the book of Acts.
A lame man asked them for a contribution.
Peter & John had no gold;
Peter & John had no silver;
Peter admitted his poverty,
[he didn’t cry out]
He didn’t waste time about it.
We went on to say
Acts3:6
Because Peter used what he had,
a lame man walked
and
God was Glorified.
What Did He Give?
#1 - He Gave Compassion
Some might have said,
“Get on with it, the lame man wasn’t healed with compassion.
But without Peter’s compassion for the lame man, there would have been no miracle.
This old world needs more:
1. Christian Tenderness -
2. More fellow feeling -
3. More sensitivity -
Peter had Compassion
and
He Gave it.
#2 - He had Faith
Here was a lame man lying at the gate of the Temple.
An institution built as an expression of God’s Presence and Power.
The Bible says that this man,
“A cripple from Birth, had been begging at the temple for years.”
Power doesn’t reside in institutions,
but in individuals.
In men and women with Faith in God.
Do we have faith for those who have been “carried for years?”
Do we believe something can be done for the lame,
the weak,
the failing,
people we know?
God can help them stand and walk.
God can help them stand, walk, and share the good News.
#3 - He Had Jesus
It is not enough to have Compassion,
It is not enough to believe.
Our Compassion must be substantiated by the one Who is Love.
Our Faith must become fact through the Power of the Almighty God.
Peter had Jesus.
He said, {6]
Acts 3:6 (KJV)
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.
Acts states {7b}
“7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: “
How wonderful when we can give Jesus to those who are in need.
We can say, “I know whom I have Believed,”
and
then back it up with the claim to an indwelling Christ with an outgoing Compassion,
and
Faith and Power.
Acts 3:9 (KJV)
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
God has given us 2 spiritual hands.
With one we hold on to Him
and
the other to reach out to others in the world.
In touch with God,
we become hannels through which
His Love
and Power
can flow to need men and women.
Our opportunity for service is as near as the person next to us.
What I can do,
I will do in Jesus name.
