Is the Christian life one that leads only to failure? We might ask is the sunshine a failure? The Christian life that is portrayed by the world, which misses what we read about Pentecost and its power, is a failure because it is like handing a stone to a hungry soul. The world’s view of the Christian life never touches the need of the human heart. The message we give today it about two men filled with the Spirit of prayer and power who give beyond what was needed. God is that way with us for He has more than we need.
What do you have to give?
Are we really hungry for God? I am sent by God to be His light but I can do nothing of importance unless He comes. The disciples waited for the power from the Holy Spirit and then the church became alive. My prayer is that we become an alive church.
Acts 3:1-10 reference also to 11-26
1. We have A picture of desire. Acts 3:1-3 “Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
And a certain man, lame from his mother’s womb. This man was both poor and helpless. He was humble in that he was willing to be carried and laid in a way to get help. He was not full of pride or ashamed of his deformity to be where others could help him. He was born so; his lameness came not through any disease or fall, or any external hurt, but from a defect in nature, in one of his limbs, or more; which made the after miracle the more He was well known by the people, and to have been of a long time lame, even ever since he was born. He was there when the disciples were going to their time of prayer. Just as they were entering through the gate at which he lay, he looked at them and though they were strangers to him, he seemed to know they had something. WHAT DO WE HAVE TO GIVE?
2. An application of belief “Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, "Look at us!" Peter fastening his eyes upon him, with John who was equally concerned in this cure, said, “Look on us”; which raised his attention to them. 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting a gift. "He looked at them" as they offered him something he thought. He was not only attentive to them in his mind, but he directed his eyes towards them, and looked hopefully at them. He expected to receive something from them, not a cure for his lameness. He was hoping for some money. It appears to me that these men had a difference about them because they were filled with the Holy Spirit. It causes me to ask is my life different that other notice. Lorna Christenson 6 Peter said, "We have none". But what I have, I will give you. He wanted to give gift of healing. By curing him of his lameness, he had to use the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. That it was by the command of Christ he said what follows; and by his power, he produced the cure. He said, “Rise up and walk”. He did not make use of any medicines, or applied anything to him. They did not even take time to have a prayer meeting or anoint him with oil. Believing that power would go a long with the words, and strength would be communicated to him, by him in whose name he spoke. The cross and the Holy Spirit are the only remedy that God has for the lame and helpless humanity. WHAT DO WE HAVE TO GIVE?
3. It was An amazing thing of Grace. 7 “Immediately it happened.” And he took him by the right hand which was an imitation of Christ, whom he had often seen using the same action on such occasions. He lifted him up; believing he was cured. Immediately his feet and anklebones received strength; where, it seems, his lameness lay. Can you feel the excitement in this scene? 8 And he leaping up From off the bed or couch, or ground on which he lay: stood and walked; stood firm and strong upon his feet, and walked about; by which it was abundantly manifest to himself and others, that he had a perfect cure. I wonder how that prayer meeting that day was changed when he walked into the room. 9 The people that were in the temple, saw him walking, who before lay on a couch, or on the ground, and was so lame, that he was obliged to be carried. He praised God, for this amazing cure. He entered into the temple with the apostles, in order to offer up the sacrifice of praise to God there. WHAT DO WE HAVE TO GIVE?
4. IT WAS An excitement of GREAT WONDER. 10 The people knew that this was the one that sat as a beggar. As he was daily brought and had, for many years, it is very likely, sat there to ask alms of the people as they went into the temple; he was well known by them, and they had but just now passed him, and observed him in the same condition he had for a long time been, and knew him to be the same. It was a clear and undeniable point with them. They were all filled with wonder and astonishment at that which had happened unto him; that he should have a cure so suddenly, and in such an extraordinary manner; they wondered at the power of God, which was seen in it, and that he should make use of such insignificant and shameful persons as the apostles were. Everyone stood there in awe of the wonderful thing that had happened. He held Peter and John; by their clothes or arms, either through fear, lest his lameness should return on their leaving him; or rather out of affection to them for the favor he had received, and therefore hung about them. It could be that he wanted to make them known, and point them out as the authors of his cure, that they might be taken notice of by others and the miracle be ascribed unto them. When they saw him standing, walking, and leaping, and clinging about the apostles THEY greatly wondered at the persons who did it, and the manner in which it was done. 12 “Why does this take you by such complete surprise, and why stare at us as if our power or goodness made him walk?” WHAT DO WE HAVE TO GIVE?
5. There was a charge of guilt. And when Peter saw that the people ran to them, looked upon them, and wondered at what was done: he answered unto the people, you men of Israel, why wonder you at this? They were not selfish and proud men; they had much love to Christ, and great regard to his honor, and to the glory of God. It was not their power or for any worth of theirs or because of their religion and goodness or impressive talk. It was not because they were mightier in themselves and holier than others or that they had such a talent of curing lame persons. Peter chooses to preserve his regard to the God of Israel, the one, only true, and living God; and that, though he and his fellow apostles were preachers of Christ, yet they were not setters forth of another, or a strange God. He believed in the same God their ancestors did, and to whom they ascribe the glory of this miracle. God had glorified his Son Jesus; by raising him from the dead, setting him at his own right hand, and giving him the gifts of the Spirit for men; which he having bestowed on the apostles, by virtue of this they produced this miracle, which was a means of setting forth the glory of Christ, and of putting men upon glorifying him, or ascribing honor and glory to him. And in order to awaken their minds, to convict them of their sin, ingratitude, and folly. You denied the Holy One Who is "holy" both in his divine and human nature, and the fountain of holiness to his people and who is "just" or "righteous", both in his person, and in the fulfillment of his office, and has brought a righteousness for his people, which is credited to them. When it was put to their choice, who they would have released, Christ or Barabbas; they requested it as a favor, and desired they might be gratified in having Barabbas, a thief, and a robber, who, with others, had raised an insurrection, and committed murder in it, released, and Christ crucified. He is the author of life, natural, spiritual, and eternal; who not only is the living God, and has life in himself; and as man, had such a power over his own life, as no man ever had; but he is the author of a spiritual resurrection from the death of sin, to a life of grace, and has obtained eternal life for his people, and gives it to them. Now this Lord of life and glory they crucified. His death is laid to them because it was at their request, and through their initiation, that Pilate condemned him, and delivered him to his soldiers to crucify him. Whom God hath raised from the dead. And they were eyewitnesses; and of which they had the fullest proof, and were capable of bearing a sufficient testimony, and for which they were chosen and appointed. 16 Faith in Jesus’ name has caused this healing before your very eyes. And his name, through faith in his name. Who was before exceeding weak, strengthened the parts that were infirm, his feet and ankles, and united them, so that he could use them, and walk with them. The people knew him before, when he was lame, and now knew him to be the same man, and whom they saw now perfectly well; so could be no scam or imitation in the case. By Christ has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. He had perfect soundness both in body and mind; it being that which was only visible to these persons; and which was done, not in a corner, but publicly, before them all, at the gate of the temple, where the multitude passed to. What do we have to give?
6. A put forward of compassion. 17 "I know", that through ignorance you did it. You denied him to be the Messiah and preferred a murderer to him, and put him to death. 18 But those things which God before had showed In the Scriptures of the Old Testament, concerning the betraying of the Messiah, and his sufferings and death, with the various causes and circumstances of them: by the mouths of all his prophets; which were since the world began; some pointing out one thing that Christ should suffer. He has so fulfilled; in the manner he has, so exactly, so perfectly agreeable to the predictions of them, and yet were unknown to the persons by whom they were fulfilled. So wisely and surprisingly, are things ordered and overruled by the wise providence of God, who is a God of knowledge, and by whom all actions are weighed. There were 191 prophesies fulfilled in Christ that was written about Him in the O. T. 19 Peter’s message is repent of the sin of crucifying Christ, and turn unto him, receive his doctrines, and submit to his rule; outwardly change in life and conversation, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, such as will show it to be true and genuine: that your sins may be blotted out. Not that repentance and reformation procure the pardon of sin, or are the causes of it, for forgiveness is entirely owing to the free grace of God. 20 His coming in the attention of the word, and by his Spirit, to the comfort of their souls: which before was preached unto you; in the writings of the Old Testament, in the books of Moses, and of the Prophets, who was "predetermined" or "prepared for you"; that is, in the purposes, council, and covenant of God. God loves you.21 Jesus remains in heaven until all things are fulfilled that God wants to happen. God has had holy men, set apart and sanctified by him, and on whom he bestowed the spirit of prophecy. By the mouth of everyone of these, he has spoken one thing or another concerning his church and people, and the filling up of the number of them or the gathering of them all in; and till this is done, Christ will remain in heaven and reign there. What do we have to Give?
7. We find A statement of advice. 22-24 And it shall happen, that every soul…Every person, man or woman: which will not hear that prophet; neither believe what he says, nor do what he commands; or as it is in not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name". He that hears not him, hearkens not to God, in whose name he speaks, and whose word he delivers, shall be destroyed from among the people; he that transgresses the words of that prophet, is guilty of death by the hand of heaven. 25-26 Which may be understood as the incarnation of Christ, and his exhibition in the flesh; which is sometimes expressed by raising him up, and is no other than the mission, or manifestation of him in human nature. What do we have to Give?
Life is to be lived. There are no excuses. There are no reservations. There is to be no holding back. An enchanting story about violinist Fritz Kreisler tells how he once came across a beautiful instrument he wanted to acquire. When he finally raised the money for the violin, he returned to buy it and learned that it had already been sold to a collector. He went to the new owner’s home in order to try to persuade him to sell the violin. But the collector said it was one of his prized possessions and he could not let it go. The disappointed Kreisler turned to leave, but then asked a favor. "May I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?” Permission was granted and the great musician began to play. The violin sang out a quality of music so beautiful that the collector himself could only listen in wonderment. "I have no right to keep that to myself," he said after the musician finished. "The violin is yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into world, and let people hear it.” William Arthur Ward said, "If you believe in prayer, pray; if you believe in serving, serve; if you believe in giving, give." For you and I are exquisite violins -- our music is meant to be heard. I want to live my life that way -- to take it into the world and live it fully. I’d rather burn out than rust out. I’d rather be used up than die not having done whatever I could...wherever I would. I’m not talking about wearing ourselves out on over-activity. Happiness is never found in excessive busyness. But it is found in investing our lives in others. Saying YES when asked for a hand. Volunteering some time for a worthwhile organization. Spending an hour with a lonely relative. In the end, I know that my happiness will not have been about by my ability or my inability. It will have been about my availability. My life is meant to be lived.
